From the editors： special issue in honor of Professor Tsu-Teh Soong

This issue is devoted to the subject of earthquake response control of structures in recognition of the significant contribution to this fi eld by Professor Tsu-Teh Soong. Professor Soong recently retired from the University at Buffalo,     

From the blade scale to the reach scale: A characterization of aquatic vegetative drag

Previous studies have considered vegetative drag at different scales, the blade scale, the patch scale, and the reach scale, but few studies have considered the connection between these scales. In this paper, we develop simple, physically-based models that connect processes affecting the drag generated by aquatic vegetation at the blade and patch scale to the hydraulic resistance produced by vegetation at the reach scale. For fully developed flows through submerged patches of vegetation, velocities can be successfully predicted using a two-layer model in which momentum transfer from the unobstructed flow to the vegetation patch is characterized using a constant friction factor. To account for vegetation flexibility in this two-layer model, we develop an iterative procedure that calculates the reduction in plant height and drag for a given flow speed based on the plant material properties, and feeds this information back into the momentum balance. This simple iteration accurately predicts vegetation heights and velocities for submerged flexible vegetation. Finally, we consider the effect of varying vegetation distribution patterns by extending the two-layer model to account for more complex channel and patch geometries. The total hydraulic resistance produced by vegetation depends primarily on the blockage factor, i.e. the fraction of the channel cross-section blocked by vegetation. For a constant blockage factor, the specific distribution of vegetation can also play a role, with a large number of small patches generating more resistance than a single large patch. By considering models with different levels of complexity, we offer suggestions for what field measurements are needed to advance the prediction of channel resistance.     

Deconstructing geomorphology: an appreciation of the contributions of Barbara A. Kennedy (1943–2014)

Barbara Kennedy has left only a small body of work, consisting principally of eight research papers, nine commentaries and two books. Its extent belies its importance. Read systematically, the work represents a sustained and important critique of the direction taken by mainstream geomorphology since the process‐focused reorientation of the mid‐twentieth century. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The control of the production process of phytoplankton by the physical structure of the aquatic environment with special reference to its optical properties

This tutorial was designed for nonbiologists requiring an introduction to the nature and general timescales of phytoplankton responses to physical forcing in aquatic environments. As such, an effort was made to highlight biological markers which might assist in identifying, measuring and/or validating physical processes controlling the variability in the distribution, abundance, composition and activity of phytoplankton communities. Given the recent advances in environmental optics and remote sensing capabilities, a special emphasis was placed on the nature and utility of phytoplankton optical properties in current bio-optical modelling efforts to predict temporal and spatial variability in phytoplankton productivity and growth.     

A unique way of passive dispersal of aquatic invertebrates by wind: Chironomid larvae are traveling in fragments of aquatic mosses

Wind mediated dispersal of bryophytes is well documented, however, aerial transport of macroinvertebrates attached to moss has not been observed yet. Here, we provide the first evidence of wind mediated transport of aquatic insects (chironomid larvae) inside moss tufts. We also discuss the importance of this dispersal mechanism for colonization of new habitats in regions with high amount of mosses and strong wind activity, such as arctic and alpine regions.     

Modeling the biodegradation of multicomponent organic matter in an aquatic environment: 1. Methodology

A methodology of modeling organic matter degradation is described. It includes the identification of a class of disordered biopolymers embracing a considerable part of stable organic matter in the aquatic environment; the choice of a reference representative of the class, which is proposed to be lignin—a widespread product of wood degradation and processing; the construction of a three-level hierarchical scheme of degradation modeling, whose top level contains the formulation of the purpose of modeling, which is to find the law of the decrease in organic matter concentration over time, the middle level includes the development of a mathematical model, and the bottom level includes the analysis of the mechanisms of the processes. The general formulation of the problem at the hierarchical levels is developed from top to bottom, while the modeling process is realized from bottom to top.     

五里湖底质条件与水生高等植物的适应性研究

在五里湖富营养化过程中,氮、磷及有机物质在湖底沉积物中大量积累。在夏季高温、高水位期。底泥中因有机物分解耗氧强烈和溶解氧补给受阻而发生缺氧。挺水植物和浮叶植物均能适应这种底质条件;在水温低于30C或水深小于1m的情况下,五里湖的底质条件对沉水植物生长十分有利;但在夏季,当水温超过30C且水深远大于1m时,底泥和底层湖水中的厌氧环境会引起沉水植物烂根,故沉水植物无法在五里湖渡过夏季,成为重建水生植被的障碍。适当降低水位,开挖湖心区底泥,在沿岸带堆积造成人工浅滩,可以创造出适合水生植物生长的生境条件。     

Gel- and ultramembrane filtration of aquatic humus: A comparison of the two methods

Fractionation is considered to be a necessary approach in order to obtain information about the complex composition of aquatic humus. Gel filtration has been used for this purpose for the last decade and recently ultramembrane filtration has been found useful. The two techniques are briefly described and results of a combined use of the two methods reported. The results show a poor correspondence, with regard to molecular size, between the two methods. Due to uncontrollable interaction between the gel used (Sephadex) and humus, the ultramembrane filtration technique is considered to be preferable for desalting and molecular size fractionation of aquatic humus.     

Studies of aquatic fungi. Part 16: A quatic fungi of the River Pisa and its tributary,the River Skroda

The work was undertaken to investigate the mycoflora of the river Pisa and its tributary, the river Skroda. Samples of water were collected once a month over four years (1984 … 1987) for hydrochemical analysis and studies of the fungus content. Forty-three species of fungi were found in these rivers. The following fungi unknown in Poland were found in the Pisa river: Achlya megasperma and Rhipidium partenosporum.     

淀山湖水生维管束植物群落研究

论述了淀山湖水生维管束植物的种类组成、分布、群落类型、群落的数量特征及演替。结果是:（1）湖中分布有26种水生维管束植物,隶属16科,21属;其优势种为苦草、菹草、马来眼子菜、芦苇等。（2）湖中水生植被呈不规则环带状分布,并可划分为挺水、浮叶、沉水三个植物带,12个主要水生维管束植物群落。（3）水生维管束植物的重要值以苦草最大,茨藻属植物最小。（4）淀山湖水生维管束植物群落有由沉水型向浮叶型、挺水型或漂浮型过渡的趋势。     

Modeling the biodegradation of multicomponent organic matter in an aquatic environment: 4. Degradation kinetics model

A model is developed to describe the degradation kinetics of an organic substance with chaotic structure of macromolecules. The model is based on the results of analysis of lignin structure and its degradation mechanisms described in previous papers of this series. Model postulates are formulated and their chemical substantiation is given. Degradation regimes corresponding to different molecular size distributions are studied. The decrease in organic carbon concentration at the asymptotic stage of the process is shown to obey the power law. Theoretical results were checked against some empirical data taken from the literature.