http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S167498711400108X

We present three 3D numerical models of deep subduction where buoyant material from an oceanic plateau and a plume interact with the overriding plate to assess the influence on subduction dynamics,trench geometry,and mechanisms for plateau accretion and continental growth.Transient instabilities of the convergent margin are produced,resulting in:contorted trench geometry;trench migration parallel with the plate margin;folding of the subducting slab and orocline development at the convergent margin;and transfer of the plateau to the overriding plate.The presence of plume material beneath the oceanic plateau causes flat subduction above the plume,resulting in a "bowed" shaped subducting slab.In plateau-only models,plateau accretion at the edge of the overriding plate results in trench migration around the edge of the plateau before subduction is re-established directly behind the trailing edge of the plateau.The plateau shortens and some plateau material subducts.The presence of buoyant plume material beneath the oceanic plateau has a profound influence on the behaviour of the convergent margin.In the plateau + plume model,plateau accretion causes rapid trench advance.Plate convergence is accommodated by shearing at the base of the plateau and shortening in the overriding plate.The trench migrates around the edge of the plateau and subduction is re-established well behind the trailing edge of the plateau,effectively embedding the plateau into the overriding plate.A slab window forms beneath the accreted plateau and plume material is transferred from the subducting plate to the overriding plate through the window.In all of the models,the subduction zone maintains a relatively stable configuration away from the buoyancy anomalies within the downgoing plate.The models provide a dynamic context for plateau and plume accretion in Phanerozoic accretionary orogenic systems such as the East China Orogen and the Central Asian Orogen(Altiads),which are characterised by accreted ophiolite complexes with diverse geochemical affinities,and a protracted evolution of accretion of exotic terranes including oceanic plateau and terranes with plume origins.     

A Janus-faced biodiversity change and the partiality of ecological knowledge in a world biodiversity hotspot in Ghana: Implications for biodiversity rehabilitation

The Gyamfiase-Adenya-Obom cluster of villages in the forest-savanna region of Ghana is located within one of Conservation International’s 34 “World Biodiversity Hotspots” of the most biodiversity-threatened regions of the world. In collaboration with local farmers in this area since 1993, the People, Land Management and Ecological Change Project in Ghana (PLEC-Ghana) has been working on promoting biodiversity rehabilitation to address problems of biodiversity change. This goal is expected to be achieved through agrobiodiversity or biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices. However, farmers’ employment of these practices has been lackluster, even while they acknowledge biodiversity changes, dominated by Chromolaena odorata and other herbaceous species, that are driving the decline in forests and their biodiversity. In interpreting the difficulties of biodiversity rehabilitation in Gyamfiase-Adenya-Obom, this study outlines the diverging ecological knowledge of non-residents/outsiders and local farmers about biodiversity change, which it describes as Janus-like with two diverging faces. One face of biodiversity change shows the detrimental impacts on biodiversity and its observers—non-residents/outsiders—insist on biodiversity rehabilitation that nurtures forests, and the growth and domination of tree species. The other face of biodiversity change shows its agronomic advantages and its observers—the local farmers—are skeptical of current biodiversity rehabilitation practices. Farmers see agronomic benefits in biodiversity change, in particular the benefit of faster soil regeneration within the predominant bush fallow system of farming. And as a result of this observation, farmers continue with practices that sustain a decline in forests and biodiversity. Based on social and ecological research that explores three biodiversity-friendly practices promoted by PLEC-Ghana (fallow management, mulching, and intensive weeding to protect tree seedlings), this article discusses the partiality of ecological perspectives that emphasize either face of biodiversity change but not both, and the implications for biodiversity rehabilitation.     

87Rb-86Sr age of rocks from the Apollo 15 landing site and significance of internal isochrons

Internal isochrons for two Apollo 15 rocks give an age of(3.34 ± 0.09)and(3.46 ± 0.04) × 10⁹ years with an identical⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of 0.69928. Considering the possibility for the line obtained in a⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr,⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr diagram to be a mixing line, the significance of these results are discussed.     

Microstructural Inhomogeneity and Mechanical Anisotropy Associated with Bedding in Rothbach Sandstone

This study present the result of conventional triaxial tests conducted on samples of Rothbach sandstone cored parallel, oblique (at 45 degrees) and perpendicular to the bedding at effective pressures ranging from 5 to 250 MPa. Mechanical and microstructural data were used to determine the role of the bedding on mechanical strength and failure mode. We find that samples cored at 45 degrees to the bedding yield at intermediate level of differential stress between the ones for parallel and perpendicular samples at all effective pressures. Strain localization at high confining pressure (i.e., in the compactive domain) is observed in samples perpendicular and oblique to the bedding but not in samples cored parallel to the bedding. However, porosity reduction is comparable whether compactive shear bands, compaction bands or homogeneous cataclastic flow develop. Microstructural data suggest that (1) mechanical anisotropy is controlled by a preferred intergranular contact alignment parallel to the bedding and that (2) localization of compaction is controlled by bedding laminations and grain scale heterogeneity, which both prevent the development of well localized compaction features.     

Transfer of Taiwanese ideas and technology to The Gambia, West Africa: a viable approach to rural development?

The development of Taiwan's agricultural sector contributed significantly to the country's transformation from virtual poverty after World War II to a modern industrial nation. Success resulted from the use of appropriate technologies, developed through an exceptionally close working relationship between government, research and development institutions, extension services and farmers in Taiwan. As part of their overseas development aid programme, the Republic of China on Taiwan has established Technical Missions in those developing countries where it receives political recognition. Among these is The Gambia, West Africa, where one focus of Taiwan's current Technical Mission is the development of women's market gardens. Although the gardens have proved successful, there is doubt as to whether their achievements will be sustained once Taiwan's Technical Mission in The Gambia has ended. Field research in Taiwan and in The Gambia, based largely on participatory techniques, has revealed that the low-tech methods introduced from Taiwan are appropriate for the Gambian environment. However, much depends on whether women participating in the schemes can commit sufficient time and energy to the gardens, as at present this is a limiting factor. The potential of the gardens may also be constrained by a lack of appropriate institutional infrastructure, particularly the scope for profitable disposal of garden produce. A major conclusion of the article is that successful transfer of appropriate technology to The Gambia is likely to be impeded by poorly developed coordination between groups that proved to be key 'players' in the development of agriculture in Taiwan: government, research and development institutions, extension services and producers.     

Carboxylic monoacids in the air of mayombe forest (Congo): Role of the forest as a source or sink

In the tropical rain forests of the Congo during the dry season, from June to September 1987, carboxylic acid partial pressures (P _gas) in the air above the canopy, at ground level, and at the boundary layer, were estimated from water samples such as fog and rainwater. The concentrations of these acids were also measured in the sap of tree leaves. Tree leaves act as a sink or as a source if the acid P _gas is greater of lower than the acid concentrations in molecular form in sap. For each of these soluble gases, there is a value of P _gas where the exchange is nul. This is called the compensation point. Values of the compensation point for some tree leaves were evaluated according to Henry's law. Henry's law coefficients at ppm levels were redetermined for formic (HCOOH), acetic (CH₃COOH), propionic (CH₃CH₂COOH), and isobutyric (CH₃CH(CH₃)COOH) acids.By comparison of P _gas and compensation points, it is concluded that the forest was a potential source for these acids. The soil-or the litter-acts as a significant source of a carboxylic acid of C₃ or C₄ atoms in the aliphatic chain. This carboxylic acid, not yet fully characterized, could play an important role in the rain acidity in forested zones of the equatorial areas.The direct emission of these carboxylic acids by vegetation was the main source in the boundary layer above the forest. The average emissions were 3.1×10⁹, 7.8×10⁹, and 8.4×10⁹ molecules cm^-2 s^-1 for HCOOH, CH₃COOH, and CH₃CH₂COOH, respectively. The savanna is an exogenous source of HCOOH and CH₃CH₂COOH during moderately rainy days for 30% of the time. The ozonolysis of isoprene seems to be a small source of HCOOH.     

POST-FIRE DEVELOPMENT OF CANOPY STRUCTURE IN A MEDITERRANEAN SHRUB,QUERCUS COCCIFERAL.

The canopy structure, including density, the apportionment of biomass in basal stem and branch diameter classes and foliage, and leaf characteristics, was examined for a dense Quercus coccifera garrigue in southern France at 3,9, and 33 years since the last fire. Indications of changing canopy structure were considered in relation to succession, regeneration strategies, water relations, and flammability. Other shrub species and herbs are most abundant at 3 and 33 years following fire, but at 9 years Q. coccifera is especially dominant. At 9 years the density of stems in the middle range of diameter classes is greatest, overall biomass reaches its peak, and leaf area index is highest. The canopy closes quickly, but by 33 years evidence for self-thinning, slowed but continuing basal sprouting, and declining leaf area and biomass is found; senescence may be beginning, but it is not an important factor in the first 33 years of canopy development. The continuity of the below-ground biomass in this and similar vegetation probably plays an important role in determining the optimum tactics for ramets through cyclic successions. Renewed competition in later years in a more open canopy of Q. coccifera, as indicated by the data, probably would be limited by recurrent fire. [Key words: biomass, canopy, density, mediterranean, physiognomy.]     

Les Facies de Transgression du Trias sur la Bordure Nord-est du Massif Central Français

Résumé La transgression triasique est suivie d'Est en Ouest sur la bordure du Massif Central français. Les formations sont de plus en plus récentes vers l'Ouest, indépendamment de leur faciès. Les limites du Buntsandstein et du Trias supérieur semblent locales et d'origine tectonique, tandis que la limite du Ladinien supérieur parait plus générale et correspond à la période où le caractère marin de la transgression sur les massifs hercyniens était le plus franc.Le début de la transgression aniso-ladinienne est daté pour l'Anisien par des empreintes de Reptiles et pour les faciès les plus marins du Ladinien par des Foraminifères et des pollens. A cette période, des microfaunes mésogéennes de mer ouverte apparaissent sur les bordures.Dans les faciès de transgression réduits, le Trias est constitué de grès fins silteux à pseudomorphoses de sel gemme et empreintes de Reptiles, étalés par une mer pelliculaire sur une surface plate. Le socle sous-jacent a fourni peu de matériel clastique et les courants sont orientés du Nord au Sud. Les évaporites sont plus concentrées sur la bordure que plus au large, ce qui implique une certaine aridité pendant toute la période de la transgression.Les faciès de bordure les plus avancés sur le socle sont formés d'une dolomie paralique supratidale déposée dans des lagunes évaporitiques. Sur les massifs hercyniens, des fractures et des failles ouvertes ont permis des circulations auxquelles sont liés des remplissages carbonates et des minéralisations.

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Conditions of the triassic transgression are analysed from East to West across the eastern border of the Central Massif. Formations directly overlying the basement get younger and younger westwards, without relation with the environment. Buntsandstein and upper Triassic boundaries appear to be syntectonic local limits. The upper Ladininian boundary seems to be more general and connected with the main period of the marine environment for the transgression on the variscan basement rocks. The anisoladinian transgression beginns during the anisian age as indicated by fooprints, while ladinian age is supported by mesogean foraminifera and palynology during the climax of the transgression, in an open sea environment.Silty fine sandstones with footprints and salt casts constitute the triassic transgression facies on the flattened border of the Central Massif. The underlying basement supplied only a little arenaceous material and the currents are oriented from Nord to South. Evaporites are more concentrated at the boundary of the transgression than towards the basin, what means aridity.Paralic supratidal dolomite constitutes the most external deposits at the transgression limit, in a syntectonic environment. Dolomite infillings and ore deposits are connected with water circulations along faults and fractures.

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Zusammenfassung Die Triastransgressionsschichten werden von Osten nach Westen am Nordrand des französischen Zentralmassivs beschrieben. Die auf dem Grundgebirge auflagernden Basisschichten werden, unabhängig von ihrer Faziesausbildung, nach Westen stets jünger. Die Begrenzungen der Ablagerungen des Buntsandsteins und der oberen Trias werden nur lokal, wahrscheinlich in Abhängigkeit von synsedimentären, tektonischen Strukturen angetroffen. Die Beckenausdehnung am Top des oberen Ladiniums ist dagegen zusammenhängend zu erkennen. Sie entspricht den eindeutigeren marinen Transgressionsverhältnissen auf dem variskischen Sockel.Die einsetzende Transgression des Aniso-Ladiniums wird durch Reptilienfährten als anisisch und die stärker marinen Ablagerungen durch Foraminiferen und Pollen als ladinisch datiert. In diesem Zeitabschnitt dringen offenmarine, mesogäische Mikrofossilien bis zum Beckenrand vor.Die geringmächtigen Transgressionsablagerungen bestehen aus siltigen Feinsanden mit Steinsalzpseudomorphosen und Reptilienfährten. Diese Sande wurden von einem sehr seichten Meer auf dem stark eingeebneten Grundgebirge verteilt. Das Grundgebirge hat nur sehr wenige klastische Abtragungsprodukte geliefert. Die Strömungen waren von Norden nach Süden ausgerichtet. Evaporite treten stärker in den randlichen Gebieten als zum offenen Becken hin auf. Dies zeigt auf eine ausgeprägte Aridität während der gesamten Transgressionszeit hin.Die am weitesten zum Festland hin vorgeschobenen Transgressionssedimente bestehen aus paralischen, subpratidalen Dolomiten, die sich in evaporitischen Lagunen bildeten. Die in den offenen Spalten und Verwerfungen des Grundgebirges zirkulierenden Lösungen führten zu Dolomitausfällungen und zu schichtgebundenen Vererzungen.

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