Hydraulic and sedimentary controls on the availability and use of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spawning habitat in the River Dee system, north-east Scotland

The hydraulic and sedimentary characteristics of the spawning habitat of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in tributary and mainstem locations in a river system in north-east Scotland are described. Salmon used spawning sites with a relatively wide range in sediment characteristics, although measures of central tendency were all in the gravel (2–64 mm) size-class. The dominant factor differentiating the sediment characteristics of study sites was the level of fine sediment, which accounted for significant differences between tributary and mainstem samples. The ranges of depth and velocity in areas used for spawning by salmonids were found to be similar in all tributary study sites. However, due to the interdependence of depth and velocity, major differences were observed between tributary and mainstem study sites in that spawning in larger streams tended to be associated with deeper, faster flowing water. Spawning locations were shown to have similar Froude number, despite different sized streams and species of salmonid. Due to its dimensionless nature and significance in characterising flow hydraulics, the Froude number is proposed as a potentially useful variable for describing the habitat of aquatic organisms.     

Proglacial Sediment—Landform Associations of a Polythermal Glacier: Storglaciären, Northern Sweden

Mapping and laboratory analysis of the sediment—landform associations in the proglacial area of polythermal Storglaciären, Tarfala, northern Sweden, reveal six distinct lithofacies. Sandy gravel, silty gravel, massive sand and silty sand are interpreted as glaciofluvial in origin. A variable, pervasively deformed to massive clast‐rich sandy diamicton is interpreted as the product of an actively deforming subglacial till layer. Massive block gravels, comprising two distinctive moraine ridges, reflect supraglacial sedimentation and ice‐marginal and subglacial reworking of heterogeneous proglacial sediments during the Little Ice Age and an earlier more extensive advance. Visual estimation of the relative abundance of these lithofacies suggests that the sandy gravel lithofacies is of the most volumetric importance, followed by the diamicton and block gravels. Sedimentological analysis suggests that the role of a deforming basal till layer has been the dominant factor controlling glacier flow throughout the Little Ice Age, punctuated by shorter (warmer and wetter climatic) periods where high water pressures may have played a more important role. These results contribute to the database that facilitates discrimination of past glacier thermal regimes and dynamics in areas that are no longer glacierized, as well as older glaciations in the geological record.     

Rates of deformation of an extensional growth fault/raft system (offshore Congo, West African margin) from combined accommodation measurements and 3-D restoration

The aim of this paper is to quantify the evolution in time and space of the accommodation (space available for sedimentation) in the case of a growth fault structure resulting from gravity‐induced extension comprising a listric fault/raft system located along the West African margin. To achieve this, use was made of an original approach combining two complementary techniques (accommodation variation measurements and 3‐D restoration) in order to quantify vertical and horizontal displacement related to deformation, using a data set made up of a 3‐D seismic survey and well logs. We applied sequence stratigraphic principles to (i) define a detailed stratigraphic framework for the Albo‐Cenomanian and (ii) measure subsidence rates from accommodation variations. 3‐D restoration was used to (iii) reconstruct the evolution of the 3‐D geometry of the fault system. The rates of horizontal displacement of structural units were measured and linked to successive stages in the growth of the fault system. Subsidence of the structural units exhibits three scales of variation: (1) long‐term variation (10 Ma) of c. 80 m Ma^?1 for a total subsidence of about 1400 m, compatible with the general subsidence of a passive margin, and (2) short‐term variations (1–5 Ma) corresponding to two periods of rapid subsidence (about 150–250 m Ma^?1) alternating with periods of moderate subsidence rate (around 30 m Ma^?1). These variations are linked to the development of the fault system during the Albian (with downbuilding of the raft and development of the initial basin located in between). During the Cenomanian, the development of the graben located between the lower raft and the initial basin did not seem to affect the vertical displacements. (3) High‐frequency variations (at the scale of genetic unit sets) range between ?50 and 250 m for periods of 0.2–2 Ma. Accommodation variations governed these cycles of progradation/retrogradation rather than sediment flux variations. In addition, the nine wells display a highly consistent pattern of variation in accommodation. This suggests that the genetic unit sets were controlled at a larger scale than the studied system (larger than 20 km in wavelength), for example, by eustatic variations. Translation rates are between 3 and 30 times higher than subsidence rates. Therefore, in terms of amplitude, the main parameter controlling the space available for sedimentation is the structural development of the fault system, that is to say, the seaward translation of the raft units, itself resulting from a regional gravity‐driven extension.     

Hydrologic and geomorphic processes in the Colville River delta, Alaska

The Colville basin drains the North Slope of Alaska and is one of several large Arctic river systems located within permafrost. The timing and style of fluvial processes in the earth's permafrost regions differ from those occurring in midlatitude settings. Moreover, in comparison to temperate-zone systems, rivers located entirely within permafrost perform most of their work during relatively short periods of time. This paper examines river ice hydrology and the resulting geomorphic processes that occur within the Colville delta, Alaska. Fluvial processes and landform development within the Colville delta occur after the flood-pulse is initiated by the breakup of river ice. During this 4-month period, the geomorphic processes are largely influenced by the movement of ice. The flood-pulse and accompanying river ice influences erosional and depositional processes and results in unique styles of sediment transport, deposition, and riverbank erosion.     

Habitat, occurrence and conservation of Saharo-Arabian-Turanian element Forsskaolea tenacissima L. in the Iberian Peninsula

The aim of this study is to assess the Iberian populations of Forsskaolea tenacissima L. according to its biogeographical interest, habitat, geographical range and conservation status. Results point out that they are restricted to gravel wadis of Tabernas Desert (SE Spain), are scarcely included in protected areas and represent historically isolated populations with relict behaviour. We also describe a new association, Senecioni-Forsskaoleetum tenacissimae. Conservation status of species is cause for concern and two conservation actions must be carried out. Firstly, protected areas should house Forsskaolea populations and secondly, phytosociological characterization of a community allows inventorying its habitat and directing conservation efforts to community level.