Riparian reforestation and channel change: A case study of two small tributaries to Sleepers River, northeastern Vermont, USA

Measurements of two small streams in northeastern Vermont, collected in 1966 and 2004–2005, document considerable change in channel width following a period of passive reforestation. Channel widths of several tributaries to Sleepers River in Danville, VT, USA, were previously measured in 1966 when the area had a diverse patchwork of forested and nonforested riparian vegetation. Nearly 40 years later, we remeasured bed widths and surveyed large woody debris (LWD) in two of these tributaries, along 500 m of upper Pope Brook and along nearly the entire length (3 km) of an unnamed tributary (W12). Following the longitudinal survey, we collected detailed channel and riparian information for nine reaches along the same two streams. Four reaches had reforested since 1966; two reaches remained nonforested. The other three reaches have been forested since at least the 1940s. Results show that reforested reaches were significantly wider than as measured in 1966, and they are more incised than all other forested and nonforested reaches. Visual observations, cross-sectional surveys, and LWD characteristics indicate that reforested reaches continue to change in response to riparian reforestation. The three reaches with the oldest forest were widest for a given drainage area, and the nonforested reaches were substantially narrower. Our observations culminated in a conceptual model that describes a multiphase process of incision, widening, and recovery following riparian reforestation of nonforested areas. Results from this case study may help inform stream restoration efforts by providing insight into potentially unanticipated changes in channel size associated with the replanting of forested riparian buffers adjacent to small streams.     

The geomorphic function and characteristics of large woody debris in low gradient rivers, coastal Maine, USA

The role, function, and importance of large woody debris (LWD) in rivers depend strongly on environmental context and land use history. The coastal watersheds of central and northern Maine, northeastern U.S., are characterized by low gradients, moderate topography, and minimal influence of mass wasting processes, along with a history of intensive commercial timber harvest. In spite of the ecological importance of these rivers, which contain the last wild populations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the U.S., we know little about LWD distribution, dynamics, and function in these systems. We conducted a cross-basin analysis in seven coastal Maine watersheds, documenting the size, frequency, volume, position, and orientation of LWD, as well as the association between LWD, pool formation, and sediment storage. In conjunction with these LWD surveys, we conducted extensive riparian vegetation surveys. We observed very low LWD frequencies and volumes across the 60 km of rivers surveyed. Frequency of LWD ≥ 20 cm diameter ranged from 15–50 pieces km^− 1 and wood volumes were commonly < 10–20 m³ km^− 1. Moreover, most of this wood was located in the immediate low-flow channel zone, was oriented parallel to flow, and failed to span the stream channel. As a result, pool formation associated with LWD is generally lacking and < 20% of the wood was associated with sediment storage. Low LWD volumes are consistent with the relatively young riparian stands we observed, with the large majority of trees < 20 cm DBH. These results strongly reflect the legacy of intensive timber harvest and land clearing and suggest that the frequency and distribution of LWD may be considerably less than presettlement and/or future desired conditions.     

汶川震区狭陡型泥石流典型特征与防治

汶川MS 8.0强震发生6年来,震区暴发了数量众多、类型多样的泥石流灾害,其中一类可总结为"狭陡型泥石流",其特征指标及防治对策与震前常规泥石流存在显著差异,给灾后重建和灾害防治技术提出了新的命题。在对(极)重灾区泥石流活跃的五大片区(汶川、都江堰、绵竹、北川、安县)进行大量现场调查和资料分析的基础上,提出了强震区狭陡型泥石流的概念并给出定义,提炼了其在形成、活动及危害等方面的典型特征;通过工程实践,分析了其独特的治理难点及相应的防治对策,介绍了几项极具适应性和有效性的防治新技术,可为强震扰动区泥石流治理研究和工程设计提供一类新的思路和借鉴。     

鄂尔多斯盆地陇东地区长7段致密砂体重力流沉积模拟实验研究

致密砂岩目前已成为中国油气勘探开发的重点领域。以鄂尔多斯盆地陇东地区长7段为代表的典型致密砂岩主要发育辫状河三角洲和重力流沉积砂体,其中重力流沉积砂体具有很大的勘探开发潜力。在区域构造、古气候、古地貌和沉积体系等研究基础上,应用沉积模拟技术,再现了研究区长7段重力流沉积砂体形成过程及其主要控制因素,在实验条件下,半深湖深湖区的沉积微相类型主要包括砂质碎屑流、浊积岩、深湖泥等。实验研究表明,影响重力流沉积砂体的形成及其演化的主要控制因素有：(1)泥砂含量决定了重力流的沉积类型;(2)湖盆底形控制重力流的砂体展布;(3)湖水位及流速决定重力流的沉积厚度及规模;(4)多物源交汇决定重力流的横向连通。并通过实验结果对比分析,预测了有利储集层分布区域。综合陇东地区原始地质模型和实验模拟成果,建立了沉积模拟实验条件下陇东地区三叠系长7段沉积模式。     

Environmental and social aspects of underwater logging

Underwater logging is a relatively new concept in forestry that has significant economic benefits but also consequences for the environment and local communities. Underwater logging has traditionally been undertaken by divers. However, safety concerns mean that conventional harvesting methods using divers need to be replaced by more sophisticated mechanized harvesting techniques. This paper outlines the environmental and social aspects of underwater logging, highlighting issues that must be considered before any underwater harvesting operations are executed. While the economic reasons for harvesting underwater logs seem compelling, as do the associated social benefits, such as employment generation, there are significant environmental impacts of removing trees from reservoirs, as submerged trees serve as important ecological habitat for aquatic life. Due to the absence of any regulatory regimes encompassing underwater logging, we propose best-practice guidelines for underwater logging operations and suggest the need for a comprehensive sustainability framework based on internationally recognized criteria and indicators to ensure underwater logging operations are environmentally safe, socially beneficial and economically viable.     

Effects of mechanical and chemical processes on the degradation of plastic beach debris on the island of Kauai, Hawaii

Plastic debris is accumulating on the beaches of Kauai at an alarming rate, averaging 484 pieces/day in one locality. Particles sampled were analyzed to determine the effects of mechanical and chemical processes on the breakdown of polymers in a subtropical setting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that plastic surfaces contain fractures, horizontal notches, flakes, pits, grooves, and vermiculate textures. The mechanically produced textures provide ideal loci for chemical weathering to occur which further weakens the polymer surface leading to embrittlement. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that some particles have highly oxidized surfaces as indicated by intense peaks in the lower wavenumber region of the spectra. Our textural analyses suggest that polyethylene has the potential to degrade more readily than polypropylene. Further evaluation of plastic degradation in the natural environment may lead to a shift away from the production and use of plastic materials with longer residence times.     

Plastic ingestion by planktivorous fishes in the North Pacific Central Gyre

A significant amount of marine debris has accumulated in the North Pacific Central Gyre (NPCG). The effects on larger marine organisms have been documented through cases of entanglement and ingestion; however, little is known about the effects on lower trophic level marine organisms. This study is the first to document ingestion and quantify the amount of plastic found in the gut of common planktivorous fish in the NPCG. From February 11 to 14, 2008, 11 neuston samples were collected by manta trawl in the NPCG. Plastic from each trawl and fish stomach was counted and weighed and categorized by type, size class and color. Approximately 35% of the fish studied had ingested plastic, averaging 2.1 pieces per fish. Additional studies are needed to determine the residence time of ingested plastics and their effects on fish health and the food chain implications.     

The size, mass, and composition of plastic debris in the western North Atlantic Ocean

This study reports the first inventory of physical properties of individual plastic debris in the North Atlantic. We analyzed 748 samples for size, mass, and material composition collected from surface net tows on 11 expeditions from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to the Caribbean Sea between 1991 and 2007. Particles were mostly fragments less than 10 mm in size with nearly all lighter than 0.05 g. Material densities ranged from 0.808 to 1.24 g ml⁻¹, with about half between 0.97 and 1.04 g ml⁻¹, a range not typically found in virgin plastics. Elemental analysis suggests that samples in this density range are consistent with polypropylene and polyethylene whose densities have increased, likely due to biofouling. Pelagic densities varied considerably from that of beach plastic debris, suggesting that plastic particles are modified during their residence at sea. These analyses provide clues in understanding particle fate and potential debris sources, and address ecological implications of pelagic plastic debris.     

牛眠沟流域泥石流形成条件、发展趋势及其防治探讨

汶川地震使牛眠沟流域变成了一个多泥石流灾害的区域,到目前为止,已经发生7次大规模泥石流灾害。经研究,该流域诱发泥石流灾害的3个基本条件非常发育,而目前正处于发展阶段,在震后5~10年内的雨季,极易发生危害性较大、冲击力较强的大规模降雨型泥石流。如果考虑直接利用主沟内沉积的泥石流堆积物,在主沟堆积区的中上游左右两侧修建约为沟宽一半的交替式拦挡土石坝、在中下游修建与沟宽大致相等的拦挡土石坝及在相邻两坝间修建与沟向相对且具有一定坡度斜坡的土木防治工程,可实现消能与耗能双重目的。     

内蒙古鄂伦春自治旗大杨树一带膨润土矿地质特征

通过对内蒙古鄂伦春自治旗大杨树一带膨润土矿地层、构造、围岩蚀变等地质特征的调查研究,查明矿体主要赋存于白垩系下统龙江组的岩屑晶屑凝灰岩及角砾岩中.矿体分为东西两部分,根据埋藏深度和成矿条件,东部矿体分为4层,西部矿体分为3层.通过对矿石的物理化学性能分析,确定了该区膨润土矿石类型属钙基、蒙脱石型,并初步确定矿体的成因类型为火山碎屑蚀变型.