Stable isotopic signatures of the modern land snail Eremina desertorum from a low-latitude (hot) dry desert—A study from the Petrified Forest,New Cairo,Egypt

This study was conducted on recent desert samples—including (1) soils, (2) plants, (3) the shell, and (4) organic matter from modern specimens of the land snail Eremina desertorum—which were collected at several altitudes (316–360 m above sea level) from a site in the New Cairo Petrified Forest. The soils and shell_{E. desertorum} were analyzed for carbonate composition and isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C). The plants and organic matter_{E. desertorum} were analyzed for organic carbon content and δ¹³C. The soil carbonate, consisting of calcite plus minor dolomite, has δ¹⁸O values from −3.19 to −1.78‰ and δ¹³C values −1.79 to −0.27‰; covariance between the two values accords with arid climatic conditions. The local plants include C3 and C4 types, with the latter being dominant. Each type has distinctive bulk organic carbon δ¹³C values: −26.51 to −25.36‰ for C3-type, and −13.74 to −12.43‰ for C4-type plants.The carbonate of the shell_{E. desertorum} is composed of aragonite plus minor calcite, with relatively homogenous isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O_mean = −0.28 ± 0.22‰; δ¹³C_mean = −4.46 ± 0.58‰). Most of the δ¹⁸O values (based on a model for oxygen isotope fractionation in an aragonite-water system) are consistent with evaporated water signatures. The organic matter_{E. desertorum} varies only slightly in bulk organic carbon δ¹³C values (−21.78 ± 1.20‰) and these values suggest that the snail consumed more of C3-type than C4-type plants. The overall offset in δ¹³C values (−17.32‰) observed between shell_{E. desertorum} carbonate and organic matter_{E. desertorum} exceeds the value expected for vegetation input, and implies that 30% of carbon in the shell_{E. desertorum} carbonate comes from the consumption of limestone material.     

Great Victoria Desert: Development and sand provenance

Sands of the Great Victoria Desert, south‐central Australia, can be divided into three main groups on the basis of their physical and chemical characteristics (colour, grainsize parameters, mineralogy of heavy‐mineral suites, quartz oxygen isotopic composition, zircon U–Pb ages). The groups occupy the western, central and eastern Great Victoria Desert respectively, boundaries between them corresponding approximately to changes in the underlying rocks associated with the Yilgarn Craton to Officer Basin to Arckaringa Basin. Several lines of evidence suggest derivation of the sands mainly from local bedrock with very little subsequent aeolian transport. Ultimate protosources for the sands, each in order of importance, are: western Great Victoria Desert—Yilgarn Craton, Albany‐Fraser Orogen, Musgrave Complex; central Great Victoria Desert—Musgrave Complex; eastern Great Victoria Desert—Gawler and Curnamona Blocks, Adelaide Geosyncline, Musgrave Complex. Sediment from the Adelaide Geosyncline includes in addition an ‘exotic’ component from Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks probably derived mainly from Antarctica. Sediment transport of several hundred kilometres from these protosources to the sedimentary basins was dominantly by fluvial, not aeolian, means. Post‐Tertiary aeolian transport or reworking has been minimal, serving only to shape sand eroded from underlying sedimentary rocks or residual products of local basement weathering into the current dunes.     

滴哨沟湾地层沉积特征记录的毛乌素沙漠变迁

毛乌素沙漠的盛衰变化明显地受到全球变化特别是东亚夏季风变化的影响。根据毛乌素沙漠东南缘萨拉乌苏河流域滴哨沟湾地层沉积物的物质组成、粒度参数等,结合孢粉研究结果,将沙漠演化过程划分为若干阶段：中更新世晚期沙漠萎缩期,气候温暖半干旱-半湿润,沙漠缩小,为森林草原或灌丛草原;中更新世晚期沙漠稳定期,气候在寒冷干旱-半干旱间波动频繁,自然景观在荒漠、荒漠草原与干草原间变化,并有河流和小湖存在;晚更新世早期沙漠固定期,气候温暖半湿润至半干旱,期间自然景观经历了森林草原、灌丛草原、草原、荒漠草原多种变化;晚更新世晚期沙漠扩张期,气候干旱寒冷,自然景观以荒漠和荒漠草原为主,同时也有草原乃至灌丛草原出现;全新世沙漠频繁变化期,气候变化频繁,沙漠出现多次盛衰变化,自然景观在荒漠、荒漠草原、草原、疏林草原间变化。     

Effects of an exceptional drought on daily activity patterns, reproductive behaviour, and reproductive success of reintroduced Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Activity patterns, social behaviour, and reproductive success of Arabian oryx were monitored in a reintroduced population in Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area, Saudi Arabia. During the first year of the study, precipitation was 38% lower than the long-term average, whereas rainfall in the following year resulted in precipitation that was 92.8% of the long-term average. These dramatically different rainfall conditions corresponded with distinct patterns in various environmental parameters (air and soil temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, air pressure). Daily activity patterns, the frequency of social behaviours, and foraging activity were significantly reduced during the drought period. The frequency of reproductive behaviour was significantly related to daytime, air temperature and radiation, with a pronounced reduction of reproductive activities during the drought. Monthly rates of conceptions were considerably lower during the drought. Our results substantiate the idea that extended dry periods affect the population development of Oryx, but also raise questions about habitat suitability and carrying capacity. Future management of Arabian oryx should consider extreme climatic events as factors influencing various aspects of the ecology and behaviour of this species. This aspect may become even more important in the face of climate change, including a future increase of extreme climatic events.     

以色列荒漠开发的经验及其对宁夏发展的启示

在特殊的国际政治环境中 ,以色列狭小贫瘠的国土与快速的人口增长过程构成了复杂的人地关系矛盾。但它依靠先进的水资源开发利用技术 ,重视科学技术在荒漠开发中的应用 ,建立现代市场农业 ,创建文明有序的社会组织 ,成功地开发了荒漠。宁夏与以色列有许多相似之处。因此结合本地特点 ,借鉴以色列荒漠开发的经验 ,对宁夏发展具有现实的指导意义。     

腾格里沙漠东南缘沙丘形态示量特征及其影响因素

对腾格里沙漠东南缘主要类型沙丘形态示量及其影响因素分析认为,沙丘高度与间距之间具有明显的幂函数关系,而且这种关系所反映的沙丘动态(加积或前移)随沙丘类型、分布而异。影响沙丘规模与间距的因素比较复杂,粒度的影响没有普遍性;背风侧次生气流尺度对简单横向沙丘具有一定的控制作用;输沙率的影响表现在,各尺度等级风成床面形态及规模对输沙率的变化具有不同时空尺度的响应。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地冬季大气边界层O3廓线分析

为了揭示塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地冬季大气边界层O3的浓度变化特征,利用系留气艇于2008年1月18—25日在塔中地区进行了大气边界层O3观测试验,结合相关资料,初步分析了塔中地区冬季边界层O3浓度垂直分布特征及其与温度、湿度的关系。其结果是:①塔中地区臭氧浓度集中分布在10~50 ppb之间,其中试验期间观测到O3最大浓度值56.1 ppb,最小浓度为2.6 ppb,臭氧的最大浓度基本都在40 ppb左右,日平均浓度为34.4 ppb。②大气边界层O3的浓度廓线可分为峰值型、均匀型、增长型3种,其中均匀型所占比重最大。③大气边界层O3浓度与温度、湿度密切相关,逆温及空气中水汽的增加会导致臭氧浓度降低。④大气边界层O3有明显的日变化,越贴近地面日变化越明显,其变化特征与太阳辐射有着密切关系。臭氧浓度夜晚较低,日出后开始增加,午后达到一天中的最大值;随着日落,臭氧浓度开始减小,在清晨达到最小值;臭氧浓度日最大值出现在17:00,最小值出现在08:00。     

生物结皮恢复过程中土壤生态因子分异特征

对新疆古尔班通古特沙漠生物结皮恢复过程中土壤因子的动态变化进行关联性测度、方差分析、相关性分析相结合的定量研究,着重分析结皮恢复年限对土壤微生物数量、养分、盐分、土壤酶的影响,有机质与土壤盐分、pH值、土壤酶的线性关系及土壤生态因子间的相关性。结果表明：相对于土层深度,有机养分、土壤酶等生态因子与生物结皮恢复年限的联系更加紧密。结皮恢复年限对全P、全K、有机质、脲酶、真菌的影响极显著（P<0.01）;对速效P、速效K、全N、总盐、中性碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶的影响显著(P<0.05)。随结皮恢复年限的增加,结皮层和结皮以下土层中有机养分、土壤酶均有不同程度的增加,逐步具备较高的生物学活性,沙土性状变化较快,渐渐形成抗风蚀、抗干扰能力较强的地衣苔藓结皮。结皮恢复过程中pH值与有机质呈显著线性负相关（R2＝0.701,P<0.05）,土壤盐分与有机质存在线性正相关（R2＝0.653）,但显著性不强（P>0.05）。电导率、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、中性磷酸酶、蛋白酶与有机质存在极为显著的线性正相关（R2分别为0.888、0.993、0.958、0.948、0.911,P<0.01）,土壤生态因子的协调发展和紧密配合促进了生物结皮的恢复。     

Colluvial sedimentation in a hyperarid setting (Atacama Desert,northern Chile): Geomorphic controls and stratigraphic facies variability

Research on colluvial depositional systems has recently emphasized periglacial and high‐altitude settings, and the relations between Quaternary slope stratigraphy and climate change. This article examines the role of variable slope morphology, surface hydrology and microclimate in controlling colluvial sedimentation along a coastal tract of the hyperarid Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Direct accessibility of active surfaces is accompanied by uninterrupted stratigraphic exposures along the base of slopes, allowing direct comparisons between surface processes and the resulting sedimentary record. Four slope sectors are identified, based on differences in morphology and processes over active surfaces. Colluvial sedimentation is controlled by complex interactions of slope gradients and profiles, exposure to dominant winds, and potential runoff pathways, which vary considerably between different sectors. Major differences are evident between these hyperarid deposits and slope sedimentation in periglacial and temperate settings, including the complete absence of pedogenic activity and clay minerals; the volume of aeolian deposits and their role in controlling processes which redistribute sediment downslope, extending colluvial aprons; and the occurrence of runoff processes only where favoured by particular topographic configurations. Depositional surfaces range from steep talus cones, to debris‐flow‐dominated and aeolian‐dominated colluvial aprons, to an aeolian ramp subject to reworking by mass flows and flash floods. Consequently, facies associations and architectures at outcrop are highly variable and highlight the importance of spatial variations in slope morphology and processes in producing distinct, coeval colluvial stratigraphies within a single environmental context. Discrepancies between active processes and the corresponding stratigraphic signatures are also evident in some sectors; for example, preservation of alluvial and aeolian facies in stratigraphic sections does not always reflect the dominant processes over active slopes. Together with the spatial variability in processes and deposits along these slopes, this suggests that caution is required when extracting palaeoenvironmental information from analyses of colluvial successions.     

Vegetation history along the eastern, desert escarpment of the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, Mexico

Plant macrofossils from 38 packrat middens spanning the last ~ 33,000 cal yr BP record vegetation between ~ 650 and 900 m elevation along the eastern escarpment of the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, northern Baja California. The middens span most of the Holocene, with a gap between ~ 4600 and 1800 cal yr BP, but coverage in the Pleistocene is uneven with a larger hiatus between 23,100 and 14,400 cal yr BP. The midden flora is relatively stable from the Pleistocene to Holocene. Exceptions include Pinus californiarum, Juniperus californica and other chaparral elements that were most abundant > 23,100 cal yr BP and declined after 14,400 cal yr BP. Despite being near the chaparral/woodland-desertscrub ecotone during glacial times, the midden assemblages reflect none of the climatic reversals evident in the glacial or marine record, and this is corroborated by a nearby semi-continuous pollen stratigraphy from lake sediments. Regular appearance of C₄ grasses and summer-flowering annuals since 13,600 cal yr BP indicates occurrence of summer rainfall equivalent to modern (JAS average of ~ 80–90 mm). This casts doubt on the claim, based on temperature proxies from marine sediments in the Guaymas Basin, that monsoonal development in the northern Gulf and Arizona was delayed until after 6200 cal yr BP.