Runoff generation processes estimated from hydrological observations on a steep forested hillslope with a thin soil layer

In order to understand runoff generation processes on a forested hillslope involving large heterogeneities, this study monitored runoff from a steep hillslope with a thin soil layer as well as matric potential within it and analyzed their responses to storm rainfall. A comparison of storm runoff responses from the study slope with those from two adjacent catchments, one of which includes it, showed that physical properties of the slope reflected the runoff characteristics: although no responses occurred in very dry conditions because of the absence of wet zones near the stream, the area contributing to storm runoff more rapidly extended to the whole slope due to its topographic properties. They also caused its steep hydrographs produced in the wettest condition where almost all the rainfall contributed to storm runoff. In this wettest condition, tensiometric responses near bedrock showed the vertical quick propagation of the rainfall pulse, and a good agreement of storm hydrograph simulated through a kinematic wave runoff model suggested that runoff from the slope was produced by a lateral flow on the bedrock receiving the quick propagation. In a transition process from dry to the wettest conditions, the development of the lateral flow producing smaller responses at the downslope end was estimated from decreasing of matric potential near bedrock from high negative to low values with increasing cumulative rainfall.     

RELATIONSHIP OF SEDIMENT PRODUCTION BETWEEN HILLSLOPE AND GULLY SLOPE IN A SMALL BASIN IN THE BILLY LOESS REGION, NORTH CHINA

SomepeOPlehaverecognizedtheSPatialvariationoflandionnsandgeomorphicPeainthehillyloessregion,NOIthClam(Chenetal.1988).SuchvariationshaVe~linkedtotheverticalzonationofsoilerosionandsedimentproduedoninthisarea(Catetat.1994).HoWeVer,noneOftheStlldiesaPProachtheProbleminaqUantitativemanner.NorweretherelationsbetweensoilerosionPr~sontheoneban4andhydrologicandghgogicalcharacteristicsofthevariouSslopezonesontheother,dearlyestatiIisned.Inaaamon,~stubbesintheareahaveprtridtahotoshowthe~rtanceo…     

Identification and explanation of continental differences in the variability of annual runoff

Continental differences in the variability of annual runoff were investigated using an expanded and improved database to that used in previous work. A statistical analysis of the data, divided by continent and Köppen climate type, revealed that continental differences exist in the variability of annual runoff. The variability of annual runoff for temperate Australia, arid southern Africa and possibly temperate southern Africa were noted to be generally higher than that of other continents with data in the same climate type. A statistical analysis of annual precipitation by continent and Köppen climate type revealed that differences in the variability of annual precipitation could account for some but not all the observed differences in the variability of annual runoff. A literature review of potential causes of continental differences in evapotranspiration resulted in the hypothesis that the significantly higher variability of annual runoff in temperate Australia and possibly temperate southern Africa may be due to the distribution of evergreen and deciduous vegetation. The process model Macaque was used to test this hypothesis. The model results indicate that the variability of annual runoff may be between 1 and 99% higher for catchments covered in evergreen vegetation as opposed to deciduous vegetation, depending on mean annual precipitation and the seasonality of precipitation. It is suggested that the observed continental differences in the variability of annual runoff are largely caused by continental differences in the variability of annual precipitation and in temperate regions the distribution of evergreen and deciduous vegetation in conjunction with the distribution of mean annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality.     

Erosion of Access Tracks in Kalamunda National Park,Western Australia: Causes and management implications

Construction of access tracks in national parks and other reserves in the south-west of Western Australia is an essential feature of park management. However, their construction was often carried out with little or no appreciation of soil and slope characteristics and potential erodibility, or the effect of slope and stream sedimentation on terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. This paper reports on the findings of a study carried out in Kalamunda National Park, a small reserve in the Darling Ranges east of Perth. Tracks were surveyed and the extent of erosion and sedimentation measured. Erosion-indicating and erosion-influencing variables were measured. Track alignment angle (to the contour) and track gradient were the two site variables most significantly correlated with measures of erosion severity. The most important upslope (on-track) factor was track length, and the most important upslope (off-track) factor was the abundance of granite outcrops. Seasonal conditions were important, particularly in relation to soils with relatively high clay contents. When wet, these soils were more likely to suffer from surface drainage problems and increased runoff, associated with decreased cohesion. On the other hand, the more common sand-textured soils are generally more erodible when wet. Several management measures are recommended. These fall into three categories: those relating to track closure or realignment (to avoid the most erosion-susceptible sites); those relating to actual track design and maintenance, or site management; and those relating to modification of visitor behaviour .     

近数十年湘江流域河流水文变化规律

湘江是长江中游主要支流之一，作者从制约河川水文要素变化的自然环境因素着手，依据湘江流域有代表性水文测站多年实测水文气象资料，较全面地分析了河川径流，水位，暴雨洪水，泥沙。水化学等水文要素的组成，发展与变化规律。     

Changes in water quality and runoff in the Upper Oder River Basin

The aim of the study is the analysis of runoff and water quality changes in the Upper Oder River Basin above the Krapkowice gauging station (catchment area A = 10 720.6  km²).The issue of water quality is of particular importance to Poland, which has comparatively poor water resources compared with many countries of the European Union (EU). What is more, large pollutant loads in the upper course of the Oder pose huge problems for water consumers and users in its middle and lower course (including Germany) and pollute the Baltic Sea.Changes in 7 indices of water pollution, including BOD₅ and COD (synthetic indices), sulphates, chlorides and suspended matter (mineral substances) and nitrates and phosphates (biogenic substances), were investigated for 8 monitoring sites. The study spans the period before and after political transformation in Poland and the Czech Republic, which significantly altered the economies of these countries. In addition, the patterns of runoff changes were analysed at 3 gauging stations: Chałupki, Krzyżanowice and Miedonia, which were also water quality monitoring points. The analysis encompassed 2 periods: 1970–2000 and 1991–2000.The results demonstrated that poor water quality in the Oder improved significantly during the 1990s, as the result of closure of many industries and plants, improvement of sewage treatment and noticeable increases in runoff causing greater dilution of pollutants.As the EU Water Framework Directive is implemented, better water and sewage management can be expected that will contribute to further improvement of water quality in the Oder. However, problems that remain to be solved are the issues of saline mine waters and surface washings and the long-term accumulation of many hazardous substances in bottom sediments in rivers and reservoirs.     

An evaluation of surface-mine spoils area restoration in wyoming using rainfall simulation

A recently developed rainfall simulator was used to apply ‘rainstorms’ on restored spoils areas at two coal mining sites in Wyoming. Runoff and sediment yield were considerably greater from the reworked areas compared to similar measurements on nearby undisturbed areas. This may possibly be attributed to the fact that in the disturbed areas mean slopes were generally greater, there was more clay at the surface, and concentration of roots was not as great as in the undisturbed areas. The rainfall simulator appears to be a valuable tool in determining baseline data for later comparison with data form areas under rehabilitation.     

Processes of accelerated pluvial erosion on desert hillslopes modified by vehicular traffic

Accelerated pluvial erosion on hillslopes modified by off-road vehicles (ORVs) is analysed using results from 50 rainfall simulation experiments conducted in the Mojave Desert, California. Sediment yield from 1 m² hillslope plots subjected to intense, 20-minute rainfalls is typically increased 10 to 20-fold following ORV use. Salient effects of vehicle traffic, which reduce infiltration, increase runoff sediment transport efficiency, and enhance gully formation, are further studied by combining simple theoretical relations with experimental data. This analysis helps identify factors controlling erosion on natural desert hillslopes, as well as those used by ORVs. Erosion of natural or vehicle-used desert surfaces is heavily influenced by runoff hydraulics. Calculated Darcy-Weisbach friction factors decrease by an average of 13-fold following vehicular slope modification, whereas runoff Reynolds numbers increase by an average of 5 1/2-fold. The capacity of overland flow to transport sediment is related to runoff power and its degree of localization, which usually increase considerably following ORV activity; however, the ability of overland flow to move large grains (competency) is related to a combination of factors not always systematically influenced by ORV use. Kinematic runoff routing, which is used to extrapolate experimental results to longer slope lengths, leads to the suggestion that the hydraulic roughness of desert hillslopes strongly influences their erosional behaviour.     

荆江南岸主要河流入湖水沙及其对洞庭湖的影响

本文依据１９５１￣１９９１年实测的水文资料，全面估算了长江中游荆江南岸主要河流入湖径流量、输沙量；从多方面分析了径流泥沙的变化规律及其对当今洞庭湖所产生的一系列重大影响。