Vegetation traits and soil properties in response to utilization patterns of grassland in Hulun Buir City,Inner Mongolia,China

Numerous studies have focused on vegetation traits and soil properties in grassland, few of which concerned about effects of human utilization patterns on grassland yet. Thus, this study hypothesized that human disturbance （e.g., grazing, mowing and fencing） triggered significant variation of biomass partitioning and carbon reallocation. Besides, there existed some differences of species diversity and soil fertility. To address these hypotheses of grassland with diverse utilization patterns in Hulun Buir City, Inner Mongolia, China, we sampled in situ about aboveground biomass （AGB） and belowground biomass （BGB） to evaluate their biomass allocation. Species diversity and soil properties were also investigated. Subsequently, we discussed the relationship of species diversity with environmental conditions, using data collected from 23 sites during the ecological project period of Returning Grazing Lands to Grasslands （RGLG） program. The results were as follows： 1） both AGB and BGB were lower on grazing regime than those on fencing and mowing, but the ratio of root-to-shoot （R/S） was higher on grazing regime than the other two utilization patterns; 2） neither of evenness and Simpson Index was different significantly among all grassland utilization patterns in desert, typical, and meadow grassland at 0.05. In meadow grassland, species richness of fencing pattern was significantly higher than that of grazing pattern （p 〈 0.05）; 3） both of soil organic carbon content and soil available phosphorous content were increased significantly on fencing pattern than grazing pattern （p 〈 0.05） in desert grassland, and mowing patterns increased the soil nutrients （soil organic carbon, soil total phosphorous, soil available phosphorous, and soil total nitrogen） significantly compared with grazing patterns （p 〈 0.05） in typical grassland. However, there were no significant differences among utilization patterns in meadow grassland. In conclusion, both of AGB and BGB were increased s     

Direct evidence of central European forest refugia during the last glacial period based on mollusc fossils

Although there is evidence from molecular studies for the existence of central European last glacial refugia for temperate species, there is still a great lack of direct fossil records to confirm this theory. Here we bring such evidence in the form of fossil shells from twenty strictly forest land snail species, which were recorded in radiocarbon-dated late glacial or older mollusc assemblages of nine non-interrupted mollusc successions situated in the Western Carpathians, and one in the Bohemian Massif. We proposed that molluscs survived the last glacial period in central Europe in isolated small patches of broadleaf forest, which we unequivocally demonstrate for two sites of last glacial maximum age.     

Millennial‐scale climate variability in northwest Patagonia over the last 15 000 yr

A pollen record from Lago Condorito (41°45'S, 73°07'W) shows prominent vegetation and climate changes at millennial time‐scales, superimposed on multimillennial trends in temperature and westerly activity in northwest Patagonia during the past 15 000 yr. The record shows that evergreen temperate rainforests have dominated the landscape over this interval, with floristic changes ranging from cold‐resistant North Patagonian forests with podocarp conifers to Valdivian forests with thermophilous, summer‐drought resistant species. The long‐term trend shows that cool‐temperate and humid conditions prevailed between 15 000 and 11 000 cal. yr BP, followed by an extreme warm and dry phase between 11 000 and 7600 cal. yr BP, and subsequent cooling events and increase in precipitation that peaked at ca. 5000 cal. yr BP, when Southern Hemisphere alpine glaciers achieved their first Neoglacial maximum. Modern conditions were established at ca. 1800 cal. yr BP, following a warm and dry phase between ca. 2900 and 1800 cal. yr BP. These results suggest that millennial‐scale climate variability during deglacial and post‐glacial times also affected the mid‐latitude region of the South Pacific, supporting the idea that changes in the tropical Pacific might be a key factor in the initiation and/or propagation of millennial‐scale climate variability at regional, hemispheric and global scales. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The solute budget of a forest catchment and solute fluxes within a Pinus radiata and a secondary native forest site,southern Chile

Solute concentrations and fluxes in rainfall, throughfall and stemflow in two forest types, and stream flow in a 90 ha catchment in southern Chile (39°44′S, 73°10′W) were measured. Bulk precipitation pH was 6·1 and conductivity was low. Cation concentrations in rainfall were low (0·58 mg Ca²⁺ l^?1, 0·13 mg K⁺ l^?1, 0·11 mg Mg²⁺ l^?1 and <0·08 mg NH₄–N l^?1), except for sodium (1·10 mg l^?1). Unexpected high levels of nitrate deposition in rainfall (mean concentration 0·38 mg NO₃–N l^?1, total flux 6·3 kg NO₃–N ha^?1) were measured. Concentrations of soluble phosphorous in bulk precipitation and stream flow were below detection limits (<0·09 mg l^?1) for all events. Stream‐flow pH was 6·3 and conductivity was 28·3 μs. Stream‐water chemistry was also dominated by sodium (2·70 mg l^?1) followed by Ca, Mg and K (1·31, 0·70 and 0·36 mg l^?1). The solute budget indicated a net loss of 3·8 kg Na⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, 5·4 kg Mg²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, 1·5 kg Ca²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1 and 0·9 kg K⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, while 4·9 kg NO₃–N ha^?1 year^?1 was retained by the ecosystem. Stream water is not suitable for domestic use owing to high manganese and, especially, iron concentrations. Throughfall and stemflow chemistry at a pine stand (Pinus radiata D. Don) and a native forest site (Siempreverde type), both located within the catchment, were compared. Nitrate fluxes within both forest sites were similar (1·3 kg NO₃–N ha^?1 year^?1 as throughfall). Cation fluxes in net rainfall (throughfall plus stemflow) at the pine stand generally were higher (34·8 kg Na⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, 21·5 kg K⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, 5·1 kg Mg²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1) compared with the secondary native forest site (24·7 kg Na⁺ ha^?1 year^?1, 18·9 kg K⁺ ha^?1 year^?1 and 4·4 kg Mg²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1). However, calcium deposition beneath the native forest stand was higher (15·9 kg Ca²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1) compared with the pine stand (12·6 kg Ca²⁺ ha^?1 year^?1). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

How does landscape structure influence catchment transit time across different geomorphic provinces?

Despite an increasing number of empirical investigations of catchment transit times (TTs), virtually all are based on individual catchments and there are few attempts to synthesize understanding across different geographical regions. Uniquely, this paper examines data from 55 catchments in five geomorphic provinces in northern temperate regions (Scotland, United States of America and Sweden). The objective is to understand how the role of catchment topography as a control on the TTs differs in contrasting geographical settings. Catchment inverse transit time proxies (ITTPs) were inferred by a simple metric of isotopic tracer damping, using the ratio of standard deviation of δ¹⁸O in streamwater to the standard deviation of δ¹⁸O in precipitation. Quantitative landscape analysis was undertaken to characterize the catchments according to hydrologically relevant topographic indices that could be readily determined from a digital terrain model (DTM). The nature of topographic controls on transit times varied markedly in different geomorphic regions. In steeper montane regions, there are stronger gravitational influences on hydraulic gradients and TTs tend to be lower in the steepest catchments. In provinces where terrain is more subdued, direct topographic control weakened; in particular, where flatter areas with less permeable soils give rise to overland flow and lower TTs. The steeper slopes within this flatter terrain appear to have a greater coverage of freely draining soils, which increase sub‐surface flow, therefore increasing TTs. Quantitative landscape analysis proved a useful tool for inter‐catchment comparison. However, the critical influence of sub‐surface permeability and connectivity may limit the transferability of predictive tools of hydrological function based on topographic parameters alone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

温冰川冰内及冰下水系季节演化及其水文学分析

针对温冰川冰内及冰下水系(又称冰川排水系统)演化及其水力过程,回顾了我国20世纪90年代在典型温冰川海螺沟冰川开展钻孔试验及关于冰下河堵溃问题的水文学分析,主要从水文学角度,探讨了消融期温冰川冰内及冰下水系的演化过程及其在径流过程曲线上的反映.利用径流-气温交叉相关分析方法,计算了海螺沟冰川2003—2005年逐日Q-T时滞,其季节变化在一定程度上指示了冰内及冰下水系季节演化过程及其水力状况,并针对典型时段,重点探讨了二者之间的相关性.     

Climate Change and Its Effect on Annual Runoff in Lijiang Basin-Mt. Yulong Region,China

Based on the meteorological and hydrologic data in the Lijang(丽江) basin from 1979 to 2006,variational trend and characteristics of climate change and its effect on runoff in Yanggong(漾弓) River were examined in the study.The results show that the temperature have significantly increased in the drainage basin during the past 28 years.The average temperature increased markedly from 1979 to 2006,and the increase of temperature in winter was higher than those in other seasons.The annual precipitation varied with...     

Downslope‐migrating sandwaves and platform‐margin clinoforms in a current‐dominated,distally steepened temperate‐carbonate ramp (Guadix Basin,Southern Spain)

During the Late Tortonian, platform‐margin‐prograding clinoforms developed at the south‐western margin of the Guadix Basin. Large‐scale wedge‐shaped deposits here comprise 26 rhythms of mixed carbonate–siliciclastic bedset packages and marl beds. These sediments were deposited on a shallow‐water, temperate‐carbonate distally steepened ramp. A downslope‐migrating sandwave field developed in this ramp, with sandwaves moving progressively down the ramp to the ramp‐slope, where they destabilized, folded and occasionally collapsed. Downslope sandwave migration was induced by currents flowing basinwards. During the Late Tortonian, the Guadix Basin was open north to the Atlantic Ocean via the Dehesas de Guadix Strait and connected east to the Mediterranean Sea through the Almanzora Corridor. According to the proposed current circulation model for the Guadix Basin for this time, surface marine currents from the Atlantic entered the basin from the northern seaway. These currents moved counter‐clockwise and shifted the sediment on the ramp, forming sandwaves that migrated downslope. The development of platform‐margin prograding clinoforms by the basinward sediment‐transport mechanisms inferred here is known relatively poorly in the ancient sedimentary record. Moreover, these wedge‐shaped geometries are similar to those found in some shelves in the Western Mediterranean Sea and could represent an outcrop analogue to (sub)‐recent, platform‐margin clinoforms revealed by high‐resolution seismic studies.     

The effects of sea level and palaeotopography on lithofacies distribution and geometries in heterozoan carbonates, south-eastern Spain

This study utilized three-dimensional exposures to evaluate how sea-level position and palaeotopography control the facies and geometries of heterozoan carbonates. Heterozoan carbonates were deposited on top of a Neogene volcanic substrate characterized by palaeotopographic highs, palaeovalleys, and straits that were formed by subaerial erosion, possibly original volcanic topography, and faults prior to carbonate deposition. The depositional sequence that is the focus of this study (DS1B) consists of 7–10 fining upward cycles that developed in response to relative sea-level fluctuations. A complete cycle has a basal erosion surface overlain by deposits of debrisflows and high-density turbidity currents, which formed during relative sea-level fall. Overlying tractive deposits most likely formed during the lowest relative position of sea level. Overlying these are debrites grading upward to high-density turbidites and low-density turbidites that formed during relative sea-level rise. The tops of the cycles consist of hemipelagic deposits that formed during the highest relative position of sea level. The cycles fine upward because upslope carbonate production decreased as relative sea level rose due to less surface area available for shallow-water carbonate production and partial drowning of substrates. The cycles are dominated by two end-member types of facies associations and stratal geometries that formed in response to fluctuating sea-level position over variable substrate palaeotopography. One end-member is termed ‘flank flow cycle’ because this type of cycle indicates dominant sediment transport down the flanks of palaeovalleys. Those cycles drape the substrate, have more debrites, high-density turbidites and erosion on palaeovalley flanks, and in general, the lithofacies fine down the palaeovalley flanks into the palaeovalley axes. The second end-member is termed ‘axial flow cycle’ because it indicates a dominance of sediment transport down the axes of palaeovalleys. Those cycles are characterized by debrites and high-density turbidites in palaeovalley axes, and lap out of strata against the flanks of palaeovalleys. Where and when an axial flow cycle or flank flow cycle developed appears to be related to the intersection of sea level with areas of gentle or steep substrate slopes, during an overall relative rise in sea level. Results from this study provide a model for similar systems that must combine carbonate principles for sediment production, palaeotopographic controls, and physical principles of sediment remobilization into deep water.     

Submarine lobes and feeder channels of redeposited, temperate carbonate and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate platform deposits (Vera Basin, Almería, southern Spain)

Temperate carbonates and mixed siliciclastics-carbonates of Upper Tortonian age were deposited on a narrow platform along the southeastern margin of the Sierra de los Filabres on the western side of the Vera Basin. The temperate carbonates were unlithified or were only weakly lithified on the seafloor and so were easily prone to synsedimentary removal. Part of the shelf sediments were eroded, reworked and redeposited in submarine lobes, up to 40 m thick and 1 km wide. The lobes consist of turbiditic carbonates (calcarenites and calcirudites) and mixed siliciclastics-carbonates, which contain up to 30% siliciclasts, derived from the Sierra de los Filabres to the northwest, and abundant bioclasts of coralline algae, bivalves and bryozoans. In the inner platform, the feeder channels of the lobes cross-cut beach and shoal deposits, and are filled by strings of debris flow conglomerates (up to 3 m thick and a few metres wide). These channels presumably developed as the continuation of river courses entering the sea. Further towards the outer platform, they pass into large channels (up to several hundred metres wide and 20 m deep) steeply cutting into the horizontally bedded strata of the platform. Significant quantities of platform sediment were removed by erosion during their excavation. Once abandoned, they were filled by new platform sediments. Further towards the basin, the channels associated with the lobes exhibit lateral accretion and internal cut-and-fill structures, and are intercalated between hemipelagic deposits. The channel-filling sediments are in this latter case coarse-grained carbonates and mixed siliciclastics-carbonates. Lobe development concentrated first at Cortijo Grande on the western side of the study area, and then to the east at Mojácar. This migration may relate to the uplift of the Sierra Cabrera, a major high occurring immediately to the south of the channel and lobe outcrops.