Lithological and environmental controls on large tafoni along conglomerate cliffs in subtropic humid Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark

Tafoni are a type of cavernous weathering features widespread in different climate zones around the world,but their origin has not been fully understood.Little attention was paid on tafoni in conglomerates.Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark,located within the subtropic humid region of South China,has a landscape of large tafoni that occur on cliffs of red conglomerates.Both the Dinosaur Rock and Pagoda Peak of the geopark were selected to investigate the formation mechanisms of tafoni in conglomerates.During the field investigation,the size,rock hardness,and the external and internal meteorology of tafoni were measured and tested.The texture and composition of rock samples were observed,and the ion chromatography experiments were performed as well.Results show that tafoni have well ellipsoidal openings.Clasts of the conglomerates are largely sub-rounded and poorly sorted,and the cement is dominantly composed of calcite and iron oxide.The hardness of the lips is almost equal to that of the columns,and both are slightly higher than the backwalls.Compared with the external intense environmental changes,the interior of the tafoni is characterized by smaller temperature and relative humidity ranges and windless condition.Therefore,the porous and permeable conglomerates provide favorable lithology for tafoni development,and the micro-environment within the caverns is conducive to improving water utilization efficiency and enhancing salt weathering.The salts mainly consist of sulfates and nitrates,which might be derived from frequent raining,water evaporation and red beds as well.Consequently,tafoni are the result of the synergistic effects by multiple factors,rather than a single mechanism.

Origin of Tafoni in the Late Cretaceous Aeolian Sandstones,Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark,South China

Tafoni occur generally in granular rocks around the world, but their origin remains controversial. In this study,the roles of lithology, micro–climate, and organism in tafoni development are investigated in the Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark of South China. The Jinshiyan Temple and Luyitang sites along the Jinjiang River are chosen to conduct tafoni morphometry, bedrock petrography, and micro–climate analyses. The research methods used in this study include field observations and measurements, Voronoi diagrams, polarizing microscopic and scanning electron microscopic(SEM)image analysis, and meteorological detection. The tafoni are mostly 2–10 cm in length and elliptical in shape. The Late Cretaceous Jinshiyan sandstones are characterized by a grain–to–grain contact fabric and moderate sorting with a high proportion of soluble grains and cements. The Voronoi diagrams developed through the Arc GIS software are largely consistent with the tafoni openings. Moreover, owing to exposure to solar insolation, the external temperature values are higher than the internal ones, while the external relative humidity values are lower than the internal ones. Therefore, the permeable Jinshiyan sandstones are fundamental for tafoni development, while the abundant moisture from the Jinjiang River and frequent rains is favorable for salt weathering in tandem with biological activities. At last, a five–stage development model is proposed for the tafoni progression in the study area.

Upper Cretaceous alluvial fan deposits in the Jianglangshan Geopark of Southeast China:implications for bedrock control on Danxia landform evolution

The Jianglangshan Geopark in the western Zhejiang Province of Southeast China is well-known for its spectacular red-colored sandstone landforms. Little is known about the depositional processes of the conglomerate-dominated Fangyan Formation, the lithologic base of the Danxia landforms in this geopark. Based on detailed field investigation of lithology, sedimentary structures, bed thickness and geometry, five facies are recognized: facies A(matrixsupported cobble conglomerate), facies B(pebble conglomerate), facies C(pebbly sandstone), facies D(fine-grained sandstone) and facies E(mudstone). The results show that streamflow-dominated fans were the main depositional processes responsible for the accumulation of the Fangyan Formation along the mountain fronts. These fan conglomerates form the base for the evolution of the Danxia landscapes owing to the uplift and erosion of the study area. In contrast, the fine-grained sedimentary successions produced by fluvial floodplains in the distal part of the fans were thinner and more easily weathered. Such sedimentary facies distribution patterns were thought to be similar during Late Cretaceous across Southeast China. The Danxia landforms are largely the geographical expressions of the conglomerate-dominated redbeds in the proximal-middle fans.

Comparative studies of Danxia landforms in China

Danxia geomorphology originates fi＇om China. This paper studies the spatial distribution and differences in characteristics of Danxia landforms. Based on relevant research and investigations, three congregated areas of Danxia landform in China are discussed in this paper. They are the southeast area （including Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan and Guangxi provinces）, the southwest area （the transitional zone of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Sichuan Basin） and the northwest area （including Longshan mountain and along the banks of the Huanghe River and its anabranches）. Not only the conditions of geology and geography of the three areas but also the differences of Danxia landforms of the three areas are analyzed. The Danxia landscape, characterized by upright-shaped peaks, Danxia mesa, stone wall, cave and vertical cave, ＂Danxia natural bridge＂, ＂a narrow strip of sky＂ and so on, often presents in the southeast area. The landscape of southwest area is characterized by Danxia escarpment faces and waterfalls. In the northwest area, the Danxia landscape has the traits of arid areas simultaneously, for example, mud-coating type, columniation type, board type, moreover, it is greatly different between these environmental factors such as the microclimate, water, wind, and the loess cover. Finally it explores the causes which lead differences in landform and also explains the landform formation process and its mechanism with reference to the rates of crustal uplift, the tectonic red-basin, and the external processes including working of running water, weathering, biogenic, gravity in each area of Danxia Landforms in China.

Danxia landform genesis of the Qiyun Mountain, Anhui Province

The Danxia landform of Qiyun Mountain is mainly developed on the red granule conglomerates named Xiaoyan Group （K2x^1） of middle Cretaceous series, which is controlled mainly by three faulted zones, namely, Jingdezhen-Qimen faulted zone, Jiangwan-Jiekou compressional faulted zone and Kaihua-Chun＇an folding faulted zone. During the Cretaceous period, this area firstly experienced massif subsidence to become a continental faulted basin, then having thick Cretaceous red sediments accumulated on it. In the supervened neotectonism, this area experienced an uplifting process, which made the thick Cretaceous sediments into a mountain with an altitude of 500-600 m. After undergoing the processes of vertical joint development, weathering, denudation and transportation, as well as evidently differential weathering and denudation influenced by lithology and structure between sandstone and conglomerate, the grand Danxia landscape consisting of peak forests, steep cliffs, caves, mesas, castellated peaks, natural bridges and so on formed. The three nick points located respectively at 585 m, 400 m and 150 m generally reflect the three dominated uplifting processes during the neotectonism.

Species Diversity of Rock Plant Community in Danxia Landform of Zhejiang Province

In order to provide scientific basis for vegetation and biodiversity conservation,species diversity of rock plant in Danxia landform of Zhejiang Province was analyzed in this study.According to the results,there were 195 species belonging to 143 genera and 82 families.The changing trend in Margalef index,Simpson index and Shannon-Wiener index of the same community in different layers was the same,namely herb layer>shrub layer>moss layer>liana layer;the order of Pielou index was moss layer>liana layer>herb layer>shrub layer.Comparing species diversity in different regions,we found that the index of all layers on Jianglang Mountain was higher except the moss layer.

Research on the Genesis and Development of Danxia Landform in the South Sichuan

The South Sichuan is one of the areas in China famous for Danxia Landform. Danxia Landform in the South Sichuan is characterized by wide distribution and square shaped hills. However, there is no systematic research on the genesis of those Danxia Landforms at present. Based on the study of spatial distribution and the genesis of the Danxia Landforms in the South Sichuan, we discovered that the lithostratigraphy, regional tectonic, crustal uplift and external forces contribute together to the formation of the Danxia Landform. On the basis of learning the development experiences from famous scenic spots and the updated national policies and regulations, proposals were made to boost the development of Danxia Landform resources in the South Sichuan by excavating its historic, cultural, natural and scientific connotation in the form of educational tourism.

The Poverty Alleviation Model for Poor Nationalities in the Mountainous Areas of Western China: A Case Study of “Promotion for the Entire Lisu Nationality” in Naimu Danxia Village Group

In poor minority areas, poor living conditions, single industrial structure and weak public basic services often lead to a deep degree of poverty. This is the most difficult problem to solve in the fight against poverty. Yunlong Township, Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County, which is located in the alpine canyon area of Jinsha River in China, is a semi-closed agricultural township integrating "nationality, mountain area, poverty and backwardness". Located in the Xinshan Village Committee of this township, Naimu Danxia village group is a typical Lisu settlement. It is a key village group with a deep degree of poverty, and the incidence of poverty is 17.00%. In recent years, Naimu Danxia village group has adhered to the direction of unified promotion, internal and external blood creation and resource integration in the poverty alleviation work of the Lisu nationality in Luquan County. It has successfully taken a road of national unity, self-reliance and common poverty alleviation, and formed a unique poverty alleviation model of "promotion for the entire nationality". At the end of 2018, the incidence of poverty dropped to 0, successfully building a "demonstration village of national unity" at the municipal level in Kunming. Based on the field research and interviews, this paper analyzes and summarizes the specific methods, main achievements, practical experience and popularization and application measures regarding the poverty alleviation model of "promotion for the entire Lisu nationality" in the village group. It tries to provide necessary reference for accurate poverty alleviation and poverty eradication in similar minority areas in Yunnan Province and other provinces.

Danxia Landforms: Rosy Clouds on Earth

A Danxia landform is a red-bed landform characterized by steep cliffs. It was initially discovered and named by Chinese scholars. Although there are red-bed landforms in many parts of the world, China, with a special fondness for the color red, boasts the most widely distributed Danxia possessing unique characteristics. This is a mesmerizing natural formation and a special gift that nature has bestowed upon this country.

Origin of beaded tafoni in cliffs of Danxia landscapes,Longhushan Global Geopark, South China

The tafoni that develop in sandstone cliffs have attracted the interest of both scientists and the general public. A necklace-like tafone system, referred to here as beaded tafoni, has developed in the prominent cliffs of the Danxia landscapes within the Longhushan Global Geopark in the subtropical zone of South China. This paper presents a new model of the formation of this system of extraordinary beaded tafoni. The cliffs of the Danxia landscapes of the study area are composed of an alluvial conglomerate(i.e.,red beds). These Danxia landscapes have subrounded summits that are covered by vegetation and experience a nearly vertical water flow induced by gravity. Erosion and collapse of the outsized gravels and concentrated pebbles in the red beds give rise to the initial development of the beaded tafoni. The tafoni then become rounded and beaded as a result of reworking and decay by fluvial outwash. During storms, intense water flows run vertically down the cliffs and generate a whirling motion in the tafoni.Consequently, the inside walls of the tafoni gradually become wider and smoother. During the late development stage, the beaded tafoni tend to become indistinct or disappear because of the interconnection of the tafoni and subsequent merging with the bedding-controlled cavities.

江西丹霞地貌演化阶段与分布及其构造控制探讨

晚白垩世至古近纪期间,江西省内沿区域性断裂构造发育30余个断陷盆地,沉积了巨厚的红色陆相碎屑岩,为丹霞地貌的形成提供了物质基础。已发现的228处丹霞地貌点主要分布于江西东部武夷山北麓和西麓的红层盆地内。利用面积—高程积分法,对江西省9个盆地的丹霞地貌演化阶段进行了定量分析,结果表明省内丹霞地貌景区的面积—高程HI为0.17~0.52,平均为0.38,即其演化阶段处于壮年晚期至老年早期,在空间分布上具有由南向北,由壮年期转为老年期的趋势。该趋势可能与武夷山的构造隆升有关。构造分析显示,节理与武夷山的隆升对江西丹霞地貌演化起控制作用,具体表现为:(1)龙虎山、九仙湖、仙岩、蛤蟆坞、赭亭山、龟峰等地发育的崖壁、一线天、巷谷、石墙、石寨、峰丛、峰林等丹霞典型景观均与节理有关。(2)流水侵蚀等外营力的作用对丹霞地貌的剥露、削平起重要作用,统计表明距离武夷山越近,丹霞地貌山峰越密集、崖壁越陡峻,指示武夷山的隆升与丹霞地貌的发育有直接关系。总体来看,江西省内的红层为丹霞地貌的发育提供了物质基础,武夷山的隆升控制了丹霞地貌的分布。值得注意的是,丹霞地貌区的节理构造是否与武夷山的隆升存在直接因果关系还需进一步研究。

Experimental studies on the Danxia landscape morphogenesis in Mt. Danxiashan, South China

The formation of Danxia landscapes is too slow to be observed in our life time and the paleoclimates in which Danxia landscapes developed are significantly different from the present. Thus, this study adopted experimental approaches to examine the lithological and paleoclimatic control on the formation of various landscape morphologies in the Mt. Danxiashan, South China. A total of 122 rock samples were collected from a range of Danxia landscape morphologies such as white spots, small and large through caves, honeycomb caves, horizontal grooves, natural bridges, stone pillars, and squama stones. Analyses of the collected samples were conducted in different kinds of experiments, including uniaxial mechanical strength testing; rock resistance against sulfuric acid erosion, freezing, and thawing; X-ray fluorescence spectrometry（XRF） analysis; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（ICP-MS） analysis; and identification analysis under a polarizing microscope. The results indicated that the formation of the various Danxia landscape morphologies could result from one or more of the following processes： differential erosion due to lithological difference, chemical dissolution and recrystallization, freezing and thawing actions, acid corrosion, weathering, lateral erosion of river flows, and tectonic uplifts. Water erosion in humid monsoon climate and the alternations of intensive freezing and thawing actions in the Quaternary glacial stages and the interglacial stages could have had great influences on the formation of Danxia landscape topographies.

Danxia geomorphology of China: A review

Danxia Landform belongs to red terrestrial clastic rock landform, which is characterized by its red cliffed scarp. The development of Danxia Landform research in China experienced three historic stages, i.e. initial establishment, taking shape and expanding since the concept 'Danxia Landform' raised by Prof. Chen Guoda in 1939. As a new branch of geomorphology, Danxia geomorphology research is now stepping its ripe stage. In the 1990s, the search enters into an unprecedented grand occasion at the prompting of tourism exploit.

新疆阿克苏温宿大峡谷丹霞地貌特征及成因分析

由于造景岩石普遍为钙质和铁质胶结的砂岩和砾岩,丹霞地貌具有独特的景观特征和成因机制,同时因具有较高的科学和观赏价值而成为备受关注的旅游资源。东南湿润区丹霞地貌的研究程度较高,但是对西北干旱气候区丹霞地貌的研究还比较少见。以新疆阿克苏温宿大峡谷为研究对象,通过野外调查、样品显微镜观察、盐化学和元素地球化学实验以及ArcGIS面积高程积分(Hypsometric integral,HI)方法,探讨该地区丹霞地貌的特征和成因。结果显示:(1)研究区呈现峡谷、山峰及峰林景观,以发育陡崖泥流林和顶盖型石柱为特色,其造景岩石主要为新近纪河流相红色砾岩和砂岩,硬度较高的砾岩层为形成顶盖型石柱提供了有利保障。(2)红层位于温宿盐丘附近,岩石含盐量较高,主要的盐类型为氯化物、硫酸盐和硝酸盐。陡崖洞穴风化碎屑物样品中的大部分主量元素相对于表岩迁出,说明干旱气候下化学风化仍较活跃。(3)面积高程积分显示研究区南部HI值为0.61,处于幼年期,而北部HI值为0.38,处于老年期,整体地貌演化发育阶段差别较大。研究区虽然降水量较低,但河流侵蚀作用明显,同时构造也是影响丹霞地貌演化的主要因素。

研学旅游的知识与社区居民的地方认同重构——以广东丹霞山自然保护地为例

以知识生产和传播为核心的研学旅游逐渐成为自然保护地创新发展生态旅游的替代性选择,但知识如何影响参与研学旅游的社区居民的地方认同尚未得到充分关注。文章以广东丹霞山自然保护地为案例地,探讨丹霞山从观光旅游向研学旅游转型发展过程中,知识类型的转变以及社区居民的知识学习、传播对他们的地方认同产生影响的过程和机制。研究发现:1)研学旅游中的知识重新建立社区居民与地方之间的联系并产生地方认同;2)知识对于地方差异的界定与学习、传播知识的行为互动过程共同影响社区居民地方认同形成与变化,不同类型的知识界定地方差异并赋予相应的意义;3)地方认同产生于社区居民对于特定知识框架下的地方差异和地方意义的学习内化过程。知识传播过程中的身份展演实现地方认同的社会化,并产生集体层面的地方认同。

韶关丹霞地貌铁皮石斛野生资源调查与生境分析

目的:调查广东韶关丹霞地貌现存铁皮石斛野生资源的生存现状,为野生铁皮石斛就地保护、回归保育及仿野生栽培提供参考。方法:对国内铁皮石斛野生资源情况进行整理,基于本课题组近10年来对广东韶关丹霞地貌野生铁皮石斛资源分布和生境开展的跟踪调查,对11个调查地点的海拔、朝向、铁皮石斛数量、坡位、坡向进行分析,探讨丹霞地貌野生铁皮石斛植物形态和生境特点。结果:调查记录了广东韶关丹霞地貌中的野生铁皮石斛300余丛,约3000 g,处于极度濒危状态;实地观察发现,野生铁皮石斛茎多呈紫红色,长5~10 cm,有“形似蚱蜢髀”的茎条,叶铁锈色斑点明显;丹霞地貌的野生铁皮石斛大多生长在海拔100~500 m的丹霞崖壁中部或近坡顶处,常与苔藓和地衣伴生,一般生长在东南至西南朝向、通风良好、傍水潮湿的丹霞岩壁上,且半阳偏阴、温凉高湿环境下长势较好。结论:野外考察证实,《本草经集注》中记载的“今用石斛出始兴”的石斛为铁皮石斛,其药用历史在1500年以上;丹霞地貌的铁皮石斛为目前国内铁皮石斛的主要种源之一;野生丹霞铁皮石斛因自身繁殖率低、人为长期采摘等原因,现已极度濒危,亟须开展铁皮石斛野生资源的调查与保护工作。

簕竹属一新种——粤北撑篙竹

描述了在广东北部发现的一个簕竹属新种——粤北撑篙竹(Bambusa pervariabiloides J.B.Ni,Yu L.Huang bis,Y.H.Tong&W.B.Liao)。该种形态与撑篙竹(Bambusa pervariabilis McClure)相似,主要区别在于箨痕隆起,秆节间稍呈鼓状,较长,长40~50 cm,秆箨早落,箨鞘先端近截平,稀宽拱形,内侧边缘顶端具有1枚耸起的小角,大箨耳不下延。

短周期密集台阵接收函数成像方法揭示南岭中部丹霞盆地及邻区三维地壳结构

华南陆块自早新元古代扬子与华夏地块完成拼贴以来,经历了显生宙多期陆内造山事件,其岩石圈结构与动力学演化一直是地球科学研究的热点问题.近年来,在华南地区完成的一系列地球物理探测使我们对于该地区的深部结构有了更清楚的认识.然而,目前在华南陆块开展的大多数地震学研究主要依赖于固定台及部分流动台阵数据,受限于稀疏的地震台站的分布,研究获取的地壳模型仍然存在分辨率不足的问题,这制约了我们对于区域断裂构造及深部过程的理解.本研究基于在粤北丹霞盆地及其邻区布设的短周期密集台阵,采用接收函数共转换点叠加成像方法,同时分析了不同频率的接收函数结果,获取了研究区高分辨率的地壳及盆地结构模型.研究发现该地区具有较浅的莫霍面,约28~31 km,平均地壳厚度29 km,揭示其经历了强烈的伸展减薄作用.合成数据测试结果表明复杂的三维地壳结构,如地表低速沉积层,对利用接收函数研究莫霍面起伏具有不可忽略的影响.此外,通过对比合成数据与实际观测高频接收函数中的沉积层Ps转换波及多次波震相,我们发现地表低速沉积层厚度为3 km的模型最能拟合实际观测,这一结果也得到了背景噪声成像以及相关的地质调查结果的印证.我们的研究为利用短周期密集台阵方法探测小尺度沉积盆地结构提供了一个案例.

延安典型丹霞地貌景观特征及发育演化研究

本文是在延安典型丹霞地貌景观特征分析的基础上,采用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be和^(26)Al技术获得暴露年龄和侵蚀速率,研究“黄土覆盖型沟谷丹霞”地貌景观的演化历史。研究结果显示:延安典型丹霞地貌的类型有狭缝式、石蘑菇式、天生桥式,其中狭缝式丹霞的景观特征为“窄狭、多弯、韵律、多彩”,同时也是典型的“黄土覆盖型沟谷丹霞”,石蘑菇式丹霞造型奇特,天生桥式丹霞地貌整体规模宏大,这两者发育都严格受控于垂直节理和外力作用的侵蚀;运用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be和^(26)Al技术,计算获得志丹猫巷狭缝式丹霞地貌的暴露年代有两期,分别为(0.75±18)~(0.83±0.14)ka和(1.14±13)~(1.29±0.30)ka,安塞王家湾石蘑菇式丹霞地貌暴露年代为(1.76±0.45)~(1.77±0.15)ka,这两处丹霞地貌暴露地表的年代都在全新世(Qh),前者晚于后者,地貌较年青;运用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be-^(26)Al计算获得两处典型丹霞地貌侵蚀速率为(39±3.3)~(104±24.4)cm·ka~(-1),与目前国内外学者研究地表和基岩得到的侵蚀速率对比,这两处典型丹霞地貌的侵蚀速率较大,结果还有待进一步研究;延安典型丹霞地貌景观发育的演化始于白垩纪红层的堆积,大致都经历了四个演化阶段,初步揭示了地质构造、上覆黄土盖层以及流水等多种因素共同控制和影响延安典型丹霞地貌的形成,演化阶段总体都处于青年晚期。