No matter from the perspective of slope protection, landscape effect and construction cost, or from the perspective of ecological benefit, the development of original ecological tridimensional vegetation has become th...No matter from the perspective of slope protection, landscape effect and construction cost, or from the perspective of ecological benefit, the development of original ecological tridimensional vegetation has become the inevitable trend for slope vegetation in pursuit of protecting ecological condition, decreasing soil erosion, maintaining ecological balance and beautifying environment of slope. The concept of original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is proposed in this paper, and the original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is studied through theoretical analysis and experiments. Specifically, the mechanical effect of slope vegetation in reinforcing the cohesion and shear strength of soil mass is firstly discussed, and then experiments are performed to study the water interception and containing function of slope under various vegetation conditions. Moreover, the relation between soil moisture and cohesion, the relation between root distribution density and cohesion, and the relation between root distribution density and soil shear strength are also studied based on experiments.Finally, based on field observation, the soil erosion states of slope under various vegetation conditions are comparatively studied. It is found that the original ecological tridimensional slope, which combines grass,shrub and tree, can generate comprehensive slope protection effects, and hence strengthen the slope protection ability and bring multiple slope protection benefits. Thereby, the theoretical foundation for developing original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is established.展开更多
The investigation of distribution patterns of species diversity is significant for successful biodiversity conservation. The spatial patterns of vegetation and different life-forms species diversity along an elevation...The investigation of distribution patterns of species diversity is significant for successful biodiversity conservation. The spatial patterns of vegetation and different life-forms species diversity along an elevation gradient in the middle section of the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China were explored, using the detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) and the generalized additive model (GAM) methods based on a field survey of 53 sampling plots. In this work 158 species of seed plants were recorded, including 141 herbaceous, 14 shrub, and 2 tree species, in which the woody plants are very limited. 53 sampling plots were classified into 9 major plant communities. The results indicate that the herb communities were the most sensitive to changes in elevation gradient. The diversity indices of the community as a whole presented bimodal patterns. The peak values for the species diversities were found in the transition region between mountain steppe desert and mountain desert steppe (2,200-2,300m), and in the alpine grassland region (2,900-3,100m), while maximum species diversities were in the areas of intermediate environmental gradient. The main environmental factors on the distribution patterns in plant diversity were the elevation, soft water, total nitroeen, available nitrogen, organic matter, and total salt. The response tendency of the four diversity indices for the whole community to the soil environment was the same as that of the herb layers.展开更多
The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While th...The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While they trap a greater thickness of soil on the slope they increase the risk of slope failures, reduce moisture and nutrient availability to plants, and thin more soil up slope. The stone risers also threaten long-term productivity. When a riser collapses debris is deposited over the terrace below making farming difficult. These breaches in the terrace focus surface runoff leading to gully formation and increased sediment transport down slope. Artificial drainage systems, often used in conjunction with terracing, compound the risk. These channels prevent precipitation from soaking into the soil. This limits groundwater and soil moisture recharge which reduces the availability of water for crops and the length of the growing season. The rapid drainage of water from the slope reduces the time of concentration of the catchment resulting in an increase in flood activity. Floods are caused by smaller rainstorm events. They arrive faster and peak quicker and higher than before the channels were constructed. Engineering solutions to soil erosion must therefore be used in conjunction with, and are not as a substitute for, good land management strategies. Furthermore, despite changes in land use practices, and the application of new technologies, there is a maximum amount of production that can be obtained from this land on a sustainable basis.展开更多
Based on data from 22 sample plots and applying the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), this paper discusses the vegetation-environment relationships between the northern slope of Karlik Mountain and Naomaohu B...Based on data from 22 sample plots and applying the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), this paper discusses the vegetation-environment relationships between the northern slope of Karlik Mountain and Naomaohu Ba- sin, which is situated in the easternmost end of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. For the zonal vegetation, community diversity of mountain vegetation is higher than that of the desert vegetation due to environmental factors. The CCA ordination diagram revealed that the composition and distribution of vegetation types are mainly determined by altitude, soil pH and soil salt content. With increasing elevation, the soil pH and total salt content decrease but the contents of soil organic matter, soil water, total nitrogen and total phosphorus increase gradu- ally. In the CCA ordination diagrams, the sample plots and main species can be divided into five types according to their adaptations to the environmental factors. Type Ⅰ is composed of desert vegetation distributed on the low moun- tains, hills, plains and deserts below an elevation of 1900 m; type Ⅱ is distributed in the mountain and desert ecotone with an elevation of 1900-2300 m, and includes steppe desert, desert steppe and wetland meadow; type Ⅲ is very sim- ply composed of only salinized meadow; type Ⅳ is distributed above an elevation of 2300 m, containing mountain steppe, meadow steppe, subalpine meadow and alpine meadow; type Ⅴ only contains salinized meadow. The results show that with increasing elevation, species combination changes from the xerophytic shrubs, semi-shrubs and herbs distributed in the low altitude zone with arid climate to the cold-tolerant perennial herbs growing in the high altitudinal zone with cold climate.展开更多
The present status of PP technology in China is presented. Through a review of single loop and dual loop PP reactor technology as well as development and utilization of PP products it is concluded that import of PP te...The present status of PP technology in China is presented. Through a review of single loop and dual loop PP reactor technology as well as development and utilization of PP products it is concluded that import of PP technology should be based on the demand of PP products and market trend with consideration of local conditions. The existing problems and future development of PP technology in China are discussed.展开更多
This paper deals with the formative process of the Wenchuan earthquake disaster chain risk. Selected earthquake-landslides chain risk is critically evaluated by the probability of landslide displacement failure based ...This paper deals with the formative process of the Wenchuan earthquake disaster chain risk. Selected earthquake-landslides chain risk is critically evaluated by the probability of landslide displacement failure based on the Newmark's permanent-deformation model. In this context, a conceptual model of regional disaster chain risk assessment was proposed, in which the hazardformative environments sensitivity was the core factor as well as the main difference compared with single disaster risk assessment. The disaster chain risk is accumulation of primary disaster risk and the secondary disasters risks. Results derived from the Wenchuan case proved that the conceptual model was suitable for the disaster chain risk assessment, especially the sudden disaster chain. This experience would offer greater potential in application of conceptual model of disaster chain risk assessment, in the process of large-scale disaster risk governance.展开更多
Earthquake induced landslides are one of the most severe geo-environmental hazards that cause enormous damage to infrastructure, property, and loss of life in Nuweiba area. This study developed a model for mapping the...Earthquake induced landslides are one of the most severe geo-environmental hazards that cause enormous damage to infrastructure, property, and loss of life in Nuweiba area. This study developed a model for mapping the earthquake-induced landslide susceptibility in Nuweiba area in Egypt with considerations of geological, geomorphological, topographical, and seismological factors. An integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS technologies were applied for that target. Several data sources including Terra SAR-X and SPOT 5 satellite imagery, topographic maps, field data, and other geospatial resources were used to model landslide susceptibility. These data were used specifically to produce important thematic layers contributing to landslide occurrences in the region. A rating scheme was developed to assign ranks for the thematic layers and weights for their classes based on their contribution in landslide susceptibility. The ranks and weights were defined based on the knowledge from field survey and authors experiences related to the study area. The landslide susceptibility map delineates the hazard zones to three relative classes of susceptibility: high, moderate, and low. Therefore, the current approach provides a way to assess landslide hazards and serves for geo-hazard planning and prediction in Nuweiba area.展开更多
The problem of shore wash in environmental engineering is connected in particular with the effect of waves generated by the ships and fast speed boats. Another problem is protection of "Marines" with anchored boat a...The problem of shore wash in environmental engineering is connected in particular with the effect of waves generated by the ships and fast speed boats. Another problem is protection of "Marines" with anchored boat against waves. Sloping banks provoke unfavorable transformation of waves. Simultaneously sloping bank is the factor which significantly complicates prediction of wave pattern in numerical analysis. The purpose of present paper is to demonstrate the results of numerical investigation of ship waves pattern in constrain water area with slope banks by panel method for non-linear ship waves calculation usually applied for ship hull perfection as routine instrument of towing tanks technology. The method initially developed for calculation of ship hull waves in inviscid infinite fluid was adapted to meet boundary conditions on slope banks. Verification of the method was done for 60-series ship in rectangular channel. Development of wave pattern generated by two ship of different types--monohull ferries and river catamaran was investigated. It was found that ship waves height significantly increased due to slopping banks comparing with case of deep water and shallow water rectangular channel.展开更多
Numerous landslides occurred in hilly and mountainous areas during the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake. Social problems developed when many towns became isolated because landslides cut offtraffic and public servic...Numerous landslides occurred in hilly and mountainous areas during the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake. Social problems developed when many towns became isolated because landslides cut offtraffic and public service lifelines. The hilly areas are composed mainly alternate layer of soft sandstone and mudstone deposited in quaternary or tertiary period. This geomorphology formed by folding presents a prominent landslide area in this region. This area has been utilized as rice terraces or carp breeding ponds because of plenty of water in the ground all the time. In addition, there was rainfall of more than 100 mm caused by Typhoon No. 23 two days before the earthquake in Chuetsu area. Block samples were extracted from the failure sites. The samples obtained were mainly low-cemented sandy soils. Triaxial tests of the samples under saturated and unsaturated conditions were conducted to examine the soils' strength properties and estimate the indices for slope stability.展开更多
The Kuvasali landslide disaster in Malava, Western Kenya, which caused harmful geo-environmental hazards to the villagers in August 2007, formed the premise of this paper. The existing landslide vulnerability occurren...The Kuvasali landslide disaster in Malava, Western Kenya, which caused harmful geo-environmental hazards to the villagers in August 2007, formed the premise of this paper. The existing landslide vulnerability occurrence ratings have been identified and documented using participatory approaches to ascertain the adoptive indigenous methods, which helped mitigation against the negative impacts by determining the slope steepness using Abney level. The geological set up, settlement and climatic factors, relating to landslides, revealed that the affected homesteads were on a steep slope of approximately 70%, with underlying metamorphosed basement rocks comprising ofgneisses, schists and granite intrusions. The steep escarpment overlying these rocks, where the landslide occurred, consists of volcanic rocks and black cotton clayey soils. The slope has scattered vegetation cover due to farming, while the low-lying area is planted with sugar cane and maize plantations. The landslide disaster led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. Natural resources, including water points, suffered siltation. Mitigation measures such as geo-hazard mapping and zoning, awareness training and campaigns for the local people focusing on hazard-prone areas resulting from poor land use practices have been recommended.展开更多
The effects of slope aspects on soil biogeochemical properties and plant communities in forested environments have been studied extensively; however, slope aspect influence on soil microbial communities remains largel...The effects of slope aspects on soil biogeochemical properties and plant communities in forested environments have been studied extensively; however, slope aspect influence on soil microbial communities remains largely unexamined, despite the central role of soil biota in ecosystem functioning. In this study, the communities of both soil bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were investigated using tagged pyrosequencing for three types of slope aspects (south-facing aspect, north-facing aspect and flat area) in a boreal forest of the Greater Khingan Mountains, China. The bacterial and AMF community composition differed with slope aspects. Bacterial diversity was the lowest on the north-facing aspect, and AMF diversity was the lowest on the flat area. Aspects also had a significant impact on soil pH and available phosphorus (P) and shrubby biomass. Soil pH and understory shrub biomass were significantly correlated with bacterial communities, and soil available P and shrub biomass showed significant correlations with AMF communities. Our results suggested that slope aspects affected bacterial and AMF communities, mediated by aspect-induced changes in plant community and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH and available P), which improved the knowledge on the effects of forest slope aspects on aboveground and belowground communities.展开更多
Mountains imply enormous environmental variation, with alpine habitats entailing harsh environ- ments, especially for ectotherms such as lizards. This environmental variability also may imply variation in prey availab...Mountains imply enormous environmental variation, with alpine habitats entailing harsh environ- ments, especially for ectotherms such as lizards. This environmental variability also may imply variation in prey availability. However, little is known about how lizard trophic ecology varies with elevation. In this study, we analyze diet, prey availability, prey selection, and trophic niche width in the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus along a 2,200-m elevational gradient in the Sierra Nevada (SE Spain). The analysis of fecal samples has shown that Orthoptera, Formicidae, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Araneae are the main prey, although, according to their abundance in pitfall traps, Formicidae and Coleoptera are rejected by the lizard whereas Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae are preferred. Prey abundance and diversity increase with elevation and diet subtly varies along with the elevational gradient. The consumption of Coleoptera increases with elevation probably as a consequence of the lizard foraging more in open areas while basking. The electivity for Araneae increases with elevation. Araneae are rejected in the lowlands--where they are rela- tively abundant--whereas, at high elevation, this lizard positively selects them, despite they being less abundant. The lizard trophic niche width expands with elevation due to concomitant greater prey diversity and hence this lizard feeds on more prey types in highlands. Although no sex difference in diet has been found, the trophic niche is broader in females than males. As a whole, alpine lizards show a trophic niche simitar to that found at lower elevat(ons, suggesting that P. algirus is well adapted to the harsh environment found in alpine areas.展开更多
This paper addresses the source seeking problems for an autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV) with the estimated gradients. The AUV is embedded with multiple sensors, which are only able to detect the signal strengths ...This paper addresses the source seeking problems for an autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV) with the estimated gradients. The AUV is embedded with multiple sensors, which are only able to detect the signal strengths of the source with unknown distribution. To resolve this challenge,a sensor configuration is explicitly designed as a semicircle to estimate gradients of the signal field.Then, a controller is obtained via the estimated gradients to drive the AUV to approach the source.Moreover, an upper bound for the localization error is provided in terms of the radius of the semicircle and the signal distribution. Finally, the authors include a simulation example by applying the strategy to a Remote Environmental Monitoring Unit S(REMUS) for seeking the deepest point of a region of seabed in the South China Sea.展开更多
Polychaete serpulids are globally distributed tubeworms mostly in marine environments from Late Triassic to modem time. These calcareous tubeworms could be rock-forming, reef-building, or a principal fouling organism ...Polychaete serpulids are globally distributed tubeworms mostly in marine environments from Late Triassic to modem time. These calcareous tubeworms could be rock-forming, reef-building, or a principal fouling organism in harbor and bays. Car- bonates of the Paleogene Kalatar Formation in southwest Tarim Basin yield abundant serpulid fossils, which, together with oyster fossils, constitute the characteristic fossil assemblage of the Kalatar Formation. Other common fossils include bivalves, gastropods, ostracods, echinoderms, and bryozoans. Lithologies that yielded serpulid fossils are characterized by micritic bio- clastic limestone, sandy limestone, and shelly limestone, indicating a semi-restricted to open shallow marine environment with medium to low water energy. The research data about serpulids and their fossil materials from China are relatively rare. Based on the studies of tbssils taxonomy, community palaeoecology, and fossil taphonomy, this paper analyzed and studied the types, occurrence, distribution, and morphological characteristics of serpulids and their palaeoecological features in the Kalatar For- mation. Two serpulid community compositions were recognized in the Kalatar Formation, including a rock-forming Ditrupa community and a cluster-growth Propomatoceros community. The Ditrupa community was distributed in coastal environment of the west Kunlun piedmont, lived on sandy hard substrates with little mud, and rarely occurred in lagoon and tidal settings. The Propomatoceros community occurred in offshore middle carbonate ramp in the piedmont of the south Tianshan Moun- tains and in offshore shelf in the piedmont of the west Kunlun Mountains. According to the analysis on the host-rock litholo- gies, preservation and symbionts, it is inferred that serpulids in the Kalatar Formation grew on the oyster shell or other hard substrate, and they did not form reefs or bioherms.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41372307)the Yunan Provincial Communication Research Fund (Grant No. 2010 (A) 06-b)the Young Scholar Foundation of Central South University of Forestry and Technology (Grant No. 2008051B)
文摘No matter from the perspective of slope protection, landscape effect and construction cost, or from the perspective of ecological benefit, the development of original ecological tridimensional vegetation has become the inevitable trend for slope vegetation in pursuit of protecting ecological condition, decreasing soil erosion, maintaining ecological balance and beautifying environment of slope. The concept of original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is proposed in this paper, and the original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is studied through theoretical analysis and experiments. Specifically, the mechanical effect of slope vegetation in reinforcing the cohesion and shear strength of soil mass is firstly discussed, and then experiments are performed to study the water interception and containing function of slope under various vegetation conditions. Moreover, the relation between soil moisture and cohesion, the relation between root distribution density and cohesion, and the relation between root distribution density and soil shear strength are also studied based on experiments.Finally, based on field observation, the soil erosion states of slope under various vegetation conditions are comparatively studied. It is found that the original ecological tridimensional slope, which combines grass,shrub and tree, can generate comprehensive slope protection effects, and hence strengthen the slope protection ability and bring multiple slope protection benefits. Thereby, the theoretical foundation for developing original ecological tridimensional slope vegetation is established.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31360039)
文摘The investigation of distribution patterns of species diversity is significant for successful biodiversity conservation. The spatial patterns of vegetation and different life-forms species diversity along an elevation gradient in the middle section of the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China were explored, using the detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) and the generalized additive model (GAM) methods based on a field survey of 53 sampling plots. In this work 158 species of seed plants were recorded, including 141 herbaceous, 14 shrub, and 2 tree species, in which the woody plants are very limited. 53 sampling plots were classified into 9 major plant communities. The results indicate that the herb communities were the most sensitive to changes in elevation gradient. The diversity indices of the community as a whole presented bimodal patterns. The peak values for the species diversities were found in the transition region between mountain steppe desert and mountain desert steppe (2,200-2,300m), and in the alpine grassland region (2,900-3,100m), while maximum species diversities were in the areas of intermediate environmental gradient. The main environmental factors on the distribution patterns in plant diversity were the elevation, soft water, total nitroeen, available nitrogen, organic matter, and total salt. The response tendency of the four diversity indices for the whole community to the soil environment was the same as that of the herb layers.
文摘The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While they trap a greater thickness of soil on the slope they increase the risk of slope failures, reduce moisture and nutrient availability to plants, and thin more soil up slope. The stone risers also threaten long-term productivity. When a riser collapses debris is deposited over the terrace below making farming difficult. These breaches in the terrace focus surface runoff leading to gully formation and increased sediment transport down slope. Artificial drainage systems, often used in conjunction with terracing, compound the risk. These channels prevent precipitation from soaking into the soil. This limits groundwater and soil moisture recharge which reduces the availability of water for crops and the length of the growing season. The rapid drainage of water from the slope reduces the time of concentration of the catchment resulting in an increase in flood activity. Floods are caused by smaller rainstorm events. They arrive faster and peak quicker and higher than before the channels were constructed. Engineering solutions to soil erosion must therefore be used in conjunction with, and are not as a substitute for, good land management strategies. Furthermore, despite changes in land use practices, and the application of new technologies, there is a maximum amount of production that can be obtained from this land on a sustainable basis.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41171157)
文摘Based on data from 22 sample plots and applying the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), this paper discusses the vegetation-environment relationships between the northern slope of Karlik Mountain and Naomaohu Ba- sin, which is situated in the easternmost end of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. For the zonal vegetation, community diversity of mountain vegetation is higher than that of the desert vegetation due to environmental factors. The CCA ordination diagram revealed that the composition and distribution of vegetation types are mainly determined by altitude, soil pH and soil salt content. With increasing elevation, the soil pH and total salt content decrease but the contents of soil organic matter, soil water, total nitrogen and total phosphorus increase gradu- ally. In the CCA ordination diagrams, the sample plots and main species can be divided into five types according to their adaptations to the environmental factors. Type Ⅰ is composed of desert vegetation distributed on the low moun- tains, hills, plains and deserts below an elevation of 1900 m; type Ⅱ is distributed in the mountain and desert ecotone with an elevation of 1900-2300 m, and includes steppe desert, desert steppe and wetland meadow; type Ⅲ is very sim- ply composed of only salinized meadow; type Ⅳ is distributed above an elevation of 2300 m, containing mountain steppe, meadow steppe, subalpine meadow and alpine meadow; type Ⅴ only contains salinized meadow. The results show that with increasing elevation, species combination changes from the xerophytic shrubs, semi-shrubs and herbs distributed in the low altitude zone with arid climate to the cold-tolerant perennial herbs growing in the high altitudinal zone with cold climate.
文摘The present status of PP technology in China is presented. Through a review of single loop and dual loop PP reactor technology as well as development and utilization of PP products it is concluded that import of PP technology should be based on the demand of PP products and market trend with consideration of local conditions. The existing problems and future development of PP technology in China are discussed.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 41201553)the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2013BAK05B02)
文摘This paper deals with the formative process of the Wenchuan earthquake disaster chain risk. Selected earthquake-landslides chain risk is critically evaluated by the probability of landslide displacement failure based on the Newmark's permanent-deformation model. In this context, a conceptual model of regional disaster chain risk assessment was proposed, in which the hazardformative environments sensitivity was the core factor as well as the main difference compared with single disaster risk assessment. The disaster chain risk is accumulation of primary disaster risk and the secondary disasters risks. Results derived from the Wenchuan case proved that the conceptual model was suitable for the disaster chain risk assessment, especially the sudden disaster chain. This experience would offer greater potential in application of conceptual model of disaster chain risk assessment, in the process of large-scale disaster risk governance.
基金the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
文摘Earthquake induced landslides are one of the most severe geo-environmental hazards that cause enormous damage to infrastructure, property, and loss of life in Nuweiba area. This study developed a model for mapping the earthquake-induced landslide susceptibility in Nuweiba area in Egypt with considerations of geological, geomorphological, topographical, and seismological factors. An integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS technologies were applied for that target. Several data sources including Terra SAR-X and SPOT 5 satellite imagery, topographic maps, field data, and other geospatial resources were used to model landslide susceptibility. These data were used specifically to produce important thematic layers contributing to landslide occurrences in the region. A rating scheme was developed to assign ranks for the thematic layers and weights for their classes based on their contribution in landslide susceptibility. The ranks and weights were defined based on the knowledge from field survey and authors experiences related to the study area. The landslide susceptibility map delineates the hazard zones to three relative classes of susceptibility: high, moderate, and low. Therefore, the current approach provides a way to assess landslide hazards and serves for geo-hazard planning and prediction in Nuweiba area.
文摘The problem of shore wash in environmental engineering is connected in particular with the effect of waves generated by the ships and fast speed boats. Another problem is protection of "Marines" with anchored boat against waves. Sloping banks provoke unfavorable transformation of waves. Simultaneously sloping bank is the factor which significantly complicates prediction of wave pattern in numerical analysis. The purpose of present paper is to demonstrate the results of numerical investigation of ship waves pattern in constrain water area with slope banks by panel method for non-linear ship waves calculation usually applied for ship hull perfection as routine instrument of towing tanks technology. The method initially developed for calculation of ship hull waves in inviscid infinite fluid was adapted to meet boundary conditions on slope banks. Verification of the method was done for 60-series ship in rectangular channel. Development of wave pattern generated by two ship of different types--monohull ferries and river catamaran was investigated. It was found that ship waves height significantly increased due to slopping banks comparing with case of deep water and shallow water rectangular channel.
文摘Numerous landslides occurred in hilly and mountainous areas during the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake. Social problems developed when many towns became isolated because landslides cut offtraffic and public service lifelines. The hilly areas are composed mainly alternate layer of soft sandstone and mudstone deposited in quaternary or tertiary period. This geomorphology formed by folding presents a prominent landslide area in this region. This area has been utilized as rice terraces or carp breeding ponds because of plenty of water in the ground all the time. In addition, there was rainfall of more than 100 mm caused by Typhoon No. 23 two days before the earthquake in Chuetsu area. Block samples were extracted from the failure sites. The samples obtained were mainly low-cemented sandy soils. Triaxial tests of the samples under saturated and unsaturated conditions were conducted to examine the soils' strength properties and estimate the indices for slope stability.
文摘The Kuvasali landslide disaster in Malava, Western Kenya, which caused harmful geo-environmental hazards to the villagers in August 2007, formed the premise of this paper. The existing landslide vulnerability occurrence ratings have been identified and documented using participatory approaches to ascertain the adoptive indigenous methods, which helped mitigation against the negative impacts by determining the slope steepness using Abney level. The geological set up, settlement and climatic factors, relating to landslides, revealed that the affected homesteads were on a steep slope of approximately 70%, with underlying metamorphosed basement rocks comprising ofgneisses, schists and granite intrusions. The steep escarpment overlying these rocks, where the landslide occurred, consists of volcanic rocks and black cotton clayey soils. The slope has scattered vegetation cover due to farming, while the low-lying area is planted with sugar cane and maize plantations. The landslide disaster led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. Natural resources, including water points, suffered siltation. Mitigation measures such as geo-hazard mapping and zoning, awareness training and campaigns for the local people focusing on hazard-prone areas resulting from poor land use practices have been recommended.
基金We thank Ms. LIU Weili, Dr. CAI Wenhua, Mr. LIU Bo, and Dr. FANG Lei from the Institute of Ap- plied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences for assis- tance in sampling and Dr. XIONG Jingbo from the Ningbo University of China for assistance in bioinfor- matic analysis. This research was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Aca- demy of Sciences (No. XDB15010101), the National Basic Research Program (973 Program) of China (No. 2014CB954002), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41371254).
文摘The effects of slope aspects on soil biogeochemical properties and plant communities in forested environments have been studied extensively; however, slope aspect influence on soil microbial communities remains largely unexamined, despite the central role of soil biota in ecosystem functioning. In this study, the communities of both soil bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were investigated using tagged pyrosequencing for three types of slope aspects (south-facing aspect, north-facing aspect and flat area) in a boreal forest of the Greater Khingan Mountains, China. The bacterial and AMF community composition differed with slope aspects. Bacterial diversity was the lowest on the north-facing aspect, and AMF diversity was the lowest on the flat area. Aspects also had a significant impact on soil pH and available phosphorus (P) and shrubby biomass. Soil pH and understory shrub biomass were significantly correlated with bacterial communities, and soil available P and shrub biomass showed significant correlations with AMF communities. Our results suggested that slope aspects affected bacterial and AMF communities, mediated by aspect-induced changes in plant community and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH and available P), which improved the knowledge on the effects of forest slope aspects on aboveground and belowground communities.
文摘Mountains imply enormous environmental variation, with alpine habitats entailing harsh environ- ments, especially for ectotherms such as lizards. This environmental variability also may imply variation in prey availability. However, little is known about how lizard trophic ecology varies with elevation. In this study, we analyze diet, prey availability, prey selection, and trophic niche width in the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus along a 2,200-m elevational gradient in the Sierra Nevada (SE Spain). The analysis of fecal samples has shown that Orthoptera, Formicidae, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Araneae are the main prey, although, according to their abundance in pitfall traps, Formicidae and Coleoptera are rejected by the lizard whereas Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae are preferred. Prey abundance and diversity increase with elevation and diet subtly varies along with the elevational gradient. The consumption of Coleoptera increases with elevation probably as a consequence of the lizard foraging more in open areas while basking. The electivity for Araneae increases with elevation. Araneae are rejected in the lowlands--where they are rela- tively abundant--whereas, at high elevation, this lizard positively selects them, despite they being less abundant. The lizard trophic niche width expands with elevation due to concomitant greater prey diversity and hence this lizard feeds on more prey types in highlands. Although no sex difference in diet has been found, the trophic niche is broader in females than males. As a whole, alpine lizards show a trophic niche simitar to that found at lower elevat(ons, suggesting that P. algirus is well adapted to the harsh environment found in alpine areas.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China under Grant No.2016YFC0300801the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants Nos.41576101 and 41427806
文摘This paper addresses the source seeking problems for an autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV) with the estimated gradients. The AUV is embedded with multiple sensors, which are only able to detect the signal strengths of the source with unknown distribution. To resolve this challenge,a sensor configuration is explicitly designed as a semicircle to estimate gradients of the signal field.Then, a controller is obtained via the estimated gradients to drive the AUV to approach the source.Moreover, an upper bound for the localization error is provided in terms of the radius of the semicircle and the signal distribution. Finally, the authors include a simulation example by applying the strategy to a Remote Environmental Monitoring Unit S(REMUS) for seeking the deepest point of a region of seabed in the South China Sea.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos. 40872078,40976030)Knowledge Innovation Program of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (Grant No. LYQY200806)the Research Project of Tarim Oilfield Company (Grant No. 41009080051)
文摘Polychaete serpulids are globally distributed tubeworms mostly in marine environments from Late Triassic to modem time. These calcareous tubeworms could be rock-forming, reef-building, or a principal fouling organism in harbor and bays. Car- bonates of the Paleogene Kalatar Formation in southwest Tarim Basin yield abundant serpulid fossils, which, together with oyster fossils, constitute the characteristic fossil assemblage of the Kalatar Formation. Other common fossils include bivalves, gastropods, ostracods, echinoderms, and bryozoans. Lithologies that yielded serpulid fossils are characterized by micritic bio- clastic limestone, sandy limestone, and shelly limestone, indicating a semi-restricted to open shallow marine environment with medium to low water energy. The research data about serpulids and their fossil materials from China are relatively rare. Based on the studies of tbssils taxonomy, community palaeoecology, and fossil taphonomy, this paper analyzed and studied the types, occurrence, distribution, and morphological characteristics of serpulids and their palaeoecological features in the Kalatar For- mation. Two serpulid community compositions were recognized in the Kalatar Formation, including a rock-forming Ditrupa community and a cluster-growth Propomatoceros community. The Ditrupa community was distributed in coastal environment of the west Kunlun piedmont, lived on sandy hard substrates with little mud, and rarely occurred in lagoon and tidal settings. The Propomatoceros community occurred in offshore middle carbonate ramp in the piedmont of the south Tianshan Moun- tains and in offshore shelf in the piedmont of the west Kunlun Mountains. According to the analysis on the host-rock litholo- gies, preservation and symbionts, it is inferred that serpulids in the Kalatar Formation grew on the oyster shell or other hard substrate, and they did not form reefs or bioherms.