Restoring environmental flows and improving riparian ecosystem of Tarim River

Rapid population growth and artificial oasis enlargement did pose great threat to the natural riparian ecosystems of Tarim River and caused seriously ecological deterioration and greater desertification of the Tarim River Basin in the second half of 20 century. Restoration of the endangered riparian ecosystem requires that environmental flow should be restored through restricted and uncontrolled flow diversion irrigation in tributary areas. Implementation of such restriction needs further the basin-wide reallocation of water resources through a set of engineering and non-engineering measures taken to ensure the water requirement in the tributary and maintain effective flows in Tarim River. As one of evolving HELP (Hydrology for Environment, Life and Policy) basins, the article first presents an overview of hydrology, socio-economic development and ecosystem evolution of the Tarim River Basin. Then, those measures for restoring and maintaining environmental flow are reviewed and analyzed along with its applicability and validity. The issues emerging in implementing those measures are also explored, and then the conclusions were summarized. Lessons learned could provide a good example for other basins under similar conditions.

Socio-Economic Drivers of Degradation and Their Implication on Conservation of River Lumi Riparian Ecosystem in Kenya

Riparian forests ecosystems play significant role in biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem goods and services which support local livelihoods. However, riparian ecosystems are threatened by degradation attributed to anthropogenic activities. Understanding the interaction between anthropogenic activities and socio-economic factors, and their associated impact on riparian degradation is essential for designing appropriate management strategies for these ecosystems. This study assessed the socio-economic factors that drive degradation and their implication on conservation of River Lumi riparian ecosystem. Semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect the data. The findings indicate that crop farming and livestock production were the main sources of livelihood practiced by 84% and 70% of the households respectively. Consequently, agricultural intensification resulting from increased demand for agricultural commodities (33%), over-grazing coupled with influx of livestock from private ranches and neighbouring pastoralist Maasai community (20%), and deforestation fuelled by population increase (17%) were the main drivers of degradation in River Lumi riparian ecosystem. The findings indicate that about 91% of the adjacent communities are dependent on River Lumi for their sustenance and their livelihoods will be affected by continued degradation of the riparian ecosystem;thus there is need for development of appropriate management strategies including sustainable livelihood systems to conserve River Lumi riparian ecosystem.

Land Use and Land Cover Change along River Lumi Riparian Ecosystem in Kenya: Implications on Local Livelihoods

Riparian forests minimize impacts of land degradation on stream ecosystems and provide direct and indirect benefits to people. However, these ecosystems are threatened by degradation and deforestation attributed to land use changes. River Lumi riparian ecosystem in Taita Taveta County in Kenya has experienced rapid and extensive land use changes over the past three decades in response to economic, institutional and demographic factors. There is growing concern of riparian degradation attributed to land use change with far reaching implications on local livelihoods. A study was conducted to examine the patterns of land use and land cover change along River Lumi riparian ecosystem between 1987 and 2019. The aim of the study was to ascertain the impacts of land use and land cover change on local livelihoods. Landsat images were used to assess land use and land cover change while socio-economic data was collected from 353 households in Njukini, Chala and Mboghoni located in the upper, middle and lower sections of River Lumi ecosystem respectively. Research evidence authenticated that the area under farmlands, settlement and water body increased by 20.5%, 112.1% and 2.3% respectively between 1987 and 2019 while area under forest patches, grazing land and riverine vegetation decreased by 52.7%, 3.0%, and 36.6% respectively. The increase in population in surrounding areas coupled with encroachment of the riparian areas for crop farming and livestock grazing resulted to loss of riparian forest patches/vegetation and associated biodiversity with negative implications on household livelihoods. The implication of these results is the need for land use regulations and management interventions at the County level to arrest further encroachment of River Lumi riparian ecosystem and consequent loss of biodiversity and livelihoods.

Mapping Supply-Demand of Riparian Ecosystem Service for Riparian Greenspace Planning on Multiple Spatial Scales

Riparian areas produce a variety of ecosystem service(ES)functions and play an important role in the coupled nature-human systems.Taking account of riparian ES in riparian greenspace planning framework and balancing the ecological and social aspects of ES can help to achieve the composite goals for urban-rural sustainability.However,there is still a lack of research on the integration thinking and quantification approach for riparian ES to support riparian greenspace planning and decision-making.This research mainly discusses the possible way of incorporating the ES into riparian greenspace planning and presents an integrated framework of the interaction between riparian ES and riparian greenspace planning,including evaluating riparian ES supply-demand budget to support multi-scales(region,urban,and street)riparian greenspace planning.Taking the Nanchuan District of Chongqing in China as a case study,we aim to achieve the following three results:first,recognizing the relationship and building a link between riparian ES and riparian greenspace planning;second,establishing a multi-scale scoring system of two ES supply-demand indicators for mapping on three spatial scales;third,applying riparian ES supply-demand mapping into riparian greenspace planning from three aspects of balancing planning goals,multi-scale planning tasks,and planning strategies and policies.

Impacts of hydropower-induced flow alterations on composition and diversity of riparian vegetation in the Western Himalayas: A case study in Uttarakhand, India

The increasing demand for water and energy resources has led to widespread dam construction,particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayan Range.This study focuses on the Uttarakhand state in the Western Himalayas,where hydroelectric projects(HEPs)have significantly altered river flow regimes.The research investigates the impact of flow alterations on the composition and structure of riparian vegetation in the Garhwal Himalayas,specifically analysing four rivers regulated by hydroelectric projects.Utilizing the paired-reach comparison method,control(undisturbed),diverted(downstream of barrage/dam),and altered flow conditions(downstream of water outlet)were examined.The research reveals diverse and unique riparian ecosystems,with 89 genera and 113 taxa identified,showcasing the dominance of families like Asteraceae and Lamiaceae.The study unveils the structural importance of key species such as Berberis asiatica and Artemisia nilagirica.The density,diversity,and richness of shrub and herb species vary significantly across flow conditions.Notably,altered flow conditions demonstrate resilience in vegetation structure,while diverted conditions exhibit decreased species richness and density.The study emphasizes the importance of nuanced environmental flow management for mitigating adverse effects on riparian biodiversity in the fragile Himalayan region.These findings contribute to the global discourse on dam impacts and riparian ecology,shedding light on the complexities of this dynamic relationship in a vulnerable ecosystem.

Vitality variation and population structure of a riparian forest in the lower reaches of the Tarim River,NW China

Since 2000, the Chinese government has implemented emergency water diversion measures to restore the damaged riparian forest ecosystem with dominant tree species Euphrat poplar(Populus euphratica Oliv.)at the lower reaches of the Tarim River. In the present study, comparative analysis of variations in the vitality of P. euphratica trees were made using 2005 and 2010 data to illustrate the revitalization process of riparian forest. Poplar trees within 300 m of the riverbed were positively revitalized, while the vitality of trees farther than 300 m from the river decreased. Population structure was studied to demonstrate the development of poplar community. In the first belt, the class structure for the diameter at breast height(DBH) of P. euphratica fit a logistic model, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th belt curve fittings were close to a Gaussian model; in other plots they were bimodal. Cluster analysis of the composition of the DBH class of poplar trees demonstrated that those within 16–36 cm DBH were the most abundant(58.49% of total) in study area, under 16 cm of DBH were second(31.36%), and trees >40 cm DBH were the least abundant(10.15%). More than 80% of the trees were young and medium-sized, which means that the poplar forest community in the vicinity of the lower Tarim River is at a stable developmental stage. The abundance of juvenile trees of P. euphratica in the first and second measuring belts was 12.13% in 2005 and increased to 25.52% in 2010, which means that the emergency water transfer had a positive impact on the generation of young P. euphratica trees in the vicinity of the river.

Effects of Sand-Harvesting on River Water Quality and Riparian Soil Physico-Chemical Properties

The widespread distribution of river sand-harvesting activities continues to degrade river water quality and the surrounding riverine environments. This study determined practical effects of sand-harvesting on two rivers in Kakamega County Kenya. Water samples were tested for turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS). For riparian soils, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), pH, organic carbon (OC), moisture content and textural class were determined on composite samples obtained from the field. Two control sites not affected by sand-harvesting were also used for comparison. Results indicate TSS concentrations increased during the rainy season when sand-harvesting was occurring, with significant differences between the control and sand-harvesting sample groups. Between seasons—dry and wet—in natural circumstances, the riparian soil moisture and phosphorus contents increased significantly. The study shows that river sand-harvesting degrades the aesthetic value of riparian areas, and makes rivers prone to bank erosion, and silt. This increases river water turbidity. The study concludes that sand-harvesting does not directly affect the riparian soil moisture content, total N, P, pH, OC or textural class, but reduces productivity of riparian land and puts the riverine ecosystems at risk.

基于土地利用结构的河流岸带生态系统服务簇识别

为识别河流岸带土地利用与生态服务价值的空间结构,从河流岸带保护角度选取水资源保护、净化环境、水文调节、土壤保持、维持养分循环、生物多样性6项生态服务功能,基于遥感影像解译的土地利用数据,运用修正的当量因子法估算得到生态服务价值的空间分布规律,进而进行层次聚类分析识别河流岸带生态服务簇,并应用于太湖流域湖西区溧阳市县级河流——竹箦河作为实例研究。结果表明:(1)竹箦河河岸带6项生态服务价值呈现出显著的空间异质性和聚集性;(2)竹箦河河岸带可划分为5大类生态服务簇,分别为水源涵养型、绿色多元型、经济生态型、生态脆弱型以及耗水污染型;(3)各类服务簇的生态系统服务特点与空间布局分异明显,与岸带实际土地利用结构相协调,揭示了竹箦河河岸带生态服务功能普遍较薄弱的现状。研究结果可为竹箦河及类似平原地区骨干河流岸带功能区划分以及河岸带生态保护与修复方案的制定提供理论参考。

2000—2020年黄河下游河岸带生态系统服务价值与碳储分析

为了促进黄河下游生态脆弱河岸带土地资源的合理配置,助力河岸带生态可持续发展,采用野外调查、ArcGIS、InVEST模型、当量因子法等方法,通过分析2000—2020年黄河下游河岸带土地利用动态变化,揭示其生态系统服务总价值(ESV)和碳储量(C_(t))的变化。结果表明:2000—2020年黄河下游河岸带湿地和建设用地面积持续增加,湿地主要来源于耕地和水域,建设用地主要来源于耕地;耕地和建设用地面积占比随着距河道距离的增大而增大,而草地面积占比随着距河道距离的增大而减小,林地面积占比随河道距离变化不明显,2000—2010年湿地面积占比随河道距离减少,而2010—2020年远岸湿地增加,且主要位于距河道200~500 m区间。2000—2020年,黄河下游河岸带ESV呈先增加后减少的变化趋势。其中,水域对ESV的贡献率最大,湿地次之,耕地、林地和草地的贡献率低,且不稳定。2000—2020年,黄河下游河岸带碳储量逐渐提高,湿地碳储量逐渐上升,然而林地、草地和水域碳汇能力则先增加后降低。水沙状况、人类活动以及国家政策是影响黄河下游河岸带生态系统服务价值与碳储量的重要因素。为减缓黄河下游人为调水调沙引发的河岸带生态功能减退,亟待提升湿地质量,适当退耕还林、还草和还水,以提高河岸带生态系统的服务价值和碳储量。

河岸带生态系统退化机制及其恢复研究进展

恢复和重建自然和人为干扰导致的退化河岸带生态系统是目前恢复生态学、流域生态学等学科研究的重要内容之一.对河岸带生态系统的干扰表现在河流水文特征改变、河岸带直接干扰和流域尺度干扰3个方面,分别具有不同的影响机制.河流水文特征改变通过改变河岸土壤湿度、氧化还原电位、生物生存环境以及沉积物传输规律对河岸带生态系统产生影响;河岸带直接干扰通过人类活动及外来物种入侵而直接影响河岸带植被多样性;流域尺度干扰则主要表现在河道刷深、河道淤积、河岸带地下水位降低和河流冲刷过程改变等.河岸带生态恢复评价对象包括河岸带生态系统各要素,评价指标已从单一的生态指标转向综合性指标.河岸带生态恢复应在景观或者流域尺度上进行考虑,识别对其影响的生物和物理过程以及导致其退化的干扰因子,通过植被重建与水文调控来进行.扩展研究尺度和研究对象及采用多学科的研究方法将是今后相关研究中的重要问题.

两个水库型湖泊中溶解性有机质三维荧光特征差异

应用三维荧光光谱技术(3D-EEM),研究了两个典型水库型湖泊(长寿湖和大洪海)水体中溶解性有机质(DOM)的荧光光谱特征,结合沿岸生态系统差异,讨论其对两个湖泊中DOM性质及来源的影响.结果表明,沿岸生态系统的差异性(尤其是人为干扰)是导致两个水体DOM地球化学特征存在明显差异的重要原因.两湖水体中DOM均存在4个荧光峰,且长寿湖样本中类蛋白物质含量更高;而大洪海水体中腐殖化程度较高的组分(C峰)含量较高.相关性分析表明,两湖DOM样本中类蛋白和类腐殖组分来源不同,而A、C峰代表的类腐殖组分存在共源性.通过荧光参数分析显示,沿岸以森林系统为主的大洪海水体DOM陆源性更强,腐殖化程度高;而长寿湖受两岸农田、果园的输入以及人为排放影响,其水体DOM具有明显的自生源特征,新生DOM含量较高,其荧光特征也反映了该区域水体受人为干扰较大.与其他不同湖泊对比,进一步表明沿岸生态系统类型及人为土地利用是决定水体DOM来源和特性的关键因素.

河岸带生态系统管理研究概念框架及其关键问题

河岸带生态系统作为河流-陆地生态系统的生态过渡区,具有一系列的环境、社会和经济功能加以考虑。加强河岸带生态系统的资源、生态、环境管理,已成为流域生态学、生态系统生态学等学科研究的重要问题之一。在对国内外河岸带生态系统管理研究进展进行综述的基础上,从生态系统管理的角度出发,结合河岸带生态系统特征,界定了河岸带生态系统管理的概念及其要素。提出了河岸带生态系统管理的概念框架,主要从范围界定、问题诊断、目标设定、综合评价、管理策略、监测评估和反馈调整7个方面展开具体研究。识别出河岸带生态系统管理中的4个关键问题:①研究尺度问题;②河岸带管理宽度问题;③协调生态价值冲突问题;④国内河岸带生态系统管理问题,并对其进行了详细阐述,以期为国内开展相关研究提供参考。

退化滨水景观带植物群落生态修复技术研究进展

滨水带是重要的生态交错带,物质、养分和能量流动速率高,具有较高的生态、经济和美学价值。近年来,由于缺乏科学合理的生态规划意识,我国滨水带多被建成近直立人工护岸,加之自然、人为干扰力度的加强,滨水岸线生境破坏,生物群落丧失,滨水带退化,水岸生态环境日趋恶化。通过对滨水带生态景观功能分析,研究滨水带退化原因与机理,系统归纳了国内外退化滨水景观带植物群落生态修复相关技术的研究现状,深入探讨了生境恢复、生物廊道恢复、景观格局美化和水岸生态系统结构与功能优化等方面的研究内容,并提出今后滨水带生态修复技术研究方向,以及基于生态学、景观学、水力学、土力学、生物学、经济学等多学科背景的滨水景观带植物群落定量分析、配置方法。最后指出,滨水景观带植物群落生态修复技术研究需进一步分析我国水岸生态系统退化机理、细化滨水深槽-浅滩序列、量化滨水植被配置宽度与生物多样性关系、深化稳定化长效管理技术等,为我国退化滨水生态景观带植物群落生态修复集成技术的研究与实践提供参考,以全面有效的提高生态环境质量。

河岸植被缓冲带与河岸带管理

河岸带是水陆交错带的一种景观表现形式 ,即岸边陆地上同河水发生作用的植被区域 ,是介于河溪和高地植被之间的生态过渡带 .目前 ,河岸带的保护和管理日益为人们所关注 ,并成为自然资源经营及管理中不可缺少的部分 .本文对国外河岸带管理有关的研究和实践进行了总结 ,对河岸带管理的目标、作用、一般途径、面临的问题以及将来发展趋势进行了讨论 ,并详细介绍了USDA FS的河岸植被缓冲带系统 .文章最后指出 ,有必要在国内尽快开展河岸带管理的研究和实践 .

受损河岸生态系统修复研究进展

基于传统水利工程设计理念修建的河流护岸工程只考虑工程的耐久性及施工的方便性而使用混凝土或钢筋混凝土材料,忽略了河流的生态功能,从而破坏了河流的各种生态过程,导致河流污染严重,生态作用越来越小.分析了国内外关于受损河岸生态系统修复的研究现状及存在的问题,并提出了我国开展受损河岸生态系统修复研究需要解决的问题、应采取的研究方法.

用芦苇恢复受损河岸生态系统的工程化方法

我国中小河流的护岸工程只考虑工程的耐久性多采用混凝土护岸 ,忽略了河流的生态功能 ,破坏了河流的各种生态过程 ,导致河流污染严重 ,生态作用越来越小。本研究提出一种用芦苇恢复受损河岸的工程化方法 ,以解决恢复受损河岸时成本高 ,破坏了芦苇原生地的生态环境和芦苇不便于运输的问题。其优点在于 :在保证能够达到防止河岸崩塌及侵蚀的同时 ,在河岸工程设计中纳入生态学原理 ,创造出动植物及微生物能够生存的多孔隙河岸工程生态结构 ;可以减少对芦苇原生地的破坏 ,并且能够快速、大量繁殖芦苇幼苗 ,快速恢复受损河岸的芦苇群落及其生态环境 ;此方法在减少劳力、时间和成本的基础上 ,能够更容易恢复浅水带和河岸缓冲带芦苇群落 ,构建出一个芦苇繁茂的水域。

水岸带研究综述

水岸生态系统是介于陆地与河流、湖泊、溪流或水塘之间的过渡地带,是非常重要的典型的生态交错区。水岸带具有重要的生态、社会、经济和旅游价值。水岸带研究以生态学、水文学和地貌学为基础涉及多种学科和技术。我国城市水岸多使用混凝土等人工建筑材料,结果导致水岸植物群落丧失,破坏了水岸连接水生生态系统和陆地生态系统的纽带作用,其生态作用越来越小。由于自然和人为因素的影响,退化水岸带的生态恢复与重建较为复杂,我国水岸带及其退化生态系统重建理论与实践研究均较为薄弱。为此,笔者总结目前国内外有关水岸生态系统的研究现状及未来发展方向,对我国水岸生态系统的研究提供参考。

河岸带生态系统综合评价指标体系研究

河岸带是水陆交错带,其生态状况对河流生态系统有着很大的影响。河岸带生态系统综合评价包括:结构稳定性评价、景观适宜性评价、生态健康评价、生态安全性评价等。建立合理有效的河岸带生态系统综合评价指标体系是河岸带生态系统综合评价的基础。河岸带生态系统综合评价指标体系分为4个层次:总目标层、子目标层、准则层和指标层。

受损河岸生态系统近自然修复实验的初步研究

以流经东北师范大学净月校区的中小河流为对象,在传统的水利工程设计中纳入生态学原理,以为生物提供生存空间为核心,根据恢复生态学人为设计理论采用工程和植物技术相结合的方法构建初始河岸生态系统.并着重对其恢复过程中生态系统动态、定量化的评价指标进行了初步研究.

河岸带不同植被类型对土壤有机碳和全氮分布特征的影响——以北京地区温榆河为例

河岸带生态系统是河流生态系统和陆地生态系统之间的生态交错带,也是一个敏感和脆弱的生态区域。由于受河道周边人类活动的干扰,河岸带生态系统的植被类型发生了巨大变化。本文以北京市地区的温榆河为研究对象,分析了河岸带7种植被类型对土壤有机碳和全氮含量及其空间分布特征的影响。结果表明：（1）河岸带不同植被类型对土壤有机碳和全氮的影响主要表现在表层土壤,尤其是0~5 cm土层,而对5 cm以下土层的影响相对较小。（2）河岸带不同植被类型土壤全氮和有机碳含量的空间分布特征具有显著差异。随着土层深度增加,土壤全氮和有机碳整体上呈下降趋势,但不同植被类型的垂直变化规律有较大差异,如自然草地、退耕撂荒地和林地的土壤有机碳、全氮含量随土层深度加深而降低的速率明显高于农田生态系统。（3）在0~30 cm土壤剖面上,土壤有机碳平均含量从高到低依次为杨树林（9.54 g.kg 1）、自然荒草地（9.33 g.kg 1）、梨树果园（9.18 g.kg 1）、火炬树林地（8.89 g.kg 1）、退耕撂荒地（7.91 g.kg 1）、玉米地（7.22 g.kg 1）和黄豆地（7.17g.kg 1）;土壤全氮的平均含量从高到低依次为自然荒草地（1.30 g.kg 1）、杨树林（0.91 g.kg 1）、梨树果园（0.90g.kg 1）、火炬树林地（0.83 g.kg 1）、退耕撂荒地（0.80 g.kg 1）、玉米地（0.72 g.kg 1）和黄豆地（0.70 g.kg 1）。