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In a laboratory experiment, we quantified microhabitat use of small yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata, n = 130, 224–338 mm TL) conditional on five benthic substrate types common to rivers within their geographic range. During nine, 4-day trials replicated with three aquaria, American eels were given a choice to burrow into five equally available benthic substrates: cobble (90–256 mm), gravel (4–16 mm), sand (0.125–1 mm), silt/clay (< 0.0625 mm), and leaf pack. Five American eels were used per aquarium for each trial, and individuals were used one time only. All eels were injected with PIT tags prior to the study, which allowed for determination of lengths and otolith-based ages of each individual following each trial. Leaf pack was selected with a significantly higher probability than other substrates (63 of 130 individuals). However, other substrates were also used (cobble, 21 of 130; silt/clay, 18 of 130; gravel, 16 of 130; and sand, 12 of 130). Length and age covariates were not associated with substrate selection. Selection of leaf pack habitat supports the importance of forested riparian zones and terrestrial organic material to yellow-phase American eels in riverine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to determine how to increase green space that can overlap with areas that are primarily used for transport in commercial areas and waterfront routes in communities in Thailand, where transportation is limited, in order to provide urban populations an opportunity to access green space in various forms. In this study, the following was found: (1) Commercial routes should be considered. Specifically, green spaces should be created in various forms by considering the sizes of footpaths as well as restrictions on planting; the plants should be native plants because they are easy to care for and help convey the boundaries of an area. A "landmark" that represents the identity of a community should be used to create a meeting point for people entering the commercial area, and designers should use the principles of universal design to make all groups of people feel confident and safe when accessing the area. Finally, vacant or abandoned areas between buildings may also be used. (2) Waterside travel routes should also be considered. Green spaces should be distributed into points, or some routes should be made wider to accommodate various activities; areas along canals or river banks or degraded waterways should be developed or improved to create a recreational area designed with the community's unique identity in mind, which may develop into a destination for tourists. Importantly, agencies who are responsible for working with the people in the community need to continuously care for these green spaces to enhance sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban landslides are a deadly and costly hazard. Human actions, such as altering the grade, composition and vegetation-cover of hillslopes, can increase the threat of mass movements. Here, we use an interdisciplinary approach to examine the spatial distribution, timing and cause of landslides affecting a state highway and adjacent buildings along the top of a steep, urban riverbank in the mid-latitude, humid-temperate state of Vermont. Using over 100 years of mapping, photographs and written records, we demonstrate that most mass movements in our field area occurred on slopes oversteepened by the addition of uncompacted artificial fill, added without engineering considerations. Emplaced atop glacial and post-glacial sediment with low hydraulic conductivity, the fill, having little to no cohesion, expanded buildable areas, but the new infrastructure sat on unstable ground. Over the following decades, repeated failures (n = 20), mostly shallow translational landslides in fill material along with several deeper-seated rotational slides, sent buildings, trees and segments of road into the river below. Solutions include incentivizing the removal of structures built on fill and limiting further filling activities through changes in zoning regulations and more effective enforcement of existing municipal codes. The approach we use provides a framework for similar geographical settings and can inform urban planning and risk assessment. Supplementary material: Supplementary photographs and imagery, and a list of references for all historical photographs and maps used in this study, are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7103608 Thematic collection: This article is part of the Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology of the Anthropocene collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology-of-the-anthropocene [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate attenuation during river bank infiltration is the key process for reducing nitrogen pollution. Temperature is considered to be an important factor affecting nitrate attenuation. However, the magnitude and mechanism of its impact have not been clear for a long time. In this study, the effects of temperature and temperature gradient on the nitrate denitrification rate were investigated via static batch and dynamic soil column simulation experiments. The results showed that temperature had a significant effect on the denitrification rate. Temperature effects were first observed in denitrifying bacteria. At low temperatures, the microorganism diversity was low, resulting in a lower denitrification rate constant. The static experimental results showed that the denitrification rate at 19 °C was approximately 2.4 times that at 10 °C. The dynamic soil column experiment established an exponential positive correlation between the nitrate denitrification decay kinetic constant and temperature. The affinity of denitrifying enzymes for nitrate in the reaction substrate was ordered as follows: decreasing temperature gradient (30 °C → 10 °C) > zero temperature gradient (10 °C) > increasing temperature gradient condition (0 °C → 10 °C). This study provides a theoretical basis for the biogeochemical processes underlying river bank infiltration, which will help aid in the development and utilization of groundwater resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental considerations are an important aspect of construction activities, such as the impact of construction vibrations at project sites and in nearby properties. There are limited studies to investigate the impact of vibration from ground improvement construction and how underground utilities can be protected from vibration damage. This research is aimed at developing empirical formulations that can be used to predict ground particle velocities near buried structures. This will allow engineers to minimize potential vibratory damage to buried structures. In this study, ground vibrations are produced by the installation of rockfill columns, a ground improvement technique to stabilize riverbanks. Installation of rockfill columns was done near a buried aqueduct. So, there is a concern that this aqueduct can be damaged by ground vibrations. Finite-element analysis was done to provide information on ground vibrations caused by the installation of rockfill columns. The finite-element models were calibrated with particle velocities measured at the construction site. Results showed that the particle velocities obtained in the numerical models correlated well with the measured particle velocities and those reported in the literature (although from different sources of vibrations). Empirical relationships are proposed between ground vibrations and their impacts on nearby buried structures. Limiting ground vibration on structures near construction sites is a challenging task. Even though most guidelines use peak particle velocity (PPV) as the limiting parameter, there is no consensus as to which limiting values to use. Ideally, project-specific values could be estimated with predicting equations. Estimation of the vibratory impact from the installation of rockfill columns in the ground and their impact on buried structures is limited in the literature. This is due to the lack of data to validate prediction methods. As is shown in this paper, numerical results in this research reasonably agree with field PPVs reported in the literature. Therefore, empirically based predictions for the installation of rockfill columns, for the removal of steel casings, and for the vibratory impact of ground vibrations on buried structures for 5%, 50%, and 95% exceedances are proposed in this study. It is recommended that the proposed empirically based predictors be used as a preliminary evaluation tool, preceding numerical simulations to predict expected ground vibration in terms of PPV. It is understood that when the field data are obtained in the near field but prediction is for far field, the predictions tend to be conservative. On the other hand, prediction for the near-field response based on data from the far field is inappropriate and should be used with caution. In the field, well-planned instrumentation and monitoring would help protect buried structures from potential damage from ground vibrations, which was done in the case study presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nigeria and most other developing countries need to explore using socio-ecological approaches to address some ecosystem challenges. Changes in river depth, channel width and riverbank vegetation cover type of River Ekulu in Enugu, Nigeria, their causes and effects on biodiversity and livelihood adaptation by household breadwinners, who depended on the river for livelihood activities, were investigated. Snowball sampling technique was adopted. Causes of changes in the river depth, channel width and riverbank vegetation cover type and their effects on biodiversity and livelihood adaptation were obtained from literature with Google Forms administered to purposively selected experts. Factor component analysis was used to select the significant ones. Aerial images of the river were captured with a drone. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from the target household breadwinners to corroborate the images or otherwise, the causes and the effects of the changes on biodiversity and livelihood adaptation. Data were analyzed to test seven null hypotheses bordering on the objectives of the study. Results showed that the observed changes led to adverse effect on biodiversity and the attendant imperative livelihood adaptation. Factors causing the changes in the river depth, width and riverbank vegetation cover type were climate change (factor weight, fw, 0.44–0.54) and increase in population density (fw 0.46–0.63). Recommendations include conscientisation of government and riverine neighbourhood dwellers on the observed ecological changes, their causes and effects, and ways-forward on policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry serve as valuable indices for plant nutrient utilization and biogeochemical cycling within ecosystems. However, the allocation of these nutrients among different plant organs and the underlying drivers in dynamic riparian ecosystems remain inadequately understood. In this study, we gathered plant samples from diverse life forms (annuals and perennials) and organs (leaves, stems, and roots) in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR) in China--a novel ecosystem subject to winter flooding. We used random forest analysis and structural equation modeling to find out how flooding, life forms, plant communities, and soil variables affect organs C, N, and P levels. Results showed that the mean concentrations of plant C, N, and P in the riparian zone of the TGRR were 386.65, 19.31, and 5.27 mg/g for leaves respectively, 404.02, 11.23, and 4.81 mg/g for stems respectively, and 388.22, 9.32, and 3.27 mg/g for roots respectively. The C:N, C:P and N:P ratios were 16.15, 191.7 and 5.56 for leaves respectively; 26.98, 273.72 and 4.6 for stems respectively; and 16.63, 223.06 and 4.77 for roots respectively. Riparian plants exhibited nitrogen limitation, with weak carbon sequestration, low nutrient utilization efficiency, and a high capacity for nutrient uptake. Plant C:N:P stoichiometry was significantly different across life forms and organs, with higher N and P concentrations in leaves than stems and roots, and higher in annuals than perennials. While flooding stress triggered distinct responses in the C, N, and P concentrations among annual and perennial plants, they maintained similar stoichiometric ratios along flooding gradients. Furthermore, our investigation identified soil properties and life forms as more influential factors than plant communities in shaping variations in C:N:P stoichiometry in organs. Flooding indirectly impacts plant C:N:P stoichiometry primarily through alterations in plant community composition and soil factors. This study underscores the potential for hydrologic changes to influence plant community composition and soil nutrient dynamics, and further alter plant ecological strategies and biogeochemical cycling in riparian ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The riparian zone is an area where land and water are intertwined, and vegetation is rich and complexly distributed. The zone can be directly involved in ecological regulation. In order to protect the ecological environment of the riparian zone, it is necessary to monitor the distribution of vegetation. However, there are many disturbing factors in extracting riparian vegetation, the most serious of which are water bodies with similar colours to the vegetation. To overcome the influence of water bodies on vegetation extraction from UAV imagery of riparian areas, this paper proposes a novel approach that combines the marked watershed algorithm with vegetation index recognition. First, the image is pre-segmented using edge detection, and the output is further refined with the marked watershed algorithm. Background areas are classified as potential regions for vegetation distribution. Subsequently, the final vegetation distribution is extracted from these potential vegetation areas using the vegetation index. The segmentation threshold for the vegetation index is automatically determined using the OTSU algorithm. The experimental results indicate that our method, when applied to UAV aerial imagery of the riparian zone, achieves an overall accuracy of over 94%, a user accuracy of over 97%, and a producer accuracy of over 93%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hillslope-riparian-stream continuum (HRSC) may be significantly influenced by interbasin transfer of water. However, the integration processes of transferred water into HRSC and the hydrological and hydrochemical responses of HRSC remain poorly understood. Based on the hydrological observation and hydrogeochemical analyses, we delineate the processes and influences of Yellow River water integration into the HRSC of the Fen River, clarifying the essential mechanisms. Our results indicate that high mixing ratios of transferred water in the channel (94%) and increased recharge into the aquifer are responsible for noticeable hydraulic and hydrochemical influences within the HRSC. Specifically, the hydraulic impact range of the seepage river on adjacent groundwater is much greater than the range of hydrochemical influence. The mixing of river water and groundwater is confined to the riparian zone. Approximately 14% of Na+ and K+ ions were adsorbed from the percolating river water through ion exchange prior to mixing. During the intervals of the transfer, bank storage backflow persisted for an average of about four weeks, imposing hydrochemical influences on the Fen River similar to those of the transferred water. Additionally, we found that the repelling salts effect of icing induces an overestimation of the proportion of the end member with higher ion concentrations. Our study highlights the importance of anthropogenic water cycle processes on earth system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of macrophytes and macroinvertebrates in small standing waters of different origins and characteristics was investigated. This survey covered 19 ponds in the Drava field in northeastern Slovenia. The influence of the macrophytes on the macroinvertebrates was investigated and the main environmental factors that had the most significant influence on the composition of the two communities were identified. Sixty-seven taxa of macrophytes and seventy-three families of macroinvertebrates were identified. We found that a diverse macrophyte community has a positive effect on the macroinvertebrate community. In contrast, the dominance of a single macrophyte species has a strong negative influence on the richness of the macroinvertebrate community. The taxonomic richness and abundance of the macroinvertebrate community in the natural ponds was statistically significantly higher than that in artificial ponds. The significant differences in the environmental characteristics between the natural and artificial ponds, such as the macrophyte cover, conductivity, and riparian zone width, may account for these differences. Our study suggests that a greater diversity of macrophyte and macroinvertebrate communities in natural ponds is enabled by abundant but diverse macrophyte cover, low phosphorus content, and wide riparian zones, which require appropriate management of ponds and their catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rhine River is affected by major human interventions affecting its morphology and sediment regime, which have severely changed its flow and sediment transport. While channelization has increased the sediment transport capacity in the free-flowing sections, the sediment retention behind dams has caused a bedload deficit downstream and has additionally intensified riverbed erosion. The resulting consequences range from the exposure of less erodible sediment layers that pose obstacles for navigation, to the scouring of infrastructure, the lowering of groundwater levels, and multiple negative ecological consequences. To optimize the efficiency of countermeasures, a coherent overview of all sediment-related activities and the state of knowledge on the Rhine catchment is required. That is why the present study aims to give a catchment-wide overview in this regard, identify knowledge gaps and proposing a future research programme. The methodological approach includes a comprehensive literature review and online interviews with experts from six riparian countries working in the fields of sediment research and management. Based on our investigations, we have derived several research topics, each consisting of research questions. Three project ideas were defined that should primarily be realized: (i) the influence of climate change and land use change on the sediment regime; (ii) alteration and improvement of the sediment balance and continuity, sediment transport, and morphology; and (iii) national and bilateral projects on sediment transport processes and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-containing minerals are key factors controlling arsenic (As) transport in groundwater environments. However, few studies have observed the effect of aqueous Fe [Fe(aq)] on As behavior in a water environment. In this study, river sand in the riparian zone was collected for batch experiments to analyze the effect of Fe(aq) on the adsorption of As on river sand, utilizing characterization analyses to identify the reaction mechanism. The results showed that (1) as the concentration of Fe(aq) in the reaction system increased from 0.1 to 20 mg/L, the equilibrium adsorption capacity (Qe) of river sand for As(III) and As(V) gradually increased. For concentrations of Fe(aq) equal to or greater than 1 mg/L, the Qe for As(V) exceeds that for As(III), whereas at a Fe(aq) concentration of 0.1 mg/L, the Qe for As(III) is higher than that for As(V). (2) Compared to the reaction system without added Fe(aq), the adsorption of As(V) onto river sand was inhibited, while the adsorption of As(III) was enhanced under conditions with low concentrations (0.1, 1 mg/L) of Fe(aq). (3) At higher Fe(aq) concentrations (5, 20 mg/L), the adsorption of both As(V) and As(III) by river sand was more effective than in systems without Fe(aq). Characterization tests confirmed this, while Fe(II) reduced As(V), and Fe(aq) adhered to the surface of river sand to form Fe(OH)3 colloids, thereby facilitating the adsorption of As onto river sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents results from an experimental campaign to explore how different riparian zone characteristics may facilitate the transport or capturing of plastics floating through the fluvial system. Specifically, following field observations for the transport of plastics through fluvial vectors, a substantial number of flume experiments has been designed to assess the effect of floating macro-plastics and riparian zone characteristics. The results from flume experiments were analyzed using particle tracking velocimetry techniques to derive transport metrics (such as transport velocities) of macro-plastics of different sizes and shapes, released at five locations across a wide channel with distinct distance from the vegetated riverbank. The findings are discussed while considering the trapping mechanisms along the vegetated riverbank, which include a range of vegetation densities and arrangements, aiming to identify and quantify the degree of impact of each of the control parameters on the transport of floating plastics. The flow velocimetry records obtained at locations near and within the riverbank correlate well with the transport velocities of the floating plastics. Macro-plastic litter carried downstream away from the riverbank can have up to nine times the transport velocity, compared to those found within the riverbank. The change from a low to a high average density can result in about three times decrease in the transport velocity of floating macro-plastic litter within the riparian zone. These outcomes can help inform better practices for the management of riparian vegetation to maximize the trapping efficiency of macro-plastics, adapted to different flow conditions and river morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subfossil oak (SO) wood material, originating from three different buried trunks discovered in recent years by excavations in riverbanks on Romanian territory, was analysed in this research. Aged oak recovered from constructions (AO_C) and recent/new oak wood material (NO) were also investigated to provide comparative data for the SO. The oven-dry density and the basic density, the total volumetric and linear swelling and shrinkage coefficients and the compression strength parallel to the grain were the selected physical and mechanical properties considered. The experimental results showed a lower density of SO compared to NO and AO_C tested by up to about 19–20%, alongside a trend of increased dimensional instability, with variability among the tested assortments. The compression strength parallel to the grain was reduced by 19–31% compared to NO. The properties of AO-C were closer to those of NO, but differences between wood materials from different sources and of different ages were registered. A positive linear correlation was found between compression strength parallel to grain and the basic density for all types of material and assortments tested. These comparative results have to be considered by designers and engineers in the valorisation of SO in furniture design and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet selection, a core problem of foraging behavior, is a nutritional adaptation strategy formed in the long-term natural selection process by grazing herbivores and is significant for the sustainable management of grassland. Studies have mainly focused on the impacts of the individual and whole community spatial characteristics and herbivore body status on herbivore foraging behavior; thus, the response andmechanism of forage plants in different terrains to the diet selection of grazing herbivores remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, forage plants (gramineae, cyperaceae, legume, forbs, edible shrubs, and community) in different topographies (terrace, riparian zones, shady slope, half shady slope, half sunny slope, sunny slope) on the eastern Tibetan plateau were selected to study changes in nutrient andmineral content characteristics of forage plants, aswell as the difference in feeding bias of yaks for forage plants in different terrains by using an indoor cafeteria trial. A structural equation model was used to illustrate the impact of the forage plants in different terrains on the feeding bias of yak. The multi-criterion decision model TOPSIS showed that the nutritional value of gramineae was highest for the shaded slope, and that of cyperaceae and leguminosae was the highest for the terraces. The nutrient value of forbs and the whole community was highest for the sunny slope. Dry matter intake by yaks of leguminosae, forbs, and the whole plant community was significantly higher for terraces than for grasslands with other topographies, and all were significantly lower in riparian zones. Yak forage preference of leguminosae, forbs, and the whole community was the highest for the terrace and the lowest for the riparian zones. Structural equation modeling showed that for functional groups, the interactions between topography and functional groups were the drivers influencing yak forage preferences. Our study highlights the propensity of yaks to forage for plants in areas with different topographies. These results have provided a scientific basis for understanding the relationship between herbivores and plants in grasslands and for formulating scientific grazing management strategies, which are of considerable importance for sustainable grassland livestock husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leeches are distributed worldwide and are found in aquatic and humid terrestrial environments. They play important roles in trophic systems as parasites, predators and prey and, in determining water quality and biodiversity of aquatic and wetland ecosystems. This study was carried out to determine the species composition and effects of physico-chemical parameters on the distribution of leeches in Zaria located within the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Leeches were collected from August - October 2019 in rice farms and the banks of a stream and a pond with the aid of forceps. The pH, temperature, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids of each sampled location were taken in-situ using a Hanna Instrument. The average of each physicochemical parameter was recorded as mean ± Standard Error. A total of 12 leeches belonging to 3 families were collected (Erpobdellidea: Erpobdella octoculata, Glossiphoniidae: Placobdella costata and Hirudinidae: Hirudo species). The species composition (3) which constitutes 25% and abundance (9) constitutes 75% of leeches were highest in the rice farm. Temperature, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were relatively higher in the rice farm as compared with the stream and pond. However, the physico-chemical parameter did not affect the distribution and abundance of Erpobdella octoculata which was collected in all sampled locations. Species composition of leeches in Zaria was generally low due to reduced precipitation and vegetation type in the study area. Temperature, electrical conductivity, pH and total dissolved solids have effects on the distribution and abundance of Placobdella costata and Hirudo species. Intense survey of Leeches species composition is recommended in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry forest of parroquia Cazaderos located in the southwest of Ecuador, has become a fragile and vulnerable ecosystem due to its productive activities, such as, the traditional use of the forest for goat grazing. In light of this problem, the objective of the present research was to characterize the ecosystem services offered by the forest. The proposed methodological approach was founded on the classification of ecosystem services based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework. From this classification, it was determined that the dry forest provides supply, regulation and cultural ecosystem services in parroquia Cazaderos. In the supply services, the following were characterized: the supply of fresh water for human consumption, non-timber forest products (medicinal, oils, fibers, dyes and crafts) and timber forest products with endemic and representative species of the dry forest. As regulation services, areas with surface water recharge potential and riparian protection areas were characterized. As cultural services, cultural heritage, feeling of belonging, ecotourism, and scenic beauty were characterized. In this sense, it is concluded that the dry forest is an ecosystem with potential for the provision and maintenance of these services, making it essential to implement protection and conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Iraqi conflicts that have unfolded since 2013 have given rise to the most significant displacement crisis in the Middle East in more than six decades. Approximately 4.5 million Iraqis have been forced to leave their residences, resulting in Iraqis emerging as one of the globe's most extensively displaced communities. Aim: This study aims to assess the physical health problems of people displaced in Hamam Al-Alil Camp. Methods: The cross-sectional survey study design was performed in Hamam Al-Alil camps (Located on the western bank of the Tigris River in the Nineveh Governorate in Iraq, to the south of Mosul) for the period of 26th December 2017 throughout 1st March 2018. The sample of the study consists of (869) participants. Results: The study distributed 869 surveys which show that the estimation of females was (54%), while males (46%), most of the participants in this study were at age (18-30) years old, and the majority of them reported at least one chronic condition. Conclusions: This study concluded that most of the participants were female (54%), middle-aged, and reported a high prevalence of suffering from physical health symptoms such as hypertension, diabetes, and diarrhea. Recommendation: Resettlement partners should be mindful of the unique health challenges affecting this population to effectively meet the community's specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Forty-seven Quercus species (oaks) were recorded in South Africa. • Several taxa are naturalising and invading in South Africa. • Naturalisation is limited to the urban-wildland interface and riparian corridors. • Riverbank steepness can mediate oak naturalisation in a riparian corridor. • iNaturalist is a useful tool for studying the invasion ecology of alien species. Hundreds of species of alien trees have been introduced and widely cultivated in South Africa, and many species have become invasive. Despite their long residence time and widespread cultivation, little is known about the introduction history, current status, and invasion ecology of oaks (genus Quercus) in South Africa. This study reviews various aspects of the genus Quercus in South Africa. We determine the number of oak species present, assess their introduction status, map their distribution, highlight areas of putative naturalisation, and evaluate the usefulness of the community science platform iNaturalist for assessing these factors. We also conducted a field study to elucidate environmental factors that can mediate invasibility in a riparian zone. A literature search was conducted to review events associated with the introduction, cultivation and naturalisation of oaks and associated pests and diseases in South Africa. Records of Quercus species in South Africa were collated from herbaria, arboreta, the Southern African Plant Invader Atlas, the Plants of Southern Africa database and iNaturalist. A field study was conducted along the Eerste River in Stellenbosch to elucidate the role of environmental factors in mediating naturalisation. We found records of 47 Quercus taxa in South Africa which were refined to a list of 22 to 34 species likely present. The earliest record was for Quercus robur in 1656 but first records for most species date from between the late 1800s to the early 1900s. More than 99 % of presence and naturalisation records were of the ten commonly cultivated species. Quercus palustris, Q. robur , and Q. suber were categorised as invasive, and putative naturalisation was documented for Q. acutissima, Q. canariensis, Q. cerris, Q. ilex , and Q. nigra. Most naturalisation occurred at the urban-wildland interface and in riparian vegetation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Steepness of the riverbank was found to affect seedling recruitment in riparian areas. iNaturalist records shed new light on the presence, distribution, and introduction status of Quercus species in South Africa. However, taxonomic complexity and data quality complicated attempts to develop a robust inventory of Quercus in South Africa. Molecular studies are needed to achieve better resolution. Nonetheless, this study has greatly improved our understanding of the distribution and status of oaks in South Africa, with implications for their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In just a few years motorcycles had become an irreplaceable object for the daily life of Indigenous people in the Gran Chaco region. In spite of their pervasiveness, there are still many aspects to this current dissemination that remain to be unraveled. This paper explores the ways in which motorcycles have been incorporated into Indigenous material culture and the ways they are reshaping Indigenous perceptions and relations with the local environment. Starting from the machines and their uses is a way to not confine Indigenous people to a position as victims of modernity, but rather to recognize their proactive role in the ongoing reproduction and transformation of their cultural world. For this purpose, I take the example of the Wichí fishery to see how this cultural practice is changing as fishermen adopt motorcycles as means of transport. I investigate this practice and its transformations based on ethnographic fieldworks carried out with several communities settled on the banks of the Pilcomayo River, as well as readings of the ethnological literature which contains detailed descriptions of this practice. By tracing its past and ongoing transformations, I show how the hold and spatial organization of Wichí fishery has evolved as motorcycles spread to the whole Pilcomayo area. Their adoption redefines fishermen perceptions and relations with the surrounding environment, which is now understood from a new mechanized and motorized perspective of capitalization and exploitation. Indeed, while motorcycles allow them to integrate into the market, they further promote market penetration on Indigenous lands. At the same time, I demonstrate how motorcycles allow fishermen to overcome the inconveniences of an intractable river and new infrastructures that hinder fishing practices, as well as to bypass the attempts to privatize the riverbanks. In a way, the fishermen are more resilient to these sudden changes thanks to motorcycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the watersheds of abandoned mining districts, it is common to find remains of former facilities and waste dams on stream banks and slopes—a situation that results in the transport and accumulation of metal(loid)s in alluvial deposits. To analyze this problem, an area of the former mining district of Linares–La Carolina (southern Spain) was selected to evaluate the contents and distributions of Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) found in the mineral paragenesis. Specifically, this study focused on the Siles Stream, which runs through a sector where underground mining for the exploitation of galena veins generated abundant mining wastes, mainly waste rock and tailings. Thirty-four sediment samples from the stream bed of the Siles Stream and two sediment samples from the Guadiel River, of which it is a tributary, were analyzed. Floodplain sediments were sampled in the stream banks at the middle and lower reaches (11 samples), as well as the riverine soils developed at the mouth of the Siles Stream (22 samples). The analyzed samples presented high levels of PTEs, in most cases with values much higher than the generic reference levels established by European and regional legislation for PTEs in soils. In the case of Pb, the main metal mined in this district, contents of up to 27,074 mg·kg−1 were observed in the stream bed sediments. Very high concentrations of Pb also appeared in the floodplain sediments, with maximum values in the middle course of the stream, where the concentration reached 43,692 mg·kg−1. With respect to the sediments of the Guadiel river bed, the Pb content was 699 mg·kg−1 before the confluence with the stream and 2537 mg·kg−1 downstream, which clearly reflects the influence of the contributions from the Siles Stream. The enrichment factors (EFs) show that the sediments present a severe to very severe anthropogenic influence for Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicates that the entire basin is extremely polluted by Pb, to which As and Ag are added in the middle course of the stream. The potential ecological risk index (RI) and pollution load index (PLI) based on the contamination factor (CF) suggested that metal loads far exceeded the reference values. Selective chemical extraction methods were used to assess the potential bioavailability of these elements in sediment and soil samples. The results showed high concentrations of Pb in the exchangeable fraction, which poses a significant ecological risk and potential human health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Murat Höyük is an important Bronze Age site located in eastern Turkey, in the province of Bingöl, 5km south of Solhan. Murat Höyük is located on the north bank of the Arsanias River in the Upper Euphrates valley. Due to the construction of the Aşağı Kaleköy Dam, the mound there was registered in 2018 and salvage excavations began in 2019. The main intention of the excavations was to study the Early Bronze and Iron Age periods, but some important discoveries on the top of the mound also drew attention to the later phases of occupation. Some architectural remains from these later phases have been brought to light and, additionally, locally produced pottery, together with some objects and tools related to agricultural production and some liturgical metal finds, such as processional crosses, have been recovered from the excavations. The finds give an idea of the nature of the later settlement. The aim of this article is to describe and interpret these architectural remains and small finds, which were found on the highest point of the mound and are most likely medieval in date (between the 9th and 12th centuries), and to attempt to evaluate the nature of the small settlement. This study also helps to understand the relationship between sites in the Euphrates basin during the medieval period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola (subspecies mauritanica) of family Hirundinidae is endemic to Morocco and known for its ability to dig tunnels in earthen banks in which it nests. The nature of the sediment and the morphological features of the nest holes and riverbank habitat have not been thoroughly described across the species' range in Morocco. Here, we present a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the textural characteristics of the sediment chosen by the martins in two successive breeding seasons, using a sample of 104 nests, which covered most of the species' distribution range in Morocco. We also studied the surrounding landscape and morphological features of a total of 114 nests. Our observations show that besides nesting in natural riverbank habitat, the Brown-throated Martin can use both manmade embankments and substrates (even cement and concrete) to carry out a successful breeding cycle. This study provides important information on the nesting habitat of the Brown-throated Martin across Morocco. We believe that such descriptive work can help with the conservation of this Moroccan endemic by better targeting the right habitat to either protect or restore. The findings also include information useful to assist in creating new nesting sites for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the adoption of the Water Convention in Helsinki in 1992 and the Water Framework Directive in 2000, states located within a transboundary river basin were invited to set up basin organizations. The International Meuse Commission (IMC) was set up in 2002, under an agreement between France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Over the last 20 years, the IMC has been a forum for exchange, coordination and cooperation between the riparian countries, leading to improvements in the water quality of the Meuse, reduction of obstacles for migratory fish, and establishment of cross-border systems to prevent accidental pollution and flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an invasive, fruit‐bearing riparian tree that dominates riparian zones of the San Juan River in the southwestern United States. Previous research in this river suggests olive fruit is common in diets of invasive channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), but its energetic importance is unknown (i.e. critical for catfish fitness vs. incidental consumption). We assessed Russian olive consumption in channel catfish diets bimonthly for 1 year, hypothesizing that olive consumption would be greatest during periods of high olive availability and low benthic aquatic invertebrate availability. We found that catfish consumed olive fruit throughout the year and that olive comprised up to 44% of total stomach contents by mass, with peaks in spring and fall. Regression models revealed the presence and mass of olive fruit in catfish stomachs were positively associated with catfish total length, with a significant interaction between water temperature and river discharge. Catfish were more likely to consume olive fruit during higher flows, regardless of temperature and at low discharge with higher temperature. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither olive nor benthic invertebrate availability were associated with olive presence in channel catfish diets. Nutrition analysis indicated that olive alone was a low‐quality diet item but has the potential to provide a reliable energy source. We used seasonal data to estimate the energetic contribution of olive fruit to catfish populations using a bioenergetic model, which estimated that olive fruit accounted for 35.6% of energy (Joules) consumed by catfish populations and satisfied 38% of their metabolic demand. Our results suggest that Russian olive fruit is a significant subsidy to channel catfish in the San Juan River. However, more research is needed to determine the indirect effects of this interaction on native fishes and ecosystem function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the effects of environmental factors and plant physiological processes on plant nutrient stoichiometry is of great significance to understanding how wetland vegetation distributes and maintains function. However, we have a limited understanding of how the combination of plant communities and seasonality with soil physicochemical properties affects nutrient stoichiometry in wetland plants. In this study, we examined these factors in Carex thunbergii and soil across four types of plant communities dominant in the riparian zone of Shengjin Lake during the non−flooding periods of December 2020 and March 2021. In winter, the total foliar C, N, and P concentrations decreased along with an increase in plant coverage, which did not differ in spring. The C, N, C: P, and N: P of foliage significantly increased over the season, while soil C, N, C: P, and N: P significantly decreased over the season. Both in winter and spring, soil C and soil N decreased along with the increase of plant coverage. Our results suggest that both plant community and soil physicochemical properties have a significant influence on plant nutrient stoichiometry. This study improves our understanding of the seasonal dynamics of plant nutrients under different communities and soil physicochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one kind of erratic behaviour and hazards of environmental consequences such as floods, flash floods, drought, heat & cold waves, cyclones, high and low tides, river bank erosion, salinity intrusion, etc. The household survey and qualitative study approaches were performed to explore the changes in vulnerable peoples' ecological migration perspective in disaster-affected southern part of Bangladesh. People usually move to the nearest town and peri-urban areas to seek jobs due to concurrent cyclones, storm surges, and floods in the coastal areas. Again, heavy rainfall and flash-flood conditions usually create intra-district temporary migration to maintain their daily livelihood smoothly. In the char lands, this migration takes place due to riverbank erosion where family members were forced to relocate to a new residence. It occurs when the income-generating activities of people are disrupted by ecological events. Families leave their homes during the disaster period and return, once the conditions are back to normal. Movement for rural people needs constant land management systems including governance, ownership rights and access and technical support for financing land use and making productive use of land to cope with frequent natural calamities. The government of Bangladesh therefore must consider these challenges and gradually improve its capacity to prepare its technology to renovate the vulnerable local people into a climate resilient one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of society and population has led to a range of water pollution issues. Among these, non-point source pollution assessment and treatment pose a particular challenge due to its formation mechanism. This has become a focal point and challenge in water pollution treatment research. The study area for this research was the Huanghou basin in Guizhou Province, southwest China. The land use type of the basin was analyzed using remote sensing technology, and water quality data was collected by distributing points throughout the basin, based on source-sink landscape theory. The distribution map of the basin’s source-sink landscape and the results of water quality data accurately and efficiently identified the areas with high risk of non-point source pollution in the western and southwestern residential and agricultural areas of the upper basin. Hence, a strategy of “increasing sinks and decreasing sources” was proposed. The strategy was implemented at both macro and micro levels to address non-point source pollution in the basin using ecological remediation techniques. The work to control karst rocky desertification should continue at a macro level. The rocky desertification area in the basin should gradually transform into grassland and forested land, while increasing the overall area of the sink landscape. Ecological restoration techniques, such as slope planting, riparian zone vegetation restoration, increasing plant abundance, and restoring aquatic plants, can effectively control non-point source pollution at the micro level. Compared to traditional control methods, this remediation strategy focuses on source and process control. It is more effective and does not require large-scale water pollution control projects, which can save a lot of environmental control funds and management costs. Therefore, it has greater research significance and application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers significantly contribute to global biogeochemical cycles; however, we have a limited understanding of how drying may influence these cycles. Drying fragments river networks, thereby influencing important ecosystem functions such as the processing of carbon and nitrogen, and associated fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) both locally, and at the river network scale. Our objective was to assess, using a network‐scale approach, the lateral, longitudinal, and temporal dynamics of GHG fluxes in a river network naturally fragmented by drying. We used a closed‐loop chamber with automated analyzers to measure carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from dry sediments, flowing waters, isolated pools, and riparian soils, along with a suite of environmental variables, over 9 months at 20 sites across a non‐perennial river network in France. Network‐scale drying had a spatial and temporal legacy effect on GHG fluxes. On average, CO2 fluxes were up to 29 times higher from perennial than non‐perennial sites under flowing conditions. At non‐perennial sites, CO2 and N2O fluxes positively covaried with time since rewetting. In addition, CO2 and N2O fluxes at perennial sites positively covaried with the percent of non‐perennial reaches upstream, indicating a spatial effect of drying. GHG fluxes from riparian soil and dry riverbed sediments had markedly different magnitudes and covariates. This research demonstrates that drying not only has a local‐scale impact but also influences GHG fluxes at the network scale, contributing valuable insights for upscaling global riverine GHG estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry tropical forests are unique, biodiverse ecosystems threatened by human development, especially deforestation for agricultural land use. Deforestation reduces carbon sequestration in landscapes and, in turn, pollutes nearby waterways. Agroforestry practices, like silvopastoralism, can mitigate these impacts by integrating trees into working landscapes, but their effect on stream water quality has not been studied. We assessed the stream condition on five silvopastoral farms in Panama's Azuero Peninsula by utilizing aquatic macroinvertebrates as indicators. We collected aquatic macroinvertebrates and calculated the percent EPT, Diptera, and Odonata. Using ArcGIS, we measured distance to live fence, riparian connectivity, and forest patch size. We also measured tree carbon stored in the riparian area and throughout each farm. We analyzed the relationships between landscape or habitat variables and water quality scores using single linear regressions in R Studio. Percent EPT, Odonata, and diversity were positively predicted by riparian tree carbon, while percent Diptera was negatively predicted by riparian tree carbon. Our results highlight the importance of expanding agroforestry in this region and suggest that increasing tree cover in agricultural landscapes may be beneficial to stream condition, but additional research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of a non-fatal crocodile attack on a human was reported on the banks of the Segovia River on the Honduras and Nicaragua border. The 12-year-old girl survived the attack, only with damage to the tibia of her right leg, where she lost part of the muscle tissue due to the bite. It was after the attack that the American crocodile was shot and killed by local people. In this paper, we discuss the possible causes of crocodile attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River bank erosion is a fluvio-hydrological hazard, and sometimes, it turns into disaster in the human-encroached river bank and flood plain. The principal objective of this study is to detect the river bank erosion potential zone using new Bank Erosion Susceptibility Index (BESI) model and spatiotemporal shifting of river Raidak-II (1980–2020). Sedimentary bank facies (SBF) analysis was conducted to identify the nature of cohesiveness of bank materials. The result showed that the maximum average lateral shifting (213.20 m) was recorded in the year 1990 (right bank), whereas the minimum average shifting (77.32 m) was measured in the year 2020 (right bank). The result also showed that the right bank of Raidak-II was mostly oscillated due to poorly sorted quaternary non-cohesive bank materials. The Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) model showed that 46.15% and 50% bank erosion sites are fallen in high-to-extreme bank erosion susceptibility zones in the years 2020 and 2022. In the case of BESI model, 69.23% and77.77% bank erosion sites are confined in high-to-extreme bank erosion susceptibility zones in the years 2020 and 2022. Therefore, BSEI model gives more precise results compared with BEHI due to three additional factors. The poorly sorted non-cohesive quaternary sediments stimulate high rate of bank erosion within Himalayan foreland basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Riparian habitats are key landscape elements promoting regional biodiversity, particularly in areas where water availability is scarce. In Mediterranean Iberia, the microclimatic conditions that occur near rivers support the development of humid riparian woodlands, which differ markedly from those growing in equivalent upland areas but share structural and compositional similarities with higher-latitude (Atlantic) formations. However, the effects of this variation on the animal species assemblages inhabiting each woodland type have not been well-documented. We characterized the vegetation of riparian and upland woodlands (general structure and composition) and their avian breeding communities (diversity, climatic and habitat preferences) in 38 sites across mainland Spain to explore how these characteristics changed across a climatic gradient of increasing summer drought. Our results revealed that the prevalence of deciduous woody plants decreased with increasing summer drought. However, this reduction was less steep in riparian than in upland woodlands, reinforcing the idea that Mediterranean riparian areas act as microclimatic refugia where more Atlantic (deciduous) woody species can persist. We also found a lower similarity between riparian and upland bird assemblages in areas with higher indices of summer drought, making riparian woodlands comparatively more diverse than upland woodlands in the Mediterranean. This pattern was partly attributed to the presence of deciduous-tree-related bird species that could not persist in equivalent upland woodlands. These findings suggest that restoring habitat of riparian woodlands would provide refuges with suitable conditions for many woodland species whose persistence on the limit of their distribution range in southern Iberia is threatened by global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an intensity of flooding intensity. The study was conducted at 25 sampling sites spanning approximately 600 km along the riparian zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. The findings revealed that, along the flooding gradient, the overall riparian community did not exhibit significant trade-offs between leaf and root traits. Examining three broadly distributed dominant species (Cynodon dactylon, Xanthium strumarium, and Abutilon theophrasti), perennial plants showed pronounced trade-offs under low flooding intensity, while annuals exhibited trade-offs under moderate and low flooding intensity. The trade-offs were evident in traits related to nitrogen-carbon resources, such as specific leaf area, root tissue density, and photosynthetic rate. However, under strong flooding intensity, the relationship between leaf and root traits of the species studied was decoupled. Furthermore, the study identified a significant correlation between soil nitrogen and the trade-off traits under moderate and low flooding intensity. Integrating results from the CSR (Competitors, Stress-tolerators, Ruderals) strategy model, species niche breath analysis, and nitrogen-regulated trade-off, the study revealed that, in the face of high flooding intensity, perennial species (C. dactylon) adopts an S-strategy, demonstrating tolerance through a conservative resource allocation that decouples leaf-root coordination. Annual species (X. strumarium and A. theophrasti), on the other hand, exhibit niche specialization along the flooding gradient, employing distinct strategies (R- and C-strategy). As flooding stress diminishes and soil nitrogen level decreases, plant strategies tend to shift towards an R-strategy with a competition for reduced N resources. In conclusion, the study highlighted the pivotal roles of soil nitrogen and flooding intensity acting as the dual determinants of species growth and tolerance. These dynamics of growth-tolerance balance were evident in the diverse trade-offs between leaf and root traits of individual plant species with different life histories, underscoring the array of adaptive strategies employed by riparian plants across the flooding intensity gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants in riparian areas are well known for their beneficial functions such as providing biodiverse habitats, maintaining water quality, and stabilizing streambanks. However, riparian plants are declining in semi-arid environments due to long-term drought, a decline in groundwater table, and an increase in soil salinity. A new technique using clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) as a wicking material with minimum artificial irrigation to grow desert willow [Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet] under field conditions is introduced; desert willow is native to riparian regions of the southwestern United States. For this study's experiment, desert willow seedlings were planted in boreholes filled with clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) as a substrate and in situ riparian sandy loam soil (RS) as a control. The boreholes extended to the groundwater table at two distinctive depths, shallow (avg. depth = 1.21 m) and deep (avg. depth = 2.14 m). The plants' viability was then assessed by measuring their midday water potential (Ψmd) as an indicator of water stress. There was no significant difference in Ψmd (p > 0.05) between the plants grown in CZ and RS (mean Ψmd = −0.91 vs. −0.81 MPa) where the groundwater was shallow and a significant difference (mean Ψmd = −0.75 vs. −2.03 MPa) where the groundwater was deep. The proposed method is promising as an alternative method for growing desert willow or other plants for riparian rehabilitation with no artificial irrigation. However, its effectiveness depends on groundwater being accessible at the base of the boreholes used for planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some recent land surface models can explicitly represent land surface process and focus more on sub‐grid terrestrial features. Many studies have involved the analysis of how hillslope water dynamics determine vegetation patterns and shape ecologically and hydrologically important landscapes, such as desert riparian and waterlogged areas. However, the global locations and abundance of hillslope‐dominated landscapes remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we propose a globally applicable method that employs high‐resolution elevation, hydrography, and land cover data to concisely resolve explicit land cover heterogeneity for the mapping of hillslope‐dominated landscapes. First, we aggregate pixels into unit catchments to represent topography‐based hydrological units, and then vertically discretize them into height bands to approximate the hillslope profile. The dominant land cover type in each height band is determined, and the uphill land cover transition is analyzed to identify hillslope‐dominated landscapes. The results indicate that hillslope‐dominated landscapes are distributed extensively worldwide in diverse climate zones. Notably, some landscapes, including gallery forests in northeastern Russia and desert riparian in the Horn of Africa, are newly revealed. Furthermore, the proposed strategy enables more accurate representation of explicit land cover heterogeneity than does the simple downscaling of a rectangular grid from larger to smaller units, revealing its capability to concisely resolve land cover heterogeneity in land surface modeling with relatively high accuracy. Overall, we present the extensive global distribution of landscapes shaped by hillslope water dynamics, underscoring the importance of the explicit resolution of heterogeneity in land surface modeling. Plain Language Summary: Local land cover distributions are influenced profoundly by various factors that are not represented fully in current land surface models. In alpine regions, changes in vegetation layers from mountain bases to tops are apparent; this phenomenon is driven largely by climatic factors, such as temperature. Interestingly, similar vegetation changes occur in relatively flat regions due to uneven water distribution on hillslopes. Hillslope water dynamics contribute to the development of unique landscapes, such as gallery forests, and substantially influence local ecological and hydrological conditions. Despite this importance, the global locations and abundance of such landscapes remain mysterious. In this study, we propose a method for the mapping of the global distribution of hillslope‐dominated landscapes using high‐resolution land‐cover, terrain, and climate data. The results reveal that the global distribution of these landscapes, including some newly revealed landscapes such as gallery forests in northeastern Russia, is extensive. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the significant role of hillslope water dynamics in determining vegetation patterns in many parts of the world, highlighting the importance of resolving local features in land surface modeling. Key Points: A catchment‐based strategy is proposed to represent explicit land cover heterogeneity using discretized height bands along a hillslopeLandscapes shaped by hillslope water dynamics are detected in many regions of the world in diverse climate zonesThe proposed strategy can concisely resolve land cover heterogeneity in land surface modeling with relatively high accuracy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-frequency and multi-elemental stream water monitoring are acknowledged as necessary to address data limitation in the fields of catchment sciences and freshwater biogeochemistry. In recent years, the development of stream bank analyzers and on-site field laboratories to measure various solutes and/or isotopes at sub-hourly measurement intervals is in progress at an increasing number of sites. This trend should likely persist in the future. Here, we share our experiences of running three French field laboratories (called Riverlabs) over seven years. This technical note gives an overview of the technical and organizational points that we identify as critical in order to provide guidelines for the successful implementation of future projects running such equipment. We therefore share the main stages in the deployment of this tool in the field, the difficulties we encountered and the procedures we used to identify and eliminate their causes. Some of the critical aspects discussed here relate to 1) Supply of the field laboratory: basic functioning of the pumping, filtration and analytical systems, 2) Data quality control and assurance via maintenance services and operations, 3) Data harmonization and coordination of the laboratory components, and 4) Team structure, skills and organization. Our two main conclusions for a successful, long-term functioning of these types of field laboratories are, first, the necessity to adapt several central components of the field laboratory to the local conditions (climate, section, topography, water turbidity, power) and, second, the need of diverse and in-depth technical skills within the engineering team. We believe that sharing these experiences, combined with providing some practical suggestions might be useful for colleagues, who are starting to deploy such or similar field laboratories. These considerations will save time, improve performance and ensure continuous field monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), an invasive, phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia, has killed millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in North America since it was detected in southeast Michigan in 2002. Consistently high mortality of black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and green ash (F. pennsylvanica) which often occur in riparian forests is a concern given their role in regulating soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels. We monitored and compared hydrologic processes in a riparian forest impacted by EAB invasion and an adjacent unimpacted riparian forest site in southwest Michigan. From 2018 to 2022, we recorded soil moisture, depth to groundwater and meteorological variables at 15-min intervals throughout the growing season in a canopy gap following EAB-caused ash mortality and in adjacent, unaffected forest in the Augusta Creek riparian zone. Groundwater contributions to evapotranspiration (ETG) were estimated using a groundwater level fluctuation (WLF) method. Significant differences in volumetric soil moisture content (16%--26% higher in the gap than forest), average depth to water (10 cm in the gap vs. 70 cm below land surface in the forest) and mean daily ETG (0.6 in the gap vs. 3.0 mm per day in the forest) persisted across four growing seasons. Within the gap, prolonged saturation of the near surface may be contributing to a shift from a forested riparian ecosystem to herb and sedge-dominated wetland. These differences have implications for an array of riparian zone ecosystem services, a concern given the extent of ash mortality already sustained in much of eastern North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of qualitative methods to study soil moisture and stream states in a subcatchment in northern Sweden. The study area consists of a 20 ha area for soil moisture observations and a 9 ha area for stream state observations. The qualitative methods used provide valuable information on soil moisture patterns and factors influencing variation. The article also highlights the importance of monitoring temporary streams and the drivers of flow in these streams. The study used a classification system to classify stream states and found that a large portion of the network was active during the snowmelt period but dried out during drier periods. The article also mentions the usefulness of qualitative approaches in citizen science projects and the availability of the study's data. The document is a list of references for the research article, providing additional studies related to hydrology, soil moisture, stream networks, and catchment studies. These studies contribute to the understanding of soil moisture and streamflow dynamics in different environments and their implications for water resource management. [Extracted from the article]

The stability of riverbank slopes is crucial in watershed ecology. The morphology and tensile strength properties of plant roots play a significant role in slope stability, which is of great importance for the ecological stability of riverbanks. The Jinsha and Yalong River basins are the largest hydropower bases in China and are in the ecologically fragile areas of the dry and hot river valleys, yet fewer studies are available on these basins. Further studies on the growth morphology and root mechanical properties of plant roots in the riparian zone at different elevations have not been reported. Therefore, we selected the dominant species of Cynodon dactylon root as the research subject, analyzed the root morphology, and conducted indoor single-root tensile tests to study its root structure and mechanical properties at various elevations. The results showed that the root morphology of Cynodon dactylon was positively correlated with elevation. Compared to low elevations (L and M), the root length increased by 57.3% and 21.47%, the root diameter increased by 24.85% and 13.92%, the root surface area increased by 93.5% and 67.37%, and the total root volume increased by 119.91% and 107.36%. As the elevation gradient increased, the flooding time decreased, leading to more developed plant roots for Cynodon dactylon. The Young's modulus ranged from 148.43 to 454.18 MPa for Ertan Cynodon dactylon roots and 131.31 to 355.53 MPa for Guanyingyan Cynodon dactylon roots. The maximum tensile strength, ultimate tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and Young's modulus of the plant root of the Cynodon dactylon showed a power function relationship with the diameter. The maximum tensile strength increased as the diameter increased, while the remaining properties decreased following a power function relationship. The maximum tensile strength, ultimate tensile strength, and Young's modulus of Cynodon dactylon were positively correlated with elevation, while the ultimate elongation was negatively correlated with elevation. The results elucidate the influence of elevation on the root morphology and mechanical properties of dominant riparian species. This provides a theoretical basis for managing and protecting riparian slopes in ecologically fragile areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the pressing issue of nonpoint source water pollution in Kentucky, particularly associated with large-scale agriculture. Centered on the outer bluegrass region of Central Kentucky, the research examines the water quality of headwater streams during the agricultural season. The approach involves geospatial land cover classification using aerial imagery. Water quality data were collected during the agricultural growing season from May to October 2018. Land cover classification utilized ERDAS Imagine 2016 and ESRI ArcGIS 10.6 GIS software, while conventional water quality parameters were measured with a YSI ProDSS® multiparameter water probe and a Marsh-McBirney Flo-Mate 2000 flow meter. Statistical analyses show significant differences in stream water chemistry, suggesting the impact of agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Forested streams exhibited more varied conditions, indicating a potentially better environment. As agricultural land percentage increased, water chemistry variation suggested a measurable threshold for changes. Significant differences in water quality between agricultural and forested streams highlight the potential benefits of expanding riparian zones beyond regulations. Enlarging these zones is proposed as a strategy to mitigate nonpoint source pollution in Kentucky's waterways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Art History / Sanat Tarihi Dergisi is the property of Ege University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The investigation of Nida Valley water aimed to assess fluctuations in physicochemical properties. In this study, environmental monitoring method was utilized to evaluate the changes in physicochemical properties of water. Over a 24-month period, from June 2021 to May 2023, a total of 228 water samples were collected from 10 sampling sites, with a monthly sampling frequency. Statistical analyses were utilized including the Shapiro-Wilk test (a = 0.05), Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) rank sum test (a = 0.05), Pearson correlation analysis (a = 0.001) and principal component analysis (PCA). Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between months in GW samples for for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride, manganese, and zinc in GW samples and for T and DO in SW samples. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis (a = 0.001) identified strong positive correlations within the SW dataset. Similarly, significant positive correlations were observed among the GW dataset. Noteworthy positive correlations were also detected between the GW and SW datasets. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a substantial dissimilarity between GW2 samples compared to others, characterized by elevated manganese, iron, and Sulfate content. Two distinct groups emerged: Group 1 included samples at GW1, GW2, GW3, GW5, and SW2, while Group 2 comprised all other samples. This study demonstrated the stability in the physicochemical properties of SW and underscore a discernible correlation between the hydrochemical compositions of both SW and GW in the riparian area. Outstanding characteristics in hydrochemical component of sample waters have been indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to examine the species composition and diversity of soil seed bank (SSB) and standing vegetation (SV), explore association between compositional diversity of SV, SSB and selected environmental factors and assess the implications of SSB on regeneration of flooded riparian vegetation in Hamedan province, Iran. We estimated the ground cover of SV and SSB composition in 90 plots (1 m × 1 m) distributed across 15 sites in the river riparian zone. We evaluated the SSB by seedling emergence method. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used in a direct gradient analysis of the SV/SSB with the environmental factors. In total, 136 species were identified from germinated seed bank in the greenhouse and there were 131 plant species recorded in the aboveground vegetation. 31 species were observed in the SSB while they were absent in the SV, while there were also 26 species that were only present in the SV. Dominant species in the SSB were floatable seed species, i.e. Cyperus difformis and Dactylis glomerata. In addition, the results indicated a more pronounced effect of environmental factors on SV than on SSB distributions in which a higher number of environmental factors associated significantly with SV than with SSB (6 vs. 4). However, elevation, soil moisture content and total organic matter had significant effects on community distribution of both SSB and SV. The species diversity and composition evenness were significantly higher in the SSB than SV. Although, 105 species were common to SSB and SV, the mean Czekanowski similarity between SV and SSB was very low (15.5%). However, we argue that the recovery of vegetation in degraded sites can still rely on SSB. We concluded that the seed movement among plant communities through hydrochory led to a spatial homogenization of SSB, resulting in a decrease in SSB-SV similarity and an increase in SSB species diversity and compositional evenness. Differences in plant diversity and richness between the SSB and the SV are supposed to be a complementation of diversity between below- and above-ground and therefore, greater community resilience is predicted under stochastic disturbance events such as flooding in the riparian area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion of trace elements in mining wastelands has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Vegetation restoration is an effective measure for controlling the surface migration of trace elements. However, there is no field evidence of the effective riparian zone width in mining wastelands. Three widths (5 m, 7.5 m, and 10 m) of Rhododendron simsii/Lolium perenne L. riparian zones were constructed in lead–zinc mining wastelands to investigate the loss of soil, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Asbestos tiles were used to cut off connections between adjacent plots to avoid hydrological interference. Plastic pipes and containers were used to collect runoff water. Results showed that more than 90% of trace elements were lost in sediment during low coverage and heavy rainfall periods. Compared with the 5 m riparian zone, the total trace element loss was reduced by 69–85% during the whole observation period in the 10 m riparian zone and by 86–99% during heavy rain periods in the 10 m riparian zone, which was due to reduction in runoff and concentrations of sediment and trace elements in the 10 m riparian zone. Indirect negative effects of riparian zone width on trace element loss through runoff and sediment concentration were found. These results indicated that the wide riparian zone promoted water infiltration, filtered soil particles, and reduced soil erosion and trace element loss. Riparian zones can be used as environmental management measures after mining areas are closed to reduce the spread of environmental risks in mining wastelands, although the long-term effects remain to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study aimed to gather ethnobotanical information about the riparian flora used by the population of Rajouri - Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Information was gathered through direct interviews by using semi structured questionnaire. Gujjars and Bakerwals are the two main tribal communities residing in the region. A total of 65 respondents were interviewed and 88 plant species belonging to 49 families were recorded. Different parts of plants such as roots, stem, bark, flower, fruit and seed were used for cure of several diseases such as cough, hypertension, rheumatism, cold, fever, typhoid, jaundice, toothache, hair loss and kidney diseases. In addition to the medicinal importance of the plants found in riparian regions, they also play a key role in controlling soil erosion, floods and stabilizing river banks. However, these valuable plant resources are declining alarmingly due to anthropogenic activities such as river valley projects, large-scale encroachment, developmental activities, deforestation, urbanization, agriculture expansion, soil erosion, mining and siltation. Therefore, it was required to undertake a detailed ethnobotanical study of the important medicinal plants found in riparian regions and the documentation of their uses in traditional medicines by local tribes for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How will bank erosion rates in Arctic rivers respond to a warming climate Existing physical models predict that bank erosion rates should increase with water temperature as permafrost thaws more rapidly. However, the same theory predicts much faster erosion than is typically observed. We propose that these models are missing a key component: a layer of thawed sediment on the bank that buffers heat transfer and slows erosion. We developed a 1D model for this thawed layer, which reveals three regimes for permafrost riverbank erosion. Thaw-limited erosion occurs in the absence of a thawed layer, such that rapid pore-ice melting sets the pace of erosion, consistent with existing models. Entrainment-limited erosion occurs when pore-ice melting outpaces bank erosion, resulting in a thawed layer, and the relatively slow entrainment of sediment sets the pace of erosion similar to non-permafrost rivers. Third, the intermediate regime occurs when the thawed layer goes through cycles of thickening and failure, leading to a transient thermal buffer that slows thaw rates. Distinguishing between these regimes is important because thaw-limited erosion is highly sensitive to water temperature, whereas entrainment-limited erosion is not. Interestingly, the buffered regime produces a thawed layer and relatively slow erosion rates like the entrainment-limited regime, but erosion rates are temperature sensitive like the thaw-limited regime. The results suggest the potential for accelerating erosion in a warming Arctic where bank erosion is presently thaw-limited or buffered. Moreover, rivers can experience all regimes annually and transition between regimes with warming, altering their sensitivity to climate change. Plain Language Summary Large river systems flow through regions containing permafrost (permanently frozen ground), which stabilizes riverbanks. As the climate warms, Arctic riverbank erosion processes and rates might change, threatening the homes and livelihoods of communities living along permafrost rivers. Previous work determined that permafrost riverbank erosion can be limited by rates of permafrost thaw or sediment entrainment, whichever process is slower, but did not track heat transfer within the riverbank or the development of a layer of thawed sediment on the bank surface that can insulate permafrost. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a simplified numerical model for permafrost thaw, thawed sediment entrainment, and heat transfer within the thawed and frozen portions of the riverbank. We found that banks form thin layers of thawed sediment, which insulated permafrost and dramatically slowed thaw and erosion rates. For the case where the thawed sediment was unstable and failed past a threshold thickness, the thawed layer remained thin and bank erosion was sensitive to water temperature. Therefore, Arctic rivers may experience higher bank erosion rates as river water warms with climate change in locations where bank erosion occurs under thaw-limited conditions or due to periodic thawed sediment failure for a portion of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]