Spatial and temporal tree colonization in a midstream sediment bar and the mechanisms governing tree mortality during a flood event

Reduced disturbances in regulated rivers can result in stable tree colonisation in downstream reaches. We examined spatial and temporal tree colonisation on a midstream sediment bar, focussing on three dominant taxa: Salix spp. (primarily Salix gilgiana), Robinia pseudoacacia and Albizia julibrissin. We developed allometric relationships for tree height, tree age and tree diameter at breast and knee height, as well as relationships between above and below‐ground biomass. The spatial profiles for all individual trees of these taxa were obtained before and after a major flood in September 2007. Pre‐flood data indicate that R. pseudoacacia colonize the highest elevations, A. julibrissin lower elevations and Salix spp. the lowest elevations of the three taxa. The oldest trees at each elevation were found to have survived 1.8–2.5 m inundation in past floods. Results of investigations subsequent to the flood event in September 2007 suggest that trees can survive flooding as long as their roots remain embedded in the soil. Individuals of Salix spp. experienced higher levels of inundation, but showed the greatest survival. This is probably due to morphological acclimations, particularly deep root systems and high elasticity of shoots. Considering inundation depths, erosion depths and sediment particle sizes in tree habitats, we found that sediment mobilization was the major cause of tree mortality. Thus, the ability of Salix spp. to colonize coarse sediments greatly contributed to its survival, as coarse sediments result in significantly less tractive force. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Legacies of flood reduction on a Dryland river

The Bill Williams (Arizona) is a regulated dryland river that is being managed, in part, for biodiversity via flow management. To inform management, we contrasted riparian plant communities between the Bill Williams and an upstream free‐flowing tributary (Santa Maria). Goals of a first study (1996–1997) were to identify environmental controls on herbaceous species richness and compare richness among forest types. Analyses revealed that herbaceous species richness was negatively related to woody stem density, basal area and litter cover and positively related to light levels. Introduced Tamarix spp. was more frequent at the Bill Williams, but all three main forest types (Tamarix, Salix/Populus, Prosopis) had low understory richness, as well as high stem density and low light, on the Bill Williams as compared to the Santa Maria. The few edaphic differences between rivers (higher salinity at Bill Williams) had only weak connections with richness. A second study (2006–2007) focused on floristic richness at larger spatial scales. It revealed that during spring, and for the study cumulatively (spring and fall samplings combined), the riparian zone of the unregulated river had considerably more plant species. Annuals (vs. herbaceous perennials and woody species) showed the largest between‐river difference. Relative richness of exotic (vs. native) species did not differ. We conclude that: (1) The legacy of reduced scouring frequency and extent at the Bill Williams has reduced the open space available for colonization by annuals; and (2) Change in forest biomass structure, more so than change in forest composition, is the major driver of changes in plant species richness along this flow‐altered river. Our study informs dryland river management options by revealing trade‐offs that exist between forest biomass structure and plant species richness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄河口拦门沙疏浚对尾闾河道泄洪排沙影响的研究

本文研究和探讨了黄河口拦门沙疏浚后,尾闾河道水位、流速和水面比降的变化以及疏浚部位的回淤过程。试验结果表明,河口拦门沙疏浚后,在一定时期和一定范围内,可以使尾闾河道发生溯源冲刷。在施放不同典型年的水沙条件下,尾闾河道可在疏浚点以上21～35km范围内发生溯源冲刷,同流量水位最大下降0 24～0 47m。同时,疏浚河槽始终处于回淤状态,经过一个汛期回淤量可达到70%～80%。