Response of alluvial fan systems to the late Pleistocene to Holocene climatic transition: contrasts between the margins of pluvial Lakes Lahontan and Mojave, Nevada and California, USA

Dated shorelines of late Pleistocene pluvial Lakes Lahontan (Great Basin Desert, northwest Nevada) and Mojave (Mojave Desert, eastern California) provide timelines for the assessment of alluvial fan sedimentation at the lake margins during the late Pleistocene to early Holocene. Two sets of alluvial fan systems have been mapped: the Stillwater fans, feeding Lake Lahontan; and the Zzyzx fans, feeding Lake Mojave. Their contrasting morphologies suggest different responses of the two fan systems to late Pleistocene to early Holocene climatic change. At the time the Stillwater fan systems underwent minimal sedimentation, with the catchment hillslopes apparently stable. The Zzyzx fans experienced major changes in water and sediment supply from the catchment hillslopes. There was a major phase of hillslope debris-flow activity, followed by fanhead trenching and distal fan progradation. Both areas were wetter and colder in the late Pleistocene than they are today, but during the transition to the Holocene the Zzyzx area was more likely to experience intense rains associated with the monsoonal penetration of warm moist tropical air into the Southwest. Vegetation reconstructions for the late Pleistocene to the early Holocene suggest that catchment hillslopes in the Mojave supported a desert shrub vegetation, but those in the Stillwaters supported juniper woodland and grasses at low elevations and pine at higher elevations. Contrasts in hillslope vegetation cover together with storm activity may account for the different responses of the alluvial fans to climatic change during the Pleistocene to Holocene climatic transition. After the falls in lake levels of Lakes Lahontan and Mojave in the early Holocene, both areas underwent aridification, resulting in reductions in hillslope vegetation cover. Increased storm runoff led to fanhead trenching and distal progradation of the alluvial fans. Variations in fan style at that time may relate primarily to base-level conditions resulting from different gradients on the exposed lake shores.     

巴丹吉林沙漠边缘地带植物区系及其资源利用

[目的]分析巴丹吉林沙漠边缘地区植物区系及植被资源利用,为日后巴丹吉林沙漠区域的植被恢复、保护和利用提供理论依据和参考。[方法]以植物地理学的原理和方法,结合实地调查情况,对巴丹吉林沙漠边缘特殊生境的植物区系组成、区系分布进行系统的讨论,划分该区植被资源类型并且提出保护措施和利用方法。[结果]巴丹吉林沙漠边缘地区植被为典型的荒漠植被,共记录植物13科30属32种,其中裸子植物1科1属1种,被子植物12科29属31种。同时受地形、地貌、气候等生境影响,该地植物区系分布有明显差异性。植被资源具体可分为食(饲)用植物(22种)、药用植物(12种)、生态植物(17种)和其他资源4大类。提出了迁移物种、丰富度和多样性等保护方法;归纳了对水资源的控制,合理放牧、适当封育、药用资源合理采挖和多种资源综合利用的方式。[结论]巴丹吉林沙漠边远地区植被调查分析对沙漠化的防治和沙漠资源的利用有重大作用。     

采用氯离子示踪法计算沙漠降雨入渗量

为了研究巴丹吉林沙漠东南部地区的降雨入渗补给量,基于沙漠东南部两个剖面的氯离子质量浓度、质量含水率数据,利用氯离子示踪法计算了巴丹吉林沙漠东南部地区的降雨入渗补给量。结果表明乌海子、诺尔图地区的年平均补给率分别为0.81 mm/a和1.24 mm/a,仅占多年平均降雨量的0.9%和1.4%,因此当地现代降水对巴丹吉林沙漠东南部地区地下水的补给十分微弱,即当地现代降雨并非为此区域地下水的主要补给源。     

基于颗粒模型的风积砂层降雨入渗深度计算及验证

为了研究沙漠干旱区降雨对砂层非饱和带水分的贡献,该文对风积砂层水分入渗过程中的水分存在形式和运移机理进行了理论和力学分析。通过以触点水为主要储水单元的立方布局颗粒模型推导出水分入渗过程中湿润深度的解析表达式,并进行验证。物理和力学分析表明,砂颗粒表面很难形成较厚的薄膜水,砂层非饱和带水分大部分以触点水的形式存在。模型计算结果表明,水分入渗的湿润深度与入渗水量和触点水湿润角有关。模型验证表明,水分入渗湿润深度的解析表达式在风积砂层入渗深度计算中具有一定的适用性,但触点水湿润角与砂颗粒粒径的函数关系还有待进一步研究当设定触点水湿润角为π/4时,比例常数为11.5。该研究可为干旱区农业规划提供依据。     

河西沙区新月形沙丘形态参数观测

新月形沙丘广泛分布于世界各沙漠,是最基本的沙丘形态之一。国内外众多学者对沙丘形态参数间的关系研究表明沙丘高度和宽度间存在线性关系。通过对河西沙区巴丹吉林沙漠和腾格里沙漠边缘典型新月形沙丘形态的高精度测量,并结合前人对民勤地区新月形沙丘的观测数据,用最小二乘法拟合发现高度和宽度呈正比例关系。并与库姆塔格沙漠5个新月形沙丘的比例系数比较,发现不同自然环境条件下发育的新月形沙丘的比例系数不一致,该系数可以作为描述新月形沙丘的一个特征参数。     

巴丹吉林沙漠南缘近流沙区白刺灌丛沙堆形态特征与空间分布

白刺灌丛沙堆是风沙塑造的荒漠景观,研究白刺灌丛沙堆形态特征和分布格局对沙源的响应,可为进一步研究其形成演化提供依据。研究通过野外调查测定,对巴丹吉林沙漠南缘近流沙区白刺灌丛沙堆集中分布区的沙堆形态特征及其空间分布进行了研究。结果表明:雏形阶段和发育阶段的沙堆分别占沙堆总数的24.0%和42.2%。该区域相邻沙堆平均间距仅为9.8 m,沿主导风向,相邻沙堆的间距呈现由大快速减小,维持小间距一段距离后,再缓慢增大的分布格局,密度变化与此相反。受高沙源供给及由此带来的强蚀积转换的影响,白刺灌丛沙堆稳定化进程减缓,各项形态特征值均较小。相关性分析表明,白刺灌丛沙堆的高度、长轴长、短轴长、迎风坡长、背风坡长和底面积间均呈显著相关(P0.01)。研究结果说明,在丰富沙源供给条件下,研究区白刺灌丛沙堆处于发育的中早期阶段,在景观上表现出密度大而体型小的特点。     

巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山区植被特征与地貌形态的关系

通过对巴丹吉林沙漠伊和吉格德湖高大沙山区野外植被考察,研究了该地区的生物多样性,并分析了该地区植被-沙山地貌形态之间的关系。结果表明,研究区植被种类较少,以旱生物种为主,植被群落分布的垂直特征及差异明显。该区植物种共计6科9属9种,沿沙山上部至底部依次为:草本群落-灌木群落-草本或半灌木群落。沙多分布在背风坡,碟果虫实及白莎蒿多分布在迎风坡。总体群落多样性测度结果,沙山两坡中部多样性指数高,背风坡上部及迎风坡中部均匀度指数高。分层次群落多样性测度结果,由于草本种类单一,草本群落多样性及均匀度指数差别不大,迎风坡中部灌木群落多样性指数最高。高大沙山植被群落特征受整体沙山地貌形态影响,迎风坡植被分布及多样性变化特征与沙山第1和第2序列地貌形态有良好的对应关系。在更为广泛的沙漠发育时期,沙山表面稀疏的植被通过影响输沙率进而拦截沙粒,在维持沙山高度方面具有更为重要作用。     

巴丹吉林沙漠湖泊-沙山地貌格局对局地小气候的影响

通过对巴丹吉林沙漠腹地湖泊和沙山两测点不同气象要素的同期观测,对比分析了湖泊和沙漠区地表辐射特征、能量平衡、地表反照率、散度场和风沙环境等差异。结果表明,湖泊区的气压要比沙漠区高,在观测期内,平均高出约243hPa;沙山处摩阻速度的平均值为0.31m/s,而同期湖泊处为0.24m/s;散度场(D)与湖泊中心的垂直速度场具有很好的相关性,夜晚,D0时,湖泊中心有下沉气流,垂直风速为负值;而白天,D0时,湖泊中心气流上升,垂直风速为正值,存在一定的局地环流。     

Evolution of the southern Mu US desert in north China over the past 50 years: an analysis using proxies of human activity and climate parameters

Many previous studies have attributed the degradation in the Mu Us Desert in China to many centuries of human activity. The present study includes analysis of proxies of human activity such as arable land area, population and livestock number, and variations of precipitation, evaporation, temperature, sand‐driving wind and dust events, covering the period since 1950. It is demonstrated that desertification and vegetation rehabilitation during this period were principally related to the climatic variation, especially correlated to sand‐driving winds. It also suggests that the desert evolution in the past 2000 years was controlled by climate change rather than human activity. Although human activity was significant in the desert evolution processes over the past 50 years, the impacts seems to be overestimated in previous studies. Desertification and desert evolution in the Mu Us Desert are mainly in response to climatic trends and fluctuations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geomorphic features and soil formation of arid lands in Northeastern Jordan

Arid and semiarid lands occupy about one-third of the Earth's land surface. Interpretation of soil formation and geomorphic features of arid lands is needed to assess their soil ecological potentials, limitations, problems and management needs. The objective of this paper was to study the geomorphic features and soil formation of the arid lands in northeastern Jordan, to provide information that could be used by land managers in the study area and other arid land areas. Five representative soil pedons were excavated and described in the field. Soil samples from each horizon per pedon were taken to the laboratory for chemical and physical analyses. Geomorphic features of the area were also studied. Most of studied land surfaces are plains where eolian deflation has exposed loose gravels consisting predominantly of pebbles forming desert pavements. Desert pavements cover most of the land surface, excluding the mud playas, and are composed of basalt clasts. The accumulation of calcium carbonate and gypsum within these soils create problems for their agricultural development. Accumulation of eolian fine-grained silt has resulted in the formation of a vesicular horizon. The climatic variations during the late quaternary and the late Holocene periods contributed to the development of the desert pavement and the vesicular horizons. Clay illuviation and argillic horizon development within these soils is assumed to be a relict feature from more humid climates during the Quaternary. Sustainable agricultural development of such arid lands may not be easy. In general, these soils have high erodibility, high runoff generation potential, high susceptibility to seal and crust formation, poor water-holding capacity, pedon hardening and structural instability.     

黑河中游荒漠植物生长与降水、土壤水和地下水的关系

[目的]分析荒漠化防治中植物生长与降水、土壤水和地下水的关系,为荒漠区植被修复与保护提供科学依据。[方法]在黑河中游荒漠区建立荒漠化综合防治试验站进行长期定位监测,取得降水、土壤水、地下水、植物盖度、生物量等数据,采用特征参数算法、相关分析法和逐步多元回归方法,对植物生长和水分的年内、年际变化特征及相关回归模型进行分析。[结果](1)2006—2014年,土壤质量含水率、生物量、盖度变化接近且最大,降水量次之,地下水埋深最小;生物量、盖度呈波动性增大趋势较明显,降水、土壤水、地下水位变化呈波动性略有降低趋势,但不明显。(2)在植物生长季的3—11月期间,土壤各层含水率变化步调基本一致,植物平均生物量和盖度变化步调基本一致,降水量和地下水埋深变化步调基本一致。(3)建立了盖度与0—20cm土壤质量含水率、生物量与0—20cm土壤质量含水率回归方程,且均通过了R拟合检验,F方差检验,t回归系数检验,通过模型预测盖度、生物量的变差分别为99.0%和91.4%,预测盖度和生物量变化的准确率分别可达86.5%,78.9%。[结论]黑河中游荒漠植被的生长与环境水分变化关系十分密切,可通过水资源管理修复植被,也可根据植被生长状况评估水资源管理工作。     

Environmental conditions and soils of natural oases in the Alashan Gobi Desert,Mongolia

Environmental conditions and soils of nine natural oases in the Alashan Gobi Desert of Mongolia are characterized. All these oases are allocated to the zones of tectonic faults, where the discharge of slightly saline groundwater takes place. The absolute heights are about 1500 m a.s.l. The oases are found on piedmont plains or in hilly areas occupied by true deserts with fragments of extremely arid deserts. With respect to geomorphological conditions, four types of oases can be distinguished: isolated (isle-type) oases, oases in large mesodepressions, oases formed in naturally ponded areas, and oases within terraced valleys. Each of these types is characterized by specific soil cover patterns controlled by the geomorphological features of the territory, the character of parent materials, and the groundwater depth. At the same time, some common soil properties are typical of all the oases. Hydromorphic soils—peat meadow-swampy soils, dark-colored nonsaline meadow soils, oasis solonchaks that developed in areas with shallow nonsaline groundwater, solonchaks with different degrees of hydromorphism that developed from mottled-colored salt-bearing Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits, and soddy alluvial (floodplain) soils—predominate in the central parts of the oases. Under conditions of deep groundwater, takyric and sandy desert soils are formed. The oases are encircled by desert ecosystems with gray-brown desert and extremely arid soils and with poorly developed stony soils that formed on the low residual mounts. In the period of the study (1991), irrigated farming was only developed within one of the studied oases. The main part of the land was used for pasturing. In some cases, the high grazing pressure led to degradation (desertification) of oasis ecosystems. A comparison of the oases studied in the Alashan Gobi with the Ekhiin-Gol oasis in the Transaltai Gobi attests to the similarity of their nature.     

10 a来民勤县荒漠草地植物群落变化与降雨量的关系

[目的]研究甘肃省民勤县荒漠草地植被与降雨量的关系。[方法]采用样线法和针刺法,对民勤县3种立地条件下的荒漠草地10a植被变化进行4次定位监测,用Excel软件分析植被生长和降水量变化的关系。[结果]民勤县大气降水年际间和年内变幅都很大,这对植物生长十分不利。民勤县荒漠草地植被生长所需水分主要依靠大气降水和地下水。西沙窝沙质荒漠草地和红果子井砾质荒漠草地植被完全依靠大气降水存活和生长,植物生长与降水的关系十分密切,其中一年生草本植物最为明显。但是对地下水位较高的白土井盐渍化荒漠草地植物来说,植物生长主要靠地下水,降水将积聚在表层的盐分淋溶到了根系层,对植物生长不利。[结论]民勤县荒漠草地植被生长情况虽然受降雨的影响较大。总体上该县植物生长呈现衰败的趋势,荒漠化也日趋加重。     

Evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge – A case study for different climate,crop patterns,soil properties and groundwater depth conditions -

Actual evapotranspiration and net groundwater recharge (drainage minus capillary rise) as a function of climate, soil properties, land use and groundwater depth were determined for a 15-year period in the region north of Hannover, West-Germany. Calculations were done using a simulation model calibrated for cropland, grassland and coniferous forest. Results of a sensitivity study showed, that the influence of climatic factors on actual evapotranspiration and net groundwater recharge increases with the amount of plant available water during the vegetation period. Under similar climatic conditions, evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge mainly depend on the two basic soil-physical relations between. – soil water content and suction and – soil hydraulic conductivity and suction. For same groundwater depths, evapotranspiration rises with increasing plant available water in the rootzone, whereas groundwater recharge decreases.     

中世纪暖期的中国东部沙地

 中世纪暖期是冰后期的又一次温暖期,研究表明,当时世界许多地区均出现不同程度的气温回升现象,而且气温回升与20世纪初气候变暖现象类似。为探讨该期中国东部沙地的气候环境状况,利用已有的研究成果,对中国东部沙地若干古土壤和河湖相沉积进行分析。结果表明,中世纪暖期,东部沙地普遍发育古土壤或河湖相沉积,气候温暖湿润,流沙固定,沙地面积缩小,植被盖度增加,沙地形成干草原—疏林草原景观。弄清中世纪暖期东部沙地气候状况,可为其未来气候环境演变趋势研究提供基础参考。     

Influences of quaternary climatic changes on processes of soil development on desert loess deposits of the Cima volcanic field, California

Soils formed in loess are evidence of both relict and buried landscapes developed on Pliocene-to-latest Pleistocene basalt flows of the Cima volcanic field in the eastern Mojave Desert, California. The characteristics of these soils change systematically and as functions of the age and surface morphology of the lava flow. Four distinct phases of soil development are recognized: phase 1 - weakly developed soils on flows less than 0.18 M.y. old; phase 2 - strongly developed soils with thick argillic horizons on 0.18 – 0.7 M.y. old flows; phase 3 - strongly developed soils with truncated argillic horizons massively impregnated by carbonate on 0.7 to 1.1 M.y. old flows; and phase 4 - degraded soils with petrocalcic rubble on Pliocene flows. A critical aspect of the development of stage 1 soils is the evolution of a vesicular A horizon which profoundly affects the infiltration characteristics of the loess parent materials. Laboratory studies show that secondary gypsum and possibly other salt accumulation probably occurred during the period of phase 1 soil development. Slight reddening of the interiors of peds from vesicular-A horizons of phase 1 soils and presence of weakly developed B horizons indicates a slight degree of in situ chemical alteration. However, clay and Fe oxide contents of these soils show that these constituents, as well as carbonates and soluble salts, are incorporated as eolian dust. In contrast to phase 1 soils, chemical and mineralogical analysis of argillic horizons of phase 2 soils indicate proportionally greater degrees of in-situ chemical alteration. These data, the abundant clay films, and the strong reddening in the thick argillic horizons suggest that phase 2 and phase 3 soils formed during long periods of time and periodically were subjected to leaching regimes more intense than those that now exist. Flow-age data and soil-stratigraphic evidence also indicate that several major loess-deposition events occurred during the past 1.0 M.y. Loess events are attributed to past changes in climate, such as the Pleistocene-to-Holocene climatic change, that periodically caused regional desiccation of pluvial lakes, reduction of vegetational density, and exposure of loose, unconsolidated fine materials. During times of warmer interglacial climates, precipitation infiltrates to shallower depths than during glacial periods. Extensive, saline playas which developed in the Mojave Desert during the Holocene are a likely source of much of the carbonates and soluble salts that are accumulating at shallow depths both in phase 1 soils and in the formerly noncalcareous, nongypsiferous argillic horizons of phase 2 and 3 soils.     

Late Holocene erosion in NW Anatolia from sediments of Lake Manyas, Lake Ulubat and the southern shelf of the Marmara Sea, Turkey

This paper deals with modern and ancient sedimentation in fresh water lakes and the marine shelf of the southern Marmara region, NW Anatolia, Turkey. Most of the information has been obtained from monitoring of suspended load discharged into two lakes (Manyas and Ulubat) in the last 45 years and from 8 to 11 m thick lacustrine sediments, in addition to radiocarbon-dated shelf sediments. This allows a holistic approach to the drainage basin denudation over time. The results show that the sedimentation rates in the lakes were low 0.22 cm year⁻¹, from 4000 to 2000 years BP and then they increased (0.29 cm year⁻¹) up to sub-recent times and reached 0.44 cm year⁻¹ in the last century. It is suggested that deforestation created high rates of sedimentation in the basins and/or strong denudation of the region during the Late Holocene. This study also shows that for shallow freshwater lakes the calculation of sedimentation rates must include fine particles lost by the outlets and coarse-grained bed load deposited on their shores. In addition, a high rate of sedimentation has been created by short, but repetitive intense depositions. During the last century particularly during the last 45 years, the rate of sedimentation or denudation has increased dramatically in NW Turkey. The two World Wars and mismanagement of the land had important local effects by increasing deforestation and resulting in the present erosive conditions.     

河西走廊沙漠－绿洲过渡带固沙植物根区土壤物理性质及持水特性

河西走廊中部的临泽绿洲位于巴丹吉林沙漠西南缘,在沙漠－绿洲过渡带上生长发育了大量的防风固沙植物。以梭梭、沙拐枣、泡泡刺三种固沙植物根区的土壤为研究对象,探究不同固沙植物根区土壤物理性质指标和持水特性的变化规律及其相互间的关系,旨在为防沙治沙工程实践中固沙植物的选择和空间配置提供科学依据。结果表明:（1）三种固沙植物根区的土壤容重均随土层深度增加而降低,均值表现为:沙拐枣 > 泡泡刺 > 梭梭;土壤孔隙度均随土层深度增加而增大,均值表现为:梭梭 > 泡泡刺 > 沙拐枣;三种固沙植物根区的土壤物理性质指标随土层加深差异性增大。（2）0 ~ 120 cm土层深度范围内,梭梭根区的土壤持水特性最好,泡泡刺次之,沙拐枣最低;0 ~ 40 cm土层深度范围内三种固沙植物根区的土壤持水特性均不存在显著差异;40 ~ 60 cm土层深度范围内梭梭与沙拐枣根区的土壤持水特性存在显著差异;60 ~ 80 cm土层深度范围内三种固沙植物根区的土壤持水特性均存在显著差异。（3）三种固沙植物根区的土壤持水特性均与土壤容重、总孔隙度和毛管孔隙度呈显著相关关系（P < 0.01）,但与非毛管孔隙度的相关性却不同,其中梭梭根区的土壤持水特性非与毛管孔隙度呈显著正相关（P < 0.01）,而沙拐枣、泡泡刺根区的则呈不显著相关关系。     

基于像元二分法的沙地植被景观格局特征变化分析

景观格局与过程的关系研究是目前景观生态学的主要目标和研究热点,而沙漠化是一种典型的景观演化过程。基于景观生态学原理,运用遥感与地理信息系统技术,以古尔班通古特沙漠南缘为研究区,选择近40 a(1977-2010年)间不同年降水量梯度的代表年份(1977年、1990年、2001年和2010年),利用Landsat MSS/TM/ETM+遥感数据对沙地植被景观格局变化进行了分析。结果表明:1977-2010年间,古尔班通古特沙漠南缘沙地植被呈现恢复—退化—恢复交替变化趋势,总体处于恢复趋势中;景观水平上沙地植被破碎化程度处于增加趋势,景观异质性增强,斑块形状趋于复杂;类型水平上不同盖度沙地植被破碎化程度呈不同趋势波动,总体呈盖度相对高的植被破碎化程度增加,而盖度相对低的植被破碎化程度降低的趋势。1977-2010年间,沙地植被斑块重心在西南-东北方向交替呈现,重心轨迹形成"Z"形。总体来看,植被斑块由沙漠西南缘向沙漠腹地东北方向扩张。年降水量波动与沙地植被盖度演化方向、景观破碎化程度、不同盖度沙地植被比例、不同盖度沙地植被破碎化程度、不同盖度沙地植被斑块重心迁移方向均具有密切关系,即干旱区沙地植被景观格局演化特征与年降水波动具有很强的关联性。     

Stratigraphic evidence of quaternary climatic change at Echo Cave, Transvaal, and a paleoclimatic record for Botswana and northeastern South Africa

Changes in climate at Echo Cave during the last 35,000 years caused ground water levels to fluctuate by > 29 m. There was little speleothem deposition during dry climatic phases because of a lack of moisture and only localized deposition during very wet phases when water levels rose and most cave passages were flooded. The most massive speleothems were laid down in transitional periods between very wet and dry conditions when water levels were low enough for many passages to be air filled and the climate wet enough for rapid deposition of travertine. Data from Echo Cave and from other sites in Botswana and northeastern South Africa suggest that there were three cooler and wetter phases during the Holocene at 9,700-7,600, 4,300-2,200, and 1,700-400 yr B.P.; that the Late Glacial climate (12,000-10,000 yr B.P.) was warm and dry; and that the climate during the Upper Pleniglacial (18,000-13,000 yr B.P.) and Middle Pleniglacial (38,000-30,000 yr B.P.) was cooler and wetter than today but warmer and drier than the first 12,000 years (30,000-18,000 yr B.P.) of the Upper Pleniglacial.