Sand dune fixation: A solar‐powered Sahara seawater pipeline macroproject

The paper proposes macro‐engineering using tactical technologies that stabilize and vegetate barren near‐coast sand dune fields with seawater. Seawater that would otherwise, as commonly postulated, increase the Earth–ocean volume. Anthropogenic saturation of the ground with pumped seawater should fix widespread active sand dune fields in deserts (such as the westernmost Sahara). Seawater extraction from the ocean, and its deposition on dune sand, is made via solar‐powered pipeline. Stabilisation of one major erg in Mauritania is evaluated as a case study. The financial cost of the macroproject is estimated as a few billion US$—less than about 0·1 per cent of the USA's 2007 gross domestic product. The initial investment may be between 0·6 and 1·1 billions US$. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

流动沙丘造林对土壤物理组分有机碳分配的影响

(1)根据中国知网(CNKI)的《中国学术期刊影响因子年报(自然科学与工程技术.2010版)计量指标统计表》,《水土保持通报》综合统计源统计的总被引频次为3 446次(2009年版中为1 358次);复合影响因子为0.955;期刊综合影响因子为0.568(2008年为0.493),在所统计     

Effects of biological soil crusts on soil enzyme activities in revegetated areas of the Tengger Desert,China

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) cover up to 70% of the sparsely-vegetated areas in arid and semiarid regions throughout the world and play a vital role in dune stabilization in desert ecosystems. Soil enzyme activities could be used as significant bioindicators of soil recovery after sand burial. However, little is known about the relationship between BSCs and soil enzyme activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether BSCs could affect soil enzyme activities in revegetated areas of the Tengger Desert. The results showed that BSCs significantly promoted the activities of soil urease, invertase, catalase and dehydrogenase. The effects also varied with crust type and the elapsed time since sand dune stabilization. All the soil enzyme activities tested in this study were greater under moss crusts than under cyanobacteria–lichen crusts. The elapsed time since sand dune stabilization correlated positively with the four enzyme activities. The enzyme activities varied with soil depth and season, regardless of crust type. Cyanobacteria–lichen and moss crusts significantly enhanced all test enzyme activities in the 0–20 cm soil layer, but negatively correlated with soil depth. All four enzyme activities were greater in the summer and autumn than in spring and winter due to the vigorous growth of the crusts. Our study demonstrated that the colonization and development of BSCs could improve soil quality and promote soil recovery in degraded areas of the Tengger Desert.     

The Vertical Distribution of Soil Seed Bank and Its Restoration Implication in an Active Sand Dune of Northeastern Inner Mongolia,China

Although the functions and characteristics of soil seed banks in topsoil layers have been described for various ecosystems, the spatiotemporal pattern of the seed bank in deep soil and its ecological implications for vegetation restoration of active sand dune have not been fully explored. In 2007 and 2008, seed densities with regard to dune position, soil depth and season were investigated on an active and a stabilized sand dune of northeastern Inner Mongolia, China. Seeds in the 0–10 cm topsoil layer accounted for 60% of total soil seed bank on the stabilized sand dune, while more than 40% of seeds were stored in the 50–100 cm layers on the active sand dune. Seed density declined significantly with soil depth on the stabilized sand dune, but it was relatively constant across the 0–100 cm soil profile on the active sand dune. Seed density fluctuated with soil depth on the active sand dune suggesting that seeds were either relocated upward or downward over time. Seeds of annual non‐psammophytic species accounted for the majority of soil seed bank on the stabilized sand dune, while pioneer psammophytes contributed more to the soil seed bank of the active sand dune. Our data suggest that seeds in the deep soil layers of active sand dunes account for a large proportion of the whole soil seed bank. Because of the effect of wind erosion, seeds in deep soil could be gradually exposed to shallow soil layers and potentially contribute to population recruitment and vegetation restoration on active sand dunes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于无人机技术黄河沿岸沙丘移动速度监测及影响因素分析

为更便捷地监测乌兰布和沙漠黄河沿岸沙丘移动速度并解析其影响因素,该研究以乌兰布和沙漠沿黄段沙丘为研究对象,应用无人机航拍技术开展沿岸沙丘的季节性地貌过程和影响因素研究。结果表明:1)研究区沙丘年移动速率1.08～2.27 m/a,多年平均输沙势为78.82 VU,年合成输沙势为25.92 VU,处于低风能环境,8～12 m/s等级风输沙势是年输沙势的主要部分,约占73.24%。方向变率(合成输沙势(Resultant Drift Potential,RDP)与输沙势(Drift Potential,DP)的比值)RDP/DP保持在0.30～0.46之间,属于中等变率。合成输沙方向RDD为57.83°～107.39°,与沙丘移动方向较为一致,西风组占全年输沙势的52.09%,是沙丘年移动的主要驱动力。2)沙丘移动速率具有明显的季节特征,整体呈现春季移动速率快,冬末-春初次之,秋季与秋末-冬末相近,夏季移动速率最慢。其中,秋末-冬末、春季和秋季输沙势DP 8.48～20.49 VU,合成输沙势方向在90.02°～95.54°之间,RDP/DP值均在0.3～0.8之间,属于中等变率,西风组作用显著,这与年合成输沙方向及沙丘走向较为一致;冬末-春初和春末-夏季分别受东北风(NE)和南风组(SSE、S、SSW)作用,沙丘通过形态变化适应风向,移动速度降缓。季节输沙势主要集中在8～10m/s风速等级,约占整个季节输沙势的40.76%～56.93%。3)综合各季节和年际输沙势与沙丘移动距离呈线性正相关,拟合方程为y=1.02+0.006 62x(R~2=0.339,F=5.616,P=0.045),方程总体显著,输沙势可以表征该地区沙丘移动距离。基于无人机监测的沙丘运动研究综合显示,风况是该地区影响该地区沙丘移动的主要动力,其中西风组8 m/s以上风速是研究区沙丘移动的主要驱动力。风向变率和合成输沙势方向与沙丘移动方向一致时沙丘移动则快,不一致时则缓;无人机可在较大尺度上为沙丘移动提供更为便捷的监测服务,研究结果可为同类地区沙丘移动的无人机监测提供参考依据。     

Vegetation stabilisation and slope failure of eroding sand dunes

A comparison of adjacent vegetated and non-vegetated seaward-facing dune slopes illustrates some of the problems associated with stabilisation byartificial planting. Although the vegetated slopes are more sec re (‘F’ values range from 1·16 to 2·33), they have a tendency to fail as rotational slips following marine undercutting, and supply of sand to the eroding beach is greatly reduced. Also a potential for massive slab failure exists. Sediment residence time is increased from 3·5 years for loose sand faces to 27 years for planted ones. For successful stabilisation it is necessary to know both the maximum stable cliff angle and the probable magnitude of storm-induced recession.     

Nematode communities in the artificially vegetated belt with or without irrigation in the Tengger Desert,China

Shifting sand dunes threatened the Baotou-Lanzhou railway being kept on operation smoothly seriously crossing Shapotou on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert (China). Artificial vegetation input was employed in Shapotou and a vegetated belt was established for stabilizing the shifting sand dunes. Nematode communities from bare soil between vegetation (ST, STI) and soil under the vegetation (ST-V, STI-V) in the vegetation belt, were investigated. All sites received natural rainfall, of which STI and STI-V received irrigation supplements. Total 43 genera were found in four types of soil samples, and Acrobeles, Acrobeloides, Chiloplacus, Panagrolaimus, Aphelenchoides and Ditylenchus were dominant genera in our study. Nematode abundance per 100 g fresh soil (47–552), the number of taxa identified (8–20), species richness (1.51–3.41), the proportion of plant feeders (0.3%–4.2%) and abundance of all cp groups responded to vegetation. The proportion of omnivores (0.5%–7%), the number of taxa identified, Shannon index (1.26–2.12), species richness, genus dominance (0.18–0.40) and abundance of cp3–5 responded to irrigation supplements. The application of PCA helped to reveal that almost all nematode taxa exhibited a positive loading on the horizontal axis, it implied that nematode abundance was generally higher on sites with planted input. Besides, it showed a vegetation gradient from bare soil between vegetation to soil under vegetation along the first axis, while an irrigation gradient along the second axis. Similarly, classification analysis based on all cased involved indicated that two-main group of nematodes was distinguished by their habitats under vegetation from bare soil. Those results suggested that vegetation input might play a more important role on nematode community composition than irrigation supplements for stabilization of shifting sand dunes. Therefore, nematode community composition could be as an indicator of stabilization of sand dune approaches of plant input with only natural rainfall versus with natural rainfall in combination with irrigation supplements in our system. However, the apparent anhydrobiotic state of the nematode fauna required special consideration in desert system, thus the utilization of the nematodes as an indicator of stabilization of sand dune regimes should be further explored on anhydrobiotic nematodes.     

Effects of dune stabilization on the plant diversity of interdune wetlands in northeastern Inner Mongolia,China

Maintaining species richness and conserving endemic or rare species in dune areas has been a research focus in recent years. However, few reports can be found on how dune stabilization affects species composition in the interdune wetland. This paper is to elucidate how dune stabilization in the northeastern Inner Mongolia of China is linked to plant diversity in the interdune wetland of different sizes. We selected 11 interdune wetlands of different sizes in both stabilized and active dunes, respectively. The change in species richness between the active and stabilized dunes was compared. Total species number in the interdune wetland increased logarithmically with the enlargement of wetland area for both stabilized and active dunes. However, when the area was the same, species number in stabilized dunes was 15 more than that in active dunes. Pioneer species number in interdune wetlands increased with the increase in wetland area for both stabilized and active dunes, but not statistically significant. However, when the area was the same, species number in stabilized dunes was slightly 1 fewer than that in active dunes. Artemisia wudanica, an endemic pioneering dune semishrub, was found in 9 of 11 investigated interdune wetlands of active dunes, but did not occur in 11 investigated interdune wetlands of stabilized dunes. We concluded dune stabilization in the northeastern Inner Mongolia, on one hand, raises species richness, and on the other, leads to the loss of endemic or rare pioneer species in interdune wetlands. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

库布齐沙漠半固定沙丘上2种草本植物的分布格局

采用空间点格局分析方法,对库布齐沙漠中典型半固定沙丘的沙地旋覆花、沙米2种主要草本植物的分布格局进行研究。结果表明:多年生植物沙地旋覆花在沙丘不同部位的分布数量变异较一年生植物沙米要大;沙丘上2种草本植物的总体分布格局基本上呈现群聚状态,并从沙丘上部到沙丘下部逐渐减弱,2种间相互关系从沙丘上部到沙丘下部基本表现为从相互促进转变为相互竞争的趋势。沙米作为流沙上的先锋植物,在沙丘从流动到固定过程中作用至关重要,建议在人工促进流沙固定的措施中,可以结合其他工程措施(如沙障等)进行人工沙米种子的撒播,以加速植被的恢复。     

流动沙丘不同部位风蚀积沙特征研究

[目的]探究和利用流动沙丘各部位的风蚀积沙规律,为提升固沙技术措施提供依据。[方法]在典型新月型沙丘上设置3台光电子式积雪深度测定仪观测流动沙丘不同部位的风蚀和积沙规律。[结果]在特定风速下落沙坡随着起沙风速变化其积沙深度由1cm逐渐增加到12cm,并在起沙风速下降时形成一个强烈的积沙过程;迎风坡在起沙风速时处于最大的风蚀状态,并随风速变化形成一个由强风蚀到弱风蚀的转变过程;沙丘顶部在临近起沙风速时处于风蚀过程,并随起沙风速的逐渐增加又处于积沙过程。此外,流动沙丘迎风坡在12月至翌年5月间净风蚀深度月均值约为29.85cm;落沙坡在12月至翌6月间积沙深度月均值净增加139.5cm;而沙丘顶部在3—11月为风蚀发生期,平均风蚀深度变化值为27.3cm,12月至翌年3月为积沙发生期,平均积沙深度变化值为29.47cm。[结论]风速对流动沙丘不同部位风蚀积沙特征变化具有重要影响,而且不同部位风蚀积沙程度存在明显差异。     

Dune whitening and inter-dune freshwater ponds in NE Brazil

The changes in color of sand dunes from white to yellow or red is often interpreted to signify their age or their source materials. In this study we demonstrate the effect seasonal inter-dune freshwater ponds have on the bleaching of the color of sand dunes by iron reduction in the anaerobic conditions they create. By combining spectral measurements of field samples of dune sand together with the analysis of satellite images covering three dune fields in NE Brazil (Lençóis Maranhenses, Jericoacoara and Canoa Quebrada) we demonstrate its existence in the field. In areas where ponds cover 41% of the dune field (as in Lençóis Maranhenses) an almost total bleaching in the color of the sand occurs after which the dunes remain white with no relation to distance from the coastline. In areas with less ponds (e.g. Jericoacoara or Canoa Quebrada) dune whitening is less active, and there are areas where dune rubification occurs. As this process may have occurred in other dune fields during past climate conditions that may have been different from current ones, interpretations of dunes age based on their color should be handled with care.     

科尔沁不同沙地土壤饱和导水率比较研究

用Guelph入渗仪对科尔沁沙地不同沙漠化阶段土壤不同层次的土壤饱和导水率(Kfs)进行测定,分析研究了Kfs与沙地类型、土层厚度、沙丘坡位及土壤理化性质的关系.结果表明:(1)草地(潜在沙漠化)、固定沙丘(轻度沙漠化)和流动沙丘(严重沙漠化)的Kfs依次增大,平均值分别为2.15、4.79和5.89 mm min-1,呈现出土壤入渗能力随沙漠化程度的增强而增强的趋势;三种沙地间Kfs差异显著,沙丘不同坡位Kfs也有较大差异,表明科尔沁沙地Kfs具有较高的空间异质性;(2)三种沙地Kfs随深度的变化规律差异较大,草地Kfs随深度呈抛物线状变化,而固定沙丘Kfs随深度呈指数函数变化;(3)通过逐步回归分析发现对Kfs影响较大的土壤理化性质是土壤有机质含量、土壤细砂含量、黏粉粒含量和粗砂粒含量,并且Kfs与前三个因素呈显著的负相关关系,与最后一个因素呈显著的正相关关系.     

沙柳沙障对沙丘土壤颗粒粒径及分形维数的影响

统计分析了库布齐沙漠流动沙丘、设置沙柳活沙障和死沙障沙丘的土壤颗粒粒径分布、分形维数及其与土壤砂粒(>0.05 mm)、粉粒(0.05~0.002 mm)和黏粒(<0.002 mm)含量的关系。结果表明:与流动沙丘相比,设置沙障沙丘的粉粒和黏粒含量增加,且随着土层的加深而表现为下降趋势,不同部位则均呈沙丘下部>上部>中部的趋势。土壤颗粒分形维数因设置沙障而呈增大趋势,且表现为活沙障沙丘>死沙障沙丘>流动沙丘;垂直分布上,设置沙障沙丘的土壤分形维数随土层加深而逐渐减小,而流动沙丘表现为表层与下层大而中层小的特征,沙丘不同部位的分形维数则均表现为沙丘下部>上部>中部。土壤颗粒分形维数大小与土壤质地的细粒化有一致的变化趋势,且与砂粒含量呈极显著负相关关系,而与黏粒含量、粉粒含量呈极显著正相关关系。<0.05 mm粒径物质含量的增加和>0.05 mm粒径物质含量的降低共同导致了土壤颗粒分形维数在设置沙障后的增大。     

荒漠-绿洲过渡区灌丛沙包的蒸散特征及模拟

 利用长期的观测与试验数据,采用波文比-能量平衡法对甘肃民勤荒漠—绿洲过渡区柽柳、白刺灌丛沙包和裸露流动沙丘的蒸散特征与变化规律进行分析,探讨蒸散量与气象因子的关系,在此基础上,应用土壤-植被-大气连续体（SPAC）的耦合数值模式,对不同植被灌丛的蒸散过程进行模拟。结果表明:在蒸散日进程中,有植被覆盖的柽柳沙包和白刺沙包的蒸散率峰值出现时间比流动沙丘早12h,且日最大蒸散速率大小顺序为,柽柳沙包（0.24mm/h）>白刺沙包（0.20mm/h）>流动沙丘（0.18mm/h）;柽柳沙包和白刺沙包在7—9月的蒸散量最高,分别占各自生长期耗水量的69.3%和65.4%;影响荒漠—绿洲过渡区灌丛植被蒸散的主要气象因子为日照百分率、气温、空气饱和差以及风速等,它们与日蒸散量的斜率关联度分别为0.717、0.643、0.649和0.705;SPAC耦合数值模式能够模拟不同植被覆盖度下灌丛植被蒸散的变化趋势,模拟值与实测值基本一致,具有很好的稳定性和可靠性。     

Effect of vegetation restoration on ant nest‐building activities following mobile dune stabilization in the Horqin Sandy land,Northern China

Measurements of the density and characteristics (size and height) of ant mounds were carried out on mobile, semi‐mobile, semi‐fixed and fixed dunes in the Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China. The relationships between the distribution of ant mounds and the plant community (abundance and cover) were investigated, for areas within and across the dune stages. Changes in spatial pattern of ant mounds were also analysed following mobile dune stabilization. The results showed no ant mounds on mobile dunes; the mound density was significantly higher on fixed dunes than on semi‐fixed or semi‐mobile dunes. The mound density depended on plant density and cover across all dune stages, but not within any dune stage. The mound diameter increased but the mound height decreased from semi‐mobile dunes to fixed dunes. However, the mound diameter and height were not related to plant cover and density within any stabilization stage or across all dune stages. The spatial pattern of ant mounds tended to change from more clumped (semi‐mobile and semi‐fixed dunes) to less clumped and approached a random pattern (fixed dunes) along the dune stabilization gradient, which was related to the changing vegetation pattern during succession. Although the quantification of the number of ant species present was not attempted on each dune, the observed differences in ant colour and size suggest at least eight species were present. Fixed dunes were more attractive for different kinds of ant species, but the mound distribution exhibited a more random pattern with more continuous vegetation. Thus, different environmental conditions, especially in terms of the plant communities present at different dune stages, affected the activities and behaviour of the ants (including the distribution of mounds), but did not affect mound size and height. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

雅鲁藏布江江当宽谷区固沙措施对流沙理化性质的改良效应

[目的]分析雅鲁藏布江江当宽谷区流沙治理技术(砾石覆盖+人工植被+围封)对流沙理化性质的改良效应,为区域荒漠化治理工作提供理论指导。[方法]对比分析固沙区和流动沙丘土壤机械组成、有机质和养分等指标开展研究。[结果]采用植物和工程相结合的固沙措施,在流沙表面覆盖砾石、播种固沙植物,并对该区域进行围封后,沙丘表面植被盖度增加,流沙基本固定。与流动沙丘相比,固沙区土壤的黏粒、粉粒明显增多。固沙区土壤的有机质、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、速效磷、速效钾含量比流动沙丘高;尤其是土壤表层0—5cm,分别比流动沙丘高出634.3%,268.0%,506.5%,38.3%,343.8%,66.7%。固沙区0—5cm土层的pH值比流动沙丘降低了11.5%;电导率比流动沙丘增加了268.1%。[结论]该项流沙治理技术(砾石覆盖+人工植被+围封)的固沙和改良土壤理化性质作用明显,适宜在该区推广使用。     

中国陕西省北部地区沙丘运动评估

对中国陕西省北部地区的榆林和靖边地区沙丘运动进行了评估。结果表明榆林和靖边地区总移动沙堆分别达24．433和21．147t。平均沙丘移动速率分别为4．61m和3．99m，而每月沙丘在榆林和靖边分别前进1．152m和0．997m。受影响最大的月份是6月份，接下来的是7—9月份。沙丘运动依赖于风速、沙丘高度、沙丘长度以及坡度。研究表明开垦地与沙丘方向相交时，受到极大影响，而与沙丘平行时，不受影响。     

乌兰布和沙漠不同下垫面风沙流结构与变异特征

对乌兰布和沙漠流动、半固定、固定沙丘3种不同下垫面0—40 cm气流层内的风沙流结构的研究表明:（1）0—40 cm高度层,输沙量随风速的增加而增加;在不同的风速下,流动沙丘的总输沙量大于半固定沙丘,半固定沙丘的输沙量大于固定沙丘,且呈指数函数关系。（2）在同一风速下,0—40 cm高度层,三种不同下垫面的相对输沙量随高度的增加呈幂函数递减趋势。（3）随高度的增加,中沙粒基本呈递减趋势,细沙粒呈现递增趋势,但增幅因下垫面的不同而异。（4）三种不同下垫面近地表0—10 cm层风沙流结构特征数S值均小于3.8,而特征值λ均大于1,表明三种下垫面均处于风蚀或搬运状态。     

神府煤田风沙区采煤塌陷对风蚀的影响

[目的]探究神府煤田风沙区采煤塌陷对风沙活动的影响,为矿区防治风蚀危害和植被恢复提供科学依据。[方法]以塌陷区扰动地表为研究对象,通过野外定位观测,研究塌陷1~2a沙丘典型位置及不同的地表破损率对风蚀/风积量影响。[结果]塌陷1a、塌陷2a和对照(非塌陷)沙丘不同典型位置的风蚀/风积深度分别达到-28.2,-45.6和-2.8cm,其整体的风蚀概率达60%以上,90%以上和10%以下。地表破损率越大,其地表风积过程越显著,且随着地表破损率的减小,风沙运动状态逐渐由风积填缝过程转化为风蚀过程,其风蚀/风积深度(Q)与地表破损率(V)呈多项式函数关系。[结论]采煤塌陷有效地促进了风沙运动,改变了局部的风蚀/风积深度,可能引起固定半固定沙丘重新活化。     

半隐蔽式沙柳沙障的防风阻沙效益

对毛乌素沙地15,25和35cm的3个高度,1m×0.5m,1m×1m,1m×2m,2m×2m,2m×3m5种规格的半隐蔽格状沙柳沙障内近地表风沙流的活动过程进行了对比研究,分析了不同规格沙障的防风阻沙效益。结果表明,设置沙柳沙障后地表土壤中细粒物质含量明显增加;与裸沙丘相比,沙柳沙障内的相对输沙率明显减少。根据当地的自然条件和经济状况,认为毛乌素沙地适宜于当地铺设的沙柳沙障规格为2m×2m。