Preliminary results of the study on wind erosion in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau using 137Cs technique

The worldwide fallout of caesium-137 (137Cs) associated with the nuclear weapon tests during the 1950s and 1960s has provided a valuable man-made tracer for studies of soil erosion and sediment delivery. But relatively few researchers have used it to estimate wind erosion. In this note, the 137Cs technique is introduced into the studies of wind erosion and its modern processes in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Two 137Cs reference inventories of 982.11 and 2 376.04 Bq·m-2 were established preminarily, distributed in the south and middle-north parts of the studied area respectively. By analyzing the patterns of 137Cs depth profiles from sampling sites, the aeolian processes of erosion and deposition in nearly 40 years have been revealed, i.e. the shrub coppice dunes (S1) and semi-fixed dunefields (S3) experienced the alternation of erosion and deposition, while the grasslands (S4, S6 and S7) and dry farmlands (S5) suffered erosion only. By using 137Cs model, the average wind erosion rates for shrub coppice dune (S1), semi-fixed dune fields (S3), dry farmlands (S5) and grasslands (S4, S6 and S7) were estimated to be 84.14, 69.43, 30.68 and 21.84 t·ha-1·a-1 respectively, averaging 47.59 t·ha-1·a-1 for the whole plateau, which can be regarded as of the medium erosion standard. These results derived from 137Cs for the first time have significant implications for the further research of wind erosion and desertification control in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.     

Characteristics of 137Cs deposition in steppe area

Soil wind erosion in the semiarid steppe area was studied using the 137Cs tracing technique. Comparisons of 137Cs deposition characteristics between different soil profiles indicated that slight aeolian activities occurred on sandy grasslands and semi-fixed dunes with erosion/deposition rates of less than 0.108 cm/a, whereas they were intense on semi-shifting dunes with erosion/deposition rates of higher than 1.35 cm/a.     

Estimation of wind erosion rates by using ~(137)Cs tracing technique:A case study in Tariat-Xilin Gol transect, Mongolian Plateau

Wind erosion is one of the major environmental problems in semi-arid and arid regions. Here we es- tablished the Tariat-Xilin Gol transect from northwest to southeast across the Mongolian Plateau, and selected seven sampling sites along the transect. We then estimated the soil wind erosion rates by using the ~(137)Cs tracing technique and examined their spatial dynamics. Our results showed that the ~(137)Cs inventories of sampling sites ranged from 265.63±44.91 to 1279.54±166.53 Bq·m~(-2), and the wind erosion rates varied from 64.58 to 419.63 t·km~(-2)·a~(-1) accordingly. In the Mongolia section of the transect (from Tariat to Sainshand), the wind erosion rate increased gradually with vegetation type and climatic regimes; the wind erosion process was controlled by physical factors such as annual precipitation and vegetation coverage, etc., and the impact of human activities was negligible. While in the China section of the transect (Inner Mongolia), the wind erosion rates of Xilin Hot and Zhengxiangbai Banner were thrice as much as those of Bayannur of Mongolia, although these three sites were all dominated by typical steppe. Besides the physical factors, higher population density and livestock carrying level should be responsible for the higher wind erosion rates in these two regions of Inner Mongolia.     

Preliminary results of the study on wind erosion in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau using137Cs technique

The worldwide fallout of caesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) associated with the nuclear weapon tests during the 1950s and 1960s has provided a valuable man-made tracer for studies of soil erosion and sediment delivery. But relatively few researchers have used it to estimate wind erosion. In this note, the¹³⁷Cs technique is introduced into the studies of wind erosion and its modern processes in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Two¹³⁷Cs reference inventories of 982.11 and 2 376.04 Bq · m⁻² were established preminarily, distributed in the south and middle-north parts of the studied area respectively. By analyzing the patterns of¹³⁷Cs depth profiles from sampling sites, the aeolian processes of erosion and deposition in nearly 40 years have been revealed, i.e. the shrub coppice dunes (S1) and semi-fixed dunefields (S3) experienced the alternation of erosion and deposition, while the grasslands (S4, S6 and S7) and dry farmlands (S5) suffered erosion only. By using¹³⁷Cs model, the average wind erosion rates for shrub coppice dune (S1), semi-fixed dune fields (S3), dry farmlands (S5) and grasslands (S4, S6 and S7) were estimated to be 84.14, 69.43, 30.68 and 21.84 t · ha¹ · a⁻¹ respectively, averaging 47.59 t · ha⁻¹ · a⁻¹ for the whole plateau, which can be regarded as of the medium erosion standard. These results derived from Cs for the first time have significant implications for the further research of wind erosion and desertification control in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.     

Using ~(137)Cs tracing technique to estimate wind erosion rates in the typical steppe region, northern Mongolian Plateau

Wind erosion is one of the major factors of land degradation in the typical steppe region, northern Mongolian Plateau. Using 137Cs tracing technique, we estimated the wind erosion rates of different pastures and abandoned farmland at Bayannur and Karakorum in Mongolia. The pastures and cutting grassland at Bayannur were slightly eroded by wind, with the rates of 64.58-169.07 t·km?2·a?1. The abandoned farmland in Karakorum, however, was strongly eroded by wind, with annual surface soil loss of 4.05 mm·a?1, and wind erosion rates up to 6723.06 t·km?2·a?1. The total loss of surface soil due to wind erosion has been 17.4 cm since the cultivation of the steppe land in the 1960s. The wind ero- sion rate at the abandoned farmland was much higher than that at the typical steppe sites, showing that the cultivation led to serious wind erosion in the typical steppe region, northern Mongolian Plateau. By contrast, traditional livestock grazing resulted in less disturbance to the surface soil, and did not in- duce to devastating wind erosion, which plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the steppe ecosystem in the northern Mongolian Plateau.     

Estimation of wind erosion rates by using 137Cs tracing technique: A case study in Tariat-Xilin Gol transect, Mongolian Plateau

Wind erosion is one of the major environmental problems in semi-arid and arid regions. Here we established the Tariat-Xilin Gol transect from northwest to southeast across the Mongolian Plateau, and selected seven sampling sites along the transect. We then estimated the soil wind erosion rates by using the 137Cs tracing technique and examined their spatial dynamics. Our results showed that the 137Cs inventories of sampling sites ranged from 265.63=44.91 to 1279.54=166.53 Bq. m-2, and the wind erosion rates varied from 64.58 to 419.63 t. km-2. a-~ accordingly. In the Mongolia section of the transect （from Tariat to Sainshand）, the wind erosion rate increased gradually with vegetation type and climatic regimes; the wind erosion process was controlled by physical factors such as annual precipitation and vegetation coverage, etc., and the impact of human activities was negligible. While in the China section of the transect （Inner Mongolia）, the wind erosion rates of Xilin Hot and Zhengxiangbai Banner were thrice as much as those of Bayannur of Mongolia, although these three sites were all dominated by typical steppe. Besides the physical factors, higher population density and livestock carrying level should be responsible for the higher wind erosion rates in these two regions of Inner Mongolia.     

Using 137Cs tracing technique to estimate wind erosion rates in the typical steppe region,northern Mongolian Plateau

Wind erosion is one of the major factors of land degradation in the typical steppe region, northern Mongolian Plateau. Using ^137Cs tracing technique, we estimated the wind erosion rates of different pastures and abandoned farmland at Bayannur and Karakorum in Mongolia. The pastures and cutting grassland at Bayannur were slightly eroded by wind, with the rates of 64.58-169.07 t·km^-2.a^-1. The abandoned farmland in Karakorum, however, was strongly eroded by wind, with annual surface soil loss of 4.05 mm. a^-1, and wind erosion rates up to 6723.06 t· km^-2. a^-1. The total loss of surface soil due to wind erosion has been 17.4 cm since the cultivation of the steppe land in the 1960s. The wind ero- sion rate at the abandoned farmland was much higher than that at the typical steppe sites, showing that the cultivation led to serious wind erosion in the typical steppe region, northern Mongolian Plateau. By contrast, traditional livestock grazing resulted in less disturbance to the surface soil, and did not induce to devastating wind erosion, which plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the steppe ecosystem in the northern Mongolian Plateau.     

Characteristics of 137Cs deposition in steppe area

Soil wind erosion in the semiarid steppe area was studied using the ¹³⁷Cs tracing technique. Comparisons of ¹³⁷Cs deposition characteristics between different soil profiles indicated that slight aeolian activities occurred on sandy grasslands and semi-fixed dunes with erosion/deposition rates of less than 0.108 cm/a, whereas they were intense on semi-shifting dunes with erosion/deposition rates of higher than 1.35 cm/a.     

Soil erosion rates and characteristics of typical alpine meadow using <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs technique in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Alpine meadow is the predominant ecosystem in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The firm turf of alpine meadow formed by sub-surface anfractuous roots can be effective in conserving water and soil.Alpine meadow is a primary contributor to the Chinese Water Tower.For quantitative assess anti-erosion ability of alpine meadow,this paper selected three typical meadow slopes with>60% vegetation coverage to evaluate soil erosion rates using 137Cs.The results showed that(1)soil erosion intensity of typical alpine meadow was slight to light.Erosion rates were 464 t km–2 a–1 in Malong Village,415 t km–2 a–1 in Yeniugou Town and 875 t km–2 a–1 in Zhenqin Town respectively;(2)soil erosion rates were correlated negatively with vegetation coverage,and the relationship was clearer at the slope scale than plot scale;(3)the relationship between soil erosion and vegetation coverage showed that vegetation coverage was a predominant factor in retaining soil and water on slopes.With complete turf and high vegetation coverage, alpine meadow was of great significance for soil conservation and prevention of soil erosion.     

A study on responses of soil erosion and sediment yield to closing cultivation on sloping land in a small catchment using ^137Cs technique in the Rolling Loess Plateau, China

By comparison of volumes and ^137Cs Contents of the deposited sediments before and after 1993,changes of specific sediment yields and relative sediment contributions from the gully area and from the inter gully area after closing cultivation on the later area on a small catchment of Zhaojia Gully,in the Rolling Loess Plateau,are analyzed in this paper.Closing cultivation in a large scale has not resulted in decrease but increase of specific sediment yield and the relative sediment contribution of the inter-gully area,and in increase of the sediment yield and the contribution of the gully area,for a short term.The mean specific sediment yield of 29650 t km^-2a^-1 of 1994-1996 in the catchment was 2.2 times the average value of 13413 t km^-2 a^-1 for a long term.The specific sediment yield of the inter-gully area decreased from the 14335t km^-2a^-1 in 1994 to 7034 t km^-2 a^-1 in 1995 and 3517 t km^-1a^-1 in 1996 which was much greater than the value of 21118 t km^-2 a^-1 before 1993.The relative sediment contribution from the inter-gully area decreased form 23% in 1994 to 15% in 1995 and 6% in 1996,while the contribution from the gully area increased form 77% in 1994 to 85% in 1995 and 94% in 1996.It is suggested that compacting of ploughed soils resulted in increasing of the erosion resistance but in decreasing of the precipitation infiltration,therefore,the soil erosion reduced but the runoff amount increased on the inter-gully area.Increase of delivering runoff from the inter-gully area to the gully area should result in activeness of gully erosion and mass movements,consequently,in increase of the total sediment yield from the catchment.     

137Cs法应用于流域土壤侵蚀初步研究--以太湖上游浙江省安吉县西苕溪为例

太湖流域水体富营养化、水环境质量下降问题日趋突出 ,而由土壤侵蚀造成的物质迁移是流域非点源营养元素输入的主要载体之一 ,因此 ,流域土壤侵蚀的定量研究具有重要的理论和现实意义 .以太湖上游浙江省安吉县西苕溪流域为例 ,利用137Cs示踪分析方法对该区域的土壤侵蚀数量及空间分布状况作了初步的研究 ,结果表明 :研究区域的137Cs背景值为(2 14 8.8± 12 0 .7)Bq/m2 ;根据建立以及选择的土壤侵蚀和沉积模型计算 ,研究区内非耕作土土壤侵蚀模数平均在 - 431.6t/km2 ·a(“ -”表示堆积 ) ,耕作土土壤侵蚀模数平均在 16 81.2t/(km2 ·a) ,年均土壤侵蚀厚度为 1.5 3mm .研究结论对深入探讨太湖流域上游物质迁移对太湖的生态影响具有基础意义 .     

A study on responses of soil erosion and sediment yield to closing cultivation on sloping land in a small catchment using 137Cs technique in the Rolling Loess Plateau, China

By comparison of volumes and ¹³⁷Cs contents of the deposited sediments before and after 1993, changes of specific sediment yields and relative sediment contributions from the gully area and from the inter gully area after closing cultivation on the later area on a small catchment of Zhaojia Gully, in the Rolling Loess Plateau, are analyzed in this paper. Closing cultivation in a large scale has not resulted in decrease but increase of specific sediment yield of the catchment, in sharp decrease of the sediment yield and the relative sediment contribution of the inter-gully area, and in increase of the sediment yield and the contribution of the gully area, for a short term. The mean specific sediment yield of 29650 t km⁻² a⁻¹ of 1994–1996 in the catchment was 2.2 times the average value of 13413 t km⁻² a⁻¹ for a long term. The specific sediment yield of the inter-gully area decreased from the 14335 t km⁻² a⁻¹ in 1994 to 7034 t km⁻² a⁻¹ in 1995 and 3517 t km⁻² a⁻¹ in 1996, while the yield of the gully area varied between 44944 and 62136 t km⁻² a⁻¹ during the period of 1994–1996 which was much greater than the value of 21118 t km⁻² a⁻¹ before 1993. The relative sediment contribution from the inter-gully area decreased from 23% in 1994 to 15% in 1995 and 6% in 1996, while the contribution from the gully area increased from 77% in 1994 to 85% in 1995 and 94% in 1996. It is suggested that compacting of ploughed soils resulted in increasing of the erosion resistance but in decreasing of the precipitation infiltration, therefore, the soil erosion reduced but the runoff amount increased on the inter-gully area. Increase of delivering runoff from the inter-gully area to the gully area should result in activeness of gully erosion and mass movements, consequently, in increase of the total sediment yield from the catchment.     

安徽省1980—2020年土壤侵蚀时空变化特征

土壤侵蚀不仅会造成土壤破坏、肥力下降,甚至会造成自然灾害,研究土壤侵蚀分布特征及其驱动因素,对于治理水土流失和保障土壤生产力具有重要意义。基于修正的通用土壤流失方程(revised universal soil loss equation, RUSLE)模型,利用降雨、土壤、数字高程模型(digital elevation model, DEM)、土地利用等数据,分析安徽省1980、2000、2005、2010、2015和2020年土壤侵蚀强度时空演变特征,基于地理信息系统(geographic information system, GIS)技术进一步探讨了土壤侵蚀变化与土地利用类型之间的关系。结果表明：安徽省40年来土壤侵蚀整体呈现先降低后略微回升的趋势,1980年侵蚀总量为6 510.92万t/a, 2005年降低到3 169.26万t/a, 2020年回升为4 205.01万t/a。安徽省整体侵蚀以微度侵蚀为主,由北至南侵蚀强度逐渐加剧,强度及以上等级的侵蚀主要集中在皖西大别山区、皖南丘陵山地区。安徽省土壤侵蚀强度发生改变的区域主要集中在皖西大别山区和皖南丘陵山地区。草地的土壤...     

基于GIS和USLE的卧龙地区小流域土壤侵蚀预报

为探讨卧龙地区流域土壤侵蚀的空间分布格局及土地利用/覆盖对流域土壤侵蚀的影响,以2000年卧龙地区两流域土地利用图、数字高程模型和土壤类型分布图为基础,利用通用土壤流失方程(USLE)模型与地理信息系统(GIS)技术结合的方法对卧龙流域土壤侵蚀进行模拟。结果表明,基于流域产流产沙的土壤侵蚀预报效果较好,渔子溪年均侵蚀模数为55.2t/(km2·a),寿溪年均侵蚀模数为568.4t/(km2·a),但两流域土壤侵蚀格局存在一定的差异。不同土壤侵蚀系统分布格局及土地利用单元上土壤侵蚀强度的差异是造成两流域土壤侵蚀预报结果差异的重要原因。     

一种综合反映土地利用变化对流域土壤侵蚀及泥沙量反馈影响的建模方法及应用

土地利用决定了土壤可蚀性和水文结构.合理的建模方式对正确的评估土地利用变化对流域土壤侵蚀的影响尤为重要.然而土壤侵蚀模型的模拟结果的可靠性受制于众多参数的空间变化.本研究基于格网的分布式土壤侵蚀及泥沙输移模型,结合实验室场次模拟降雨实验以及在单次暴雨条件,揭示流域尺度上土地利用变化对土壤侵蚀及产沙量的影响.其中,土地利用变化主要通过比较卢氏流域(河南境内)1990年和1995年土地利用变化图,以及在1990及1995年土地利用图的4场模拟降雨的反馈特征,发现从1989到1996年平均侵蚀速率随着土地利用变化持续增加,尤其是森林转化成耕地的类型区域.结果表明土地利用变化对区域土壤侵蚀及泥沙供给有显著影响.     

上海城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮分布特征

选择上海市中心城区公园、道路、街头等样地,研究了城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮的分布特征及其在不同利用方式下各土壤剖面的含量变化。结果表明:上海城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮平均含量分别为11.21、1.06 g/kg,其中有机碳含量以0～10 g/kg和10～20 g/kg为主,分别占全部的47.18%、47.18%,全氮含量以0.5～1.0 g/kg和1.0～1.5 g/kg为主,分别占全部的49.56%和39.80%;与上海市郊区农田土壤相比,中心城区绿地土壤有机碳平均含量低5.68g/kg,幅度为33.63%,全氮平均含量低0.89 g/kg,幅度为45.64%;与第2次土壤普查上海数据相比,上海中心城区绿地土壤有机碳含量下降了10.19 g/kg,降幅为47.62%,全氮含量下降了0.18 g/kg,降幅为14.52%。不同利用方式下城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮含量从大到小顺序为公园、街头、道路,且差异主要与人为养护水平有关;城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮含量随剖面深度增加呈下降趋势,且表层均显著高于下层(p<0.05)。回归分析表明,城市土壤有机碳、全氮之间满足显著线性关系,符合方程y=0.056 3x+0.430 5。研究结果表明,提高土壤养护水平,降低人为活动影响强度是增加城市绿地土壤有机碳、全氮的重要途径。     

陕北地区水土流失原因及其治理方法

探讨陕北地区水土流失的原因，研究其改善与治理措施．陕北地区形成水土流失的原因主要是当地植被的破坏以及降雨量和蒸发量的不均衡，使得植被难于生长恢复．提出了采用以小流域治理为起点，应用农用纺织品的力学特性和水力学特性发挥其物理固沙保土和吸湿保水特性培育永久的生态植被，由点带面直至全面治理水土流失的方案．     

内蒙古草原植物群落分布格局及其主导环境因子解释

基于内蒙古地区草原植物群落样带调查,采用双向指示种分析(TWINSAPN)、除趋势对应分析(DCA)、多元回归树(MRT)和典范对应分析(CCA)等方法,探讨了群落组成、分布格局及影响其分异的主导环境因子.结果如下:1)TWINSPAN将273个群落调查样方划分为8个群系级草原类型,各自代表并反映出该地区草原群落的特点;2)DCA排序结果间接地反映出群落类型与环境梯度之间的关系,CCA排序结果较好地展示了各群落类型中优势物种的生境特征,并进一步展示了该地区草原类型、主要物种与环境因子的响应关系;3)DCA、MRT及CCA结果均表明,气候因素对于该地区草原植被的地域分异影响作用较大,其中水分因子的影响十分突出,特别是最湿月、最暖季节与最冷季节降水,是构成内蒙草原植被类型区域分异的决定性因素;4)MRT与CCA结合使用能进一步挖掘出更多的环境信息,为群落分布格局的形成原因提供更深入更全面的环境解释.     

榆阳区土地利用和生态效应变化分析

以榆阳区1988—2003年土地数据为依据，在分析研究土地利用的数量和结构变化特点的基础上，运用国内外学者在生态价值估算的方法与模式，结合该区的实际情况对估算方法进行修正，并对所研究时段内各年度的生态系统服务功能的经济价值进行了估算；以1988年土地数据为基准，测算了土地利用类型数量和结构变化所引起的生态系统服务功能的经济价值变化情况，分析了其变化的时段特点及变化原因，定量地揭示了在生态脆弱区环境与经济发展的关系．研究表明，1988-2003年，榆阳区土地利用变化所产生的环境响应总体来说是积极的，生态系统服务功能的经济价值年度总量在波动中提高；营造防护林、退耕还林及农用地内部结构调整政策的实施实现了经济和环境双赢的预期效果．