Impacts of Channel Reconstruction on Invertebrate Assemblages in a Restored River

Ecosystem restoration often aims to recreate the physical habitat needed to support a particular life‐stage of a focal species. For example, river channel reconstruction, a common restoration practice along the Pacific coast, is typically used to enhance spawning habitat for adult Chinook salmon, a species experiencing large population declines. These restoration efforts rarely consider, however, that altering spawning habitat could have indirect effects on other life‐stages, such as juveniles, which might occur if, e.g. reconstruction alters the benthic food web. To determine how channel reconstruction impacts benthic macroinvertebrates, juvenile Chinook's primary prey, we conducted two studies at a restoration site in the Merced River, California. We asked (1) has gravel enhancement altered invertebrate assemblages in the restored reach compared with an unrestored reach? and, if so, (2) can shifts in the invertebrate community be explained by increased substrate mobility and by reduced heterogeneity that results from restoration? We show that invertebrate abundance and biomass were lower in the restored reach and that these changes were accompanied by a shift from dominance by filter‐feeding caddisflies (Hydropsyche) in the unrestored reach to grazing mayflies (Baetis) in the restored reach. Using an in situ manipulation, we demonstrated that this trend was driven by increased substrate mobility that reduces the abundance of Hydropsyche and by decreased substrate heterogeneity that reduces the abundance of Baetis. Our studies suggest that geomorphic changes typical of reconstructed rivers can alter food webs in ways that may have important implications for supporting the focal species of restoration efforts.     

Poor recovery of woody vegetation on sand and gravel mines in the Darwin region of the Northern Territory

Summary Sand sheets near Darwin support a distinct heathland vegetation type which includes the habitat of several threatened species. Sand and gravel are extracted from shallow mines in this region. Woody vegetation recovery in 31 small, shallow former sand or gravel mine sites near Darwin that were up to 27 years old was assessed and compared to paired unmined control sites. Recovery in vegetation structure within each mine was calculated as the percentage of that in the control site. Mined sites recovered about 50% of their stem count and canopy cover, but only about 10% of basal area and mature tree count. Gravel mines showed poorer recovery than sand mines. Time since mining had no significant effect on the extent of recovery, but deeper mines had significantly poorer recovery. Only 35% of woody species in sand controls were present in mine sites, and 41% of gravel control species were present in former mine sites. It is unlikely that recovery will significantly improve in coming decades. Sand mining affects about 40 ha of land per year in this region, but is likely to increase in the future. If Darwin expands to a population of 1 million people, and mine sites are not fully rehabilitated, all of the sand‐sheet vegetation in the region could be removed in the next 100 years. Improved rehabilitation and protection is crucial for the conservation of heathland vegetation in this region.     

Opportunist rotifers: colonising species of young ponds in Surrey,England

Quantitative substrate samples were collected at a newly constructed gravel bar habitat in the Tombigbee River, Mississippi, to characterize oligochaete (naididae and tubificidae) species richness and community composition. A total of 28 species of naidid and tubificid worms were indentified during the three-year study; Nais pardalis, Dero nivea, D. obtusa, Pristina aequiseta (naididae), and Branchiura sowerbyi (Tubificidae) were dominant. In June, 1985, three months after construction, 30 samples yielded seven taxa of oligochaetes; naidid and tubificid densities (± standard deviation) were 12.9 (± 29.7) and 10.1 m^–2 (±39.6), respectively. In October, 1985, 20 taxa were identified, and naidid and tubificid densities were 387.9 (± 300.5 and 22.9 m^–2 (± 50.7), respectively. Tubificid densities were highest in the spring, except during the first year, and naidid densities showed their highest densities in the fall during all years. Dominance changed from Nais pardalis and Dero nivea during the first year to Pristina aequiseta and D. nivea during the last year. The naididae, which typically inhabit gravel, exhibited more uniform colonization patterns than did the tubificidae. Comparatively low densities characterized the oligochaete community during the first year and high naidid densities during the last. Because this gravel bar is relatively isolated from similar substrates, and since oligochaetes disperse only via drift or crawling, colonization processes have been slow.     

Chironomid community structure deduced from larvae and pupal exuviae of a chalk stream

Species abundances of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) have often been excluded from studies of benthic river communities because of difficulties associated with sampling and identifying larvae. Chironomid pupal exuviae are easier to collect and identify and could be used to determine community structure if shown to be representative of local larval assemblages. Larvae were sampled along a 20 m chain secured over mid-channel gravels, upstream of two collection points for pupal exuviae. Proportional taxa abundances of pupal exuviae and larvae sampled from 130 m of stream were directly compared by a ² test of independence and also separately fitted to four models of species abundance distribution. Observed proportions of taxa were not independent of the life stage sampled. The greatest discrepancies occurred with species of pupal exuviae that were absent as larvae from the gravel. The log series model provided the best fit with both pupal and larval data. Collections of pupal exuviae had greater species richness and evenness than samples of larvae. This was considered to be a consequence of sampling larvae from the gravel habitat alone.     

Determination of the trophic state by qualitative and quantitative phytoplankton analysis in two gravel pit lakes

The phytoplankton of two gravel pits with comparable nutrient concentrations but different chlorophyll-a concentrations and phytoplankton biovolume was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively over a period of two years. This study deals with the phytoplankton-rich ‘Rotter See’ and the phytoplankton-poor ‘Paulsmaar’, both South of Cologne. The trophic state of both lakes was determined comparatively according to Ryding &; Rast (1989) and the categories used by Brettum (1989). The results were compared with each other. The trophic lake index according to Hörnström (1981) was modified slightly and subsequently determined for both lakes. A combination of qualitative and quantitative phytoplankton analysis made a proposal of a rehabilitation for the Rotter See possible.     

砾石对红壤工程堆积体边坡径流产沙的影响

为探究砾石对红壤工程堆积体边坡降雨侵蚀的影响,基于室内模拟降雨试验,在1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5 mm/min雨强条件下,以土质边坡为对照,研究了10%、20%和30%的砾石质量分数红壤工程堆积体边坡的径流特征、产沙过程及侵蚀动力机制。结果表明：1）砾石质量分数对稳定径流强度的影响存在阈值,在雨强 > 1.0 mm/min时稳定径流强度随砾石质量分数的增加先减小后增大,在1.0 mm/min雨强时则表现为先增大后减小,且均在10%砾石质量分数下达到极值;2）雨强1.0 mm/min时,径流为缓流,砾石促进径流流动,使弗汝德数增大24.5%-87.8%,雨强2.0、2.5 mm/min时,径流为急流,砾石延缓径流流动,使弗汝德数降低4.2%-13.0%;3）侵蚀速率随产流历时变化过程受砾石质量分数和雨强的影响,雨强越大,砾石质量分数越低,边坡越易发生细沟侵蚀且伴随重力崩塌现象,侵蚀速率呈多峰多谷变化趋势;4）1.0 mm/min雨强时,砾石存在加剧了土壤侵蚀,产沙增幅达28.7%-50.5%;雨强 > 1.0 mm/min时,砾石减沙效益为5.0%-64.4%;5）径流功率是描述红壤工程堆积体侵蚀动力机制最优参数,其可蚀性参数及发生侵蚀临界径流功率从大到小对应的砾石质量分数均为10%、0、20%和30%。研究成果可为红壤区开发建设项目水土流失治理及侵蚀预测模型提供科学依据。     

The population biology of tench, Tinea tinea (L.), in two gravel pit lakes

The populations of tench from two gravel pit lakes of contrasting habitat type were studied. The population density of tench from St Peter's Lake, which has abundant aquatic vegetation was 176 individuals ha⁻¹ (102.2 kg ha⁻¹) compared to 0.3 individuals ha⁻¹ (0.5 kg ha⁻¹) in the Main Lake which has very little aquatic vegetation. The results of ageing tench by scales, opercular bones and otoliths were compared; all three structures gave similar results up to 9 years of age, but thereafter there were difficulties in ageing using scales and care was needed in counting annuli. The oldest tench caught was 15 years old. Growth of male and female tench was similar and fitted the von Bertalanffy model; for female tench L_∞ = 573 mm, K =0.122 and for male tench L_∞ = 586 mm, K =0.114. Recruitment was variable and strong year classes occurred in years with warm summers.     

黄土高原西北部砂田西瓜集雨补灌效应研究

在黄土高原西北部地区对砂田西瓜的集雨补灌效应进行了研究。试验采用滴灌方式,设0mm(D0)、22．5mm(D1)、45．0mm(D2)和67．5mm(D3)4个灌水量处理。区组内各处理随机排列,四次重复。试验结果表明：在西瓜全生育期,每个处理0～120cm土层的土壤水分含量均呈下降趋势,下降的幅度随着补灌量的增加而减小。全生育期补灌67．5mm的处理土壤含水量最高,比没有补灌的对照处理高2．2％。土壤水分的变化在0～40cm土层比较活跃。其次是40～80cm土层,而80～120cm土层的含水量变化相对比较稳定。对砂田西瓜进行补灌可以提高产量和水分利用效率。补灌45mm和67．5mm的处理比对照分别增产36．3％和45．7％。补灌67．5mm处理的水分利用率最高,为26．7kg／m^3。比对照增加17．0％;该处理的净利润和每单位(m^3)水的净利润也最高,分别达43．677元／hm^2和18．48元／m^3,比不补灌的对照处理高29．9％和15．3％。补灌量对西瓜的含糖量也有影响,补灌量低于45mm,各处理之间含糖量的差异不大,补灌量为67．5mm,西瓜含糖量降低0．44％。补灌对西瓜的产量、含糖量和水分利用率均有影响,砂田西瓜只有补灌量控制在45mm左右,才能既提高产量和水分利用率,又不降低西瓜品质。     

Aspects of the ecology of bream, Abramis brama (L.), in a gravel pit lake and the effects of reducing the population density

The growth of bream, Abrumis brumu (L.), in a gravel pit lake was considered to be good in 1982/1983 (L_x=663cm, K=0.105). Theadult breampopulationwasdominated by the 1973and 1976 year-classes. These year classes still formed most of the spawning population in 1987, but had grown very little (<2 cm) in the previous 5 years. In November 1987, 158 kg ha⁻¹ of bream were removed from this lake and in I988 the remaining bream population showed an increase in growth (mean length by 2.7 cm and mean weight by 0.5 kg) and condition (1.87 in 1987 to 2.09 in 1988) in one growing season. This additional growth of an ageing stunted bream population is considered to be the result of an increased food supply after reducing the fish density.     

The population biology of pike, Esox lucius L., in two gravel pit lakes, with special reference to early life history

The population biology of pike in two gravel pit lakes of contrasting habitat type were studied. The density of pike (1 + and over) in November 1987 in the Main Lake was 7.7 fish ha⁻¹ (19 kg ha⁻¹) and in St Peter's was 71 fish ha'(53 kg ha⁻¹). The age distribution showed that recruitment was consistent in St Peter's but variable in the Main Lake. The main factor causing this difference in recruitment is abundance of aquatic vegetation. Survival up to November 1987 of 0-group pike in the Main Lake was 0.00175% from potential egg deposition, producing 6.6 fish ha⁻¹ (0.83 kg ha⁻¹). In St Peter's survival was 0.00315%, producing 23 fish ha⁻¹ (3.04 kg ha ¹).     

Decrease in stream gravel permeability after clear-cut logging: an indication of intragravel conditions for developing salmonid eggs and alevins

Average gravel permeabilities decreased significantly in an Oregon, U.S.A., stream after 82% of the drainage basin was clear-cut. Patterns remained statistically normal in a stream of an unlogged drainage basin and in a stream in a drainage area that was 25% clear-cut, but with riparian buffer strips about 30 m wide left along the stream. It is cautioned that decreases in yearly permeability values can reflect adverse intragravel conditions for developing salmonid eggs and alevins, even if other environmental changes, particularly the amount of sediment fines in gravel, are not as apparent.     

Effects of gravel size and peat material concentrations on embryo survival and alevin emergence of brown trout,Salmo trutta L.

Embryo survival and alevin emergence pattern of brown trout were studied in simulated redds with different homogeneous gravel sizes and different concentrations of peat material. Optimal survival (95%) occurred in 18 mm gravel and survival decreased with decreasing gravel size. High concentrations (40%) of peat material resulted in low survival (65%). The proportion of premature emerging alevins increased in finer gravels and at high peat concentrations. Premature alevins had a large yolk sac and are probably very vulnerable to predators.     

模拟降雨条件下砾石含量对塿土工程堆积体坡面产流产沙的影响

为探究砾石含量对塿土堆积体坡面产流产沙的影响,采用室内人工模拟降雨试验,以土质坡面为对照,研究5种砾石含量(10%、20%、30%、40%、50%)堆积体坡面在不同降雨强度(1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5 mm·min^-1)下的产流产沙特征。结果表明:不同试验条件下的平均径流率在2.18～13.07 L·min^-1,不同雨强条件下平均径流率均在砾石含量10%(或20%)和50%时分别达到最大值与最小值;平均流速在0.06～0.22 m·s^-1,流速变化复杂,砾石含量越小,流速变幅越大,变异系数也越大,砾石含量10%时平均流速最大。砾石的存在可有效抑制产沙,最大减沙效益可达84.2%,雨强相较于砾石含量对平均产沙率的影响更大。偏相关分析表明,平均径流率、流速、产沙率均与砾石含量呈极显著负相关;平均产沙率与平均径流率、平均流速以及二者交互项均呈极显著线性函数关系,其中,与平均径流率的相关性最强。本研究可为塿土区工程堆积体水土流失治理和侵蚀模型的建立提供参考。     

Individuality matters for substrate-size preference in the Nile tilapia juveniles

Preference tests have usually been used to identify nonhuman animal preferences for welfare purposes (environmental enrichment), but they are mostly at the group level—that is, group preferences for resources or environmental conditions. However, a more robust method was developed to analyze animal preference, and this method detected clear individual variation in preferences of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) selecting different background colors. Here, a clear individual variability of preference was found for another type of enrichment—the sizes of substrate. Despite this variability, a consistent response was detected at the group level: Small gravel was less frequently preferred than avoided, and the more decided fish (those who preferred only one substrate size) never preferred gravel over sand-size substrate. That is, Nile tilapia avoided gravel and preferred smaller substrate, and this finding was possibly associated with their mouth gap. Considering that small gravel is a substrate often used for fish rearing, these findings highlight fish keepers’ incorrect perception of fish needs, based mostly on arbitrary criteria instead of actual fish preferences and without considering individual needs.     

双峰驼不同生态环境条件下组织中微量元素的分布研究

对砾石和沙质两种不同的荒漠区双峰驼组织中６种微量元素的含量及分布规律进行了研究。结果表明,Ｃｕ、Ｍｎ、Ｆｅ、Ｍｏ的丰度在肝脏最高,Ｓｅ和Ｚｎ则分别在肾脏和肌肉组织中最高。由于砾石荒漠区土壤和牧草中Ｆｅ、Ｃｕ、Ｍｏ含量极显著高于沙质荒漠区（Ｐ〈０．０１）,导致两地双峰驼肝脏和肾脏Ｃｕ含量差异极显著（Ｐ〈０．０１）．同时发现,上述两地区双峰驼组织中Ｍｎ含量显著低于其他反刍动物。     

0+ perch predation on 0+ bream: a case study in a eutrophic gravel pit lake

SUMMARY 1. We studied the population dynamics of 0+ fish in a eutrophic gravel pit lake in which predation of 0+ Eurasian perch on other 0+ fish was suspected to influence perch growth and the structure of the fish community, with effects on the lake food web. 2. The adult fish community was dominated by piscivorous species, especially perch, and the 0+ fish community was dominated by perch and bream. Bream grew to a total length of 80 mm between May and the end of August, gradually decreased in numbers during the summer, and completely disappeared in autumn. Stomach analysis revealed that 0+ perch ≥28 mm fed on 0+ bream. 3. The initially unimodal cohort of 0+ perch gradually broadened and became bimodal by the end of July. Fish of the larger, piscivorous cohort grew faster (1.4 mm day^?1) than the smaller, zooplankton‐consuming fish (0.6 mm day^?1). Although individuals of both cohorts later consumed zooplankton and grew at similar rates (0.5 mm day^?1), only perch of the large cohort (mean TL 125 mm) were found by mid‐October. Intraspecific competition for food or cannibalism of older perch may have contributed to the disappearance of the smaller perch. 4. Early piscivory of the fast‐growing 0+ perch apparently resulted in the disappearance of 0+ bream by the end of the growing season and precocious maturation of male perch. In contrast to findings in other studies, these large 0+ perch thus avoided the juvenile bottleneck by switching to piscivory early during their ontogenetic development. 5. The observations of this study suggest that early piscivory of 0+ perch can have a long‐lasting impact on fish communities in eutrophic lakes, particularly if prey fish are abundant and the structural complexity of the lake is low. Furthermore, early piscivory of 0+ perch may help prevent the expected increase in 0+ cyprinids following reduction of adult cyprinids, which is considered important to ensure the long‐term success of biomanipulation experiments.     

Microbial methane cycling in the bed of a chalk river: oxidation has the potential to match methanogenesis enhanced by warming

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干旱砾漠区露天采煤对草地植物群落特征及其稳定性影响

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The cultural ecology of Puebloan Pebble-Mulch gardens

Prehistoric Anasazi Pueblo Indians relied on a diverse set of agricultural strategies, each uniquely suited to specific micro-environments, in their attempts to mitigate subsistence risk. One variant strategy used during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries A.D. was pebble- mulch gardening. The Rio Grande Anasazi of northern New Mexico occasionally mulched some of their garden plots with pebbles in order to increase soil moisture, reduce erosion, moderate soil temperature, and increase crop yields. This labor intensive technique was primarily employed as a drought- evasive measure. And while pebble mulching is an effective agricultural adaptation to the constraints of a dryland environment, construction was limited to sites with natural gravel deposits and it never replaced more traditional food stress- coping mechanisms. In spite of their potential, pebblemulch gardens were used for only a short period of time, never contributed much to the total food yield of pueblos, and remained always a peripheral innovation outside of the Anasazi cultural core.     

Abiotic aspects of channels and floodplains in riparian ecology

1. The ecology of riparian zones is enormously influenced by the heterogeneous sedimentary structures and associated complex hydrologic flow paths that mediate surface- and groundwater exchanges. Sedimentary structures form a three-dimensional, dynamic framework that controls subsurface flow and the vertical and horizontal exchange of water between channels and floodplains in gravel bed rivers. The modern structure of the bed sediments reflects the legacy of cut and fill alluviation for a particular river basin. 2. Highly permeable sedimentary textures, particularly open framework gravels, allow rapid exchange between surface and groundwaters. 3. Ground penetrating radar provides high resolution information on the nature and three-dimensional distribution of the sediments within the shallow subsurface (4–25 m) of gravel bed rivers. Bed sediments can be mapped at the decimeter scale. 4. Exchange and mixing of ground and channel water occurs along losing, gaining and flow-through reaches as determined by the hydraulic gradient and transmissivity of the bed sediments. 5. Spatial and temporal patterns of surface- and groundwater interactions can be quantified by mass flux measurements and by assessing geochemical contrasts. Natural tracers, such as temperature or radon, are well suited for mapping exchange sites and quantifying interactions. Artificial signals produced by injecting anions, like chloride, bromide and organic dyes are also useful. 6. The study of riparian ecosystems requires an understanding of the geomorphic structures and processes that build and maintain bed sediments and flow pathways through them.