Simulated environmental effects of wetland restoration scenarios in a typical Canadian prairie watershed

Wetland conservation and restoration contribute to improved watershed functions through providing both water quantity benefits in terms of flood attenuation and water quality benefits such as retention of sediment and nutrients. However, it is important to quantify these environmental benefits for informed decision making. This study uses a “hydrologic equivalent wetland” concept in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to examine the effects of various wetland restoration scenarios on stream flow and sediment at a watershed scale. The modeling system was applied to the 25,139 ha Broughton’s Creek watershed in western Manitoba in Canada. As a representative prairie watershed, the Broughton’s Creek watershed experienced historic wetland losses from 2,998 ha in 1968 to 2,379 ha in 2005. Modeling results showed that if wetlands in the Broughton’s Creek watershed can be restored to the 1968 level, the peak discharge and average sediment loading can be reduced by 23.4 and 16.9%, respectively at the watershed outlet. Based on wetland and stream drainage areas estimated by the model and empirical nutrient export coefficients, the corresponding water quality benefits in terms of reductions in total phosphorus and nitrogen loadings were estimated at 23.4%. The modeling results are helpful for designing effective watershed restoration strategies in the Broughton’s Creek watershed. The developed methodology can be also applied to other study areas for examining the environmental effects of wetland restoration scenarios.     

The 1994 experimental opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway to divert Mississippi River water into Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

A diversion of Mississippi River water into Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA by way of the Bonnet Carre Spillway has been proposed as a restoration technique to help offset regional wetland loss. An experimental diversion of Mississippi River water into Lake Pontchartrain was carried out in April 1994 to monitor the fate of nutrients and sediments in the spillway and Lake Pontchartrain. Approximately 6.4×10⁸ m³ of Mississippi River water was diverted into Lake Pontchartrain over 42 days. As water passed through the Bonnet Carre Spillway, there were reductions in total suspended sediment concentrations of 82–83%, nitrite+nitrate (NO_x) of 28–42%, in total nitrogen (TN) of 26–30%, and in total phosphorus (TP) of 50–59%. 3.9±1.1 cm of accretion was measured in the spillway. Nutrient concentrations at the freshwater plume edge in Lake Pontchartrain compared to the Mississippi River were lower for NO_x (44–81%), TN (37–57%), and TP (40–70%), and generally higher for organic nitrogen (−7–57%). The Si:N ratio generally increased and the N:P ratio decreased from the river to the plume edge. Nutrient stoichiometric ratios indicate water at the plume edge was not silicate limited, suggesting conditions favoring diatomic phytoplankton.     

Effect of intensive catchment and in-lake restoration procedures on phosphorus concentrations in a eutrophic lake

Lake Okaro is a small, warm monomictic lake in central North Island, New Zealand, which progressed from oligotrophic to eutrophic through the 1960s. Trends in phosphorus (P) concentrations in the lake are linked to multiple restoration efforts over a 5-year period (2003–2008). The restoration procedures include a 2.3 ha constructed wetland established in February 2006 and riparian margin protection to reduce external loading, as well as an Alum application in December 2003 and sediment capping using modified zeolite in September 2008 to reduce internal loading. The annual average total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the lake decreased by 41% from 2004–2005 to 2007–2008. Two predictive models based on external P loading data generally underestimated the measured TP concentrations in the water column due to internal P loading. The relatively rapid response of TP concentrations after reduction of the internal loading using modified zeolite suggests that this technique can effect a rapid decrease in lake water TP concentrations though the trophic state of Lake Okaro showed high resilience to the reduced P loading. It is concluded that the combined effect of all restoration procedures resulted in a relatively rapid decrease in TP concentrations in Lake Okaro, which may be prolonged by continued external load reduction.     

Nutrient and hydrologic budgets of a great lakes coastal freshwater wetland during a drought year

A coastal wetland along Lake Erie (Ohio, U.S.A.) was studied to determine hydrologic and phosphorus budgets and spatial and temporal variation of phosphorus and related chemical parameters. The wetland was influenced by changing Lake Erie water levels, seiches, shifting shoreline sediments, and watershed inflow during a year of severe drought. The water budget for a 7-month period (March – September, 1988) had average inflow of 15 200 m³ day^–1 from the watershed and 3.5 m³ day^–1 from Lake Erie. The wetland increased in volume by 700 m³ day^–1 despite a drought that resulted in 80% more evapotranspiration than rainfall as a barrier beach isolated the wetland from Lake Erie for 77% of the study period. Conductivity decreased by 34% as water flowed through the wetland and turbidity and total suspended solids were variable and statistically similar at inflow and outflow. Average total phosphorus concentrations in the inflow and outflow were also similar (247 and 248 µg P l^–1 respectively) although total soluble phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus decreased significantly (=0.05) from inflow to outflow (averages 94 to 45 µg P l^–1 and 7.5 to 4.0 µg P l^–1 respectively). Nutrient budgets from field data estimate a retention of 36% of the phosphorus, presumably in the sediments (0.8 mg P m^–2 day^–1). A general nutrient retention model, an estimated deposition rate from a sediment core and a simulation model predicted higher mass retention of phosphorus but similar percentage retention.SommaireUn marecage qui côtoie le lac Erie (USA) a servi de site expérimental pour en déterminer les budgets d'eau et de phosphore, de même que pour la variation spatiale et temporelle du phosphore et d'autres facteurs chimiques. Le marécage a été influencé par: niveaux d'eau qui changeaient; seiches; sédiments mouvants du littoral; et afflux de la ligne de partage des eaux dans une année de grande sécheresse. Le budget d'eau dans une période de 7 mois (mars–septembre 1988) montre un afflux de 15 200 m³ jour^–1 de la ligne de partage, et 3.5 m³ jour^–1 du lac Erie. Le volume du marécage a augmenté par 700 m³ jour^–1 malgré une sécheresse qui a produit plus d'évapotranspiration (80%) que de pluie pendant qu'une plage-obstacle a isolé le marecage du lac Erie pendant 77% de la période d'observation. La conductivité a diminué par 34% pendant que l'eau coulait, et la turbidité et les TSS ont varié, tout en démontrant des statistiques similaires à l'afflux et au déversement. Les moyennes pour les concentrations du total du phosphore à l'afflux et au déversement ont été similaires (247 and 248 µg P l^–1), quoique le TSP et le SRP ont diminué (=0.05) de l'afflux au déversement (donant des moyennes de 94 à 45 µg P l^–1 et de 7.5 à 4.0 µg P l'^–1). Les budgets de substances nutritives pour les données suggèrent une reténtion de 36% du phosphore, évidemment dans les sédiments (0.8 mg P m^–2 jour^–1). Un modèle pour la rétention des nutrients, un taux de déposition, estimé par un noyau de sédiments, et une simulation avaient prédit un plus grand taux de rétention de phosphore, mais un pourcentage similaire pour la rétention.From a paper presented at the Third International Wetlands Conference, 19–23 September, 1988, University of Rennes, France.     

Predicting concentration of total phosphorus and chlorophyll a in a lake with short hydraulic residence time

The relationship between total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration was determined for Skinner Lake, Indiana over an annual cycle in 1978–79. Total nitrogen:total phosphorus ratios in the epilimnion ranged from 19 to 220 suggesting a phosphorus-dependent algal yield in the epilimnion. Approximately 90% of annual TP loading reached the lake via streamflow, and 93% of this entered during snowmelt and spring-overturn periods. At that time incoming water flushed the lake 2.4 times. Atmospheric loading accounted for 1.4% of annual TP load. Internal hypolimnetic TP loading occurred during summer stratification. Mean [chl a] for the ice-free period was 15.15 mg m^–3, within the range expected for eutrophic lakes.The 1978–79 data were used in conjuction with the Vollenweider & Kerekes (1980) model to produce a model specific for the Skinner Lake system. The model predicted mean epilimnetic total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentrations from mean total phosphorus concentration in inlet streams and from lake water residence time during the period of spring overturn and summer stratification. The Skinner-specific model was tested in 1982 and it closely predicted observed mean epilimnetic [TP] and [chl a] during the ice-free period. This study shows that variability in lake models which average data over an annual period can be reduced by considering lake-specific seasonal variation in hydrology and external TP loading.     

Hydrological and nutrient budgets of freshwater and estuarine wetlands of Taylor Slough in Southern Everglades, Florida (U.S.A.)

Hydrological restoration of the Southern Everglades will result in increased freshwater flow to the freshwater and estuarine wetlands bordering Florida Bay. We evaluated the contribution of surface freshwater runoff versus atmospheric deposition and ground water on the water and nutrient budgets of these wetlands. These estimates were used to assess the importance of hydrologic inputs and losses relative to sediment burial, denitrification, and nitrogen fixation. We calculated seasonal inputs and outputs of water, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) from surface water, precipitation, and evapotranspiration in the Taylor Slough/C-111 basin wetlands for 1.5 years. Atmospheric deposition was the dominant source of water and TP for these oligotrophic, phosphorus-limited wetlands. Surface water was the major TN source of during the wet season, but on an annual basis was equal to the atmospheric TN deposition. We calculated a net annual import of 31.4 mg m^–2 yr^–1 P and 694 mg m^–2 yr^–1N into the wetland from hydrologic sources. Hydrologic import of P was within range of estimates of sediment P burial (33–70 mg m^–2 yr^–1 P), while sediment burial of N (1890–4027 mg m^–2 yr^–1 N) greatly exceeded estimated hydrologic N import. High nitrogen fixation rates or an underestimation of groundwater N flux may explain the discrepancy between estimates of hydrologic N import and sediment N burial rates.     

Nitrate-nitrogen retention in wetlands in the Mississippi River Basin

Nitrate-nitrogen retention as a result of river water diversions is compared in experimental wetland basins in Ohio for 18 wetland-years (9 years × 2 wetland basins) and a large wetland complex in Louisiana (1 wetland basin × 4 years). The Ohio wetlands had an average nitrate-nitrogen retention of 39 g-N m⁻² year⁻¹, while the Louisiana wetland had a slightly higher retention of 46 g-N m⁻² year⁻¹ for a similar loading rate area. When annual nitrate retention data from these sites are combined with 26 additional wetland-years of data from other wetland sites in the Basin Mississippi River (Ohio, Illinois, and Louisiana), a robust regression model of nitrate retention versus nitrate loading is developed. The model provides an estimate of 22,000 km² of wetland creation and restoration needed in the Mississippi River Basin to remove 40% of the nitrogen estimated to discharge into the Gulf of Mexico from the river basin. This estimated wetland restoration is 65 times the published net gain of wetlands in the entire USA over the past 10 years as enforced by the Clean Water Act and is four times the cumulative total of the USDA Wetland Reserve Program wetland protection and restoration activity for the entire USA.     

Nutrient retention by the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System

Water quality of Lake Balaton, particularly that of its south-western basin (the Keszthely-Bay), has been deteriorating faster and faster. The greatest transporter of inorganic nutrients to the Bay is the Zala River.The lower valley of the river was part of the lake until about 200 years ago. Later, a large part of the area was turned to a wetland, while the smaller part dried up.To retain the nutrients from Keszthely-Bay, the former marshland is now being reconstructed: the so-called Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS). The first part of the System, the Hidvégi-Pond, has been operating since the middle of 1985. The second stage, the Fenéki-Pond, to be finished by the end of this century, is now under construction. The main purpose of the KBWPS is to gain enough time to build up the technology necessary for an adequate protection of Lake Balaton.From the beginning of the operation of the Hidvégi-Pond a multidisciplinary research program has been carried out to monitor the hydrological, hydraulical, ecological, and biological processes in the reservoir. This program focused on nitrogen and phosphorus loadings and retention. Input and output loads were estimated from daily measurements. The mechanisms of retention were studied in special projects.With the exception of TN, nutrient retention increased from year to year. In 1990, 96% of PO₄-P, 87% NO₃-N, and 58% of TP were retained.This efficiency exceeds expectations. Retention of TN is the lowest (about 20%), due to N₂-fixation by blue-green algae. However, the second stage needs to be implemented, since there is an additional external load from the watershed of the lower valley, and nutrient release takes place during decomposition of the organic matter which leaves the Hidvégi-Pond.     

基于生态系统服务视角的山水林田湖草生态保护与修复——以洞庭湖流域为例

山水林田湖草系统保护与修复的重要目标是维护和提升区域生态系统服务。基于山水林田湖草生命共同体理念,以维护和提升人类福祉所需的重要生态系统服务为目标,提出生态系统服务视角下的山水林田湖草系统治理框架,以实现流域生态系统整体保护、质量提升和格局优化。基于该框架,以洞庭湖流域为例,通过流域生态系统格局、生态系统质量状况分析、流域生态系统服务重要性评估和生态问题识别,构建流域生态安全格局,为实现可持续的山水林田湖草生命共同体提出系统保护与修复布局建议。通过洞庭湖流域的分析案例为流域山水林田湖草生态保护与修复重要区域的识别提供了可借鉴的指标和定量分析方法,为流域尺度构建生态安全格局、实现山水林田湖草系统保护和修复提供思路和途径。     

土地利用变化对挠力河流域可溶性有机碳输出的影响

采用野外采样、室内分析、GIS及统计分析相结合的方法,研究了挠力河流域河水可溶性有机碳（DOC）浓度的季节性动态,以及年均尺度上全流域、100 m河岸带土地利用变化对河水DOC输出的影响.结果表明： 基流状态下,河水DOC浓度在春季、夏季显著高于秋季;有湿地存在的子流域DOC浓度的季节性动态与无湿地存在的子流域存在显著差异,且有湿地存在的子流域中DOC浓度的季节性变异与整个流域的趋势一致;年均尺度上,DOC浓度与全流域湿地以及100 m河岸带范围内的水田面积百分比呈显著正相关,而与全流域尺度的林地百分比呈显著负相关（P<0.05）.表明湿地的存在是影响挠力河流域河水DOC季节性变异的重要因素;全流域的湿地以及100 m河岸带范围内的水田对其具有显著的促进作用,而林地对其有显著的减缓效应,流域过去几十年的土地利用变化改变了河水DOC的平衡状况.     

Flow velocity retardation and sediment retention in two constructed wetland–ponds

Hydraulic properties of two constructed wetland–ponds in agricultural watersheds in southern Finland were examined by simulations with two-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality transport models. Hydraulic efficiency was determined for the existing and hypothetical layouts of both wetlands to find out the effects of different design options. Suspended sediment retention in the wetlands was simulated with a two-dimensional model for sediment transport. Hydraulic efficiency was found to be highly improved by baffles that direct the main flow to optimally exploit the wetland acreage. Also, an elongated shape of wetland appeared beneficial; hydraulic efficiency was high regardless of the size or position of the inlet. As for suspended sediment retention, the wetland area in relation to its watershed proved to be an essential factor. According to water quality observations, the wetland which occupied 5% of its watershed area was capable of reducing the inflow of total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations during flood events by 43–72%, whereas the reduction varied between −7 and 5% in the other wetland with a corresponding ratio of 0.5%. Model simulations of the same flood events plausibly predicted the output TSS concentrations, even though with wider ranges of the reductions (26 to 74 and −13 to 43%, respectively).     

城市化背景下白洋淀入湖营养盐负荷模拟研究

过量的营养盐输入导致白洋淀富营养化程度较高。雄安新区建设伴随着快速城镇化进程,将可能进一步增加入湖营养盐负荷。为摸清新区建设背景下白洋淀入湖营养盐负荷的变化趋势及削减量,基于入湖营养盐负荷模型计算了历史不同时期（1995-2015年）白洋淀入湖营养盐盐负荷,预测了土地利用、农业管理和污水处理系统变化下入湖营养盐负荷的变化趋势。结果表明,白洋淀历史时期入湖总氮和总磷年平均负荷分别为2018 t和313 t,主要来源分别是耕地和畜禽粪便排放。就土地利用变化而言,以2010年为基准,2050年白洋淀入湖总氮和总磷负荷在建设用地快速增长（RAP）情景下增长率最高,分别增长了56%和60%,主要原因在于城镇人口增加,从而增加了畜禽需求量和生活污水排放。就农业管理而言,削减化肥使用有利于降低入湖总氮负荷,控制畜禽粪便排放更有利于入湖总磷负荷的降低。2050年,生活污水将成为白洋淀入湖营养盐的重要来源,因此,在制定未来社会经济发展路径时,应重点提高农村地区生活污水收集率和处理效率。PCLake模型对不同入湖负荷下湖泊营养状态演变的模拟发现,削减入湖总磷负荷是白洋淀水质恢复的关键。白洋淀水质达到III类和IV类标准时,入湖总磷负荷阈值分别为2.1和2.6 mg P m^-2 d^-1。在建设用地快速增长情景下,若使白洋淀水质达到III类标准,入湖总磷负荷应减少131 t。     

The role of plants in the removal of nutrients at a constructed wetland treating agricultural (dairy) wastewater,Ontario, Canada

The South Nation River Watershed, in eastern Ontario, Canada, is an agricultural watershed impacted by excess nutrient loading primarily from agricultural activities. A constructed wetland for the treatment of agricultural wastewater from a 150-cow dairy operation in this watershed was monitored in its eighth operating season to evaluate the proportion of total nitrogen (TN) (approximated by total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) due to low NO₃⁻) and total phosphorus (TP) removal that could be attributed to storage in Typha latifolia L. and Typha angustifolia L., which dominate this system. Nutrient loading rates were high, with 16.2 kg ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ N and 3.4 kg ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ P entering the wetland and loading the first wetland cell. Plant uptake accounted for 0.7% of TKN removal when the vegetated free water surface cells were considered together. However, separately, in the second wetland cell with lower N and P loading rates, plants accounted for 9% of TKN, 21% of NH₄⁺ and 5% of TP removal. Plant uptake was significant to overall removal given wetland age and nutrient loading. Nutrient storage during the growing season at this constructed wetland helped reduce the nutrient load entering the watershed, already stressed by intensive local agriculture.     

Wetlands as Sinks for Reactive Nitrogen at Continental and Global Scales: A Meta-Analysis

Wetlands support physical and ecological functions that result in valuable services to society, including removal of reactive nitrogen (Nr) from surface water and groundwater. We compiled published data from wetland studies worldwide to estimate total Nr removal and to evaluate factors that influence removal rates. Over several orders of magnitude in wetland area and Nr loading rates, there is a positive, near-linear relationship between Nr removal and Nr loading. The linear model (null hypothesis) explains the data better than either a model of declining Nr removal efficiency with increasing Nr loading, or a Michaelis–Menten (saturation) model. We estimate that total Nr removal by major classes of wetlands in the contiguous U.S. is approximately 20–21% of the total anthropogenic load of Nr to the region. Worldwide, Nr removal by wetlands is roughly 17% of anthropogenic Nr inputs. Historical loss of 50% of native wetland area suggests an equivalent loss of Nr removal capacity. Expanded protection and large-scale restoration of wetlands should be considered in strategies to re-balance the global nitrogen cycle and mitigate the negative consequences of excess Nr loading.     

Nestedness theory suggests wetland fragments with large areas and macrophyte diversity benefit waterbirds

Many artificial wetland constructions are currently underway worldwide to compensate for the degradation of natural wetland systems. Researchers face the responsibility of proposing wetland management and species protection strategies to ensure that constructed wetlands positively impact waterbird diversity. Nestedness is a commonly occurring pattern for biotas in fragmented habitats with important implications for conservation; however, only a few studies have focused on seasonal waterbird communities in current artificial wetlands. In this study, we used the nestedness theory for analyzing the annual and seasonal community structures of waterbirds in artificial wetlands at Lake Dianchi (China) to suggest artificial wetland management and waterbird conservation strategies. We carried out three waterbird surveys per month for one year to observe the annual, spring, summer, autumn, and winter waterbird assemblages in 27 lakeside artificial wetland fragments. We used the NeD program to quantify nestedness patterns of waterbirds at the annual and seasonal levels. We also determined Spearman partial correlations to examine the associations of nestedness rank and habitat variables to explore the factors underlying nestedness patterns. We found that annual and all four seasonal waterbird compositions were nested, and selective extinction and habitat nestedness were the main factors governing nestedness. Further, selective colonization was the key driver of nestedness in autumn and winter waterbirds. We suggest that the area of wetland fragments should be as large as possible and that habitat heterogeneity should be maximized to fulfill the conservation needs of different seasonal waterbirds. Furthermore, we suggest that future studies should focus on the least area criterion and that vegetation management of artificial wetland construction should be based on the notion of sustainable development for humans and wildlife.     

Seasonal growth and reproduction of Ruppia maritima L. s.l. in Lake Pontchartrain,Louisiana, USA

Ruppia maritima L. s.l. is an important submerged aquatic plant in Lake Pontchartrain, a water quality impaired oligohaline estuary located north of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Efforts to restore Lake Pontchartrain are in progress, and a major restoration goal is the re-establishment of historic submerged macrophyte beds that have declined since first studied in 1953. This study was part of a long-term monitoring program to distinguish natural from anthropogenic causes of macrophyte population changes. Ruppia populations were monitored monthly for a 2-year period to obtain information on seasonal growth, peak biomass periods, flowering, seed production, and germination. We found that Lake Pontchartrain R. maritima had relatively high peak biomass and two seasonal peaks of biomass and flowering due to high water temperature and absence of competition from other macrophytes. However, biomass peaks were often disrupted by storms. Shoot biomass was high from May through November, and low from December through April. Spring shoot growth from seeds, roots, and rhizomes was rapid. Plants matured and produced abundant inflorescences and seeds between May and October. Reproductive shoots bearing seeds were detached in May and June. Remaining shoots formed dense beds through vegetative propagation during the summer. Turion production occurred during the winter.     

Performance and design of artificial lagoons for controlling diffuse pollution in Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

Artificial lagoons (ALs) are unique wetland treatment areas for lakes. They use enclosed river mouth areas to retain pollutants, and they mimic the small natural lagoons rimming large lakes, functioning as habitats and limiting the entry of diffuse (non-point-source) pollutants from the river basins. Four ALs have been installed in Lake Kasumigaura (～60 km northeast of Tokyo) since 1998. We evaluated the performance of these ALs as treatment facilities. Rates of removal ranged from 8.2% to 44% for chemical oxygen demand (COD_Mn), from 0.9% to 8.7% for TN, and from 9% to 55% for TP. The long-term rate of pollutant removal was proportional to the average hydraulic retention time and declined exponentially with increasing hydraulic loading rate (annual discharge/area) and loading rate (annual load/area). The ratio of AL surface area to watershed area was also correlated with AL performance, as occurs in stormwater treatment wetlands, although the ratios were much smaller than those in stormwater treatment wetlands. Our results can be used as preliminary design tools for ALs, on the understanding that the data were obtained only from Lake Kasumigaura and should therefore be applied carefully.     

19 Periphytic algae as bioindicators of nitrogen inputs in lakes

Increased nitrogen levels has been shown to be a problem in Southern New Jersey lakes, with anthropogenic loadings being the most serious concern (Aber, 1992). It has been suggested that biomass, diversity, and community structure of periphytic algae are good biotic indicators for monitoring water quality and nutrient enrichment in fresh water lakes. (Biggs, 1989). Since, for algae and many other aquatic organisms, nitrogen is one of the most important factors for growth, a good correlation it is expected between nitrogen loading and algal growth. In this bench-scale microcosm study the periphytic community was analyzed using chlorophyll a, dry-ash weight biomass and cell counts, as well as the diversity and community structure for a six-month period, in three tanks with different nitrogen levels (control=non-detectable; low and high). Physical (T/DO/pH) and chemical (nutrients) parameters were measured monthly. Biological parameters were compared with the different nitrogen loading using correlation analysis to show whether nitrogen is a factor in the over-enrichment of New Jersey lakes. To compare the bench-scale microcosm study with the natural settings periphytic algae from two Southern New Jersey lakes, Oswego Lake (no nitrogen) and Oakford Lake (high nitrogen), were also collected during fall of 2002 to summer of 2003.     

Seasonal influences on partitioning and transport of total and methylmercury in rivers from contrasting watersheds

Seven Wisconsin rivers with contrasting, relativelyhomogeneous watershed composition were selected toassess the factors controlling mercury transport.Together, these watersheds allow comparisons ofwetland, forest, urban and agricultural land-uses.Each site was sampled nine times between September1993 and September 1994 to establish seasonalsignatures and transport processes of total mercury(Hg_T) and methylmercury (MeHg). Our resultsclearly show that land use and land cover stronglyinfluence mercury transport processes. Under base-flowconditions, unfiltered MeHg yield varies by a factorof sixteen (12–195 mg km^-2 d^-1), andincreases with the fraction of wetland area in thewatershed. Elevated mercury yields during high floware particle-phase associated in agricultural sites,but filtered-phase associated in wetland sites.Methylmercury represented less than 5% of totalmercury mobilized during the spring thaw across allwatersheds. Autumn MeHg yield was generally 11–15%of Hg_T in wetland influenced watersheds, thougha maximum of 51% was observed. In some cases, singlehigh-flow events may dominate the annual export ofmercury from a watershed. For example, one high-flowevent on the agricultural Rattlesnake Creek had thelargest Hg_T and MeHg yield in the study (107 and2.32 mg km^-2 d^-1, respectively). The mass ofmercury transported downstream by this single eventwas an order of magnitude larger than the eight other(non-event) sampling dates combined. These resultsunderscore the importance of watershed characteristicsand seasonal events on the fate of mercury in freshwater rivers.     

河北衡水湖自然保护区水鸟多样性分布格局及其保护优先区

水鸟是反映湿地生态系统状况的指示物种,水鸟多样性保护优先区识别对自然保护区功能区划和湿地保护修复具有重要意义。于2020年5月-2021年4月,开展了衡水湖自然保护区水鸟群落的调查监测,采用GIS软件和结构方程模型等分析其不同区域水鸟群落结构和季节性变化、水鸟多样性分布格局及其驱动因素。结果表明:(1)衡水湖自然保护区不同区域均表现出以雁鸭类等游禽为优势种的水鸟群落特征,衡水湖西湖和滏东排河的水鸟物种丰富度和Shannon多样性指数最高,衡水湖东湖的水鸟种群数量最大,滏阳新河的鸻鹬类种群数量相对较大。(2)不同区域水鸟群落具有明显的季节性变化特征,春夏季涉禽数量明显增多,但仅在衡水湖自然保护区东湖、西湖和滏阳新河成为水鸟群落的优势种;9月之后各区域游禽种数和种群数量占比均明显上升,雁鸭类成为优势种群。(3)水鸟物种丰富度和种群数量较高的区域主要在自然保护区的湿地恢复区、滏东排河和小湖隔堤两侧等地;不同类群水鸟的空间分布格局差异较大,雁鸭类分布较为分散,鸻鹬类、鹤鹳类水鸟分布更为集中;栖息地状况是影响衡水湖水鸟多样性的主要因素。(4)衡水湖水鸟保护优先区包括湿地恢复区及周边区域、南李庄鱼塘、良心庄鱼塘及周边区域、东湖的姊妹东岛、小湖隔堤两侧等5个区域,占保护区总面积的8.94%。研究结果为衡水湖自然保护区的功能区划、水鸟保护策略制定、栖息地保护修复提供了相关依据。