Article
Agronomy
Yusen Zhang, Lunjiang Wang, Jing Yang, Qing Wang
Summary: Wildfires increase stemflow velocity by 30-40%. Stemflow velocity is positively related to stemflow rate and tends to increase with stem height. Pine bark fissure depth and width are negatively related to stemflow velocity. Wildfires reduce soil internal friction angle and cohesion by up to 32% and 62% respectively. Enhanced stemflow velocity can cause soil erosion around the base of the trunk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xingyu Yuan, Fei Ye, Wenxi Fu, Lina Wen
Summary: The critical shear stress is a key indicator for soil erosion. This study proposes an equation based on the force equilibrium of a single particle to estimate the critical shear stress for incipient particle motion of a cohesive soil slope. The influence of different parameters on the critical shear stress is analyzed through validation and comparison of different formulas.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Jianwei Niu, Jieshuo Xie, Shicheng Lin, Pengzhi Lin, Fei Gao, Jian Zhang, Shuqun Cai
Summary: Data from a 5-month observation of the Yellow River Delta shows that storm wave-related flows are intermittently turbulent in nature. Wave-induced liquefaction leads to changes in bed erodibility and increased sediment entrainment, resulting in the formation of fluid mud layer during winter wind events. The thickness of the fluid mud layer significantly increases with wave height and decreases with water depth. Enhanced sediment erosion in liquefaction zones can cause the degradation of the Yellow River Delta.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Jianwei Niu, Jieshuo Xie, Shicheng Lin, Pengzhi Lin, Fei Gao, Jian Zhang, Shuqun Cai
Summary: Data from a field observation of the Yellow River Delta showed that wave-induced liquefaction events during winter winds lead to the formation of a fluid mud layer (FML). The thickness of the FML is influenced by wave height and water depth. Sediment erosion rate is not only affected by wave-induced bottom shear stress, but also by excess pore pressure buildup and sediment liquefaction in liquefaction zones. Erosion rate in liquefaction zones can be 5-10 times higher than in non-liquefaction conditions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinfeng Wu, Jantiene E. M. Baartman, Joao Pedro Nunes
Summary: This study in a burnt catchment in southern Portugal found that post-wildfire hydro-sedimentary response was limited, with meteorological variability playing a stronger role than wildfire effects. Only rainfall events with a high return period enhanced the hydrological and erosion responses during the post-wildfire vegetation recovery period.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Nishani Moragoda, Mukesh Kumar, Sagy Cohen
Summary: This paper synthesizes the existing knowledge on how soil moisture affects the erosion resistance of soil, highlights the importance of incorporating this relationship into sediment yield assessment models, and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with it.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
J. Neris, P. R. Robichaud, J. W. Wagenbrenner, R. E. Brown, S. H. Doerr
Summary: Wildfires can significantly impact the hydrological and erosion processes in volcanic areas, increasing risks to population and assets. The effects of fire on these processes have not been extensively studied in this type of terrain, but are crucial for modeling and mitigating post-fire risks.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dake Chen, Jinhai Zheng, Chi Zhang, Dawei Guan, Yuan Li, Yigang Wang
Summary: The study investigates the erosion threshold of sand-mud mixtures by analyzing the momentum balance of particles in the bed surface, and develops a formula for the critical shear stress that also applies to pure sand and mud. The variation in critical shear stress over mud content is attributed to the varying dry bulk density of the mud component in the mixture. The developed formula accurately predicts the critical shear stress of sand-mud mixtures and pure mud during consolidation, offering a convenient application by relating critical shear stress to mud content and dry bulk density.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Amy E. East, Joshua B. Logan, Peter Dartnell, Oren Lieber-Kotz, David B. Cavagnaro, Scott W. McCoy, Donald N. Lindsay
Summary: The risk of wildfires has increased in recent decades due to warming climate in various regions, leading to increased sediment export from burned landscapes which can threaten downstream infrastructure and water resources. A study in northern California investigated the landscape response after the 2018 Carr Fire, finding significant increase in sediment yields in the first year after the fire, primarily through water flow over the land surface rather than landslides.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Xinliang Wu, Sixu Yao, Jinxing Zhou
Summary: The coupling effect of slaking and mechanical breakdown on aggregate stability was evaluated using a new method. This method can partition the unique and shared effects of these two breakdown mechanisms and showed better performance in predicting soil erosion compared to existing methods.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Water Resources
Will H. Olsen, Joseph W. Wagenbrenner, Peter R. Robichaud
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of post-fire logging on sediment yields and identify sediment sources using rill patterns. Results showed a strong relationship between high-traffic skid trail disturbance and rill density and sediment yields, while high ground cover reduced rill connectivity to the drainage network. Increasing ground cover on skid trails and disturbed areas may help reduce sediment yields and hydrologic connectivity.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saeed Najafi, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Tobias Heckmann
Summary: The study investigates sediment connectivity based on structural and functional aspects, showing that high structural connectivity does not necessarily lead to high sediment transportation. Structural connectivity reflects the potential for sediment transfer between specific source and sink areas, while functional connectivity occurs where soil erosion processes are actively eroding sediment.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Grace Chang, Galen Egan, Joseph D. McNeil, Samuel McWilliams, Craig Jones, Frank Spada, Stephen Monismith, Oliver Fringer
Summary: The study shows that near-bed physical forcing and particle responses vary by season, with the most prominent effects observed in summer and winter. Specific tau(char) values have been identified as driving changes in particle characteristics during different seasons, suggesting the importance of parameterizing tau(char) in sediment transport models.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Han, Wenwu Zhao, Jingyi Ding, Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira
Summary: Drylands in China face the dual threat of water erosion and wind erosion. This study explores the spatial variation of soil erodibility in China's drylands and examines the effects of aridity, vegetation, and soil properties on soil erodibility. The results show that aridity has a negative effect on water erosion, while soil properties have a more pronounced effect on soil erodibility than vegetation. This study provides valuable information for implementing vegetation restoration and soil conservation measures in drylands.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Delgado, Mahrez Sadaoui, Wolfgang Ludwig, Williams Mendez
Summary: Soil erodibility (K-Factor) is an important parameter for estimating rainfall erosion through mathematical models. Analyzing soil erodibility at different depths can identify its susceptibility to erosion. However, the lack of a comprehensive field database is a major limitation in applying this method.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Hugh G. Smith, Raphael Spiekermann, Harley Betts, Andrew J. Neverman
Summary: Understanding landslide susceptibility modeling is hindered by challenges in acquiring landslide inventory data, particularly in areas like New Zealand where storm events trigger numerous landslides. The study found that using semi-automated mapping and different inventory records can impact the performance of landslide susceptibility modeling methods, but the spatial patterns in susceptibility were generally similar.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raphael I. Spiekermann, Sam McColl, Ian Fuller, John Dymond, Lucy Burkitt, Hugh G. Smith
Summary: Silvopastoralism in New Zealand's hilly terrain is crucial for erosion and sediment control, but there has been little research on the effectiveness of tree planting in reducing landslide erosion. This study presents high-resolution tree influence models for dominant species, highlighting the significant contribution of exotic species such as poplars and willows to slope stability. Native vegetation like kanuka also plays a vital role in soil conservation, with potential for integration into landslide susceptibility modeling and targeted erosion mitigation plans.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Forrest Williams, Sam McColl, Ian Fuller, Chris Massey, Hugh Smith, Andrew Neverman
Summary: In rapidly uplifting regions, deep seated landslides are a significant natural hazard influencing landscape evolution and sediment production. Research shows that landslide-prone areas may have below-average slope angles, indicating the importance of structural controls on landslide occurrence.
Article
Ecology
Chris Phillips, Tristram Hales, Hugh Smith, Les Basher
Summary: This paper discusses the impact of shallow, rainfall-triggered landslides on catchment processes and river network sediment, emphasizing the role of forests and trees in reducing hazard. While root reinforcement plays a significant role in stabilizing slopes, the complexity of shallow landslide occurrence limits the effectiveness of vegetation in reducing landslides.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Raphael Spiekermann, Hugh G. Smith, Sam McColl, Lucy Burkitt, Ian C. Fuller
Summary: The study developed a landslide susceptibility model for silvopastoral landscapes, with very good model performance and high accuracy. Results indicated that the effectiveness of individual trees in reducing landslide erosion is more dependent on plant density than species. The research suggests great potential for smarter targeting of erosion mitigation measures.
Article
Water Resources
Veronica Escobar-Ruiz, Hugh G. Smith, Neil Macdonald, Andres Penuela
Summary: Changes in agricultural land use have significant impacts on downstream runoff and sediment generation. The spatial arrangement of riparian buffers and cropped fields does not influence event-scale flow and sediment yield. The use of post-harvest cover crops can significantly reduce modelled sediment yields.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rakesh Chandra Joshi, Dongryeol Ryu, Gary J. Sheridan, Patrick N. J. Lane
Summary: A new Temperature Vegetation Water Stress Index (TVWSI) was proposed in this study, which combines canopy temperature, water content, and fractional cover to predict soil moisture more accurately. TVWSI showed high correlation with observed data and outperformed other widely used water stress indices in soil moisture prediction accuracy.
Article
Ecology
Raphael I. Spiekermann, Hugh G. Smith, Sam McColl, Lucy Burkitt, Ian C. Fuller
Summary: In silvopastoral environments, landslide erosion can cause the loss of productive soils and pasture, as well as the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems. This study explores the determinants of sediment connectivity and develops a morphometric connectivity model to predict the likelihood of sediment delivery to streams after a landslide event. Results show that targeted mitigation measures are more cost-effective than non-targeted approaches, and tree planting on a small portion of the land can significantly reduce sediment delivery.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simon Vale, Andrew Swales, Hugh G. Smith, Greg Olsen, Ben Woodward
Summary: Sediment fingerprinting is a useful technique for estimating the contribution of different sources to downstream environments. This study investigated the impact of tracer selection, number of sources, and dominant source on the accuracy of source apportionment. The results showed that increasing the number of sources decreased the accuracy, and the dominant source had the largest impact. The use of CSSI tracers in catchments with large differences in soil organic carbon content may introduce significant errors in source apportionments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sonam Dhargay, Christopher S. Lyell, Tegan P. Brown, Assaf Inbar, Gary J. Sheridan, Patrick N. J. Lane
Summary: This study assessed the accuracy of GEDI estimates for canopy height, total plant area index (PAI), and vertical profile of plant area volume density (PAVD) and elevation. The results showed that GEDI has good accuracy in estimating canopy height and the vertical PAVD profile, although it underestimates the total PAI. The elevation accuracy of GEDI was also found to be high. This research emphasizes the importance of monitoring forest structural properties using space-borne LiDAR missions like GEDI.
Article
Geography, Physical
Andrew J. Neverman, Mitchell Donovan, Hugh G. Smith, Anne-Gaelle Ausseil, Christian Zammit
Summary: Soil is a critical resource that supports ecosystem services and human needs. Land degradation processes such as erosion and increased sediment loads impact downstream environments. Existing erosion and sediment load models are inadequate for assessing the effects of climate change. A new modelling framework is introduced that estimates sediment load changes under future climate conditions and highlights the importance of recognizing spatial variations in erosion processes and catchment loads.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. S. Vale, H. G. Smith, R. J. Davies-Colley, J. R. Dymond, A. O. Hughes, A. Haddadchi, C. J. Phillips
Summary: Suspended fine sediment has a significant impact on freshwater quality variables such as visual clarity. This study examined the influence of erosion sources defined by erosion process and geological parent material on sediment-related water quality attributes, particularly visual clarity. The findings highlight the need to consider both the quality and quantity of sediment when planning erosion control.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Hugh G. Smith, Andrew J. Neverman, Harley Betts, Raphael Spiekermann
Summary: Understanding the relationship between rainfall events and landslides is crucial for geomorphological research and hazard planning. This study combines landslide inventories and rainfall estimates to analyze the factors influencing landslide susceptibility. The results show that land cover and slope have a greater influence on landslide susceptibility compared to rainfall intensity. Additionally, the study reveals that landslide density increases significantly with higher rainfall intensities.
Article
Ecology
Tegan P. Brown, Assaf Inbar, Thomas J. Duff, Jamie Burton, Philip J. Noske, Patrick N. J. Lane, Gary J. Sheridan
Summary: The study investigated the impact of climate warming on fire frequency and dead fuel moisture content in highly productive obligate seeder forests, as well as the moderating role of forest structure. Differences in fuel availability across alternative forest states were found to drive vegetation-fire feedbacks, highlighting the importance of forest structure in influencing forest flammability.
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Yuichi Onda, Keisuke Taniguchi, Kazuya Yoshimura, Hiroaki Kato, Junko Takahashi, Yoshifumi Wakiyama, Frederic Coppin, Hugh Smith
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)