Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong Hu, Junxiong Zhou, Jinyun Deng, Yitian Li, Chunrui Yang, Dongfeng Li
Summary: Investigating the effects of upstream damming on river bars and vegetation dynamics is crucial for flood management and ecological assessment. However, our understanding of the changes in river bars and vegetation due to damming is limited. In this study, we used satellite images and in situ observed data to analyze the variations in river bar morphology, vegetation distribution, and leaf area index (LAI) in the Middle Yangtze River following the operation of the Three Gorges Dam. Our findings show that the river bar area decreased while the vegetation area and LAI increased. The expansion of vegetation was mainly driven by a reduction in bar submergence frequency and slight bar erosion. These findings have important implications for riverine plant flux estimation, flood management, and ecological restoration in dammed river systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jean-Nicolas Beisel, Cybill Staentzel, Grzegorz Skupinski, Anais Walch, Manon Pons, Sebastian Weber, Carine Granier, Andreas Huber
Summary: The study found that, among the six chosen sites, only two showed a slight increase in forest area, while the rest remained stable. The emergence of young riparian forests along rivers was attributed to natural recovery and agricultural abandonment.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jaroslav Kadlec, Ivo Svetlik, Michal Rybnicek, Tomas Kolar, Filip Stehlik, Eduard Petrovsky, Hana Grison
Summary: This study investigates the Morava River catchment in the Czech Republic, reconstructing the palaeoenvironmental and anthropogenic processes affecting floodplain sediments over the past few centuries. The research reveals increased soil erosion due to incorrect land use and modern agriculture techniques in the catchment, as well as significant magnetic enhancement in the topmost layers of the floodplain sequences due to industrial pollution.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Swades Pal, Pankaj Singha
Summary: This study identified flood susceptible areas in the Tangon river basin of Indo-Bangladesh using machine learning algorithms, with a significant portion of the area predicted to be in a very high flood susceptible zone. The support vector machine model was found to be the most suitable, with geology, rainfall, elevation, and drainage factors playing a dominant role in the model.
GEOCARTO INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yihu Wang, Cheng Gao, Jin Xu, Wei Zhang, Liangliang She, Qianqian Zhang, Ruiling Bao
Summary: In recent years, China has been facing severe flood problems, with frequent floods causing heavy casualties and property losses in Chinese cities. This study focused on Nanhai Future City in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, and simulated water-level changes under different control schemes during extreme rainfalls. The results showed that enhancing drainage capacity and implementing engineering and non-engineering measures can reduce the adverse effects of extreme rainfall. These findings provide valuable references for future infrastructure planning and flood control decisions in Nanhai Future City and its surrounding areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Jingming Hou, Yongyong Ma, Tian Wang, Bingyao Li, Xuan Li, Feng Wang, Songli Jin, Hongli Ma
Summary: This study developed a new approach to construct river channel terrain based on global coarse digital elevation models, which can reliably predict flood propagation processes and improve flood management in areas without fine river terrain data.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengyang Bian, Yixuan Liu, Kaihui Zhao, Yue Hu, Jie Zhang, Le Kang, Weibo Shen
Summary: The distribution and variation of microplastics in rivers in the Chin Ling mountains were studied, and it was found that the concentration of microplastics increased with distance downstream. Microplastics mainly consisted of fragments and films, with a significant proportion having a particle size < 500 μm. This research provides important reference for further studies on the characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics pollution in small-scale rivers.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Max C. A. Torbenson, Rudolf Brazdil, James H. Stagge, Jan Esper, Ulf Buntgen, Adam Vizina, Martin Hanel, Oldrich Rakovec, Milan Fischer, Otmar Urban, Vaclav Treml, Frederick Reinig, Edurne Martinez del Castillo, Michal Rybnicek, Tomas Kolar, Miroslav Trnka
Summary: This study focuses on the hydrological summer extremes in the Morava River basin in Czech Republic, Danube Basin, Central Europe. By utilizing tree-ring network, the study reconstructs the variability of baseflow from 1745 to 2018 CE. The reconstructions indicate an increased variability of warm-season flow during the past 100 years, with extreme high and low flows occurring after the start of instrumental observations. The study also suggests that even lower flows could likely occur in the future considering the changing trends in baseflow.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Drew E. Eppehimer, Hamdhani Hamdhani, Kelsey D. Hollien, Zach C. Nemec, Larissa N. Lee, David M. Quanrud, Michael T. Bogan
Summary: The study found that in the effluent-dependent lower Santa Cruz River, microplastic fragment concentrations in the water column were higher post-flood, microplastic fiber concentrations in benthic sediment were lower post-flood, and mosquitofish were more likely to have consumed microplastics post-flood. Flow status was the primary predictor of microplastic presence and concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Rebecca Mabbott, Kirstie Fryirs
Summary: This study explores the changes in river systems and riparian vegetation cover after colonization. It shows that river recovery is occurring, as demonstrated by improved geomorphic and vegetative condition, but further recovery is required to affect major flow hydrology. The study highlights the potential of increased vegetation cover to influence flow hydrology and geomorphic condition, providing valuable insights for river management and vegetation rehabilitation.
Article
Geography, Physical
Rocio L. Fernandez, Stuart McLelland, Daniel R. Parsons, Bas Bodewes
Summary: The study found that river systems were in a non-equilibrium state in the absence of riparian vegetation, and the presence of vegetation may promote the formation of new channels, increase channel width, and enhance topographic irregularity. The sensitivity of morphodynamics to variations in flood discharges decreased as vegetation strength increased. While overall sediment transport rate decreased under full-grown vegetation conditions, presence of mature plants resulted in greater channel scour depths.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Daniel J. King, Grant L. Harley, Justin T. Maxwell, Karen J. Heeter, Benjamin J. Vandermyde, Robert J. Cosgriff
Summary: Floodplain hardwood forests along the Upper Mississippi River System are ecologically important due to high biodiversity, but recent decline and regeneration failure of hard mast species may lead to loss of diversity. Factors influencing the decline and regeneration failure of Carya illinoinensis are linked to large-scale flood events, climate variability, and anthropogenic impacts, requiring direct forest restoration techniques for species recovery.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Bingjie Wang, Chenfeng Wang, Baozhen Jia, Xudong Fu
Summary: This study examines the hysteresis relationship between suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and flow discharge (Q) in the middle Yellow River basin (MYRB) and explores its spatial variation. The study identified two types of catchments with different hysteresis patterns and revealed the relationship between hysteresis characteristics and mean annual precipitation (Pm) or vegetation cover (NDVI). The findings provide insights into soil erosion and sediment transport in the MYRB and have implications for watershed management under changing environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Massimiliano Ghinassi, Alessandro Michielotto, Francesca Uguagliati, Massimiliano Zattin
Summary: Rivers efficiently transport microplastics to the sea, but they can be temporarily stored and fragmented in sediment. This study analyzes deposits in the Arno River to understand the mechanisms of microplastic sedimentation. The concentration of microplastics ranges from 0.44 to 5.68 items per gram, similar to highly-polluted rivers worldwide. Fibers, mainly nylon, are prevalent. Microplastics can be trapped by floating plant debris, as well as in gravel and sand deposits. Further studies using fluvial sedimentology principles are needed to understand transport and storage of microplastics in river sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xu Zhou, Zhaofei Wen, Yuanyang Huang, Xuemei Yi, Maohua Ma, Tao Liao, Shengjun Wu
Summary: This study explores the vegetation dynamics on mid-channel bars in the mid-lower Yangtze River downstream the Three Gorges Dam, revealing an acceleration in vegetation colonization post-dam operation, size-dependent change intensities, and distance-dependent colonization rates. The weakened flood disturbances post-dam operation are suggested to explain the rapid vegetation growth.
Article
Biology
Jan Kliment, Richard Hrivnak, Michal Slezak, Drahos Blanar, Ivan Jarolimek
Summary: The classification of common hazel-dominated communities varies greatly among countries in Europe. In Slovakia, a complex syntaxonomical revision was conducted to identify two main units, the Pruno spinosae-Coryletum Jurko 1964 and the Lonicero nigrae-Coryletum Jurko 1964 associations. Environmental drivers of variation in their floristic composition were found to be temperature, moisture, light, and soil reaction. After comparison with relevant Alpine and Hercynian communities, both associations were classified within a specific alliance, order, and class.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sona Nuhlickova, Jan Svetlik, Manfred Eckenfellner, Felix Knauer, Herbert Hoi
Summary: The study found that in altricial hoopoe nestlings, nestlings do not use the nest space equally but use specific locations for different purposes. Results also suggest that nestling age, brood size, and parental feeding strategy influence their nest-space use.
ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karol Mikula, Maria Sibikova, Martin Ambroz, Michal Kollar, Aneta A. Ozvat, Jozef Urban, Ivan Jarolimek, Jozef Sibik
Summary: The NaturaSat software integrates various image processing techniques and vegetation data, providing users with a versatile tool for habitat exploration needs. It supports direct access to multispectral Sentinel-2 data and offers a user-friendly environment for vegetation scientists, fieldwork experts, and nature conservationists to use.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sona Nuhlickova, Jan Svetlik, Manfred Eckenfellner, Felix Knauer, Herbert Hoi
Summary: This study investigated the influence of different weather conditions on breeding performance, food supply, and nest-space use in hoopoe offspring. The results showed that prey and weather were the most influential factors for nest-space use by offspring.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Emiliano Agrillo, Nicola Alessi, Jose Manuel Alvarez-Martinez, Laura Casella, Federico Filipponi, Bing Lu, Simona Niculescu, Maria Sibikova, Kathryn E. L. Smith
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard Hrivnak, Benjamin Jarcuska, Ivan Jarolimek, Judita Kochjarova, Jana Majekova, Katarina Hegedusova Vantarova, Michal Slezak
Summary: This study investigated the plant species diversity of black alder-dominated forests in three biogeographical regions of Central Europe. The results showed that the High Western Carpathians is a hotspot for the diversity of native plants in these forests.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sona Nuhlickova, Jan Svetlik, Peter Kanuch, Anton Kristin, Benjamin Jarcuska
Summary: This study investigates the movement patterns of the critically endangered Bei-Bienko's Plump Bush-cricket and finds that it is a short-distance disperser. The authors recommend improving habitat quality to protect this species.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vladimir Hemala, Jan Svetlik, Sona Nuhlickova
Summary: In this study, we report the first finding of the alien Common Crevice-cricket Gryllomorpha dalmatina in Slovakia. The species was discovered near Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, in the village of Ivanka pri Dunaji. It was observed for the first time on the wall of an old building. Our two-year study reveals a viable population of the species successfully surviving in a human-made environment. The introduction of the species is likely through the transport of horticultural material or stored products from the Mediterranean to Central Europe, acting as stowaways. Our findings represent the tenth known record of a non-native orthopteran species in Slovakia and possibly the sixth confirmed occurrence of this alien cricket in Central Europe.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Juan Jose Soler, Manuel Martin-Vivaldi, Sona Nuhlickova, Cristina Ruiz-Castellano, Monica Mazorra-Alonso, Ester Martinez-Renau, Manfred Eckenfellner, Jan Svetlik, Herbert Hoi
Summary: Sibling cannibalism is found to be common in the Eurasian hoopoe, with a higher incidence in the Spanish population compared to the Austrian population. The higher occurrence of sibling cannibalism in the southern population may be due to more nestlings condemned to die. Factors such as hatching failure, food scarcity, and hatching asynchrony influence the likelihood and intensity of sibling cannibalism.
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)