Article
Forestry
Lichao Zhang, Tingqi Xiao, Hongguang Liu, Peilin Ge, Jinwen Xia, Chenwei Dai, Wenbo Zhang, Xiaomin Zhao
Summary: The study showed that AM fungi can promote the growth of plant roots, strengthen soil anchoring, protect large particle aggregates in soil under rainfall scouring, and reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss in red sandstone erosion areas in southern China. Cynodon dactylon and Zoysia japonica were more prominent than Lotus corniculatus and Astragalus sinicus in inhibiting soil erosion in red sandstone erosion areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Zhang, Chen Zeng, Guanxing Wang, Li Wang, Xiaonan Shi
Summary: This study investigated the mean annual runoff and sediment yield in eight headwater catchments on the Tibetan Plateau and examined their relationships with annual precipitation, air temperature, and glacier area ratio. The results showed that runoff was positively correlated with precipitation and temperature, while sediment yield exhibited an inverted parabolic relationship with precipitation and a positive correlation with glacier area ratio. These findings are important for understanding environmental changes and erosion rates on the Tibetan Plateau.
INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Robert M. Dunn, Jane M. B. Hawkins, Martin S. A. Blackwell, Yusheng Zhang, Adrian L. Collins
Summary: Buffer strips play an important role in the management of agricultural runoff and water pollution. The efficacy of different vegetation treatments in buffer strips is still debated. The study shows that willow buffer strips are most effective in controlling runoff and suspended sediment loss.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Claudia Alessandra Peixoto de Barros, Gerard Govers, Jean Paolo Gomes Minella, Rafael Ramon
Summary: This study aimed to assess the hydrological and erosive process dynamics in the catchment, revealing that 62% of the hydrograph is formed by groundwater + soil water, especially in autumn-winter and for low-medium magnitude events, with a dilution effect observed during rainfall events on dissolved silicon (DSi) concentration and suspended sediment concentration. The performance of physics-based models in a catchment with very fragile soils and frequent changes in land use is impacted by runoff separation.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manmohanjit Singh, Abrar Yousuf, Harpreet Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Kerstin Hartsch, Michael von Werner, Abdulrazak H. Almaliki, Ashraf Y. Elnaggar, Enas E. Hussein, Hager R. Ali
Summary: This study verifies the efficiency and applicability of the EROSION-3D model in predicting runoff and soil loss in micro-watersheds of the Shivalik region in Northwest India. The model demonstrated good accuracy in simulating runoff and sediment yield, making it a reliable decision support system for soil conservation management in the lower Shivaliks of India.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Okan Aygun, Christophe Kinnard, Stephane Campeau
Summary: This study examines the potential impacts of climate change on soil erosion in an agricultural catchment in eastern Canada. The Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) and a hydrological model were used to calculate sediment yields and assess climate sensitivity. Results suggest that conservation and no-till practices could significantly reduce annual sediment yields.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mirian Lago Valente, Jose Miguel Reichert, Rosane Barbosa Lopes Cavalcante, Jean Paolo Gomes Minella, Olivier Evrard, Raghavan Srinivasan
Summary: The study shows that afforestation of degraded grasslands in subtropical headwater catchments leads to lower surface runoff and sediment yield compared to grasslands, with staggered forest harvesting helping further reduce sediment yield. Well-managed forest plantations are less prone to sedimentation than degraded grasslands under intensive grazing.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Fu, Dichen Wang, Wenping Sun, Mingming Guo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of planting density and its components (aboveground parts and roots) on slope runoff and soil erosion mechanisms. The results showed that grass significantly reduced the runoff rate, velocity, shear stress, stream power, and soil loss rate. The aboveground parts mainly contributed to the reduction in runoff rate and velocity, while the grass roots mainly contributed to the reduction in Reynolds number, shear stress, stream power, and soil loss rate. The findings of this study provide a scientific reference for vegetation restoration strategies.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mulugeta Admas, Assefa M. M. Melesse, Brook Abate, Getachew Tegegne
Summary: This study evaluated the best management practices to reduce soil erosion and sediment load into a dam reservoir. The results showed that implementing BMPs had a positive impact on reducing runoff, soil loss, and sediment yield.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jianye Ma, Bo Ma, Yangxiu Wang, Chenguang Wang, Chaodong Li, Junbo Xiao
Summary: This study examined the combined effects of straw length and incorporation rate on reducing runoff and sediment under straw incorporation through laboratory experiments. Straw incorporation effectively reduced runoff and sediment yields, and the optimal effect was achieved at a straw length of 8-10 cm and an incorporation rate of 3.5 t.hm(-2). The reduction effect of straw length on sediment was weaker compared to the incorporation rate, which was the main factor affecting runoff yield during the erosion process.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Baoyang Sun, Jigen Liu, Feipeng Ren, Hao Li, Guanhua Zhang, Jianye Ma, Bo Ma, Zhanbin Li
Summary: Soil erosion is more pronounced during late winter and early spring on the Loess Plateau of China, due to the alternating action of seasonal freeze-thaw and wind erosion. This study found that different slopes and soil types have a significant impact on runoff and sediment yield, with sandy loam having the highest mean runoff and sediment yield start times.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dennis C. Flanagan, Richard M. Cruse, James L. Baker, Paige Chyu
Summary: Dr. John Matthew Laflen, a treasured member of the soil erosion research and soil and water conservation global community, passed away on November 20, 2020. Known for his friendly welcoming smile, John had hundreds of friends around the world, both personally and professionally. His professional and scientific contributions, as well as impacts from his research and outreach activities, have been highlighted in this article.
INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Lanqian Feng, Wenlong Wang, Mingming Guo, Qianhua Shi, Wenzhao Guo, Yibao Lou, Hongliang Kang, Zhuoxin Chen
Summary: The role of vegetation in gully headcut erosion is not well understood. This study conducted rainfall and scouring experiments to investigate the effects of grass density on runoff hydraulics and soil erosion during gully headcut erosion. The results showed that grassland can significantly reduce soil erosion and disperse runoff. Increasing grass density further reduces sediment loss and leads to more complex collapse patterns.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Pingping Zhang, Yanpeng Cai, Yulei Xie, Yujun Yi, Wei Yang, Zoe Li
Summary: This study investigates the factors affecting the changes in water resources in the middle reach of the Jinsha River Basin in the upper reach of the Yangtze River. The results show that climate change and reservoir operation significantly impact the runoff and sediment yield of the basin. The findings provide scientific support for the management of water and sediment resources in cascade reservoir watersheds.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Philipp Vormeier, Liana Liebmann, Oliver Weisner, Matthias Liess
Summary: Vegetated buffer strips (VBS) are effective in reducing pesticide inputs in streams. The width of the VBS is the main factor in reducing pesticide concentrations, while dry ditches in agricultural fields increase pesticide inputs. VBS retains slightly mobile substances better than mobile substances. Calculations show that a VBS width of 18 m is sufficient to protect 95% of streams, but the presence of dry ditches increases the required width to 32 m. Currently, 26% of water stretches do not comply with the mandated 5 m VBS width.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donal Mullan, Tom Matthews, Karel Vandaele, Iestyn D. Barr, Graeme T. Swindles, John Meneely, John Boardman, Conor Murphy
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
T. G. Sim, G. T. Swindles, P. J. Morris, M. Galka, D. Mullan, J. M. Galloway
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Graeme T. Swindles, Paul J. Morris, Donal J. Mullan, Richard J. Payne, Thomas P. Roland, Matthew J. Amesbury, Mariusz Lamentowicz, T. Edward Turner, Angela Gallego-Sala, Thomas Sim, Iestyn D. Barr, Maarten Blaauw, Antony Blundell, Frank M. Chambers, Dan J. Charman, Angelica Feurdean, Jennifer M. Galloway, Mariusz Galka, Sophie M. Green, Katarzyna Kajukalo, Edgar Karofeld, Atte Korhola, Lukasz Lamentowicz, Peter Langdon, Katarzyna Marcisz, Dmitri Mauquoy, Yuri A. Mazei, Michelle M. McKeown, Edward A. D. Mitchell, Elena Novenko, Gill Plunkett, Helen M. Roe, Kristian Schoning, Ulle Sillasoo, Andrey N. Tsyganov, Marjolein van der Linden, Minna Valiranta, Barry Warner
Article
Geography, Physical
Richard E. Fewster, Paul J. Morris, Graeme T. Swindles, Lauren J. Gregoire, Ruza F. Ivanovic, Paul J. Valdes, Donal Mullan
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas G. Sim, Graeme T. Swindles, Paul J. Morris, Andy J. Baird, Claire L. Cooper, Angela Gallego-Sala, Dan J. Charman, Thomas P. Roland, Werner Borken, Donal J. Mullan, Marco A. Aquino-Lopez, Mariusz Galka
Summary: Permafrost peatlands in high-latitude regions store significant amounts of soil organic carbon but are now experiencing rapid warming causing permafrost thaw and carbon release. Recent research in northern Sweden shows that different peatlands are responding differently to climate change, with some becoming wetter leading to reduced carbon sequestration while others becoming drier without a clear relationship. Bryophyte-dominated vegetation in these peatlands demonstrates resistance and in some cases, resilience, to climatic and hydrological shifts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
D. J. Mullan, I. D. Barr, R. P. Flood, J. M. Galloway, A. M. W. Newton, G. T. Swindles
Summary: The study examines the impact of climate change on winter roads in northern Canada, highlighting the potential tipping point at 2 degrees Celsius warming for the viability of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road. Keeping warming to the more ambitious temperature target of 1.5 degrees Celsius may be the only way to maintain the road's sustainability, albeit with a shorter operational season. The research emphasizes the need for global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions to avoid irreversible impacts of climate change on winter roads in Arctic North America.
BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Neil Brannigan, Donal Mullan, Karel Vandaele, Conor Graham, Jennifer McKinley, John Meneely
Summary: Soil erosion by water poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and the environment, and climate change will worsen this problem. However, existing studies have limitations in applying climate scenarios to soil erosion models and considering the role of changing land use. This study addresses these gaps by developing a comprehensive method to select suitable climate models and examining the impact of different land use choices on soil erosion. The findings suggest that winter wheat is the most economically and environmentally viable land use choice to mitigate future soil erosion.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iestyn D. Barr, Matteo Spagnolo, Brice R. Rea, Robert G. Bingham, Rachel P. Oien, Kathryn Adamson, Jeremy C. Ely, Donal J. Mullan, Ramon Pellitero, Matt D. Tomkins
Summary: Based on our research on the formation history of Antarctic glaciers, we found that Antarctica was covered by ice sheets around 83 million years ago, and the formation of glaciers may have occurred even earlier. Different types of glaciers, including temperate and cold-based ones, have existed in Antarctica for millions of years. These findings highlight the long history of glaciation in Antarctica and suggest the presence of glaciers even during the Early-Cenozoic greenhouse world.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui Zhang, Minna Valiranta, Graeme T. Swindles, Marco A. Aquino-Lopez, Donal Mullan, Ning Tan, Matthew Amesbury, Kirill Babeshko, Kunshan Bao, Anatoly Bobrov, Viktor Chernyshov, Marissa A. Davies, Andrei-Cosmin Diaconu, Angelica Feurdean, Sarah A. Finkelstein, Michelle Garneau, Zhengtang Guo, Miriam C. Jones, Martin Kay, Eric S. Klein, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Gabriel Magnan, Katarzyna Marcisz, Natalia Mazei, Yuri Mazei, Richard Payne, Nicolas Pelletier, Sanna R. Piilo, Steve Pratte, Thomas Roland, Damir Saldaev, William Shotyk, Thomas G. Sim, Thomas J. Sloan, Michal Slowinski, Julie Talbot, Liam Taylor, Andrey N. Tsyganov, Sebastian Wetterich, Wei Xing, Yan Zhao
Summary: A recent synthesis study has found that high-latitude peatlands have exhibited complex and highly uncertain ecohydrological dynamics over the past centuries, with 54% of the peatlands drying and 32% wetting. This highlights the importance of understanding the responses of high-latitude peatlands to a warming climate.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert L. Wilby, Madeleine Orr, Duncan Depledge, Richard Giulianotti, George Havenith, Jamie A. Kenyon, Tom K. R. Matthews, Stephen A. Mears, Donald J. Mullan, Lee Taylor
Summary: This paper investigates the impacts of sport emissions on climate and identifies knowledge gaps. The research focuses on carbon emissions and their measurement, emissions control and decarbonization, carbon sinks and offsets, and behavior change in sports. The study highlights the need for more research in grassroots and women's sports, activities in Africa and South America, cricket, tennis, and volleyball. Other knowledge gaps include carbon accounting tools for smaller sports clubs and active participants, the co-benefits and tradeoffs between mitigation and adaptation efforts in sports, geopolitical influence, and the potential for climate change litigation.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Emma Hayes, Suzanne Higgins, Josie Geris, Donal Mullan
Summary: Long-term phosphorus accumulation in agricultural soils is a challenge for water quality improvement. Improved management strategies are needed to reduce excess agricultural phosphorus sources. While reseeding and inversion tillage are essential agricultural practices, there are potential trade-offs in terms of nutrient and sediment losses. LiDAR-based image analysis can help quantify these risks.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Emma Hayes, Suzanne Higgins, Josie Geris, Gillian Nicholl, Donal Mullan
Summary: This study developed and evaluated a weighted risk assessment model to improve the classification of phosphorus transfer risk at a sub-field scale. Results showed that traditional bulked sampling failed to consider the spatial variability of soil phosphorus content at the subfield scale, while higher intensity gridded sampling and interpolation revealed wide in-field variability, aiding in the characterization of risk for nutrient losses to waterways.
Article
Water Resources
E. Hayes, S. Higgins, D. Mullan, J. Geris
Summary: Agriculture is a major contributor to poor water quality, but the sources of sediment and nutrient losses from agricultural catchments, including riverbank erosion, are highly variable. In this study, a quick assessment approach was developed to quantify riverbank erosion rates and associated sediment and nutrient loading rates using airborne LiDAR and field-collected data. The results showed spatial and temporal variability in the erosion rates and their relationships to water quality in the Blackwater catchment in Northern Ireland. The use of LiDAR combined with field data proved to be an innovative means for riverbank erosion quantification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Andrew M. W. Newton, Donal J. Mullan
Summary: This study found that the breakup and freeze-up of lake and river ice in the Northern Hemisphere are closely related to regional average temperature, with the number of open-water days increasing annually. Trends in ice phenology changes show complex spatial and temporal evolution, and caution is needed when interpreting data from sites that only have breakup or freeze-up information. The research also indicates an acceleration in warming trends over time, highlighting the importance of understanding both short- and long-term changes in determining the larger climatological implications.
Article
Geography, Physical
A. Securo, C. Del Gobbo, L. Rettig, S. Pillon, A. De Luca, D. Fontana, E. Benedetti Fasil, R. R. Colucci
Summary: Small glaciers in temperate mountain regions have experienced significant reduction and unprecedented melt rates in recent years. Some glaciers have transitioned from clean ice to debris-covered or even rock glaciers. This study examines the surface elevation change of the Popera Alto glacier in the Sesto Dolomites using LiDAR and Structure from Motion surveys, and analyzes its evolution in terms of surface cover and geomorphic processes. The glacier has lost an average of 0.35 m water equivalent per year over the past 16 years, with active modification of its surface cover by geomorphic processes. The role of debris and local topography feedback has allowed the resilience of the glacier, leading to a marked difference between the current environmental equilibrium line altitude (envELA) and the effective ELA (effELA) of the glacier.
Article
Geography, Physical
Zhenzhen Yan, Yaolin Shi, Lili Kang, Xiangtao Fan
Summary: This study proposes a quantitative regional deformation model based on global positioning system (GPS) data to quantitatively analyze the morphological evolution of rivers in the Three Rivers Region. It finds that tectonic deformation phases significantly control regional landscape development and drainage features.
Article
Geography, Physical
Said Mukhtar Ahmad, Nitheshnirmal Sadhasivam, Mona Lisa, Luigi Lombardo, Mustafa Kemal Emil, Amira Zaki, Cees J. Van Westen, Islam Fadel, Hakan Tanyas
Summary: In this study, we investigated a large slow-moving landslide in Northern Pakistan, using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis. Our results showed that the crown of the landslide is moving faster than the surrounding regions, while the footslope experienced high deformations. We discussed the possible roles of meteorologic and anthropogenic factors in causing these deformations.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shuang Bian, Xibin Tan, Yiduo Liu, Suoya Fan, Junfeng Gong, Chao Zhou, Feng Shi, Michael A. Murphy
Summary: The Yarlung River's drainage divide is primarily moving north due to variations in precipitation across the Himalayas. The Gangdese drainage divide shows predominantly northward and southward migration, controlled by base-level rise and downstream influences. The presence of north-trending rifts separates the drainage divides into five zones, each with a distinct migration pattern.
Article
Geography, Physical
Joon-Young Park, Seok Yoon, Deuk-Hwan Lee, Seung-Rae Lee, Hwan-Hui Lim
Summary: This study developed a multiple-regression model to estimate site-specific average growth rates of debris flow events. The proposed model was validated through a case study and showed reasonable predictions of debris flow velocities and heights.
Article
Geography, Physical
Nicholas Reilly Mccarroll, Arnaud Temme
Summary: New geochronological data from hillslope boulder armor in the Flint Hills reveal the rates and timing of lateral retreat in the landscape. Surfaces of limestone boulders dating back to the Pleistocene era were found, and the ages of the hillslope armor increased with distance from the limestone bench. The estimated rate of lateral retreat in this landscape is 0.02 mm/yr.
Article
Geography, Physical
Xinbo Yao, Yuntao Tian
Summary: By studying the Longmenshan-Minshan drainage divide, we found that it has reached a dynamic steady state, indicating a balance between erosion and rock uplift. This study also reveals the process of formation and evolution of the divide and raises questions about the effectiveness of divide migration metrics.
Article
Geography, Physical
Junhui Yu, Pin Yan, Yanlin Wang, Guangjian Zhong, Changliang Chen
Summary: The seafloor mounds in the Chaoshan Depression of the South China Sea are identified as mud volcanoes, with fluids coming from underlying mud-fluid diapirs. The hydrocarbon gases feeding the mud volcanoes and diapirs are reasoned to originate from deep Mesozoic source rocks, indicating significant Mesozoic hydrocarbon potential in the Chaoshan Depression.
Article
Geography, Physical
Marius Huber, Luc Scholtes, Jerome Lave
Summary: This paper investigates the relationships between hillslope stability and fabric anisotropy of brittle rock materials and the implications for landscape shaping. It explores the different stability modes and movement characteristics of anisotropic materials, and demonstrates the significant control of material anisotropy on landscape shaping.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shubhra Sharma, Anil D. Shukla
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between glacial dynamics and lake sedimentation during the mid-Holocene climate variability in the Southern Zanskar ranges. It utilizes geomorphological disposition, elemental geochemistry, and optical chronology of relict lake sediment to reconstruct the pattern of minor glacier responses to climate variability. The results indicate six centennial to millennial-scale climatic phases, with warmer phases represented by decreased mineralogical fine grain flux and increased coarse grain flux. The study highlights the potential of relict lake sediment and para/peri-glacial landforms in understanding glacial dynamics and climate change during the Holocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jean-Francois Bernier, Sydney W. Meury, Patrick Lajeunesse
Summary: In this study, an approach combining various data and observation methods was proposed to improve the monitoring of landfast ice dynamics and its geomorphic impact on sedimentary systems. The results demonstrate the ability of the approach to accurately measure interannual variations in landfast ice and constrain geomorphic changes. Additionally, the study found a strong relationship between the severity of freezing seasons and the response of landfast ice to hydrometeorological events, with different geomorphic responses observed under different winter conditions.
Article
Geography, Physical
Heping Shu, Fanyu Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between susceptibility of soil-water hazards and human activities, geoheritage sites in the Loess Plateau, China. Landslide and gully erosion susceptibility were obtained using gradient boosting and support vector machines, and a hazard matrix was formed to couple landslide and gully erosion susceptibility. The study found different trends in the magnification times of soil-water hazards chain under different scenarios.
Article
Geography, Physical
Guangqiang Qian, Zhuanling Yang, Xuegang Xing, Zhibao Dong, Youyuan Guo
Summary: Granule ripples are aeolian landforms armored against erosion by coarse grains. This study investigates their seasonal morphological evolution and migration in the Sanlongsha Dune Field. The findings show that wind events, especially those exceeding the threshold velocities of coarse grains, significantly influence the morphodynamics of granule ripples. The study highlights the importance of considering the reptation and saltation of coarse grains in future research on granule ripples.