Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Tang, Xiangjun Zhao, Mahdi Motagh, Gang Bi, Jing Li, Mingjie Chen, Hua Chen, Mingsheng Liao
Summary: The impacts of groundwater management measures and inter-basin water transfer project on the aquifer system in Taiyuan basin, China, have been studied using integrated analysis. The research reveals that these measures have led to the alleviation of land subsidence, reduction in surface displacement, and significant seasonal displacement related to agricultural pumping irrigation.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ju Shen, Jingwei Li, Qun Ma, Dan Wang, Shiqiang Du
Summary: This paper evaluates the impact of land use changes and dam construction on basin-scale flood regulation service (FRS) supply and demand, using a case study in the Yangtze River Basin, China. The study finds that the FRS supply in 2020 is mainly from land uses (84.85%) rather than dams (15.15%), with water bodies (rivers and lakes, 30.00%) and forests (29.35%) making the biggest contributions. Between 1980 and 2020, the total FRS supply has increased by 10.50%, mostly due to dam construction (84.65%) rather than land use changes (15.35%). These findings highlight the different roles of land-based measures and engineered measures in managing flood risk.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yuan Liu, Zhuohang Xin, Siao Sun, Chi Zhang, Guangtao Fu
Summary: This study analyzes the multi-dimensional impacts of China's inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) at the sub-basin scale. The results show that IBWT improves environmental flow conditions in some recipient sub-basins and brings economic and social benefits. However, sub-basins with low water resources face higher environmental and socioeconomic risks. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the impacts of IBWT at finer spatial scales.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Natalia Marrochi, Lisa Hunt, Marina Solis, Ana Maria Scalise, Silvia Laura Fanelli, Carlos Bonetto, Hernan Mugni
Summary: This study assessed the effects of land use on the benthic invertebrate assemblages of streams in the main Argentine agricultural region. The results showed that streams surrounded by croplands had higher nutrient concentrations, pesticide levels, and different macroinvertebrate assemblages compared to streams surrounded by pasture or reserve.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Ting Gao, Hongrui Liu, Yuanyuan Sun, Enze Zhang
Summary: This research explores the possibility of maintaining environmental flows in water-deficient rivers by transferring hydropower instead of water and conducted a case study in the Luanhe River Basin. The results demonstrate that an appropriate amount of transferred hydropower can sustain environmental flows, and proposing different proportions of conserved water distribution in the wet, normal, and dry seasons can effectively maintain the hydrological processes of the river.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaoyi Wen, Tingting Liu, Zijing Wang
Summary: This study examines the changes and influencing factors of land ecological security in rocky desertification areas using survey data and analytical methods. The results show that human activities and construction have negative effects on land ecological status, and an index model based on land-use spatial changes accurately reflects the degree of desertification risk in such areas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Sooyeon Yi, G. Mathias Kondolf, Samuel Sandoval-Solis, Larry Dale
Summary: Energy use forecasting is essential for balancing electricity supply and demand in inter-basin water transfer projects. Machine learning algorithms perform better than traditional models in predicting energy use, with subsystem models reflecting the unique characteristics of energy use in water transfer systems more accurately.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas S. Green, Shibin Li, Jonathan D. Maul, Jay P. Overmyer
Summary: Urbanization, agriculture, and other human activities significantly affect the health and integrity of stream ecosystems. This study investigated the trends in stream biotic integrity over 19 years and found that the factors influencing it varied in spatial, temporal, and scale contexts. The study highlights the importance of large-scale spatial data for understanding the drivers of stream biodiversity, but also points out some potential limitations in integrative analyses.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lichuan Wang, Fan He, Yong Zhao, Jianhua Wang, Peiyi Lu, Zhigang Ou, Yage Jia
Summary: Driven by water resources scarcity, inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) projects have emerged and evolved into IBWT networks. The impact of the development of these networks on water-supply patterns remains unclear. This study used complex network analysis to analyze the spatial and temporal growth patterns of IBWT networks and found that the efficiency, elasticity, and coordination of the networks showed growth. The results also showed that future new IBWT network projects will tend to join existing communities.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Jichuan Sheng, Wenge Qiu
Summary: This study uses the South-North Water Transfer Project in China as a quasi-natural experiment to examine the impact of inter-basin water transfer policies on water-use technical efficiency (WUTE). The findings suggest that inter-basin water transfer can improve WUTE in water-receiving cities, but this improvement is not directly linked to the enhancement of water endowment. Additionally, improvements in water endowment actually decrease WUTE. Furthermore, inter-basin water transfer can enhance water-saving capacity and environmental regulations in water-receiving cities, contributing to the sustainable improvement of WUTE. The effect of inter-basin water transfer policies on WUTE varies depending on economic and demographic factors.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatenda Dalu, Tongayi Mwedzi, Ryan J. Wasserman, Takudzwa C. Madzivanzira, Tamuka Nhiwatiwa, Ross N. Cuthbert
Summary: This study analyzed the composition of diatom and macroinvertebrate communities in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and found that the land use significantly affected both water quality and biotic components. These findings provide important scientific reference for the protection of freshwater resources in African Highland streams.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Phelipe da Silva Anjinho, Mariana Abibi Guimaraes Araujo Barbosa, Carlos Wilmer Costa, Frederico Fabio Mauad
Summary: The study analyzed the potential and emergent environmental fragility of the Lobo Reservoir Drainage Basin in southeastern Brazil, recommending environmental zoning based on its assessment. The basin was primarily classified as medium emergent environmental fragility, with around half suitable for anthropic use, 28.5% prioritized for environmental conservation, and 16% identified as priority areas for conservation/restoration. The methodology proposed in the study provides a low cost, flexible, and easy to use method for land use planning, with the potential for replication and customization in other regions.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lijun Jiao, Ruimin Liu, Linfang Wang, Lin Li, Leiping Cao
Summary: The study simulated and quantified the impacts of IBWT projects on water resources and the ecological environment in the Fenhe River basin of China using the SWAT model. Results showed that IBWT projects significantly improved channel flow in certain areas and had seasonal effects on the remnant water environmental capacity of total nitrogen and total phosphorus.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Bo Liu, Libo Pan, Yue Qi, Xiao Guan, Junsheng Li
Summary: The study found that human-induced land cover changes have a significant impact on ecosystem service values; from 1980 to 2015, the cumulative area of human-induced land cover change in the Yellow River Basin reached 65.71 million ha, almost equal to the total area; the implementation of the Grain for Green program has significantly improved the natural vegetation in the upstream and midstream areas of the Yellow River Basin.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tao Bai, Xian-Ge Sun, Jian Wei, Lianzhou Wu
Summary: This article investigates the hydrological response and ecological flow in the diversion area from the Hanjiang River to the Weihe River. It quantifies the impact of the inter-basin diversion project on the hydro-ecological environment of the downstream river. The research results not only guarantee the ecological function of the river but also provide guidance and reference significance for the actual operation of the reservoir.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez, Daniel Moya, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Fuensanta Garcia-Orenes, Javier Gonzalez-Romero, Carlos Rossa, Esther Pena, Jorge De las Heras
Summary: This study evaluated the short-term effects of prescribed burnings on soil physico-chemical and biological properties, finding that it can decrease understory vegetation cover while reducing soil biological functions in areas with poorly developed soil and a dry climate.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Nicolas Valiente, Jose Manuel Gil-Marquez, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday, Bartolome Andreo
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Manuel E. Lucas-Borja, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Miriam Munoz-Rojas, Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez, Maria E. Gomez-Sanchez, Javier Gonzalez-Romero, Esther Pena-Molina, Daniel Moya, Jorge de las Heras
Summary: Forests are highly vulnerable to global change drivers such as an increase in wildfire events. This study evaluated the effects of different post-fire management strategies on multiple forest ecosystem properties, showing that specific management treatments can efficiently support plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. The research revealed that ecosystem functions in Mediterranean forests decreased after wildfires but specific post-fire management strategies could help recover community-level properties and forest functions in the short term.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Moya, M. T. Fonturbel, M. E. Lucas-Borja, E. Pena, R. Alfaro-Sanchez, P. A. Plaza-Alvarez, J. Gonzalez-Romero, J. de Las Heras
Summary: Understanding forest soil ecology is crucial for assessing vulnerability to disturbances like wildfires and enhancing microbial diversity and function. Research showed that prescribed burning had varying impacts on soil microorganism community depending on vegetation coverage, rather than solely burning season. Increases in soil organic matter and carbon, as well as other soil properties, were observed post-burning, especially following spring burns.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Javier Elorza, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday, Alvaro Jimenez Berrocoso
Summary: Oceanic red beds (ORBs) in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin of northern Spain show exceptional features in Upper Cretaceous and Danian deep-marine deposits. The color variations and sedimentation rates indicate the oxidizing activity of deep, cold-water masses. The presence of hematite as the main staining agent in the red beds suggests a slow sedimentation process in oxic environments.
GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Javier Gonzalez-Romero, Manuel Lopez-Vicente, Elena Gomez-Sanchez, Esther Pena-Molina, Pablo Galletero, Pedro Plaza-Alvarez, Daniel Moya, Jorge De las Heras, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of forest fires and post-fire practices on sediment connectivity in five Mediterranean catchments in southeastern Spain. By using the 'aggregated index of connectivity' (AIC) analysis, the study assessed the SC in the study area. Results showed that post-fire management practices effectively reduced sediment connectivity, while functional SC was linked to actual changes in SC.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yolanda Espin, Alfonso Menchen, Jose Luis Moreno, David Sanz, Manuel Alvarez-Orti, Jose Antonio Fernandez, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday
Summary: Lake Alboraj in southeast Spain was declared a natural Microreserve and included in the European Natura-2000 Network due to its environmental heritage contribution. However, the lake's ecological status has dramatically changed, largely due to groundwater abstractions for irrigation. Research shows a clear gradient in bacterial community structure in the lake, supporting the co-existence of assimilatory and dissimilatory microbial mediated reactions.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
D. Sanz, N. Valiente, I Dountcheva, A. Munoz-Martin, E. Cassiraga, J. J. Gomez-Alday
Summary: This study examined the geometry of the freshwater-saltwater interface at Petrola Lake using mathematical modeling and geophysical surveys. The results supported the hypothesis that organic matter produced by biomass can effectively be transported to the interface areas through density-driven flow.
HYDROGEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
N. Valiente, F. Jirsa, T. Hein, W. Wanek, J. Prommer, P. Bonin, J. J. Gomez-Alday
Summary: This study demonstrates the coexistence of denitrification, DNRA, and anammox processes in a highly saline lake, with their contribution determined by environmental conditions such as oxygen and light. DNRA, especially denitrification to N2O, were the dominant nitrogen removal pathways in the presence of oxygen and/or light. Conversely, anoxia and darkness promoted NO3- reduction by DNRA combined with N loss by anammox.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Jose Gomez-Alday, Saber Hussein, Hasan Arman, Dalal Alshamsi, Ahmed Murad, Khalid Elhaj, Ala Aldahan
Summary: The management of water resources in hyper-arid areas faces significant challenges in the context of global climate change. Stable isotopes were used as tools in this study to evaluate groundwater sources and quality in the United Arab Emirates, indicating an increase in groundwater salinity and the impact of ancient groundwater sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Xin Jing, John T. Van Stan, Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez, Javier Gonzalez-Romero, Esther Pena, Daniel Moya, Demetrio Antonio Zema, Jorge de las Heras
Summary: This study investigated the effects of contour-felled log debris (CFD) and log erosion barriers (LEB) on soil properties after wildfires. The results showed that post-fire management increased soil organic matter and basal respiration, but suppressed soil microbial activities. Both CFD and LEB were effective in retaining sediments and improving post-fire microbiological soil properties. However, after eight years of management, the soil microbiological properties did not completely recover compared to unburned areas.
Article
Limnology
Nicolas Valiente, Franz Jirsa, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday
Summary: This article provides an overview of the importance of saline lakes as barriers against pollution, with a focus on nitrogen (N) pollution and its attenuation in aquatic interfaces. The study of how saline lakes can reduce the impact of pollutants on ecosystems is crucial and requires the integration of techniques from different disciplines.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas Valiente, Iordanka Dountcheva, David Sanz, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday
Summary: This study evaluated the interaction between groundwater and saline water from Petrola Lake in Spain, highlighting the impact of density-driven flow on groundwater recharge in terminal lakes.
Article
Forestry
Daniel Moya, Teresa Fonturbel, Esther Pena, Raquel Alfaro-Sanchez, Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez, Javier Gonzalez-Romero, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Jorge de las Heras
Summary: Soil microbiota exhibit vulnerability and resilience to burning, with reduced microbial richness, functional diversity, and C source utilization following high burn severity, which recover in the short term.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolas Valiente, Alexander Pangerl, Juan Jose Gomez-Alday, Franz Jirsa
Summary: This study assessed the distribution and concentration of heavy metals in Petrola Lake, Spain and identified their potential sources. The results showed the accumulation of lead in lake sediments and cadmium in agricultural soils, likely derived from anthropogenic activities. The study also found low bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of the greater flamingo.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)