Article
Environmental Sciences
T. M. Johaneman, K. B. Lininger, D. M. Schook, J. Pitlick, M. Martin
Summary: Hydrogeomorphic processes, including knickpoint development, significantly impact riparian vegetation. This study examines the influence of knickpoint development on flood inundation, channel morphology, and riparian vegetation on the Fremont River in Utah. The findings demonstrate that knickpoint development affects riparian vegetation composition and abundance by altering geomorphic and hydrologic processes. The study emphasizes the importance of considering knickpoint development in natural resource management for riparian habitats, particularly in drier regions.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexander J. Norton, Peter J. Rayner, Ying-Ping Wang, Nicholas C. Parazoo, Latha Baskaran, Peter R. Briggs, Vanessa Haverd, Russell Doughty
Summary: Vegetation growth plays an important role in land-atmosphere interactions, but the impact of water movement on vegetation response has been underestimated. This study shows that ecosystems with high hydrologic connectivity have higher interannual variability in vegetation productivity, driven by differences in soil moisture and water capacity. These ecosystems contribute significantly to regional carbon uptake through higher rates of photosynthesis and also affect annual anomalies. Global land surface models need to consider the role of water connectivity in order to accurately simulate carbon uptake.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Athanasios Paschalis, Sara Bonetti, Yanran Guo, Simone Fatichi
Summary: This study quantifies the impact of uncertainties in using different pedotransfer functions on ecosystem dynamics. The results show that these uncertainties can affect both hydrological and vegetation dynamics, especially in water-limited ecosystems. The uncertainties in evapotranspiration, plant productivity, and vegetation structure are around 10% at annual time scales, while uncertainties in runoff and groundwater recharge are one order of magnitude larger.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, Rebecca M. Diehl, Andrew C. Wilcox, John C. Stella, Li Kui
Summary: The strength of interactions between plants and river processes is influenced by plant traits and fluvial conditions. The differential effects of Tamarix and Populus on hydraulics, sediment transport, and river morphology were examined using flume, field, and modelling approaches. Differences in crown morphology, stem density, and flexibility favored aggradation associated with Tamarix, leading to faster geomorphic adjustments compared to Populus. These findings provide a basis for predicting changes in alluvial riverine systems and highlight the importance of considering plant traits and community structure in addition to flow and sediment supply.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, Rebecca M. Diehl, Andrew C. Wilcox, John C. Stella, Li Kui
Summary: The interaction between riparian vegetation and river processes is influenced by plant traits and fluvial conditions, with Tamarix and Populus species having differing effects on hydraulics, sediment transport, and river morphology. Differences in plant traits between the two species influence river adjustments at various scales, highlighting the importance of considering plant characteristics in river management and invasive species control.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jake R. Kurzweil, Reza Abdi, Larry Stevens, Terri S. Hogue
Summary: Spring ecosystems are crucial habitats for biodiversity and productivity, yet often overlooked. The Adapted Springs Ecosystem Assessment Protocol offers a simple and cost-effective method for evaluating and restoring springs. Results from the study on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County showed relatively good ecological integrity of the springs in the region.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Nannan Li, Lina Song, Dorothy Sack, Zhengyao Lu, Fengling Yu, Guizai Gao, Dehui Li, Mengzhen Li, Yue Yang, Yazhuo Zong, Dongmei Jie
Summary: This study reviews high-resolution pollen records and presents new phytolith-based paleovegetation reconstructions and physical geochemical datasets from a peat land in northeastern China. The results indicate that regional tree cover varied from 10% to 40% during the past five millennia. VPA demonstrates that long-term monsoon marginal vegetation successions were mainly caused by climate effects.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eli R. Perez-Ruiz, Enrique R. Vivoni, Enrico A. Yepez, Julio C. Rodriguez, David J. Gochis, Agustin Robles-Morua, Josue Delgado-Balbuena, David K. Adams
Summary: The study found that ecosystems at lower elevations experienced intense but short greening periods during the North American monsoon season, leading to net carbon release, while higher elevation ecosystems adopted extensive water use strategies with longer delayed greening periods, resulting in net carbon uptake. Access to groundwater reduced the dependence of certain ecosystems on seasonal rainfall.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Bianca R. Charbonneau, Adam Duarte, Todd M. Swannack, Bradley D. Johnson, Candice D. Piercy
Summary: In ecogeomorphic systems, there are complex couplings between geomorphology and ecology, where abiotic conditions influence vegetation growth and distribution, and the feedback from vegetation impacts topography. Communities play a role in storm response and landscape evolution. However, these systems, such as beach-dune habitats, are deteriorating due to anthropogenic modification and climate change. In order to develop a better understanding of the interactions between coastal vegetation communities and the environment, a structured approach is needed. The DOONIES Model, a spatially explicit process-based grid model, is presented to simulate the biological, physiological, and geomorphological drivers of landscape change in beach-dune habitats. The model focuses on vegetation growth, abundance, and spatial distribution dynamics, and it can be used to support restoration decisions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuqi Yu, Huapeng Qin
Summary: In this study, an eco-hydrological model was proposed to evaluate the effects of plant nitrogen uptake on the nitrogen removal performance of bioretention systems. The results showed that plant nitrogen uptake significantly affects the system's performance, especially during rainy seasons.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
K. B. Lininger, J. E. Scamardo, M. R. Guiney
Summary: This study assessed the influence of river corridor morphology and forest stand density on the depositional patterns of large wood (LW) and coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) on a floodplain after an extreme flood in West Creek, Colorado. The results showed the importance of extreme floods for LW deposition and highlighted the role of standing trees as trapping locations for CPOM. The study suggests that forested floodplains play a crucial role in providing habitat and nutrients to floodplain ecosystems, while also influencing geomorphic processes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sanna R. Piilo, Minna M. Valiranta, Matt J. Amesbury, Marco A. Aquino-Lopez, Dan J. Charman, Angela Gallego-Sala, Michelle Garneau, Natalia Koroleva, Mai Karppa, Anna M. Laine, A. Britta K. Sannel, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Hui Zhang
Summary: Climate warming leads to permafrost thaw in northern peatlands, increasing surface wetness and methane emissions. Hydrology plays a key role in peatland vegetation composition, which affects carbon dynamics. Peatland carbon budgets may become uncertain due to the accelerated plant production and peat decomposition caused by warming.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaohua Zhang, Xianli Xu, Zhenwei Li, Chaohao Xu, Wei Luo
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of different vegetation succession on soil quality in karst areas of southwest China. It found that secondary forest had the highest soil quality, followed by shrub and grass, with cropland having the lowest. Principal component analysis identified key indicators for soil quality, and the Minimum Data Set method effectively represented the Total Data Set method in quantifying the effects of vegetation succession on soil quality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Valenti Rull
Summary: This paper compares the impact of human settlement and landscape modifications on Rapa Nui and the Azores Islands. It discusses the similarities and differences between these two islands/archipelagos in terms of colonization, forest removal, and landscape transformations. The study uses evidence from various disciplines to gain a holistic understanding of the socioecological systems of these islands from a human ecodynamic perspective, and identifies unresolved issues and future research prospects.
Article
Agronomy
M. D. Petrie, N. P. Savage
Summary: Pinon pine-juniper woodlands in southern Nevada are influenced by multiple factors including climate, landscape attributes, and tree stand characteristics. The water balance of these woodlands is primarily driven by precipitation, but partitioning is shaped by potential evapotranspiration and tree stand density. Soil moisture and tree transpiration are highest in winter and spring, and lowest in summer. The increasing influence of interception at higher tree densities affects the water balance. Understanding these factors can help explain variations in water balance in woodlands across western US and predict future changes in pinon pine-juniper ecosystems.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ping Yu Fan, Kwok Pan Chun, Ana Mijic, Mou Leong Tan, Omer Yetemen
Summary: This study proposed a Local Land Use Planning framework for EvapoTranspiration Ratio regulations (ETR-LLUP), which was tested in the Dongjiang River Basin in Southern China. The results showed that the basin has been consistently water-limited and the situation is worsening. The spatially-varied land use strategies based on the ETR-LLUP framework allow for place-specific hydrological management during both dry and wet climates.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Friso Holwerda, Diego Salazar-Martinez, Thomas R. H. Holmes, Enrico A. Yepez, Christopher R. Hain, Susana Alvarado-Barrientos, Gregorio Angeles-Perez, Tulio Arredondo-Moreno, Josue Delgado-Balbuena, Bernardo Figueroa-Espinoza, Jaime Garatuza-Payan, Eugenia Gonzalez del Castillo, Julio C. Rodriguez, Nidia E. Rojas Rojas-Robles, Jorge M. Uuh-Sonda, Enrique Vivoni
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of remote sensing-based evapotranspiration (ET) products at low latitudes using an evaluation dataset compiled from eddy covariance data. Various statistical metrics were used to compare the performance of different products, and the results showed that the use of ETebc instead of ETorig affected the biases more than the correlations. However, the study also found that the vegetation mismatch between pixel and site did not significantly affect the evaluation results.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Qing He, Kwok Pan Chun, Bastien Dieppois, Liang Chen, Ping Yu Fan, Emir Toker, Omer Yetemen, Xicai Pan
Summary: This study analyzes the spatiotemporal variations of vegetation in Gansu, a transitional climate zone in Northwest China, and finds that the greening trend is linked to large-scale climate factors through water and energy dynamics. The study also predicts future scenarios for vegetation cover in Gansu based on climate models, indicating an increasing risk of desertification. Understanding the impact of large-scale climate variability on local ecosystems is important for future climate scenarios.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Eli R. Perez-Ruiz, Enrique R. Vivoni, Osvaldo E. Sala
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal variability and controls on net ecosystem production using 10 years of data in a mixed shrubland watershed of the Chihuahuan Desert. The findings revealed that excess water during the wet season can sustain annual ecosystem productivity by impacting subsequent dry season carbon uptake.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Kristen M. Whitney, Enrique R. Vivoni, Theodore J. Bohn, Giuseppe Mascaro, Zhaocheng Wang, Mu Xiao, Mohammed I. Mahmoud, Chuck Cullom, Dave D. White
Summary: Studies in the Colorado River Basin have found that warming has caused declines in streamflow since 2000, especially in the Upper Basin. However, it is uncertain if increased precipitation variability could outweigh the effects of future warming. To address this, a model framework was used to project streamflow across the entire basin, showing significant declines in streamflow due to warming and decreased precipitation. The spatial analysis provided actionable information for water management in the basin.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yuanyuan Chai, Hu Liu, Yang Yu, Qiyue Yang, Xiaoyou Zhang, Wenzhi Zhao, Li Guo, Omer Yetemen
Summary: A soil moisture data-driven method is tested and proved to be a reliable estimator of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) for homogeneous soils in an arid region. The method may have limitations when applied to soils with heterogeneities, leading to biased parameters and inaccurate estimates of ETa. The study demonstrates the potential of the method for accurate ETa estimation in certain growth stages but may underestimate ETa in the initial growing season.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Kristen M. Whitney, Enrique R. Vivoni, Dave D. White
Summary: Growing challenges of climate change require urgent shifts in scientific research to inform environmental decision-making. In the context of water management of the Colorado River Basin (CRB), a web-based tool, CRB-Scenario-Explorer, was developed to provide interactive visual assessments of modelled future CRB hydrology scenarios and support mindful interpretations. Incorporating water manager feedback and user-experience principles, the tool proved effective in assisting with the discovery that future CRB hydrology is more sensitive to climate uncertainty than forest disturbances, sparking discourse around risk management. CRB-Scenario-Explorer exemplifies a novel and effective method to increase the accessibility, applicability, and transparency of environmental science research.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Ferat Caglar, Omer Yetemen, Kwok Pan Chun, Omer Lutfi Sen
Summary: This study investigates the hydroclimatological impacts of the North Sea-Caspian Pattern (NCP) in the Euro-Mediterranean region by comparing it with dominant tropospheric teleconnections in Eurasia. The analysis reveals that the NCP is strongly correlated with Mediterranean trough displacement and the strength of the East Asian trough, indicating its role in climate variability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Steven R. Archer, Adam T. Naito, Philip Heilman, Enrique R. Vivoni, Russell L. Scott
Summary: This study documents the effects of a commonly used herbicide blend on Prosopis velutina in grazed Sonoran Desert grasslands. The herbicide treatment resulted in modest and short-term impacts, with a 7% mortality rate and a decline in foliar cover. The researchers suggest that knowledge of physiological activity and environmental conditions can help identify optimal times to apply herbicides.
RANGELAND ECOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sai S. Nudurupati, Erkan Istanbulluoglu, Gregory E. Tucker, Nicole M. Gasparini, Daniel E. J. Hobley, Eric W. H. Hutton, Katherine R. Barnhart, Jordan M. Adams
Summary: Projecting the response of arid and semi-arid ecosystems to global change involves integrating various analytical and numerical models. This study used the Landlab earth surface modeling toolkit to investigate the controls of exogenous drivers and endogenous grass-fire feedback mechanisms in New Mexico. The simulations showed that shrubs occupy cooler slopes in dry conditions and shift to warmer slopes as regional moisture increases. The expansion of woody plant encroachment is predicted to occur in three phases, with the second phase requiring the removal of positive grass-fire feedback by grazing or fire suppression.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuandong Wu, Hu Liu, Yang Yu, Wenzhi Zhao, Li Guo, Jintao Liu, Omer Yetemen
Summary: Solar farms are crucial for combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. In addition to generating renewable energy, these farms also impact microclimates and water distribution, leading to changes in carbon sequestration capacity. A study conducted in arid northern China using the SOFAR model revealed that large-scale solar farms significantly increased carbon sequestration capacity in different climatic conditions. The increase ranged from 3.49-6.68% in hyper-arid climates to 5.6% in semi-humid climates.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Kristen M. M. Whitney, Enrique R. R. Vivoni, Zhaocheng Wang, Dave D. D. White, Ray Quay, Mohammed I. I. Mahmoud, Nolie P. P. Templeton
Summary: Accelerated climate change and forest disturbances have significant impacts on water resources in the Colorado River Basin. Our stakeholder engagement and modeling process assesses these impacts, showing that permanent forest disturbances can improve streamflow conditions and reverse declines in supply efficiency under warm/wet climate scenarios, but not under hot/dry conditions.
JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ping Yu Fan, Kwok Pan Chun, Mou Leong Tan, Daphne Ngar-Yin Mah, Ana Mijic, Graham Strickert, Omer Yetemen
Summary: This study proposed and tested an approach to improve wayfinding in complex urban settings by incorporating spatial analysis of urban forms. The statistical analysis showed significant associations between urban spatial configurations and wayfinding. The findings suggest that dispersing certain types of urban forms and agglomerating others can improve wayfinding. This study provides empirically-supported solutions for spatial planning and insights for human-centered spatial planning.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hu Liu, Chuandong Wu, Yang Yu, Wenzhi Zhao, Jintao Liu, Hailong Yu, Yanli Zhuang, Omer Yetemen
Summary: This study presents a novel model (SOFAR) to investigate the hydrological behavior of utility-scale solar farms (USFs) and explores their effects on soil erosion and hydrological connectivity. The results show that USFs significantly increase runoff and soil erosion rate, and hydrological connectivity is a critical indicator for sediment yield in USFs.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zachary T. Keller, Enrique R. Vivoni, Charles R. Kimsal, Agustin Robles-Morua, Eli R. Perez-Ruiz
Summary: This study investigates the controls and thresholds of hillslope-channel connectivity in a small desert catchment. Results show that maximum rainfall intensity plays a crucial role in hillslope runoff production, and changes in channel properties may reduce outlet discharge.
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.