Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ci-Jian Yang, Jens M. Turowski, Niels Hovius, Jiun-Chuan Lin, Kuo-Jen Chang
Summary: The study found that individual rainfall events in the badlands of SW Taiwan caused quantifiable landscape changes, with typhoon rain reducing hillslope gradients and lower-intensity precipitation either steepening or flattening the landscape. The observed steep topography may be due to the 2016 earthquake.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thomas G. Bernard, Philippe Davy, Dimitri Lague
Summary: Topographic metrics are used to quantify the relationships between geometric properties of landscapes and reveal the processes shaping them. Traditional methods are unable to accurately analyze high resolution flow patterns and width, so new methods are required. In this study, 2D hydraulic simulations are used to analyze landform structures such as hillslope-channel connections and floodplains. The simulations provide better identification of hillslope-channel connections and estimation of river flow width. The use of these simulations opens up new perspectives in high resolution landform analysis.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Timothy J. Daniel, John Richendrfer, Ronald Falta, Lawrence Murdoch, Henry Lin, Christophe J. G. Darnault
Summary: The objective of this study was to identify and relate any bedrock fracture traces and surface depressions to any surficial or geomorphologic processes currently underway as a result of irrigation. The study found that fractures in the Living Filter area have a predominant NE-SW trend, which correlates with the location of surface depressions. The study also observed a decrease in land area in the agricultural portion and an increase in land area in the forested portion of the site. These findings enhance the understanding of morphologic characteristics of forested and agricultural depressions in karst topography and can be applied to similar sites with bedrock fractures.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tunahan Aykut, Cengiz Yildirim, I. Tonguc Uysal
Summary: In this study, new kinematic data and high-resolution digital elevation models were used to understand the deformation pattern and its relation with crustal deformation. Geomorphic analysis revealed an actively deforming post-orogenic topography, with an increasing trend from west to east. The highest uplift values were found in the Alanya-Basyayla-Ermenek-Gazipasa quadrangle. Active NE-SW extensional deformation was observed in a 200 km zone in the north of the subduction. These findings have significant implications for understanding the morphotectonic evolution and post-orogenic deformation in the plateau margins and geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Article
Geography, Physical
Veit Nottebaum, Georg Stauch, Jorien L. N. van der Wal, Anja Zander, Frank Schluetz, Lyudmila Shumilovskikh, Klaus Reicherter, Ochirbat Batkhishig, Frank Lehmkuhl
Summary: This study investigates the late Quaternary development of the sedimentary system of Orog Nuur Basin in southern Mongolia, revealing the palaeoenvironmental changes and multiple lake level variations. Through paleoshoreline mapping and dating, researchers identified the lake level history and found the expansions during late MIS 5 and MIS 3 were of similar magnitude. The study highlights the valuable landscape and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions offered by the Orog Nuur Basin archives for supraregional comparisons.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Bernard Delcaillau, Fabien Graveleau, Dimitri Saint Carlier, Gang Rao, Maryline Le Beon, Julien Charreau, Maelle Nexer
Summary: This study conducted a detailed analysis of the Qiulitage fold belt in the Kuqa foreland based on open-access DEMs and field work. The results indicate that the fold belt consists of six morphological units and has undergone interactions during vertical growth and lateral propagation of the folds. The structural evolution of the fold belt has significantly influenced the development of major rivers and minor rivers.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Matan Ben-Asher, Itai Haviv, Onn Crouvi, Joshua J. Roering, Ari Matmon
Summary: The study found that the denudation rates of carbonate hillslopes increase with mean annual rainfall, and less resistant carbonates (chalk) experience faster denudation rates relative to more resistant dolo-limestone. Soil production exhibits a humped dependency on soil thickness, and hilltop curvature varies as a function of rainfall and dust flux.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rocio Gomez, Miguel G. Vilar, Marco Antonio Meraz-Rios, David Veliz, Gerardo Zuniga, Esther Alheli Hernandez-Tobias, Maria Del Pilar Figueroa-Corona, Amanda C. Owings, Jill B. Gaieski, Theodore G. Schurr
Summary: This study conducted a high-resolution Y chromosome analysis on Native Mexican populations, revealing enormous paternal genetic diversity and connections with indigenous populations from South-Central Siberia and Canada. The results suggest that multiple population dispersals contributed to the Y chromosome diversity in these populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Veronica Carolina Rosas-Espinoza, Karen Elizabeth Pena-Joya, Eliza Alvarez-Grzybowska, Arquimedes Alfredo Godoy-Gonzalez, Ana Luisa Santiago-Perez, Fabian Alejandro Rodriguez-Zaragoza
Summary: Land use in Mexico has undergone significant changes recently, with deforested areas being converted into agricultural land. This study evaluated the taxonomic and functional diversity of amphibians in a heterogeneous landscape in west-central Mexico. Results showed that different land cover/use types had varying effects on amphibian diversity.
Article
Ecology
Cloe X. Perez-Valladares, Ana I. Moreno-Calles, Jean F. Mas, Alejandro Velazquez
Summary: This study used species distribution modeling to analyze the impact of social factors on the distribution of plant communities, using the palm-stands of Brahea dulcis in central-southern Mexico as a case study. The results showed that social factors had the greatest influence on palm-stand distribution, verifying a strong association with their presence. The research revealed the importance of social factors in palm-stand distribution, emphasizing the significance of long-standing human actions in forming palm-stands.
Article
Plant Sciences
Valerio Castro-Lopez, Gabriela Dominguez-Vazquez, Gerald A. Islebe, Angel Guadalupe Priego-Santander, Alejandro Velazquez
Summary: Modern pollen rain analysis is useful for understanding the relationship between pollen and vegetation, as well as improving the understanding of pollen spectra in sediments by reconstructing past vegetation changes. This study evaluated the pollen and vegetation relationships across the landscape mosaic in central Mexico using multivariate analysis and ecological index, identifying three vegetation types and their distribution patterns in different terrain. The results support future interpretations of paleoecological investigations.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yong Zhang, Chao Jiang, Sheng Chen, Yuanyuan Zhang, Hui Shi, Bin Chen, Lingfeng Mao
Summary: The study compared bird species richness in university campuses in Nanjing, analyzing the effects of landscape attributes on species diversity. It found that water and green space area increases were positively correlated with bird species richness. The fragmentation of the buffer area also impacted bird species richness and diversity.
Article
Ecology
Priyanka Maiti, Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal, K. Chandra Sekar, K. V. Satish, Dalbeer Singh, Nisha Bisht, Anand Kumar, Satish Chandra Arya, Mahesha Nand, R. C. Sundriyal
Summary: This study investigates the ecological status and restoration strategies for alpine and sub-alpine areas in the Darma-Byans landscape of the Central Himalayan region in India. The results show natural regeneration of biodiversity in the alpine meadows and suggest sustainable restoration strategies including grazing management and eco-tourism practices.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lourdes de la Torre-Robles, Carlos Munoz-Robles, Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald, Juan Antonio Reyes-Aguero
Summary: Soil aggregate stability is a critical indicator for soil structure and potential degradation in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in understanding gully erosion. This study aimed to analyze soil aggregate stability at different positions along gully walls and explore the relationships between stability and local and landscape conditions. The study found that the highest soil aggregate stability was observed at the headscarps, while the lowest stability was found at the gully bottoms. Macroaggregate stability was related to terrain attributes, ground cover, and gully dimensions, while microaggregate stability was associated with ground cover, terrain attributes, gully dimensions, and proximity to roads and farm dams. This knowledge is valuable for understanding gully erosion and developing restoration strategies in semi-arid regions.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
M. G. Gomez-Vasconcelos, D. R. Avellan, D. Soria-Caballero, J. L. Macias, M. M. Velazquez-Bucio, A. Jimenez-Haro, I. Israde-Alcantara, V. H. Garduno-Monroy, J. A. Avila-Olivera, A. G. Figueroa-Soto, G. Cisneros-Maximo, S. Cardona-Melchor
Summary: The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is characterized by several arc-parallel tectonic lake basins with normal faults shaping the landscape. The Cuitzeo Lake basin in the central part of the volcanic arc shows neotectonic fault activity, providing important insights into regional seismic hazard. Characterizing earthquake sources in this basin is essential for territorial planning and understanding seismic risk in the region.
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
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
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
Biodiversity Conservation
Bikem Ekberzade, Omer Yetemen, Omer Lutfi Sen, H. Nuzhet Dalfes
Summary: The aim of this study is to estimate the potential distribution of Turkey's forests and their composition by filling a gap in previous research on European forest taxa distribution. The researchers used high resolution climate data and a vegetation model to simulate the distribution, and adjusted the parameters based on observed data to improve the accuracy of the simulations.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Aydogan Avcioglu, Tolga Gorum, Abdullah Akbas, Mariano Moreno-de las Heras, Cengiz Yildirim, Omer Yetemen
Summary: This study provides an integrative new insight into the distribution, characteristics, and controlling factors of badland landscapes in Turkey on a broader regional scale. The results indicate that temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, and precipitation seasonality are predominantly associated with badland clusters. Clastic rocks and the tectonic and climatic dynamics of Turkey play crucial roles in the development and distribution of these landscapes.
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.
