scholarly journals Legacy of Human Impact on Geomorphic Processes in Mountain Headwater Streams in the Perspective of European Cultural Landscapes

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Tomáš Galia

Mountain headwater streams are still somewhat on the boundary of interest regarding possible human impact on their morphology or geomorphic processes, which may be caused by our perception of mountains as islands of relatively preserved natural conditions. This paper summarizes the past and present human pressure on the headwater streams that drain the highest mountain ranges of the Outer Western Carpathians in Czechia. Anthropogenic pressure began in this region in the 16th century during a colonization of the mountains and continued by timber harvesting, timber floating, and construction of torrent control works until present. Each of these interventions produced a morphological response of the channels in relation to altered sediment or water fluxes at the whole catchment scale or within longitudinal stream profiles. Because it is highly unlikely to reach pre-settlement conditions of the channels, the management effort should be concentrated to achieve realistic restoration targets under the present socioeconomic circumstances by taking into consideration the morphodynamical specifics of mountain headwater streams.

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 53-68
Author(s):  
I. V. Goncharenko ◽  
H. M. Holyk

Cenotic diversity and leading ecological factors of its floristic differentiation were studied on an example of two areas – Kyiv parks "Nivki" and "Teremki". It is shown that in megalopolis the Galeobdoloni-Carpinetum impatientosum parviflorae subassociation is formed under anthropogenic pressure on the typical ecotope of near-Dnieper hornbeam oak forests on fresh gray-forest soils. The degree of anthropogenic transformation of cenofloras can be estimated by the number of species of Robinietea and Galio-Urticetea classes, as well as neophytes and cultivars. Phytoindication for hemeroby index may be also used in calculation. We propose the modified index of biotic dispersion (normalized by alpha-diversity) for the estimation of ecophytocenotic range (beta-diversity) of releves series. We found that alpha-diversity initially increases (due to the invasion of antropophytes) at low level of antropogenic pressure, then it decreases (due to the loss of aboriginal species) secondarily with increasing of human impact. Also we found that beta-diversity (differential diversity) decreases, increasing homogeneity of plant cover, under the influence of anthropogenic factor. Vegetation classification was completed by a new original method of cluster analysis, designated as DRSA («distance-ranked sorting assembling»). The classification quality is suggested to be validated on the "seriation" diagram, which is а distance matrix between objects with gradient filling. Dark diagonal blocks confirm clusters’ density (intracluster compactness), uncolored off-diagonal blocks are evidence in favor of clusters’ isolation (intercluster distinctness). In addition, distinction of clusters (syntaxa) in ordination area suggests their independence. For phytoindication we propose to include only species with more than 10% constancy. Furthermore, for the description of syntaxonomic amplitude we suggest to use 25%-75% interquartile scope instead of mean and standard deviation. It is shown that comparative analysis of syntaxa for each ecofactor is convenient to carry out by using violin (bulb) plots. A new approach to the phytoindication of syntaxa, designated as R-phytoindication, was proposed for our study. In this case, the ecofactor values, calculated for individual releves, are not taken into account, however, the composition of cenoflora with species constancies is used that helps us to minimize for phytoindication the influence of non-typical species. We suggested a syntaxon’s amplitude to be described by more robust statistics: for the optimum of amplitude (central tendency) – by a median (instead of arithmetic mean), and for the range of tolerance – by an interquartile scope (instead of standard deviation). We assesses amplitudes of syntaxa by phytoindication method for moisture (Hd), acidity (Rc), soil nitrogen content (Nt), wetting variability (vHd), light regime (Lc), salt regime (Sl). We revealed no significant differences on these ecofactors among ecotopes of our syntaxa, that proved the variant syntaxonomic rank for all syntaxa. We found that the core of species composition of our phytocenoses consists of plants with moderate requirements for moisture, soil nitrogen, light and salt regime. We prove that the leading factor of syntaxonomic differentiation is hidden anthropogenic, which is not subject to direct measurement. But we detect that hidden factor of "human pressure" was correlated with phytoindication parameters (variables) that can be measured "directly" by species composition of plant communities. The most correlated factors were ecofactors of soil nitrogen, wetting variability, light regime and hemeroby. The last one is the most indicative empirically for the assessment of "human impact". We establish that there is a concept of «hemeroby of phytocenosis» (tolerance to human impact), which can be calculated approximately as the mean or the median of hemeroby scores of individual species which are present in it.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Duquesne ◽  
Christine Plumejeaud-Perreau ◽  
Jean-Michel Carozza

<p><span>Although many studies have analyzed the impact of human interventions on European rivers over decades or centuries, researchers have rarely evaluated the geomorphological effects of these anthropogenic pressures on fluvial systems. However, quantifying anthropogenic impacts is fundamental to understanding how rivers are affected by human interventions and to improving the river management and restoration. The aim of this study is to propose a new and original qualitative method to estimate the importance of human impacts on rivers over the last three centuries using the middle Charente River as a test case. The study area is an anastomosing, low-energy and little mobile river of the lowlands of Western France. It extends from the city of Angoulême (Charente) to the city of Saintes (Charente-Maritime), with a length of approximately 100 km. The study segment has been subjected to high anthropogenic pressure since the High Middle Ages, and it was enhanced during the 19th century to facilitate navigation and terrestrial transportation, to ensure the exploitation of the water's driving force (water mills and paper mills), to maintain the local people (fishing dams and agro-pastoral uses) and to allow for flood protection. To understand and estimate the anthropogenic heritage of the Charente River, this study employed a two-stage method: 1) an inventory of the human interventions on the fluvial system through the consultation of geo-historical data (textual archives, historical maps and iconography) dating from the end of the 17th century to the 2010s and 2) an evaluation of the human impact of each human intervention, sub-category and category of intervention based on the calculation of the Cumulative Human Impact Index. The Cumulative Human Impact Index is composed of several qualitative attributes graded by an evaluator. The results allow one 1) to generate a database and typology of the human interventions affecting the middle Charente River over the long term; 2) to map the cumulative impacts of human interventions on the study area; and 3) to analyze the unitary and overall impact of each human intervention, sub-category and category of intervention on the river landscape's heritage. Finally, this study concludes with 1) a discussion of the advantages of using a qualitative methodology for the estimation of anthropogenic impacts and 2) a reflection on the use of the maps of cumulative human impacts for Charente River management and restoration.</span></p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 442 ◽  
pp. 420-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jes J. Rasmussen ◽  
Ursula S. McKnight ◽  
Maria C. Loinaz ◽  
Nanna I. Thomsen ◽  
Mikael E. Olsson ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Barbara PRUS ◽  
Stanisław BACIOR ◽  
Małgorzata DUDZIŃSKA

Intensity of land use could be considered as an indicator of rate of anthropogenic impact on landscape (CAI) and the coefficient of ecological stability (CES). These two bio-indexes are based on the land use categories. The CAI coefficient is the ratio of the sum of percentile areas of land characterized by considerable human impact in relation to the sum of percentile areas of lands with low or none anthropogenic pressure. The CES index describes the structure of land use in one unit according to land use categories weighted by given coefficients. The calculation of the complex integral index enables to know the potential of the environment, i.e. a natural resource reserve with a structure that allows self-regulation of ecosystems and expresses the environment's resistance to bearing anthropogenic loads. The aim of the study is to analyze the historical land use changes (in the period of 1845-2016) in rural areas of Southern Poland using bio-indexes such as the anthropogenic impact on landscape (CAI) and the coefficient of ecological stability (CES). The analysis led to the conclusion about the strong dynamics of changes during this period which is largely due to the growth of the percentile areas of lands with considerable human impact especially after the historical transformation in 1989 in Poland. At the same time, the attention should be paid to the land use changes as an effect of growing suburbanization. The results of the study can be used by public authorities, citizens and governing bodies to form a system of measures to calculate environmental potential and modelling changes which ensure the environmental protection and sustainable development of rural areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-265
Author(s):  
Margarette Bayrón-Arcelay ◽  
Kyara Rodríguez-Camacho ◽  
Dimaris Acosta-Mercado

ABSTRACT It is well established that sediment composition plays an important role in shaping the community of benthic foraminifera (e.g., species richness). To our knowledge, there is little information about morphometric variations in benthic foraminifera in relation to sediment composition and organic matter content. However, given their sensitivity to these environmental variables, variations in size (width and height of the test) and shape (form of the test) of the foraminifera could provide information about potential disturbances, serving as an index of anthropogenic pressure for coastal ecosystems. In this study, we used geometric morphometrics to compare the average size and shape of a common species, Bolivina lowmani, among islets in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. We hypothesized that the average size and shape of B. lowmani will be different among islets. We further hypothesize that there will be a concomitant morphometric gradient of B. lowmani with sediment particle size and organic matter content. After a random sampling approach, we found that size regressed as a function of mud content and shape variations regressed as a function of organic matter content. Therefore, sediment composition could be a factor affecting foraminiferal growth rates highlighting that the morphometrics of benthic foraminifera could be added to the list of potential indexes that could be used to track current environmental degradation in coastal habitats. Furthermore, our data validate the sensitivity of foraminifera and their usefulness as indicators of environmental hazards.


Episodes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Lajczak ◽  
Wlodzimierz Margielewski ◽  
Zofia Raczkowska Jolanta Swiechowicz

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 45-54
Author(s):  
S. S. Melnychuk ◽  
G. G. Trokhymenko

Heavy metals like ekopolyudanty have a high capacity for bioaccumulation, toxicity and significant mobility in the environment. Since the bulk of the land is plants, it is important to identify the processes of migration and accumulation of heavy metals in them. But keep in mind that the level of heavy metal accumulation in plants of different taxonomic groups are not the same. Cumulative capacity of plants depends on many factors: the type of soil, humidity, altitude, meteorological characteristics of the region and landscape, and more. It should be noted that the migration of heavy metals from soil to plants depends on the concentration of mobile forms in soil. Once the soil heavy metals are constantly migrating, moving to some form of chemical compounds. Although soils are characterized by resistance to chemical contamination due to its ability to accumulate and neutralize ecotoxicants. But it is significant accumulation in soil heavy metals leads to lower pH of the soil and destroys the soil-absorbing complex. The object of study in this paper selected park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav» which Presidential Decree Ukraine in 2009 was granted the status of National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav», so the park is virtually unexplored. The aim is to study the phenomenon of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in soil and plants cover various ecotheitons and their influence on the processes of human transformation in these florocomplexes. For the past 10 years the National Park is undergoing significant anthropogenic pressure on transport, recreation, hotels and aggressive recreational activities. So one of the important aspects of solving the problem is to provide control and accounting of vehicles, which enters the territory of spit and emission monitoring (especially heavy metals) which makes transport and monitoring of soil and vegetation that will characterize the current state of ecosystems National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav» and anticipate negative processes that occur in ecosystems of different levels. To study the vegetation of the National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav» that is able to accumulate heavy metals in significant quantities were selected samples of the dominant plant species in various microflorocomplexes. For more detailed specifications the transformation of these substances in the soil and their translocation in plants and soil samples were taken at a depth of 20 cm. In the study the accumulation of heavy metals in soils contributes primarily low acidity (neutral and slightly alkaline pH) soil horizons in gleying cuts low values ​​of redox potential and high content of amorphous hydroxides Fe. The remaining soil parameters – a low content of organic matter, light texture, low cation exchange capacity value (ECO) soil absorbing complex, a high redox potential – are unfavorable factors for the accumulation of heavy metals in soils. Analysis of mobile forms of heavy metals in the soil studied florocomplexes showed that the majority of indicators does not exceed the MCL. This minimum figure for cadmium Li, Aln, Qbp, apparently caused by acidity (pH) of the soil. Overall indicators of cadmium in florocomplexes studied ranged from 0 to 0.7 mg / kg. The maximum amount of cadmium in Mar (0,6 mg / kg), Rap (0,7 mg / kg) and only they exceed the MCL level that caused considerable indirect influence, since these florocomplexes heavy metals fall on the Dnieper River from cities and businesses located upstream. Indicators of copper in florocomplexes fluctuate within 0.5–4.0 mg / kg, thus exceeding the MCL only Mar (3,2 mg / kg), Rap (4,0 mg / kg), which reduces the enzymatic activity of soil. Similar figures have nickel 0.5–5.0 mg / kg, exceeding the MCL in Mar and Rap. Number of lead in the top layer of soil depends not only on the human impact, but also from iron oxides, which can form complexes with Lead. As he studied florokompleksah ranges from 0.8–3.8 mg / kg, and not exceeding the MCL. The maximum of the number of zinc – 2.5–7.1 mg / kg, which is caused by the structure of the parent rock, characterized by a large number of iron oxides and pH in which it is possible absorption of lead hydroxide. However, no figure does not exceed the MCL. So low rates of bioaccumulation factors indicate a low level of accumulation of heavy metals in soils of ecotheitons of National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav», i.e. minor processes of human impacts on natural ecosystems. Sandy soils are characterized by low absorptive capacity, and a weak hold heavy metals except molybdenum and selenium. Because plants easily adsorb them, some of them even in very small concentrations have a toxic effect. So exceeded MPC Dominant Mar, Rap – Zoctera marina L. and Ruppia cirrhoza (Petagma) Grande. indicate intense indirect human impact on water florocomplexes that are part of the National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav» because these florocomplexes heavy metals fall on the Dnieper River from cities and businesses that are located upstream. The lowest coefficients of accumulation in the soil and in plants characteristic of Hy and Lst, which is caused by geographical barriers that protect them from human activity. For values of absorption coefficients biotic can conclude not only the role of individual species of plants and vegetation in the whole cycle of elements in the ecosystem, but also the ecosystem’s ability to cleanse itself. In florocomplexes of National Park «Biloberezhzhya Svyatoslav» is obviously particularly important role in the self-cleaning from heavy metals play the genera Phragmites Trin. ex Steud. and Zoctera L., both because of the high intensity of the absorption element (Zoctera L.), and because of the high biomass of these species in communities (Phragmites Trin. ex Steud.). Among the analyzed dominant species, growing on uncontaminated and contaminated areas revealed two species hiperakumulyatory heavy metals – Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud and Zoctera marina L. addition to those of the common species that accumulate significant biomass and have relatively high rates of accumulation of Cd, Zn, Pb, – a species: Grindelia squarrosa L., Salicornia prostrata Pall., Poa angustifolia L., which can be recommended as objects of future field experiments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 1956-1974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Burtin ◽  
Niels Hovius ◽  
David T. Milodowski ◽  
Yue-Gau Chen ◽  
Yih-Min Wu ◽  
...  

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