International Collaboration in the Compilation of Monographs on the Geography of Individual Socialist Countries

The paper describes an attempt to determine the causes of the development of the present gully network in the steppe and forest-steppe of the European part of the USSR. The authors develop a technique that involves comparing the number of gullies derived from a map of gully density with the number of gullies derived from data on the expansion of the cropland area within the boundaries of the prerevolutionary guberniyas (major civil divisions). The authors conclude from the close correspondence of the two sets of figures that the great majority of gullies could have been formed as a result of the plowing up of the land over the 150 to 300 years of agricultural land use in the study region and can therefore be assumed to have arisen as a result of human activities.     

Human-planted alder trees as a protection against debris flows (a dendrochronological study from the Moxi Basin, Southwestern China)

Large debris flows have destroyed the infrastructure and caused the death of people living in the Moxi Basin (Sichuan Province, Southwestern China). Inhabitants of the Moxi Basin live on the flat surfaces of debris-flow fans, which are also attractive for farming. During the monsoon season debris flows are being formed above the fans. Debris flows can destroy the houses of any people living within the fan surfaces. In order to prevent the adverse effects of flows, people plant alder trees (Alnus nepalensis) at the mouths of debris flow gullies running above debris flow fans. Alders are able to capture the debris transported during flow events. Trees are well adapted to surviving in conditions of environmental stress connected with abrupt transport and deposition of sediment from debris flows. Numerous wounds, tilting and bending of alder trees caused by debris flows only very rarely cause the death of trees. By dating scars and dating the time of alder tilting (through the analysis of annual rings), we have determined the frequency of debris flows occurring at the mouth of the Daozhao valley. In 1980–2012 within the studied debris-flow fan and the Daozhao gully, 2 large debris flow events occurred (1996, 2005) and some smaller events were probably recorded every 2–3 years.     

元代以来洛川塬区沟谷发育速度和土壤侵蚀强度研究

文章用史料考证和实地考察相结合的方法 ,以陕西洛川旧县古城的兴废为地面解译标志 ,以旧县南沟为研究小流域 ,恢复了元代以来洛川黄土塬区沟谷发育与土壤侵蚀过程。计算出了不同时段南沟的沟谷发育速度、土壤侵蚀强度。通过分析得出元代以来洛川塬区沟谷发育速度、土壤侵蚀强度有加剧的趋势 ,其变化与气候变迁、人类活动关系密切 ;降水量较丰富时沟谷发育、土壤侵蚀较强 ;人为加速侵蚀与自然侵蚀相叠加是近现代洛川塬区沟谷发育、土壤侵蚀剧烈的主要原因。建国后黄土高原水土保持效果显著     

基于定量分析的克孜尔尕哈烽燧遗址本体病害特征研究

克孜尔尕哈烽燧遗址本体发育主要病害为裂隙、掏蚀、冲沟、坍塌和片状剥蚀。为了确定病害是否危及遗址稳定,为保护工作提供有效数据支持,采用OKIO-Ⅱ光栅式三维扫描系统进行了14个月8期次的高精度病害变化特征监测。通过监测数据发现,遗址本体风化年缩进量比较大,北立面风化缩进量最大、风化最严重,西立面次之,南立面最小。冲沟侵蚀缩进量受水流作用的影响小于风化作用的影响,病害特征为:沿中心线侵蚀量大,冲沟两侧小;顶部侵蚀量大,底部小。掏蚀病害发展速率居首位,掏蚀区纵深缩进量两端变化较大,中间变化较小。裂隙病害扩张幅度较小,但绝大部分横向扩张,少数呈现横向收缩现象,整体趋势是扩张的。目前遗址发育的主要病害不影响遗址的整体稳定性,为遗址保护措施的选择提供了有效的数据支持。     

Estimation of Soil Erosion Using Field and Modelling Approaches in an Undisturbed Arnhem Land Catchment,Northern Territory,Australia

An assessment of slope erosion at Tin Camp Creek catchment, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, was carried out using the fallout environmental radioisotope caesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) as an indicator of soil erosion status, two numerical models (SIBERIA and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)) and erosion pins. This undisturbed drainage basin is situated in the seasonally wet‐dry tropics, with high energy storms and a mean annual rainfall of 1389 mm. Tin Camp Creek catchment is unaffected by European agriculture or pastoral activities, but often experiences fire during the dry season. Two transects were sampled for ¹³⁷Cs in 2002 and 2004, and two models were used to convert ¹³⁷Cs measurements into soil loss estimates. Two methods using the theoretical Profile Distribution Model (PDM) gave net soil redistribution rates between +2.72 and –22.19 t ha^?1 yr^?1 and +2.95 and –24.06 t ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively, while an Australian empirical model (AEM) for uncultivated soils produced estimates between +1.84 and –7.00 t ha^?1 yr^?1 (negative values indicate soil erosion, positive, deposition). The RUSLE gave estimated soil losses for the two transects of approximately 10 t ha^?1 yr^?1, while the SIBERIA model produced values between 0.5 and 2 t ha^?1 yr^?1 for the transects and between 3.5 and 11 t ha^?1 yr^?1 for the total catchment. Average net soil losses of 14 and 15 t ha^?1 yr^?1 for the total catchment and slopes, respectively, were measured by erosion pins. The soil losses in the catchment are similar to those for some other transects in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia (measured by the ¹³⁷Cs AEM), even though these areas are affected by pastoral activities. This may be at least partly explained by erosion in Tin Camp Creek catchment during high intensity rainstorms at the commencement of the wet season, especially if the slopes have been affected by fire during the previous dry season.     

An assessment of blanket mire degradation and Peatland Gully development in the Cheviot Hills,Northumberland

This paper provides the first systematic assessment of blanket mire degradation in the east Cheviot Hills, Northumberland. The extent of erosion is mapped over a 32 km² area of peat. Erosion affects 37% of the blanket peat. Erosion forms consist of anastomosing (7%), linear (21%) and dendritic (9%) gully systems together with peat slides (<1%). Topography is the primary influence on gully system pattern. Spatial variations in gully form can be partly explained by position in the stream network (stream order) and local variations in the depth of peat. A sequential scheme of gully development is described. Gullies evolve initially through a phase of rapid downcutting to the peat base, followed by lateral erosion and gully widening becoming dominant through a process of roughly parallel wall retreat. As gully width increases re‐deposition of peat occurs and re‐vegetation occurs on the gully floor. Comparative photography reveals that gully patterns have been stable over the past 32 years and in some areas for over 70 years. It is possible that gully systems in places are in excess of 500 years old.     

Conservation of the Rendezvous Creek and Nursery Swamp 2 Aboriginal painting sites,Namadgi National Park,ACT

Abstract

The unique range of Late Holocene Aboriginal paintings in the granodiorite rock shelter at Rendezvous Creek is threatened by dust stirred up by people visiting. Weddellite and whewellite are preferentially developed in specific dripline and rock face zones at Rendezvous Creek in response to distinct environmental factors. Exfoliation and water wash remove pigments at Nursery Swamp 2. Conservation measures are proposed to reduce the accumulation of dust at Rendezvous Creek and to slow the deterioration of the paintings at both sites.     

Underground drainage at Mole Creek,Tasmania

Complex patterns of groundwater flow exist in the Mole Creek karst area, Tasmania. Many surface drainage divides are breached underground The evolution of the drainage has been dominated by (I) the deflection of streams along the strike of the limestone beds; (2) progressive changes to hydraulic gradients; and (3) a history of climate change during the Quaternary that has seen drainage diverted underground by glaciers and/or by proglacial and periglacial sedimentation     

西晋以来彭原古城附近沟谷的演变与复原

根据历史文献和考古调查,确定出甘肃省庆阳市西峰区彭原乡的两座古城遗址分别是后汉富平县城(GC1)和唐宋彭原县城(GC2),唐宋彭原县是北魏永和元年(434年)以后从今庙头嘴村搬迁到南庄村。据此推断泾河四级支流、马莲河三级支流彭原沟(当地称湫沟)流域的现代侵蚀沟,是在此年以后开始发育的。利用黄土高原现代侵蚀沟地貌年龄计算公式,计算出彭原沟主干沟道现代侵蚀沟的地貌年龄为1669±819年,沟口附近的现代侵蚀沟发育于西晋成帝咸康五年(339年)前后,其主要分支沟谷现代侵蚀沟的地貌年龄介于900±442～1300±638年之间。沟头平均延伸速度为3.367m/a,沟谷平均下切速度为0.063m/a,平均加宽速度0.19m/a。公式计算结果与考古结果基本相符,研究结果具有较高的信度。依此结果,将彭原沟及其支流地貌复原至西晋时期。     

Marine trophic levels targeted between AD 300 and 1500 on the Georgia coast,USA

The marine trophic levels targeted during Swift Creek (AD 300–700) and Savannah (AD 1200–1500) occupations at the Cathead Creek site (9Mc360) and at two sites from the Kings Bay Locality (9CAM171a, 9CAM177), coastal Georgia, USA, differ in a consistent temporal and spatial pattern. Vertebrate and invertebrate remains from these three coastal sites contain similar suites of estuarine animals. However, Swift Creek peoples at these distinct hydrological settings obtained more biomass from fishes and less from molluscs compared to the subsequent Savannah occupants. The two Swift Creek faunal collections are less rich, more diverse, and more equitable than the two subsequent Savannah collections regardless of location. Furthermore, the mean trophic level is higher in the Swift Creek collections compared to the Savannah ones at both locations. These observations apply to both biomass and Minimum Number of Individuals. These differences likely are defining characteristics distinguishing the Swift Creek and the Savannah economies. More research is needed to determine the extent to which these temporal and spatial patterns are attributable to environmental and cultural variables.     

Tephrochronology,Environmental Change and the Norse Settlement of Iceland

Abstract

The first human impacts on the Icelandic environment came with the Norse colonisation or Landnám of the ninth century AD. The colonisation represents a fundamental environmental change that is both rapid and profound. In this paper we assess geomorphological dimensions of the initial settlement period using a tephrochronology that includes the Landnám Tephra, erupted ca. 870 AD, two tenth century AD tephras KR 920 and E 935, and 11 other well dated tephra layers. We report a new ¹⁴C age of 1676 ±12 ¹⁴C yr BP (cal AD 345 (400) 419) for the tephra SILK-YN which forms a key prehistoric marker horizon that constrains rates of environmental change in the centuries before Norse Settlement. Aeolian sediment accumulation rates show five geomorphological responses to settlement that differ in the rate and trajectory of change. These distinct anthropogenic signals are the result of spatially variable sensitivity to grazing and deforestation, and reflect the extent of local soil erosion. This critical erosion threshold is variable in space and time.     

The identification and significance of Apalachicola for the origins of the Creek Indians in the Southeastern United States

Apalachicola was a Hitchitee community that was considered the capital of the Creek Nation during the seventeenth and eighteenth century in the Southeastern United States. The role of this community in the formation of the southeastern political and cultural geography is paramount because of their coalescence with emigrant Muscogee people. In this article, I synthesize 10 years of research at the site and clarify the population history of this community. The research demonstrates the formation of the Creek culture area in the material record. Pottery surface decoration becomes measurably homogenous and I interpret this pattern as a result of that cultural development.     

Ancient Maya wood selection and forest exploitation: a view from the Paynes Creek salt works,Belize

Ancient building construction wood preserved in a peat bog below the seafloor in a shallow mangrove lagoon in Paynes Creek National Park, Belize, provides an exceptional record of Classic Maya wood use. Identifications of construction wood at Early Classic Chan B'i, and Late Classic Atz'aam Na, are reported and discussed to assess forest exploitation and species selection over time. Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) dominates the Early Classic assemblage. The Late Classic assemblage is characterized by greater variability and an absence of mangrove species. When considered in the environmental context, identified species conform to principles of optimal foraging. The change in the wood assemblage over time suggests overexploitation of forest resources, resulting in deforestation of the local landscape and subsequent adaptation of foraging behavior. Deforestation is linked to the wider social context in which growing inland populations created demand for salt, putting greater pressure on the forest resources exploited by the Paynes Creek salt works for fuel and timber.     

降雨对榆阳区明长城单体建筑破坏模式的试验研究

前期调查分析可知,降雨对榆阳区明长城单体建筑的破坏形式包括水力侵蚀和重力侵蚀两大类,主要影响因素为降雨特征、遗址保存形态和遗址土的性质。为了进一步了解降雨对该类土遗址的破坏方式及主要影响因素作用特点,按照相似理论要求设计模型试验,研究了降雨对榆阳区明长城单体建筑的破坏模式。试验结果表明,降雨对遗址模型的破坏方式与前期调查分析结果基本一致,水力侵蚀方式有冲沟侵蚀、片流面蚀、流水淘蚀和流水冲蚀,重力侵蚀方式有坍塌和滑塌。一般A型暴雨条件下,各种水力侵蚀方式均有发生,重力侵蚀发生次数相对较少;B型暴雨条件下,主要发生片流面蚀,重力侵蚀破坏发生次数较多。通过模型试验得出的降雨对遗址模型的破坏方式及发生特点方面的结论,可以在一定程度上为降雨对该类遗址破坏的评估和防治提供参考。     

左江流域水土流失现状与治理措施

左江流域包括扶绥、崇左、宁明、龙州、凭祥、大新六县市,位于南宁地区的西南部。由于长期以来不合理的开发利用,致使水土流失现象十分严重,不但有面蚀、沟蚀,有些地方甚至发展成崩岗。该区域总面积15092.39Km²,水上流失面积525.81Km²,本文在分析水土流失现状及成因的基础上,提出相应的水土保持措施。     

Fire,Humans and Denudation at Wangrah Creek,Southern Tablelands,N.S.W.

The influence of altered fire regimes on the denudation of a catchment is determined from alluvial deposits of the last 10,000 yrs and by monitoring runoff and erosion before and after a wildfire. An increase in fire frequency beginning at 3,000–4,000 yrs BP, as a result of intensified Aboriginal burning, did not change the mechanisms or rates of denudation nor did it cause widespread alluviation as suggested by others. The results of monitoring show that before and after mild fires there is insufficient runoff on most slopes to entrain sediment. Only after intense fires are runoff and erodibility increased enough to significantly accelerate erosion. Conditions are then identified which are most likely to lead to accelerated erosion from altered fire regimes in other catchments.     

司马迁规划的农牧地区分界线在黄土高原上的推移及其影响

司马迁规划的由碣石至于龙门的农牧分界线,是适合于生态环境的。当时如此,后世亦然。在农耕操作尚稽留在粗放经营的时期,为农为牧都不能过分超越这条分界线。过分超越就会促成这条分界线的移动,从而影响到生态环境的平衡发展,引起不良的后果。这条分界线绝大段落经过黄土高原,黄土高原沟壑纵横,甚至于黄河的溃决泛滥,都与这条分界线的移动有关,是不应稍事忽视的。     

司马迁规划的农牧地区分界线在黄土高原上的推移及其影响

司马迁规划的由碣石至于龙门的农牧分界线,是适合于生态环境的。当时如此,后世亦然。在农耕操作尚稽留在粗放经营的时期,为农为牧都不能过分超越这条分界线。过分超越就会促成这条分界线的移动,从而影响到生态环境的平衡发展,引起不良的后果。这条分界线绝大段落经过黄土高原,黄土高原沟壑纵横,甚至于黄河的溃决泛滥,都与这条分界线的移动有关,是不应稍事忽视的。     

Saints and Sinners: a tephrochronology for Late Antique landscape change in Epirus from the eruptive history of Lipari,Aeolian Islands

Assessing the impact of past human activity on landscape change in the Mediterranean has always presented challenges, requiring sound chronological frameworks for observed environmental change. The current research, focused on the environs surrounding the ancient city of Butrint (southern Albania) during Late Antiquity, c. 4th–6th Century AD, establishes a tephra-based chronology for landscape change through the discovery of ash horizons from a little known eruption on the island of Lipari (Aeolian Islands). Recovered glass shards were geochemically fingerprinted to a 6th Century AD event on the island, dated through local archaeological sequences and corroborated by hagiographic evidence. The presence of this marker horizon at Butrint shows a continuation of open water, estuarine conditions throughout Late Antiquity and the Early Medieval period (during which time Butrint ceases to function as an urban centre), disproving the widely held notion of increased soil erosion/deposition as a result of post-Roman landscape degradation. The study also shows that it is following the medieval revival of the town in the 13th Century that marked environmental change takes place, as estuarine areas silt, giving rise to marsh and wetland. The study highlights the importance of using a range of dating techniques to constrain landscape change, while the presence of the 6th Century Lipari tephra in Epirus, derived from an eruptive event larger than previously suspected, provides a useful regional dating marker for future landscape studies.