Impact of Declining Trend of Flow on Harike Wetland,India

Harike wetland in the Indian state of Punjab is formed by a barrage built downstream on the confluence of rivers Satluj and Beas, with the idea of storing and providing irrigation and drinking water to parts of Southern Punjab and adjoining Rajasthan. Due to decrease in flow at Harike and deforestation etc. in the catchment area, the wetland is reducing in the last few years. In this study, the analysis of rainfall/runoff data has been carried out to see the effect of decreasing trend of runoff on wetland area. Wetland area has been delineated using remote sensing technique. The analysis of rainfall, discharge and ground water level showed that the flow pattern is decreasing at Harike. The remote sensing data revealed that the wetland area has reduced approximately 30% over the last 13 years.     

Environmental vulnerability assessment of Choghakhor International Wetland during 1985 to 2018

As of natural constraints, and the specific climate of Iran, as well as the increasing importance of international water resources in the socio‐economic development of societies, studies on surface water resources, especially wetlands, merit special attention. Accordingly, the TM, ETM+ and OLI satellite images of 1985, 2000 and 2018 were used in the present study to detect changes in the Choghakhor international wetland. Classifying the images with a supervised method, and using maximum likelihood algorithms, the distinct land use/land cover classes of waterbody, aquatic plants, pasture and forest, agricultural lands, bare land and human built lands were ranked. Selected landscape metrics information on the spatial pattern of the Choghakhor wetland was quantitatively determined, using Fragstats software, and the spatial composition and vulnerability of the wetland were evaluated. The vulnerability assessment of wetland contamination was investigated using the WRASTIC index based on the catchment area scale. Time processing of the data obtained from the maps indicated a 26.63% decrease in the pasture and forest area, and a 12.1% increase in the area of human built lands and agriculture lands during the period from 1985 to 2018. Further, in spite of the waterbody area expanding during 1985 to 2000, it subsequently shrunk in size from 2000 to 2018, with the area of aquatic plants lands increasing during the same period. Analysis of landscape metrics generally indicated the natural wetland cover has been changing during this period along with increasing anthropogenic impacts. Degradation, rotation and replacement of natural land cover such as pastures and forests with human built areas can be considered undesirable development effects on the Choghakhor wetland. The results of the WRASTIC index calculation indicated a major impact of Choghakhor wetland components from water pollution. The results of the present study place an emphasis on more sustainable land use and prevention of land destruction in the Choghakhor wetland basin.     

A spatio‐temporal water quality assessment of the Beas and Sutlej Rivers at the Harike Wetland: A Ramsar site in Punjab,India

Lakes play a vital role in regulating water storage, flow of river water, and ultimately maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Spatial and temporal variations in physicochemical parameters of water in Harike Wetland, a Ramsar site in the northwestern state of Punjab, India, were studied. This study was conducted on a monthly basis from January to December 2015. The water quality was studied at ten locations from sites 1 to 10 upstream, central and downstream from Harike Lake for ten physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen concentration biological oxygen demand, nitrate and phosphate concentrations and salinity. The findings of this study revealed that, except for temperature and pH, all parameters exhibited relatively higher values for the Sutlej River, compared with the Beas River, with sampling sites 5 to site 7 exhibiting intermediate results. The mean seasonal temperature variations ranged from 16.9 to 26.6 °C, the pH from 7.7 to 8.2, electrical conductivity from 223 to 303 μS cm^?1 and TDS concentration from 148.7 to 180.4 ppm. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relations between the variables. The electrical conductivity exhibited a high positive correlation with salinity and biological oxygen demand, whereas it correlated negatively with the dissolved oxygen concentration. Box and whisker plots were also plotted for the study results to better examine the data distribution.     

Land‐use effects on water quality of a first‐order stream in the Ozark Highlands,mid‐southern United States

Urban and agricultural land uses can alter the natural hydrologic conditions of streams and rivers and often degrade water quality. In the Ozark Highlands of the mid‐southern United States, the climate, topography, soil properties, karst limestone geology, agricultural practices and rapid urbanization make water quality of particular concern due to the increased potential for water quality degradation by contaminant leaching to groundwater and runoff to surface waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of season (i.e. dry/cool and wet/warm) and riparian land use (i.e. urban, grazed pasture, ungrazed pasture, wetland, cultivated agriculture and grassland) on surface water quality in a first‐order stream within a diverse agricultural watershed in the Ozark Highlands. Water samples were collected twice a month within each land use during base‐flow conditions from October 2006 through October 2007. Samples were also collected periodically during storm‐flow conditions from October 2006 through December 2007. The greatest in‐stream pH was adjacent to the grazed pasture. In‐stream NO₃‐N concentrations were greatest adjacent to the cultivated agriculture and grassland during the dry/cool season (i.e. October 2006 to March 2007) and averaged 2.67 mg L^?1. In‐stream soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations were greatest adjacent to the grassland during the wet/warm season (i.e. April 2007 to October 2007) and averaged 0.81 mg L^?1. Concentrations of SRP, K, Mg and Zn were greater during storm‐ than base‐flow conditions and in‐stream As concentrations frequently exceeded 0.01 mg L^?1. Discharge and in‐stream NH₄‐N concentrations were unaffected by land use or season and averaged 0.003 m³ s^?1 and 0.10 mg L^?1, respectively, across all land uses and seasons. Results of this study clearly demonstrate the significant effect of adjacent land use on in‐stream water quality of a first‐order stream in a diverse agricultural watershed and highlight the importance of managing upstream land use in order to regulate downstream water quality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中国扎龙湿地水资源监测及评估

水是维系湿地生态系统的基本要素之一。目前,扎龙湿地人工补水、调水缺乏基础资料支撑。扎龙湿地由于其为丹顶鹤和其他鸟类提供繁殖地和迁徙停歇地成为亚洲著名湿地之一。笔者自2005年在扎龙湿地做水资源监测,监测内容主要包括水位和水量的变化以及降水、蒸发等水文气象要素。由于人类活动的长期影响,湿地水资源分流受到严重威胁,如水利工程的建设割裂了区内水资源系统的自流格局与自然分配机制;同时,区域性的干旱,加剧了保护区水资源的短缺矛盾。通过2005-2008年共4a的水文监测,初步摸清了湿地来水的传播路径,掌握了来水、退水过程和湿地核心区水位变化。     

汾河水库上游流域土地利用类型变化特征及其水环境效应研究

利用遥感和GIS技术,结合现场核查与生态调查,对汾河水库上游流域5 268 km2区域各阶段生态系统构成及转化特征进行了研究。结合区域自然地理、水文及农业生产条件,分析了研究区各类生态系统变化对流域水环境的影响。研究表明:2000-2013年,汾河水库上游流域土地利用类型主要为草地、灌丛、森林,约占总面积的80%,但农地面积减少,森林、草地、湿地、城镇面积增加;草地是最稳定的土地利用类型,森林为最活跃的土地利用类型,湿地和森林在空间上呈现扩张的发展趋势;研究区森林、湿地生态系统面积增加,农田面积减少,对流域水环境均起到正效应,城镇面积的增加体现为负效应。汾河水库上游土地利用变化向有利于流域水环境的改善趋势发展。     

Uncertainty Estimation in Flood Inundation Mapping: An Application of Non‐parametric Bootstrapping

Disaster prevention planning is affected in a significant way by a lack of in‐depth understanding of the numerous uncertainties involved with flood delineation and related estimations. Currently, flood inundation extent is represented as a deterministic map without in‐depth consideration of the inherent uncertainties associated with variables such as precipitation, streamflow, topographic representation, modelling parameters and techniques, and geospatial operations. The motivation of this study is to estimate uncertainties in flood inundation mapping based on a non‐parametric bootstrapping method. The uncertainty is addressed through the application of non‐parametric bootstrap sampling to the hydrodynamic modelling software, HEC‐RAS, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS). This approach was used to simulate different water levels and flow rates corresponding to different return periods from the available database. The study area was the Langat River Basin in Malaysia. The results revealed that the inundated land and infrastructure are subject to a flooding hazard of high‐frequency events and that the flood damage potential is increasing significantly for residential areas and valuable land‐use classes with higher return periods. The proposed methodology, as well as the study outcomes, of this paper could be beneficial to policymakers, water resources managers, insurance companies and other flood‐related stakeholders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于RS和GIS肇东市生态环境质量综合评价

以2011遥感图像为主要数据源,借助于RS和GIS技术,构造以栅格数据为主多源空间信息,基于GIS空间叠加分析基础上,完成研究区域生态环境的综合评价。研究结果表明,旱地和草地两者比例之和为70.49%,表明旱地和草地是该区域土地利用的主要类型;研究区域生境较差的面积最大,生境一般的区域面积最小,仅为0.14%;研究区域整体生态环境质量不高,多数区域处于较差水平,该生境的评价结果与实际情况基本相符,但具有较高生态价值的林地和湿地对局部区域生态环境的改善具有很积极影响。     

黄河小浪底工程对下游湿地生态环境影响研究

湿地是具有高度多样性的生态系统,必须加以保护。当前,因工农业采水、排污、围垦、破坏水土、引黄淤地、过度狩猎和捕鱼等造成黄河下游湿地生态环境趋于恶化。小浪底工程将对豫北大天鹅保护区产生复杂的影响,还对黄河河滩及背河洼地生态环境、古黄河三角洲湿地生态改良产生不利影响。通过大量数据研究,本文提出提高全民环境意识,强化湿地保护法制监督和积极开展湿地科学研究、加强典型湿地保护的具体措施。     

Climate change impacts on natural resources and communities: A geospatial approach for management

Climate change causes environmental depletion, with threats to the global economy. The health and productivity of ecosystems underpin agriculture, with stable ecosystems being the foundation for economic livelihoods and food security. This study proposes adaptation measures, using geospatial technology, for conserving natural resources and improving livelihoods of the local community from climate change scenarios. Planning, policy decisions and resultant programmes are required for natural resource management, which must be based on broad citizen participation and the engagement of rural communities. The suggested adaptation measures will help the planning system to regulate development of natural resources and the socio‐economic environment. The major natural resources in the environment are land and water, both of which can be severely degraded by human interventions, as well as climate change. Various thematic maps are prepared with the use of geospatial technology, in order to be helpful for site‐suitability analysis directed to the preparation of land and water management action plans for socio‐economic development. The study area is a micro‐watershed of the catchment of Ansupa Lake in the Cuttack District of Odisha, India. To reduce climate change impacts on natural resources and economic livelihoods, some adaptation measures have been proposed (e.g., 68.9 ha for afforestation.; 13.94 ha for gap plantations and agro‐horticulture; 389.62 ha for farm ponds and renovation of existing ponds for pisciculture and duckery activities, etc.; 11.33 ha for land management, along with five bore wells, eight dug wells, 51 LBS/check dams, and four WHSs, etc., for water management for sustainable use).     

Selective use and spatial distribution of native and non‐native fish in wetland habitats

Wetland habitats are crucial for many fish species as spawning, feeding or nursery areas, but the major factors that govern their use by fish are poorly identified. In the present study, we aim to investigate the selective use and the spatial distribution of native and non‐native fish species in different types of wetland habitats (grasslands and reed beds) in a large freshwater marsh (North Western France). The selective use was measured by comparing the community that uses wetland habitats to the total community of the marsh (sampled in the permanent aquatic habitats (canals) during the low water period). The spatial distribution was studied by analyzing the presence probability of fish in wetland habitats as a function of the distance from adjacent canals. All sampled wetland habitats were occupied by fish, and the fish community in wetland habitats was dominated by three native (Abramis brama, Scardinius erythrophthalmus and Anguilla anguilla) and three non‐native (Ameiurus melas, Gambusia holbrooki and Lepomis gibbosus) species. Species richness and total fish abundance differed between canals and wetland habitats as a consequence of a variable propensity to use wetland habitats by native (avoidance and preference) and non‐native (no preference) species. Non‐native species were also more abundant in reed beds than in grassland while no differences were observed for native species. Universally, the presence probability of fish always decreased in wetland habitats as the distance from the canals increased and only a narrow area, close to canals (50–80 m), was well used by fish. However, non‐native fish species used over greater distances in reed beds than in grasslands while no differences were observed for native species. Variable interpretations related to species tolerance, reproductive guilds or diet are proposed to understand the mechanisms that might explain the widespread success of non‐native species in this spatially varying environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鄱阳湖湿地南部区域景观格局演变与动态模拟

基于3S技术对鄱阳湖湿地南部区域景观格局变化的分析和预测为管理和保护湿地提供科学依据。基于2000年、2005年、2010年和2015年的4期Landsat遥感影像数据,构建MCE-CA-Markov复合模型模拟鄱阳湖湿地南部区域的景观格局变化,利用遥感解译图检验模型精度,并根据已检验的景观演变限制条件和因子组合制作较优的适宜性图集,最后对2025年景观格局变化进行预测。研究结果表明:①2000—2015年期间,耕地面积不断减少,建设用地和林草地面积呈上升趋势,未利用地大幅下降,水域面积相对稳定;景观要素增多且连通性变弱,景观破碎化程度增强;②鄱阳湖湿地景观格局的动态变化受到自然因素和人为因素的共同影响,其中社会经济发展和城镇化进程因素起着主导作用;③预测模拟得到的2010年和2015年的景观格局与解译的景观格局基本一致,Kappa系数分别为0.927 1和0.863 2,模拟预测精度较高;④2025年模拟预测结果显示,耕地面积和未利用地面积将持续减少,建设用地和林草地面积呈上升趋势,水域面积无明显变化。预测结果表明研究区域景观格局变化比较活跃,生态环境压力大,需要加强耕地保护和合理利用未利用地。     

Farmers’ preferences towards water hyacinth control: A contingent valuation study

Lake Tana is the most important freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Besides pressures on water quality resulting from urbanization and deforestation, the invasion of the exotic water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) poses new threats to the ecosystem. Water hyacinth, endemic to South America, is widely considered as the world’s worst aquatic invasive weed. In 2011, the weed appeared on the northern shores of Lake Tana, expanding in south-eastern direction. The lake area affected by water hyacinth was last estimated in 2015 at 34,500 ha, which equals 16% of the total lake surface. In this research, the benefits of water hyacinth control and eradication for the rural population inhabiting the northern and north-eastern villages bordering Lake Tana, are investigated. In the area, the population largely depends on farming and fishing. An assessment of the total economic benefit of eradication was conducted. The stakeholder-centered approach led to measuring the willingness to contribute in labor and cash terms. Results showed smallholders in the study are willing to contribute over half-a-million euros annually. Costs of management actions can be weighed to the benefits, where further research is needed on the impact on other stakeholder groups. Moreover, wetland management should advance to explore multiple pathways in an integrated approach: water hyacinth control, water hyacinth utilization and sustainable waste water management.     

The environmental status of a Kashmir Himalayan wetland game reserve: Aquatic plant communities and eco-restoration measures

The data (November 2000 – October 2001) are presented on environmental status, hydrology, sedimentation rate, water quality and macrophytic community architecture of an important game reserve (Hokersar Wetland) in the Kashmir Himalayan valley. Of the total water input, 91% was contributed from surface inlets and just 9% through precipitation. Of the total surface water output, 67% occurred through outlets while evapotranspiration and other losses accounted for 33%. The net annual sediment accumulation was principally a function of suspended load carried by Doodganga inlet. The ecosystem supports diverse aquatic plant communities (emergents, rooted–floating leaf type, free‐floating leaf type, submersed type) marked by striking variability in composition, frequency and extent of colonization. Several ecological factors, such as habitat loss related to siltation, pollution, expanding agricultural activities and drastic hydrological fluctuations, have induced considerable changes in the dynamics and distribution pattern of sustained biota. The shift in macrophytic community structure is evidenced by the decline of Nelumbio nucifera and the near‐disappearance of some economically important plants (Euryale ferox, Acorus calamus). The shrinkage of the wetland area, once spread over 1800 ha, by ≈28% is a cause for environmental concern. The paper highlights the rapidly deteriorating environmental status of the Kashmir Himalayan Hokersar Wetland game reserve and stresses the need for its urgent ecological restoration.     

中国扎龙湿地水资源监测及评估

水是维系湿地生态系统的基本要素之一.目前,扎龙湿地人工补水、调水缺乏基础资料支撑.扎龙湿地由于其为丹顶鹤和其他鸟类提供繁殖地和迁徙停歇地成为亚洲著名湿地之一.笔者自2005年在扎龙湿地做水资源监测,监测内容主要包括水位和水量的变化以及降水、蒸发等水文气象要素.由于人类活动的长期影响,湿地水资源分流受到严重威胁,如水利工程的建设割裂了区内水资源系统的自流格局与自然分配机制;同时,区域性的干旱,加剧了保护区水资源的短缺矛盾.通过2005-2008年共4 a的水文监测,初步摸清了湿地来水的传播路径,掌握了来水、退水过程和湿地核心区水位变化.     

Influences of land use/cover on water quality in the upper and middle reaches of River Njoro, Kenya

Data from 10 sampling sites along the River Njoro are used to examine the contribution of nutrients from upstream land uses draining each of the sampling sites. The data also are used to assess whether both the proportion of land uses and the size of the subwatersheds account for the variability in water quality in the River Njoro watershed. Geographical Information System analysis was used to determine the spatial distribution of land‐cover types and subwatersheds contributing run‐off to the sampling sites in the River Njoro. Standard Digital Elevation Model‐based routines were used to establish the watershed area contributing run‐off to each sampling site. Water and sediment samples were collected for chemical analysis, and the nutrient levels were related to the upstream land‐use types and the size of the subwatersheds. The mid‐stream portion of the River Njoro (near Egerton University) accounts for the highest nutrient contributions. The percentage contribution is magnified by additions from industrial, human settlements and agricultural land uses around the University. There is a significant decrease in nutrient levels downstream, however, indicating natural purification as the river flows through an area of large‐scale farming with intense, well‐preserved riparian and in‐stream vegetation. Steep slopes of the land upstream of Egerton University enhance erosion and nutrient losses from those subwatersheds. Mixed small‐scale agricultural and bare lands contribute over 55% of the phosphorus load to the upper and mid‐reaches of the River Njoro. The size of the subwatershed accounts for about 53% of the variability in the soluble phosphorus in the river. The land‐use subwatershed proportions are important for characterizing and modelling water quality in the River Njoro watershed. Upland land uses are as important as near‐stream land uses. We suggest that conservation of intact riparian corridor along the river and its tributaries contributes significantly to natural purification processes and recovery of the ecological integrity of the River Njoro ecosystem.     

潮水变化对北固山湿地水质影响研究

对镇江市北固山湿地潮水变化规律进行了研究,分析了湿地水质与潮水水深的相关关系,研究表明:湿地潮水在丰水期的日周期为1日2次涨落,其水位最大落差为1.59 m;随着潮水水位由高到低各采样点总氮、总磷和氨氮的浓度值由小变大,靠近排污口的1#采样点总氮、总磷和氨氮在低潮时的值分别是高潮时的2倍3、倍和2倍;2#采样点总氮、总磷和氨氮浓度值分别是高潮时的1.5倍、2倍和1倍。1#2、#点各指标值与潮水水深具有极显著的负相关关系,潮水水位的变化对其水质有显著影响;潮水水深与对照点的各项指标有负相关关系,但相关性并不显著,潮水的涨落对其水质没有显著影响;根据方差分析,随着采样点与排污口距离的增加,其水质各指标值显著下降,水质明显变好,这是潮水物理化学以及土壤、植物和生物综合作用的结果。     

岷江上游土地利用变化下的生态系统敏感性研究

为研究岷江上游土地利用变化对生态系统敏感性的影响,首先利用土地利用动态度分析了青藏高原东缘岷江上游近11 a来的土地利用变化趋势;其次基于生态系统服务价值当量测算了研究区的生态系统服务价值,并借助生态系统传统敏感性系数对测算结果进行检验;最后利用交叉敏感性系数定量评估了土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响程度及方向。结果表明:(1)2000~2005年研究区的土地利用变化主要是耕地转为森林、灌丛和草地,生态系统服务价值增加约0.46亿元;2005~2010年的土地利用变化主要是森林、耕地转为灌从、草地和荒漠,生态系统服务价值减少约0.57亿元。(2)研究期内森林的生态系统服务价值最高,其次是灌丛和草地;各生态系统服务功能类型中气候调节和水文调节的生态系统服务价值最高,食物生产和维持养分循环的生态系统服务价值最低。(3)研究期内岷江上游生态系统传统敏感性系数均小于1,大小依次为:C_(森林)C_(灌丛)C_(草地)C_(水域)C_(耕地)C_(荒漠)C_(裸地)。(4)导致岷江上游生态系统交叉敏感性最高的土地利用变化是森林和水域、草地和水域的相互转换,交叉敏感性系数均大于1,大部分土地利用转换的生态意义并不明显,但水域和其他地类相互转换的生态意义略有上升。研究结论有望为岷江上游土地利用宏观调控及生态系统综合管理提供一定科学依据。     

Investigation of aquaculture dynamics at a Ramsar site,using earth observation systems in conjunction with a socio‐economic assessment

This study presents a comprehensive site‐scale analysis conducted within the global wetland inventory and mapping (GWIM) project. GWIM was developed and promoted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) through global partnerships to investigate wetland analyses at multiple scales. The present study investigates the complexity of an inland freshwater wetland system, presenting a conceptual framework for mapping and monitoring the dynamics of Lake Kolleru (a wetland of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention), utilizing a geospatial platform. Illustrating the pace of land use changes leading to the progressive elimination of the wetland ecosystem of freshwater Lake Kolleru, this study also highlights the impacts of such changes on the socio‐economic system. A comprehensive temporal analysis (1977–2007) provided a structural base to schematically analyse the dynamics of biophysical and ecological changes to the wetland by effectively using a spectrum of remote sensing data. The present status and changing trends in ecological dimensions of Lake Kolleru were illustrated, utilizing information from spatial analyses, complimented with socio‐economic assessment. Attention is drawn to the potential of utilizing earth resources systems in exploring space–time interactions in freshwater ecosystems heavily modified through aquaculture interventions. Further, the spatial derivatives are meant as reference material for local authorities and decision‐makers to rehabilitate the economic livelihood activities to the social community dependent on the lake ecosystem. The disseminated message emphasizes the applicability of geospatial tools to enhance the efficacy of the decision‐making process by facilitating regular monitoring of ecosystem dynamics and providing updated information on wetland patterns and uses.     

Selecting a suitable diversity index for a tropical Ramsar wetland site

Wetlands are under threat from the inflow of urban pollutants on a daily basis. The phytoplankton community is the most affected by increasing eutrophication. Biodiversity based on species richness and evenness can reflect the phytoplankton community composition, as well as describing the water pollution impacts on biotic communities. Eutrophication is a major problem in tropical wetland systems because they receive various waste discharges. Therefore, an attempt was made in this study to analyse the eutrophication status of a tropical wetland (part of the Vembanad Wetland in Cherthala‐Aroor‐Edakochi coastal belt, Kerala) that is being affected by seafood effluent discharges. Alpha indices (Shannon–Weiner Diversity Index; Simpson Index) and beta diversity (Jaccard Index and Sorensen Index) were used to identify appropriate diversity index in a eutrophic environment. Analysis of the plankton populations indicated significant variations among the wetland sampling sites, with the highest percentage of pollution indicators observed in the interconnected channels than in the main portion of the wetland. The results of this study also reveal that a dangerous level of reduction in Chlorophyceae occurred which, in turn, affects the wetland primary productivity. If this situation continues, the wetland will become dominated by fewer, more pollution‐tolerant species over time, indicating serious attention must be given to stopping the loss of diversity in the wetland. This study revealed that β diversity indices are more suitable for studying diversity in a eutrophic wetland system than α diversity indices, mainly because β diversity indices indirectly consider the pollution indicator species, whereas the Shannon Index fails to do so. This study also notes the importance of using the Simpson Index over the Shannon Index for eutrophic waterbodies.