Detailed Monitoring Research Articles

Use of Association Algorithms in Air Quality Monitoring

Over the years, there has been a gradual increase in the emission of pollutants, and it is imperative to establish mechanisms to monitor air quality. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM) is considered one of the main types of air pollution. However, there is a wide variety of pollutants, and high investment is required to carry out detailed air quality monitoring. We present the third version of a previously proposed air quality monitoring platform based on CO2 concentration measurements. In this new version, a specific sensor for PM measurements and an artificial intelligence algorithm were added. The added algorithm traced associations between measurements of CO2 and PM concentrations. Thus, the measurement of a pollutant can be used for estimating the concentration of another. This can contribute to the development of a simpler and cheaper monitoring system. The acquisition of CO2 and PM concentrations was carried out daily over a period of one month. Pollutant measurements were taken in three strategic locations in a Brazilian city. It was possible to determine a correlation between pollutant concentrations for the monitored locations. Thus, it would be possible to efficiently estimate the PM concentration based on the measured CO2 concentration.

Power System Control Centers and Their Role in the Restoration Process after a Major Blackout

Power control centers have evolved since their ground-breaking inception in the 1960s, and they are extremely important for the operation of the power system, ensuring maximum reliability. There has been much discussion about mandating reliability requirements, but for the most part, reliability standards are already in place for electricity grid design and operation. Unfortunately, these standards do not examine in detail monitoring and control, possibly due to the false belief that reliability primarily comes from redundancies in transmission and generation. The grid can operate even more closely to its limits thanks to improved grid control and monitoring, which also increase reliability. In this paper, the significant role of the power system control centers in the event of a major blackout is discussed, proving their significance in the restoration process.

Assessing the effectiveness of UAV data for accurate coastal dune habitat mapping

ABSTRACT Coastal dunes are considered some of the most threatened and vulnerable habitats in the European Union. Mapping the spatial distribution of these habitats is an essential task for their conservation. Advances in Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) facilitate the flexible acquisition of high-resolution imagery for identifying detailed spatial distributions of habitats within dune systems. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of UAV remote sensing for mapping these habitat types. Specifically, we determined the impact of temporally acquired UAV-derived spectral and topographic information on classification accuracy. The work combined the multi-temporal UAV imagery with field observation data and used the Random Forest machine learning algorithm to classify dune habitats. Results showed that using multi-temporal UAV imagery increased classification accuracy compared to using uni-temporal UAV imagery (92.37% vs. 84.09%, respectively). Also, including topographic information consistently improved accuracy, regardless of the number of image sets used (the highest accuracy increased from 84.81% to 92.57% for a uni-temporal model). Temporal analyses showed that the data acquired in the middle period of the growing season were better than those acquired in the early or late periods. The methodology presented here demonstrates the potential of using UAV data for detailed mapping and monitoring of habitat types.

Evaluating die wear-induced edge quality degradation in trimmed DP980 steel sheets from in situ force response monitoring

Assessing trimmed part quality involves periodic examinations of cut edges and shear affected zones to characterize rollover, burnish, fracture and burr formation. Established techniques are thorough and reliable but inherently time consuming. This study correlated die wear-induced force response evolutions and the observed transitions between shear-induced deformation zones for DP980 (C-0.15 wt%Mn-1.5 wt%Si-0.31 wt%) steel sheets subjected to trimming with AISI D2 steel dies. The findings are useful for peripheral assessment of part quality and tool wear via in situ trimming force/displacement response monitoring. Measurements were collected from a load cell and a non-contact laser displacement transducer embedded within the instrumented trimming press. The sliding wear damage and failure processes induced by die–workpiece interactions were correlated to force/displacement response phases. Trimming tests were conducted for 20,000 cycles to observe and assess transformations between rollover and burnish zones with increasing tool wear after the initial contact and at every subsequent 5000 cycle interval. The mean trimming force and maximum die penetration increased, primarily due to die edge blunting, by 1.33 kN (44.3%) and 194 μm (32.2%), respectively. An enlarged die–workpiece contact area increased the resistance force and delayed the onset of fracture with increased sliding damage between sheared surfaces and nearly doubled burnish zone depths. Quantitative attributes of the trimming force/displacement responses were linked to die impact and sliding contact induced damage features of trimmed parts, demonstrating the potential for straightforward, rapid and detailed in-field monitoring of acceptable limits to sheared edge quality.

Геосервисное решение проблемы актуализации пространственных данных по результатам государственного топографического мониторинга

The authors reveal the informational and functional contents of the geoservice, using the example of the proposed mechanism for updating spatial data using state topographic monitoring materials. The algorithm of a geoservice functioning based on the data obtained in the process of survey, detailed topographic monitoring and its further use as geoinformation services for solving the tasks of socio-economic, environmental, defense and national security of the Russian Federation is shown. The analysis of domestic experience in this field (the national spatial data system, the geoportal of the Federal Spatial Data Fund, the Public Cadastral Map, the Roscosmos Group of Companies, the “People’s Map”, i.e. Open Street Map on the Yandex Maps geoportal, etc.) enables determining the composition of geoinformation resources requiring periodic and operational updating. Creating and actualization of digital (electronic) topographic maps and other types of digital cartographic products in real time, using continuous topographic monitoring data, and presenting them to users through the geoservice “State topographic monitoring” is a promising scientific and practical direction for development of geoinformation mapping and infrastructure designed to spread relevant spatial data.

Regional Stem Volume Mapping: A Feasibility Assessment of Scaling Tree-Level Estimates

Spatially detailed monitoring of forest resources is important for sustainable management but limited by a lack of field measurements. The increasing availability of multisource datasets offers the potential to characterize forest attributes at finer resolutions with regional coverage. This study aimed to assess the potential of mapping stem volume at a 30 m scale in eastern Texas using multisource datasets: airborne lidar, Landsat and LANDFIRE (Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools Project) datasets. Gradient-boosted trees regression models relating total volume, estimated from airborne lidar measurements and allometric equations, and multitemporal Landsat and LANDFIRE predictors were developed and evaluated. The fitted models showed moderate to high correlation (R2 = 0.52–0.81) with reference stem volume estimates, with higher correlation in pine forests (R2 = 0.70–0.81) than mixed forests (R2 = 0.52–0.67). The models were also precise, with relative percent mean absolute errors (pMAE) of 13.8–21.2%. The estimated volumes also consistently agreed with volumes estimated in independent sites (R2 = 0.51, pMAE = 34.7%) and with US Forest Service Forest Inventory Analysis county-level volume estimates (R2 = 0.93, pBias = −10.3%, pMAE = 11.7%). This study shows the potential of developing regional stem volume products using airborne lidar and multisource datasets, supporting forest productivity and carbon modeling at spatially detailed scales.

External Factors Affecting the Pheromone Monitoring of the Spongy Moth

The method of pheromone monitoring in the pest density management system has gained wide popularity due to its relative simplicity. The aim of the study was to analyze the degree of conformity between the results of pheromone monitoring and population density dynamics of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)), as well as external factors affecting the results of pheromone monitoring. The pheromone monitoring was carried out in the area of the Trans-Ural moth population in the Sverdlovsk region, in two areas – the one with a high population density and periodic outbreaks and other one with a very low density and no periodic outbreaks over the last 10 years. Simultaneously with the pheromone monitoring, population density was monitored based on autumn counts of egg masses. The results of long-term pheromone monitoring of the spongy moth allow us to come to the following conclusions. The catching capacity of traps is mainly influenced by weather conditions, including air temperature and the stability of air currents during the males’ flight. The masses’ density and the reproduction rate of the spongy moth population can influence the results of pheromone monitoring, but they are not the decisive factors. It is possible to make predictions of changes in the population density of this species only with detailed pheromone monitoring with accurate recording of main males’ flight period, using correction factors that take into account weather conditions. However, the authors doubt the economic feasibility of this kind of measures for the purpose of assessing the pest’s population’s density and monitoring its dynamics.

Prospective observational study on the accuracy of predictors of high-grade atrioventricular conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CONDUCT-TAVI): study protocol, background and significance

IntroductionAortic stenosis is the most common cardiac valve pathology worldwide and has a mortality rate of over 50% at 5 years if left untreated. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is...

Seismicity of the Western Sector of the Russian Arctic

The paper presents the results of many years of research on the compilation of a consolidated, refined, unified earthquake catalog for the western sector of the Russian Arctic for the entire instrumental observation period, in particular for the period from 1908 to 2020. The catalog includes data on recent seismicity in areas previously unavailable for detailed seismic monitoring. Based on the results of the study, we were able to more accurately determine the spatial distribution of seismicity in the region and compare the instrumental data with parameters of lineament-domain-focal (LDF, or, alternatively, lineament-domain-source (LDS)) models of the General Seismic Zoning maps (GSZ, from Russian term abbreviated as OSR)—OSR-97 and OSR-2016. In the western sector of the Russian Arctic, the highest seismicity is observed in the continent-ocean transition zone, in the Belyi Island, Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya archipelagos. The very shelf of the Barents and Kara Seas is characterized by rare and scattered seismicity. The configuration, the maximum possible magnitudes, and the depths of the seismogenic layers in the LDF models of OSR-97 and OSR-2016 maps are not always consistent with the instrumental data and need a correction. The consolidated refined earthquake catalog can be used as a basis for the further research aimed at seismic hazard assessment of the territory, construction of geodynamic models, and study of the stress-strain state of the Earth’s crust.

An Advanced Spatiotemporal Fusion Model for Suspended Particulate Matter Monitoring in an Intermontane Lake

Ebinur Lake is the largest brackish-water lake in Xinjiang, China. Strong winds constantly have an impact on this shallow water body, causing high variability in turbidity of water. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously monitor suspended particulate matter (SPM) for water quality management. This research aims to develop an advanced spatiotemporal fusion model based on the inversion technique that enables time-continuous and detailed monitoring of SPM over an intermontane lake. The findings shows that: (1) the enhanced spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (ESTARFM) fusion in blue, green, red, and near infrared (NIR) bands was better than the flexible spatiotemporal data fusion (FSDAF) model in extracting SPM information; (2) the inversion model constructed by random forest (RF) outperformed the support vector machine (SVM) and partial least squares (PLS) algorithms; and (3) the SPM concentrations acquired from the fused images of Landsat 8 OLI and ESTARFM matched with the actual data of Ebinur Lake based on the visual perspective and accuracy assessment.

Effect of microplastics on soil microbial community and microbial degradation of microplastics in soil: A review

The mass production, continual usage, and improper disposal of plastic products have resulted in significant environmental pollution. The larger plastic polymers gradually break down into smaller particles called microplastics (<5 mm). Existing studies on the occurrence and ecological impact of microplastics have focused on the aquatic ecosystems, with very little attention given to the soil environment. The soil represents a natural sink for microplastics from sources such as sewage sludge, landfills, plastic mulch from agricultural activities, fertilizers, and municipal wastewater effluent. The current study, therefore, provides an overview of existing knowledge on soil microplastic pollution focusing on the impact of microplastics on soil microbial community and microbial degradation of microplastics in soil to systematically identify knowledge gaps to be filled with further research. Future research challenges to be addressed include detailed monitoring of the sources and distribution of microplastics in soil under different land uses, exploring diverse microorganisms in their natural environments for their microplastic biodegradation potential using cultivation-dependent and independent approaches, understanding the mechanism of ecological impacts of microplastics and contributions of microplastic additives, degradation products, and other adsorbed environmental pollutants on soil microbial community.

High Spatiotemporal Flood Monitoring Associated with Rapid Lake Shrinkage Using Planet Smallsat and Sentinel-1 Data

High spatiotemporal flood monitoring is critical for flood control, mitigation, and management purposes in areas where tectonic and geological events significantly exacerbate flood disasters. For example, the rapid lake shrinkage resulting from the transformations of enclosed seas into lakes by the rapid land movement in the collision zone dramatically increases the flood risks in Indonesia, which requires frequent and detailed monitoring and assessment. This study primarily quantified the detailed flood disasters associated with the rapid lake shrinkage in Gorontalo Regency in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia using high spatiotemporal monitoring with a combination of PlanetScope smallsat constellations, Sentinel-1, and surface water datasets. Based on the findings that indicated its volume, distribution, pace, and pattern, the flood event that occurred in Gorontalo in November 2022 was demonstrated within a short interval of 2–12 days. The results also indicate both direct and indirect floodwater overflow from different water resources. Combining these results with the surface water occurrences from 1984 to 2021, our findings reveal the historical major flood-prone areas associated with the rapid lake shrinkage. These findings are expected to aid in the timely high spatiotemporal monitoring of rapid environmental change-induced flood disasters, even in tropical regions with high cloud coverage. Furthermore, these are also expected to be integrated into the flood hazard mitigation and management strategies associated with local-specific tectonic and geological systems.

Comprehensive study of electrokinetic-assisted phytoextraction of metals from mine tailings by applying direct and alternate current

Electrokinetic-assisted phytoextraction (EKPH) involves the use of electric current to improve the mobilization of metals in soils and, therefore, their removal efficiency. It emerges as an interesting sustainable technology for the rehabilitation of abandoned mining areas. The goal of this research was to conduct a comprehensive study of this technique applied to real mine tailings from an abandoned Pb/Zn mine by using ryegrass as plant species and two types of electric current: direct with polarity reversal (DC-PR) and alternate (AC). The EKPH tests were conducted in specially designed plastic containers that allowed recording the main parameters of the electrokinetic process and sampling the different matrices studied, i.e. water, soil and plants. This intensive sampling program allowed detailed monitoring of the metal mobilization processes for the different treatments applied. The changes caused in metal mobility and physicochemical parameters of the tailings due to the application of electric current were reflected to a greater extent in the water samples than in solid ones. Accumulation of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu in ryegrass tissues increased significantly by 41%, 17%, 34% and 32% when applying 1 V cm−1 of AC current, with respect to the results of phytoextraction without electric current. The application of DC-PR current did not lead, in general, to statistically significant increases in the plant metal uptake. These findings were adequately correlated with the changes found in the metal concentrations of soil pore water and, to a lesser extent, with those observed from the BCR sequential extraction applied to tailings samples.

The potential to increase grassland soil C stocks by extending reseeding intervals is dependent on soil texture and depth

Grasslands account for ∼30% of global terrestrial carbon (C), of which most is stored in soils and provide important ecosystem services including livestock and forage production. Reseeding of temporary grasslands on a 5-year cycle is a common management practice to rejuvenate sward productivity and reduce soil compaction, but is physically disruptive and may reduce soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, research to date is limited, which impacts on the ability to optimise grassland management for climate change mitigation. To determine whether extending the time interval up to 20 years between grassland reseeding can increase stable SOC stocks, a soil survey was conducted across three UK grassland chrono-sequences comprising 24 fields on contrasting soil types. We found that grassland SOC stocks (39.8–114.8 Mg C ha−1) were higher than co-located fields in arable rotations (29.3–83.2 Mg C ha−1) and the relationship with grassland age followed a curvilinear relationship with rapid SOC stock accumulation in the year following reseeding (2.69–18.3 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) followed by progressively slower SOC accumulation up to 20 years. Contrary to expectation, all grasslands had similar soil bulk densities and sward composition questioning the need for traditional 5-year reseeding cycles. Fractionation of soils into stable mineral associated fractions revealed that coarse textured grassland topsoils (0–15 cm) were near-saturated in C irrespective of grassland age whilst loam soils reached saturation ∼10 years after reseeding. Fine-textured topsoils and subsoils (15–30 cm) of all textures were under saturated and thus appear to hold the most potential to accrue additional stable C. However, the lack of a relationship between C saturation deficit and grassland age in subsoils suggests that more innovative management to promote SOC redistribution to depth, such as a switch to diverse leys or full inversion tillage may be required to maximise subsoil SOC stocks. Taken together our findings suggest that extending the time between grassland reseeding could temporarily increase SOC stocks without compromising sward composition or soil structure. However, detailed monitoring of the trade-offs with grassland productivity are required. Fine textured soils and subsoils (15–30 cm) have the greatest potential to accrue additional stable C due to under saturation of fine mineral pools.

New species in old mountains: integrative taxonomy reveals ten new species and extensive short-range endemism in Nesticus spiders (Araneae, Nesticidae) from the southern Appalachian Mountains.

This revision is based on sampling efforts over the past three decades in the southern Appalachian Mountains which have provided Nesticus (Araneae, Nesticidae) collections of approximately 2100 adult specimens from more than 475 unique collecting events. Using a "morphology first" framework we examined recently collected specimens plus museum material to formulate morphology-based species hypotheses for putative new taxa (discovery phase). Using sequence capture of nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) we analyzed 801 nuclear loci to validate new (and prior) morphology-based species hypotheses (validation phase) and reconstructed a robust backbone phylogeny including all described and new species. Sanger sequencing and UCE-bycatch were also used to gather mitochondrial data for more than 240 specimens. Based on our integrative taxonomic framework ten new Nesticus species are herein described, including N.binfordaesp. nov., N.bondisp. nov., N.caneisp. nov., N.cherokeensissp. nov., N.dellingerisp. nov., N.dykemanaesp. nov., N.jemisinaesp. nov., N.lowderisp. nov., N.roanensissp. nov., and N.templetonisp. nov. Previously unknown males are also described for N.bishopi Gertsch, 1984, N.crosbyi Gertsch, 1984, and N.silvanus Gertsch, 1984, as well as the previously unknown female for N.mimus Gertsch, 1984. Based on combined evidence N.cooperi Gertsch, 1984 is placed in synonymy with N.reclusus Gertsch, 1984. Overall, the montane radiation of Appalachian Nesticus reveals a general lack of species sympatry and compelling biogeographic patterns. Several regional Nesticus taxa are rare, microendemic habitat specialists that deserve conservation attention and detailed future monitoring as conservation sentinels.

The effect of water level rise on coastal wave Overwash and Inundation of dunes in laboratory

Beach responses to sea level rise are investigated experimentally in laboratory wave flume by detecting the beach profile continuously using video cameras in high space and time resolution. Experiments are conducted to discuss the profile response in three scenarios of water level rise: a step-change in water level, continuous water level rise as well as extremely high water levels to find out the intensification and dissipation of swash motion waves in overwash and inundation hydrodynamic and the retreat of the shoreline due to water level rise. The sediment transport rates are estimated from the detailed monitoring of the beach profiles, from which the responses of the shoreline to the water level rise are examined.The morphological characteristics of the dunes caused by sea-level rise are discussed and it is noted that sea-level rise leads to an increase of more than 40% in sediment loss from sand dunes, while extreme solitary wave conditions are less affected by water level changes. The characteristics of shoreline retreat for different sea levels and wave conditions are analyzed from the experiment data. The developments of shoreline and beach response prediction model using the laboratory experiment data to the sea level rise are discussed for better estimation of the shoreline change to the sea level rise. Meanwhile, the trend of wave energy is consistent with the frequency of profile change as the water level continues to rise. When the water level is high enough close to the dune crest, partially broken waves in nearshore areas transmitted landward with large wave energy quickly destroy the dunes, which is a great threat to the beach ecosystem. There is an inhibitory effect on the morphological changes of the dunes as the water level is high in the back of the dunes.

Change detection and monitoring of active Martian surface phenomena with the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)

Mars is host to a variety of active surface processes that relate to changes in seasonal ice/frost, slope activity, wind and processes potentially relating to liquid water. Regular monitoring and change detection of these phenomena is crucial to not only provide us insights into present day Martian surface conditions, but also its past geologic and climatic scenarios. Visual comparisons of high-resolution remote sensing images of the surface from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have allowed detailed tracking and monitoring of these changes over time. The CaSSIS instrument onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas orbiter also provides a unique pathway to track areally-large surface changes in colour, that permits us to better constrain origin and evolution of various surface features. Since TGO operates in a non-sun-synchronous orbit, previously adopted qualitative methods like visual image comparisons for MRO cannot be adopted for CaSSIS-based change detection. Consequently, this study lists and describes in detail, the techniques that need to be adopted to conduct such change detection campaigns with CaSSIS, for the variety of active processes currently identified on Mars. This work also proposes and describes two additional semi-quantitative techniques for CaSSIS-based change detection, that may be used in concert with existing visual comparison methods to enable reliable change identification and tracking. It is observed that these supplementary methods work well in characterizing a variety of surface changes related to ice/frost and slope processes, and can provide reasonable spectral constraints to better understand their origin. These methods are not effective in providing quantitative constraints for purely physical changes. Instead, for long-period changes like aeolian bedform movement, digital image correlation techniques on ortho-rectified images, are recommended; while for short period changes like real-time dust devil activity, measurements based on CaSSIS stereo pairs of the region can be used to provide quantitative estimates of change.

Towards understanding the behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete in aggressive environments: Acid attacks and leaching

This article intends to study the influence of metal fibers on the behavior of concrete exposed to aggressive media. The main contribution of the experimental work proposed here lies in the detailed monitoring of the concrete degradation process as a function of fiber deterioration.To do this, fiber-reinforced and non-fiber-reinforced concretes were immersed respectively in concentrated solutions of 5 % hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and acetic acid (CH3COOH), over a period of 135 days. At the same time, the leaching phenomenon was studied for the same formulations by exposing the concretes under study to a concentrated solution of 6 mol/l of ammonium nitrate NH4NO3, for a period of 462 days. Afterwards, fiber-reinforced concretes were tested and compared with non-fiber-reinforced concrete in terms of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), porosity, mechanical properties, microstructure using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the X-ray diffractometry (XRD), mass loss, degradation thickness, electrical conductivity and diffusion of calcium ions.The experimental results showed that the incorporation of metal fibers reduces the porosity by 14% and consequently improves the mechanical performance of concrete in a healthy environment. In acidic environments, fiber-reinforced concretes begin to lose their efficiency after only a few weeks as a result of the corrosion of the metallic fibers, thus engendering compressive strength drops between 10% and 19% and flexural strengths drops from 14% to 48%, depending on the nature of the acid used. On the other hand, fiber-reinforced concretes are more resistant to ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) because the diffusion phenomenon of calcium ions is slower. In addition, the microstructural study revealed that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of fiber-reinforced concretes, exposed to HCl, increases by 10 times compared to the ITZ of concretes preserved in a healthy environment, and by 6 to 7 times for fiber-reinforced concretes immersed in other aggressive solutions.

Evaluating the applicability of the water erosion prediction project (WEPP) model to runoff and soil loss of sandstone reliefs in the Loess Plateau, China

Soil erosion is one of the most serious environmental issues, especially in vulnerable areas such as the Pisha sandstone regions located in the Loess Plateau (China). In these types of reliefs, long-term studies monitoring runoff and soil loss are scarce, and even more considering the efficiency of different soil management techniques applied to reduce land degradation. In this study, seven years (2014–2020) of in-situ measurements of surface runoff and soil loss for different land uses (forestland, shrubland, grassland, farmland, and bare land) in a Pisha Sandstone environment at the Loess Plateau were conducted. We applied the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model combining the large database with the precipitation regimes. Our results showed that runoff volume coming from observed and simulated data exhibited significant differences among them depending on the different vegetation types. Runoff and soil loss were different among diverse land use types as follows: farmland > grassland > shrubland > forestland. After conducting a calibration, we found satisfactorily simulated surface runoff and sediment yield based on precipitation regimes and land uses at sandstone reliefs. Simulation performance of surface runoff was better than sediment yield. The range of standard error of the model simulation for event and annual values of runoff were 4.71 mm and 12.19 mm, respectively. The standard error for event and annual values of soil loss were 4.19 t/hm2 and 21.86 t/hm2. In the calibration group, R2 of runoff and soil loss were 0.92 and 0.86 respectively, while Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (E) reached 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. In the validation group, the R2 for both runoff and soil loss were 0.82 and 0.56, respectively. Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (E) were 0.77 and 0.54 for the runoff and sediment yield. We concluded that using a detailed monitoring dataset, the WEPP model could accurately simulate and predict water erosion in the hillslopes of Pisha sandstone area.

Ictiofauna dos reservatórios do Projeto de Integração do Rio São Francisco

Abstract Artificial impoundments are frequently built to mitigate the water scarcity in the drylands such as the Caatinga region in Brazil. The São Francisco Interbasin Water Transfer (SF-IWT) megaproject implemented many artificial reservoirs for that purpose. A checklist of fish species from the SF-IWT reservoirs is provided based on samples from eight years of monitoring. The collections were conducted semiannually at 28 reservoirs divided into three groups: the East Axis, North Axis, and Agreste Branch. The SF-IWT reservoirs presented a total of 47 species, 46 were recorded in the North Axis, 27 in the East Axis, and only seven in the Agreste Branch. Characids and cichlids represented most of the species. The three analyzed groups of reservoirs presented distinct communities and the reservoirs’ age, richness and abundance were relevant variables responsible for fish composition. The SF-IWT reservoirs present a diverse and heterogeneous ichthyofauna, typical of lentic environments. The main colonizers of the SF-IWT reservoirs were fish from the São Francisco donor basin, invasive species anthropically released in those sites, and eventual species from the surrounding receiving basins. As the accumulation curves suggested, a continuous effort could reveal additional species, patterns in long-term colonization, and contribute to data on the reservoirs’ future stabilization phase. Since invasive species were present in most reservoirs, along with donor-basin native species with potential to disperse to the receiving basins, a continuous and detailed monitoring is key for management planning and possible impacts assessment.