Eastern Catchments Research Articles

Characterizing the aridity indices and potential evapotranspiration using CMIP6-GCMs in two distinct regions of Ethiopia

Abstract Using an ensemble of three global climate models, the current study aims to estimate climate change and quantify the changes in the aridity and evapotranspiration of two distinct areas in Ethiopia. To adjust for bias in the climate dataset, the Hydrological Modeling Tool (CMhyd) was used. These studies were initially run using station data and employed the shared socioeconomic pathways scenarios for the short-range (2011–2040) years and medium-range (2041–2070) years. Climate-related aridity is measured using the De Martone and United Nations Environment Programme aridity indices. The study's findings for the western and eastern catchments for the reference period (1981–2010) years reveal an average annual temperature rise of 1.5 and 0.06 °C and a drop in annual precipitation of 15.73 and 3.68 mm/year, respectively. These alter the climate in the geographical areas that have historically supported drought. Evapotranspiration in the western and eastern catchments may grow by up to 24.6 and 21.6%, respectively, by the 2070s. The observation implies that the western catchment may experience more pronounced climate change and volatility than the eastern one. The consequences of this observation influence agriculture, water resource management, and the social and economic well-being of those living in drought-prone areas.

Severe Socioeconomic Exposures Due to Enhanced Future Compound Flood-Heat Extreme Hazards in China

As the climate warms, a new hazard, compound flood-heat extreme (CFH) events, characterized by the rapid succession of devastating floods and deadly heat (or vice-versa), are becoming increasingly frequent, threatening infrastructure and ecosystems. However, how this CFH hazard will change under future anthropogenic warming in China and their potential population and economic exposures remains unexamined. Here, we systematically quantify the projected changes in bivariate CHF hazards for 187 catchments in China during the 2071–2100 period relative to the 1985–2014 period and investigate the potential population and gross domestic product (GDP) exposure, by developing a climatic-hydrological-socioeconomic modelling chain. We find that there is a nationwide increase in CFH hazards and the historical 30-year CFH episodes are projected to increase by 10 times in southern catchments. Under the synergistic impacts of changing CFH episodes and population (GDP), a mass of people in southern (0.79–2.13 thousand/km2) and eastern (1.68 thousand/km2) catchments and an enormous sum of GDP in eastern catchments (400–912 million/km2) will be exposed to increasing CFH hazards. Our results highlight the necessity of improving both societal resilience and mitigation solutions to address such weather-related hazards.

Fast Pliocene integration of the Central Anatolian Plateau drainage: Evidence, processes, and driving forces

Abstract Continental sedimentation was widespread across the Central Anatolian Plateau in Miocene–Pliocene time, during the early stages of plateau uplift. Today, however, most sediment produced on the plateau is dispersed by a well-integrated drainage and released into surrounding marine depocenters. Residual long-term (106–107 yr) sediment storage on the plateau is now restricted to a few closed catchments. Lacustrine sedimentation was widespread in the Miocene–Pliocene depocenters. Today, it is also restricted to the residual closed catchments. The present-day association of closed catchments, long-term sediment storage, and lacustrine sedimentation suggests that the Miocene–Pliocene sedimentation also occurred in closed catchments. The termination of sedimentation across the plateau would therefore mark the opening of these closed catchments, their integration, and the formation of the present-day drainage. By combining newly dated volcanic markers with previously dated sedimentary sequences, we show that this drainage integration occurred remarkably rapidly, within 1.5 m.y., at the turn of the Pliocene. The evolution of stream incision documented by these markers and newly obtained 10Be erosion rates allow us to discriminate the respective contributions of three potential processes to drainage integration, namely, the capture of closed catchments by rivers draining the outer slopes of the plateau, the overflow of closed lakes, and the avulsion of closed catchments. Along the southern plateau margin, rivers draining the southern slope of the Central Anatolian Plateau expanded into the plateau interior; however, only a small amount of drainage integration was achieved by this process. Instead, avulsion and/or overflow between closed catchments achieved most of the integration, and these top-down processes left a distinctive sedimentary signal in the form of terminal lacustrine limestone sequences. In the absence of substantial regional climate wetting during the early Pliocene, we propose that two major tectonic events triggered drainage integration, separately or in tandem: the uplift of the Central Anatolian Plateau and the tectonic completion of the Anatolian microplate. Higher surface uplift of the eastern Central Anatolian Plateau relative to the western Central Anatolian Plateau promoted more positive water balances in the eastern catchments, higher water discharge, and larger sediment fluxes. Overflow/avulsion in some of the eastern catchments triggered a chain of avulsions and/or overflows, sparking sweeping integration across the plateau. Around 5 Ma, the inception of the full escape of the Anatolian microplate led to the disruption of the plateau surface by normal and strike-slip faults. Fault scarps partitioned large catchments fed by widely averaged sediment and water influxes into smaller catchments with more contrasted water balances and sediment fluxes. The evolution of the Central Anatolian Plateau shows that top-down processes of integration can outcompete erosion of outer plateau slopes to reintegrate plateau interior drainages, and this is overlooked in current models, in which drainage evolution is dominated by bottom-up integration. Top-down integration has the advantage that it can be driven by more subtle changes in climatic and tectonic boundary conditions than bottom-up integration.

Integrating Satellite Rainfall Estimates with Hydrological Water Balance Model: Rainfall-Runoff Modeling in Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Hydrologic models play an indispensable role in managing the scarce water resources of a region, and in developing countries, the availability and distribution of data are challenging. This research aimed to integrate and compare the satellite rainfall products, namely, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM 3B43v7) and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), with a GR2M hydrological water balance model over a diversified terrain of the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia. Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error (RMSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were used to evaluate the satellite rainfall products and hydrologic model performances of the basin. The satellite rainfall estimations of both products showed a higher PCC (above 0.86) with areal observed rainfall in the Uplands, the Western highlands, and the Lower sub-basins. However, it was weakly associated in the Upper valley and the Eastern catchments of the basin ranging from 0.45 to 0.65. The findings of the assimilated satellite rainfall products with the GR2M model exhibited that 80% of the calibrated and 60% of the validated watersheds in a basin had lower magnitude of PBIAS (<±10), which resulted in better accuracy in flow simulation. The poor performance with higher PBIAS (≥±25) of the GR2M model was observed only in the Melka Kuntire (TRMM 3B43v7 and PERSIANN-CDR), Mojo (PERSIANN-CDR), Metehara (in all rainfall data sets), and Kessem (TRMM 3B43v7) watersheds. Therefore, integrating these satellite rainfall data, particularly in the data-scarce basin, with hydrological data, generally appeared to be useful. However, validation with the ground observed data is required for effective water resources planning and management in a basin. Furthermore, it is recommended to make bias corrections for watersheds with poorlyww performing satellite rainfall products of higher PBIAS before assimilating with the hydrologic model.

Variation in riparian and stream assemblages across the primary succession landscape of Mount St. Helens, U.S.A.

Abstract Although most lotic ecosystems experience frequent and sometimes large disturbances, opportunities are uncommon to study primary succession in streams. Exceptions include new stream channels arising from events such as glacial retreat, volcanism, and catastrophic landslides. In 1980, the eruption and massive landslide at Mount St. Helens (WA, U.S.A.) created an entire landscape with five new catchments undergoing primary succession. We asked if riparian and lotic assemblages at early successional stages (36 years after the eruption) showed predictable change along longitudinal gradients within catchments, and whether assemblages were similar among five replicate catchments. In July 2016, we collected environmental data and characterised riparian, algal, and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at 21 stream reaches distributed within and among five neighbouring catchments. We evaluated patterns of richness, abundance, biomass, multivariate taxonomic community structure, and functional traits both longitudinally and among catchments. We found minimal evidence that longitudinal gradients had developed within catchments at 36 years post‐eruption. Increases in diatom and macroinvertebrate richness with downstream distance were the only biological responses with longitudinal trends. Conversely, we documented substantial variation in community structure of riparian plants, soft‐bodied algae, diatoms, and macroinvertebrates at the among‐catchment scale. Among‐catchment differences consistently separated two eastern catchments from three western catchments, and these two groups also differed in stream water chemistry, water temperature, and geomorphology. Overall, we documented greater diversity in the young catchments than predicted by ecologists in the years immediately following the eruption, yet functional traits indicate that these catchments are still in relatively early stages of succession. Variation at the among‐catchment scale is likely to be driven in part by hydrological source variation, with the two eastern catchments showing environmental signatures associated with glacial ice‐melt and the three western catchments probably fed primarily by springs from groundwater aquifers. Contemporary flow disturbance regimes also varied among catchments and successional trajectories were probably reset repeatedly in streams experiencing more frequent disturbance. Similar to new stream channels formed following glacial retreat, our results support a tolerance model of succession in streams. However, contrasting abiotic templates among Mount St. Helens catchments appear to be driving different successional trajectories of riparian plant, algal, and macroinvertebrate assemblages among neighbouring small catchments sharing the same catastrophic disturbance history.

Flood Change Detection and Attribution Using Simulation Approach in Data-Scarce Watersheds: A Case of Wabi Shebele River Basin, Ethiopia

Flood events vary with sub-regions, sites and time and show complex characteristics. This study investigated temporal variabilities in flood discharges and relationships with principal driving factors in data scarce Wabi Shebele River Basin. The preliminary analysis using exploratory data analysis (EDA) on annual and seasonal maximum discharge reveals that there are cycles of extreme flows at five- and ten-year intervals respectively throughout the basin. The statistical verification using the Mann-Kendall test and Quantile perturbation method indicates a significant trend in flood magnitude and frequency entire the basin in the early 21st century. For longest period (1980-2010) annual maximum stream flow shows significant positive trend (p-value < 0.05) in middle catchments and negative trend (p-value < 0.05) in eastern catchments. The years: 1986-1995, 2006-2010 are the years in which positive significant anomalies occurred in all seasons, while the years: 1980-1985, 1996-2005 are the occurrence years of significant negative anomalies. Rainfall from climate drivers; DA, BE, VS and fraction of sand from environmental background drivers; fraction of forest and population density from external factors were identified as the powerful driving factors of flood variabilities in the Wabi Shebele River Basin.

The viability of the crustacean Eurycercus lamellatus (Branchiopoda, Cladocera) in a high mountain area in southern Norway

The branchiopod Eurycercus lamellatus is widely distributed in Norwegian lakes, ranging from coastal to alpine areas. On the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in southern Norway, E. lamellatus was searched for in 144 lakes in 11 catchments in the western and 16 catchments in the central and eastern areas. Their occurrence is mainly based on the diet of brown trout Salmo trutta. Eurycercus lamellatus was recorded in 25% and 70% of the lakes in these two areas, respectively. This may be due to striking differences in the environmental conditions, with more dilute water and lower water temperatures in western areas, and hence shorter growing seasons. The occurrence of E. lamellatus in central and eastern catchments increased with lake size, being found in 65% and 85% of lakes with a surface area of &lt;2.0 and ≥2.0 km2, respectively. In the western area, E. lamellatus occurred less frequently in lakes above 1000 m a.s.l. That was not the case for lakes in central and eastern catchments. In this central part of Hardangervidda, the relative abundance of E. lamellatus in the diet of brown trout was obtained from five different lakes, showing that they were preyed upon throughout the growing season (June to October). When the two big crustaceans Gammarus lacustris and Lepidurus arcticus are at low densities in these lakes, E. lamellatus became the staple food item for brown trout, except for larger fish (&gt;400 mm). However, under high predation pressure, E. lamellatus also contributed significantly to the diet of larger fish. The abundance of E. lamellatus seems to vary highly on a yearly basis in one of the lakes (Sandvatn). Even though E. lamellatus is described as a typical littoral species, it was common down to depths of 15 m.

Understanding Flood Seasonality and Its Temporal Shifts within the Contiguous United States

Abstract Understanding the causes of flood seasonality is critical for better flood management. This study examines the seasonality of annual maximum floods (AMF) and its changes before and after 1980 at over 250 natural catchments across the contiguous United States. Using circular statistics to define a seasonality index, the analysis focuses on the variability of the flood occurrence date. Generally, catchments with more synchronized seasonal water and energy cycles largely inherit their seasonality of AMF from that of annual maximum rainfall (AMR). In contrast, the seasonality of AMF in catchments with loosely synchronized water and energy cycles are more influenced by high antecedent storage, which is responsible for the amplification of the seasonality of AMF over that of AMR. This understanding then effectively explains a statistically significant shift of flood seasonality detected in some catchments in the recent decades. Catchments where the antecedent soil water storage has increased since 1980 exhibit increasing flood seasonality while catchments that have experienced increases in storm rainfall before the floods have shifted toward floods occurring more variably across the seasons. In the eastern catchments, a concurrent widespread increase in event rainfall magnitude and reduced soil water storage have led to a more variable timing of floods. The findings of the role of antecedent storage and event rainfall on the flood seasonality provide useful insights for understanding future changes in flood seasonality as climate models projected changes in extreme precipitation and aridity over land.

Influence of terrain aspect on water partitioning, vegetation structure and vegetation greening in high‐elevation catchments in northern New Mexico

AbstractWe investigated vegetation structure, water partitioning dynamics and vegetation greening from 2000 through 2012 in three catchments draining north and east aspects of Redondo Peak in northern New Mexico. Vegetation structure was quantified from 1‐m lidar data, while vegetation greening was quantified using remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Hydrological partitioning at the catchment scale was estimated with a metric of catchment‐scale water fluxes and vegetation water use [Horton index (HI)]. The predominantly north‐facing catchment, when compared with the other two eastern catchments, receives less solar radiation, exhibits less forest cover and smaller biomass and has more surface run‐off (~15% of P) as a consequence of a smaller vaporization (85% of P) and smaller vegetation water consumption (HI = 0·85). Moreover, the north‐facing catchment showed smaller peak NDVI values (5·98) and shorter growing season length (121 days) as a consequence of energy limitation. In contrast, the two eastern catchments receive larger solar radiation and have more biomass and forest cover (&gt;76%), smaller surface run‐off (&lt;10% P) and higher vaporization (&gt;90% P) and vegetation water consumption (HI = 0·95). The eastern catchments had larger vegetation greening (6·28–6·58) and a longer growing season (148–160 days). Snowpack conditions, such as maximum snow water equivalent and duration of the snow on the ground, explain over 95% of water partitioning (HI) that in turn influenced annual vegetation greening (R2 = 0·48–0·67; p &lt; 0·05). This catchment‐scale study in perennial streams indicates that terrain aspect at a similar altitude (2700–3435 m) strongly controls energy, water distribution and vegetation productivity in high‐elevation ecosystems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Societal, land cover and climatic controls on river nutrient flows into the Baltic Sea

River basins draining into the Baltic Sea, known as the Baltic Sea Drainage Basin (BSDB). Dramatic shifts in water quality have been observed in the Baltic Sea in past decades. This study investigated the spatial distribution of trends in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in relation to societal, land cover and climatic changes. A 31-year record of observed catchment scale nutrient concentration and discharge data for the period 1970–2000 was combined with climate and land cover data. A Mann–Kendall test was applied to reveal trends in N and P, the N:P ratio, discharge, temperature and precipitation. Classical factor analysis and Kendall's rank correlation identified the most important relationships between nutrients, land cover and climate. A large spatial variability in N and P trends was observed with a notable difference between the east and west of the BSDB. The existence of regional trend variations are important for nutrient load reduction management strategies. Specifically, it is recommended that strategies targeting seawater eutrophication should focus more on P rather than N reduction because increasing P in the eastern catchments is responsible for the overall declining trend in the N:P ratio, an important trigger for algal blooms.

Geomorphological analysis of the drainage system on the growing Makran accretionary wedge

The morphology of six adjacent major catchments draining the onshore Makran accretionary wedge in southeast Iran and southwest Pakistan was studied to examine how the channel pattern and the length profiles may reflect the recent and active growth of the wedge. Qualitative field surveys were combined with the quantitative analysis of channel steepness and concavity measured from digital elevation models. These profiles were compared with modelled profiles using a stream power approach assuming homogeneously uplifting, uniform rock substratum. Results show a distinct difference between the studied western and eastern catchments. The three western rivers are in morphological equilibrium; whereas the two eastern rivers exhibit profiles with prominent convexities and knickpoints, thus notably diverging from equilibrium concave-up shapes. All the studied catchments share the same base level, flow on similar lithologies, and developed under uniform climate conditions. Therefore, we interpret the morphometric differences in terms of differential rock uplift rate as a response to local tectonic activity. This interpretation is consistent with both uplift rates of marine terraces along the coast of Makran and the recorded seismicity. The geomorphological analysis presented here extends coastal information to wide inland areas and documents longer term tectonic behaviour than the seismotectonic record. Hence, the steeper surface slope and faster surface uplift rates recorded by the eastern catchments compared to equilibrium of the western catchments are regional, long-term signals relevant for a wide part of the Makran accretionary wedge. We attribute the regional geomorphic difference to Quaternary variations in tectonic regimes that forced differential uplift rates of the wedge surface. We hypothesize that the different tectonic regimes are related to different subduction rates.

Current state of Mediterranean water resources and future trends under climatic and anthropogenic changes

The Mediterranean basin has been identified as one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climatic and anthropogenic changes. A methodology accounting for the basin specific conditions is developed to assess the impacts of these changes on water resources. Based on global climate projections and water-use scenarios inspired by national reports, the current water stress state is addressed first and then it is explored for the medium-term. Currently, the southern and eastern rims are experiencing high to severe water stress. By the 2050 horizon, this stress could increase over the whole Mediterranean basin, notably because of a 30–50% decline in freshwater resources as a result of climate change. In addition, under a business-as-usual water-use scenario, total water withdrawals are projected to double on the southern and eastern rims. These worrying trends indicate the need to develop mitigation scenarios. In accord with the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, an alternative water-use scenario based on improvements in the efficiency of water distribution networks and of irrigated agriculture is investigated. Such progress would stabilize total water withdrawals over the Mediterranean basin and even make them decrease (10–40%) in many northern catchments. Water stress could thus be tempered in some eastern catchments and remain low on the northern rim. This study highlights the importance of developing sustainable development strategies to cope with climatic and anthropogenic changes in order to explore their impacts at regional scales. It supports the need to focus on the most vulnerable areas within the Mediterranean basin. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz Citation Milano, M., Ruelland, D., Fernandez, S., Dezetter, A., Fabre, J., Servat, E., Fritsch, J.-M., Ardoin-Bardin, S., and Thivet, G., 2013. Current state of Mediterranean water resources and future trends under climatic and anthropogenic changes. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (3), 498–518.

Facing climatic and anthropogenic changes in the Mediterranean basin: What will be the medium-term impact on water stress?

The Mediterranean basin has been identified as one of the world's most vulnerable regions to climatic and anthropogenic changes. A methodology accounting for the basin specific conditions is developed to assess the current and future water stress state of this region. The medium-term evolution of water stress is investigated using climatic scenarios and a water-use scenario based on efficiency improvements following the recommendations of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development. Currently, the southern and eastern rims are experiencing high to severe water stress. By the 2050 horizon, a 30–50% decline in freshwater resources is simulated over most of the Mediterranean basin. While total water withdrawals would stabilize, or even decrease (10–40%), in several northern catchments, they would double in southern and eastern catchments. These changes should significantly increase water stress over the Mediterranean basin and exacerbate the disparities between rims.

Factors controlling suspended sediment yield from catchments in central Ardabil Province, Iran

Twenty two catchments were equipped to hydrometric stations and 9.5 to 7482 km2 were selected in central areas of Ardabil Province, Iran, and have been a site for collection of suspended sediment yield data since 46 years ago. Various catchment properties were analyzed in order to recognize the effective factors controlling suspended sediment yield. Selected effective factors were mapped and classified in geographic information system (GIS). The mean suspended sediment yield of each catchment was estimated using mean load within discharge classes method and available data. Area specific sediment yield varies from 6.5 to 449.5 t km-2 year-1for the selected catchments. Relationships among different geo-environmental and climatic factors and suspended sediment yields using multiple regressions were derived the most effective controlling factors. From these analyses, some regional models were derived for suspended load yields. The results showed that the main factors controlling suspended sediment yield in the study area are: catchment area, mean annual discharge, peak discharge, geological formation susceptibility, mean catchment slope, mean channel slope and mean annual temperature. Moreover, it was concluded that using the values of Napierian Logarithm (LN) of sediment yield and controlling factors can lead to better results in multiple regressions. Furthermore, assessment of the presented models in some eastern catchments of the study areas showed that, a multiple regression model including some catchment properties is a valuable tool to predict total and specific sediment yields in central Ardabil Province. Finally, results showed that a normal multiple regression model can explain 73% of total sediment yield, and a Napierian multiple regression model can explains 78% of specific sediment yield. Key words: Erosion, sediment, geo-environmental factors, regression models, geographic information system (GIS).

Evolution of a Lateglacial mountain icecap in northern Scotland

Detailed geomorphological mapping of the Beinn Dearg massif, northern Scotland, was conducted to examine the maximum (Younger Dryas) extent, and earlier interstadial evolution, of an icecap that existed during the Lateglacial period (14.7–11.7 cal. ka BP). Landform evidence indicates a plateau icecap configuration during the Younger Dryas. The interpreted age is supported by new cosmogenic exposure ages and previously reported interstadial sediments beyond the icecap margin. The reconstructed Younger Dryas Beinn Dearg icecap covered 176 km2. Equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) of ∼570–580 m were calculated for the icecap as a whole. The empirically reconstructed icecap is compared with recent numerical model simulations. The two methods produce an icecap with a similar configuration; however, differences are apparent in the extent of eastern and western outlets (±1–5 km), and in the spatial variation of ELAs. Results suggest that the numerical simulation overestimates the western and underestimates the eastern icecap extent. We attempt to quantify these differences in terms of icecap mass balance and assess their possible causes. Geomorphological evidence for the pre-Younger Dryas icecap configuration indicates that the Beinn Dearg massif remained an important source during earlier deglaciation. In contrast, the neighbouring Fannich mountains acted as an ‘unzipping’ zone, and were ice-free on their northern side by the Allerod (Greenland Interstadial 1c to 1a). Deglaciation continued over the western Beinn Dearg plateau, with the possibility that glaciers remained in some central and eastern catchments prior to (Younger Dryas) icecap (re)growth.

Toward a complete Himalayan hydrological budget: Spatiotemporal distribution of snowmelt and rainfall and their impact on river discharge

The hydrological budget of Himalayan rivers is dominated by monsoonal rainfall and snowmelt, but their relative impact is not well established because this remote region lacks a dense gauge network. Here, we use a combination of validated remotely‐sensed climate parameters to characterize the spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall, snowfall, and evapotranspiration in order to quantify their relative contribution to mean river discharge. Rainfall amounts are calculated from calibrated, orbital, high‐resolution Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission data, and snow‐water equivalents are computed from a snowmelt model based on satellite‐derived snow cover, surface temperature, and solar radiation. Our data allow us to identify three key aspects of the spatiotemporal precipitation pattern. First, we observe a strong decoupling between the rainfall on the Himalayan foreland versus that in the mountains: a pronounced sixfold, east‐west rainfall gradient in the Ganges plains exists only at elevations &lt;500 m asl. Mountainous regions (500 to 5000 m asl) receive nearly equal rainfall amounts along strike. Second, whereas the Indian summer monsoon is responsible for more than 80% of annual rainfall in the central Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau, the eastern and western syntaxes receive only ∼50% of their annual rainfall during the summer season. Third, snowmelt contributions to discharge differ widely along the range. As a fraction of the total annual discharge, snowmelt constitutes up to 50% in the far western (Indus area) catchments, ∼25% in far eastern (Tsangpo) catchments, and &lt;20% elsewhere. Despite these along‐strike variations, snowmelt in the pre‐ and early‐monsoon season (April to June) is significant and important in all catchments, although most pronounced in the western catchments. Thus, changes in the timing or amount of snowmelt due to increasing temperatures or decreasing winter precipitation may have far‐reaching societal consequences. These new data on precipitation and runoff set the stage for far more detailed investigations than have previously been possible of climate‐erosion interactions in the Himalaya.

Glacial‐topographic interactions in the Teton Range, Wyoming

Understanding interactions among tectonics, topography, climate, and erosion is fundamental to studies of mountainous landscapes. Here, we combine topographic analyses with modeled distributions of precipitation, insolation, and flexural isostasy to present a conceptual model of topographic evolution in the Teton Range, Wyoming, and test whether efficient glacial relief production has contributed to summit elevations. The conceptual model reveals a high degree of complexity inherent in even a relatively small, glaciated, mountain range. Back tilting has caused topographic asymmetry, with the greatest relief characterizing eastern catchments in the center of the range. Two high summits, Grand Teton and Mount Moran, rise hundreds of meters above the surrounding landscape; their elevations set by the threshold hillslope angle and the spacing between valleys hosting large, erosionally efficient glaciers. Only basins &gt;20 km2 held glaciers capable of eroding sufficiently rapidly to incise deeply and maintain shallow downvalley gradients on the eastern range flank. Glacial erosion here was promoted by (1) prevailing westerly winds transporting snow to high‐relief eastern basins, leading to cross‐range precipitation asymmetry; (2) the wind‐blown redistribution of snow from open western headwaters into sheltered eastern cirques, with the associated erosion‐driven migration of the drainage divide increasing eastern accumulation areas; and (3) tall, steep hillslopes providing shading, snow influx from avalanching, and insulating debris cover from rockfalls to valley floor glaciers. In comparison, the topographic enhancement of glacial erosion was less pronounced in western, and smaller eastern, basins. Despite dramatic relief production, insufficient rock mass is removed from the Teton Range to isostatically raise summit elevations.

Spatio-temporal changes of hydrological processes and underlying driving forces in Guizhou region, Southwest China

Understanding the changes in streamflow and associated driving forces is crucial for formulating a sustainable regional water resources management strategy in the environmentally fragile karst area of the southwest China. This study investigates the spatio-temporal changes in streamflow of the Guizhou region and their linkage with meteorological influences using the Mann–Kendall trend analysis, singular-spectrum analysis (SSA), Lepage test, and flow duration curves (FDCs). The results demonstrate that: (1) the streamflow in the flood-season (June–August) during 1956–2000 increased significantly (confidence level ≥95%) in most catchments, closely consistent with the distinct increasing trend of annual rainfall over wet-seasons. The timings of abrupt change for streamflow in most catchments are found to occur at 1986; (2) streamflow in the Guizhou region experiences significant seasonal changes prior/posterior to 1986, and in most catchments the coefficient of variation of monthly streamflow increases; (3) spatial changes in streamflow indicate that monthly streamflow in the north-west decreases but increases in other parts; (4) the spatial high- and low-flow map (Q5 and Q95) reveals an increase in the extremely large streamflow in the five eastern catchments but a decrease in the extremely low streamflow in the four eastern catchments and three western catchments during 1987–2000. An increase in streamflow, particularly extreme flows, during the flood season would increase the risk of extreme flood events, while a decrease in streamflow in the dry season is not beneficial to vegetation restoration in this ecologically fragile region.

Influence of hydrology and seasonality on DOC exports from three contrasting upland catchments

Variation in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations of surface waters is a consequence of process changes in the surrounding terrestrial environment, both within annual cycles and over the longer term. Long-term records (1987–2006) of DOC concentrations at six catchments (0.44–10.0 km2) across a climatic transect in Scotland were investigated for intra-annual relationships to evaluate potential long-term seasonal patterns. The intra-annual mode of DOC export contrasted markedly between catchments and appeared dependent on their hydrological characteristics. Catchments in wetter Central Scotland with high rainfall–runoff ratios, short transit times and well-connected responsive soils show a distinct annual periodicity in DOC concentrations throughout the long-term datasets. Increased DOC concentrations occurred between June and November with correspondingly lower DOC concentrations from December to May. This appears unrelated to discharge, and is dependent mainly on higher temperatures driving biological activity, increasing decomposition of available organic matter and solubility of DOC. The drier eastern catchments have lower rainfall–runoff ratios, longer transit times and annual drying–wetting regimes linked to changing connectivity of soils. These are characterised by seasonal DOC concentration–discharge relationships with an autumnal flush of DOC. Temperature influences the availability of organic matter for DOC transport producing a high DOC concentration–discharge relationship in summer/autumn and low DOC concentration–discharge relationship in winter/spring. These two distinct modes of seasonal DOC transport have important implications for understanding changes in DOC concentrations and export brought about by climate change (temperature and precipitation) and modelling of aquatic carbon losses from soil-types under different hydrological regimes.

Tectonic geomorphology of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany

This paper focuses on the northern Upper Rhine Graben (URG), which experienced low tectonic deformation and multiple climate changes during Quaternary times. Recently, human modifications have been high. The paper presents the results of a study into the effects of fault activity on the landscape evolution of the area. The study aims to detect active faults and to determine the last phase of tectonic activity. Information on the long-term tectonic activity is gained from the geological record (drainage system, sediment distributions, fluvial terraces, fault mapping). Previous studies are reviewed and supplemented with new data on tectonic activity. The compilation of all data is presented as a series of paleogeographic maps from Late Miocene to present. It is demonstrated that differential uplift of the western margin of the northern URG had significant impact on the drainage system, the formation of fluvial terraces and the landscape of the western graben shoulder. In a second part of the paper, the imprint of tectonics on the present-day landscape is investigated at the regional scale in order to determine the location of fault scarps and tectonically influenced parts of the drainage system. This study uses an integrated analysis of topography, drainage patterns and fault network. The comparison of features suggests a structural control by numerous NNE- and NNW-oriented intra-graben faults on the flow directions of streams in the Rhine Valley. Several scarps in the Rhine Valley are identified and interpreted to result from intra-graben faulting activity, which in turn controlled fluvial dissection. The third part of the paper presents quantitative measurements of the present-day landscape shape. Calculations of geomorphic indices are used to determine the balance between erosional and tectonic processes and to identify active fault segments. The mountain-front sinuosity and valley shape indices measured along the border faults and in the footwall area are used to determine the level of activity of the faults. Stream profiles of the western and eastern catchments of the River Rhine are investigated for gradient changes at the crossing of the border faults. The combined interpretation of geomorphic indices points to active border fault segments on both sides of the graben. Based on the integration of all results it is concluded that the tectonic morphology identified for the northern URG formed in response to long-term, low level tectonic processes. Due to a significant decrease in erosional and depositional activity during the last 15,000 years, the tectonic morphology has probably been preserved until present.