Flood Ponds Research Articles

Impact of Malaysia major flood to river geomorphology changes and total suspended solid using GIS technique

Flood is the most common type of disaster in Peninsular Malaysia. In December 2014, a major flood event occurred in Pahang River that recorded the worst flood ever hit Pahang River Basin and Malaysia generally. Twelve sampling station has been chosen which covered of upstream, middle stream and downstream parts of Pahang River. This study focuses on scrutinizing the processes of the river geomorphology changes using geographic information system and other techniques. Those stations are Jerantut Feri, JPS Tembeling, Chenor and Pekan. The 3D modelling surface showed that the bathymetric shape of Pahang River bed was severely affected by the flood due to collapse of river banks, land use changes and anthropogenic activities. However, other stations are also affected by the flood but it is not significant according to cluster group constructed. Total suspended solid was classified into three group using cluster analysis. The contributors of sedimentation problems in Pahang River are from unsustainable land use such as urbanization, agricultural activities, industrialization which are trapping the bed sediments and river band erosion caused by flood phenomenon. Sinuosity index (SI) of Pahang River shows that high percentage of changes occurred in the upstream at Tembeling River and Jelai River with the highest percentage recorded at 45%. SI recorded at middle stream shows a significant change with the percentage of 20.7%. While at downstream, the SI recorded three significant changes from 16.0% to 20.3%. Based on statistical analysis, significant changes with moderate correlation in R squared value at R2 = 0.6669 was obtained between SI changes and water level that occurred from 2010 to 2015. Pahang River geomorphology change analysis and river bed geometric analysis are very important in order to decide the best mitigating measure and management plan that will overcome the biggest problem of Pahang River, that is, flood – that occurs every year. Generally, this study is very important to gather information on the effect of 2014 major flood in Pahang River in order to manage the Basin of Tropical River. In future, for mitigation measure, alternative management is proposed for Pahang River Maintenance such as service of natural flood ponds and flood mitigation projects.

From wetland to farm and back again: phosphorus dynamics of a proposed restoration project

We studied the phosphorus dynamics in a former wetland, which had been converted to a celery farm, and now consists of two shallow, flooded ponds that are being proposed for aquatic habitat restoration. However, like many agricultural areas, this site is plagued by phosphorus legacy issues. Proposed restoration includes hydrologic reconnection of these ponds to its adjacent stream, which are now isolated from one another by an earthen berm, to create a wetland complex. One of the two flooded ponds was partially dredged, whereas the other one has remained undredged. Water column, sediment pore water, and sediment total phosphorus concentrations were significantly greater in the undredged pond compared to the dredged pond, but in both cases phosphorus levels in the water columns (mean TP 929 vs. 133μg/L in undredged vs. dredged ponds, respectively) would exacerbate downstream water quality issues if hydrologic reconnection occurred without first addressing the phosphorus issue. Sediment isotherm and maximum sorption data indicated that the sediments are close to phosphorus saturation in the undredged pond; simulated dredging of the cores revealed that exposure of deeper sediment layers would increase sorption capacity. Pore water SRP concentrations increased with sediment depth and were significantly greater in the undredged vs. dredged pond at both the 1-4-cm depth (2249 vs. 112μg/L) and 14-17-cm depth (5506 vs. 222μg/L). This study provides a framework for other projects that need to balance the competing demands of habitat restoration vs. water quality when restoring wetlands that have been converted to agricultural production.

Contribution of soil properties to the assessment of a seawater irrigation programme as a management strategy for abandoned solar saltworks

The installation of desalination plants close to ecosystems of interest may have environmental impacts that make corrective measures necessary. Especially, wetlands (which are water-dependent ecosystems) are prone to degradation. This is the case for the Agua Amarga salt marsh (SE Spain), that includes an abandoned solar saltworks and surrounding, topographically higher zones, in which the groundwater withdrawal to supply two desalination plants has led to a drop of the piezometric levels and the desiccation of the ecosystem. To overcome these problems, a programme to irrigate the marsh with seawater was established. This paper reports some soil characteristics of the marsh in relation to the different types of vegetation/environment identified and the seawater irrigation programme, with the objective being to propose some guidelines to improve the management of the site. Surface and subsurface samples were taken from 63 plots and the depth of the water level and the soil redox potential (Eh), moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, organic carbon, nitrogen and bulk density were determined. Also, the soil texture, structure, consistence, accumulation of salt crystals and redoximorphic features – indicative of reduction-oxidation processes – were described. The poor structure (weak, granular, subangular and angular blocks, very fine and fine) showed that the soils were hardly developed. The periphery (mainly colonised by Suaeda vera, Lygeum spartum and Limonium spp.) was less saline (EC 1:5 in the upper layers ~0.4 to ~4dSm−1) and drier (water level>−1.5m depth) than the abandoned saline ponds (EC 1:5 in the upper layers ~2 to ~9dSm−1 and water level between −1m depth and +0.2m above the soil surface), mainly colonised by Sarcocornia fruticosa, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Salicornia patula, Phragmites australis and Ruppia maritima in the flooded ponds. The soils of the periphery were always oxic (Eh>+500mV), but most of the abandoned saline ponds had suboxic (~+100mV<Eh<~+350mV) and even anoxic conditions (Eh<~+100mV), as shown by the existence of gley colours and redoximorphic features. The soil bulk density of the surface and subsurface layers showed that the most impermeable ponds were located in the centre of the marsh, where it is possible to maintain a surface water sheet during prolonged periods, suitable for the development of submerged plant species such as R. maritima and for waterbirds. Part of the seawater poured into more permeable ponds, such as those located in the southern and northern zones of the marsh, is lost by infiltration due to the lower bulk density of these soils. The latter facilitates the recovery of the piezometric levels and the growth of terrestrial plant species. Monitoring of redoximorphic features in the upper soil layers, in combination with symptoms of damage in the plants, could be used as a visual indicator of oxygen limitation due to excessive soil moisture. This would permit the regulation of the irrigation programme, hence optimising the energy and economic resources applied to maintain the ecosystem.

Polyploid origin, genetic diversity and population structure in the tetraploid sea lavender Limonium narbonense Miller (Plumbaginaceae) from eastern Spain

Limonium narbonense Miller is a fertile tetraploid species with a sporophytic self-incompatibility system. This sea lavender is found in coastal salt marshes which have been under intense human pressure during the past decades resulting in significant habitat fragmentation. Eleven microsatellite loci specifically designed for this species were amplified in 135 individuals from five populations. These markers were used to investigate the polyploid nature, the levels of genetic diversity and population structure in this species. L. narbonense showed high levels of genetic diversity (A = 7.82, P = 100% H (T) = 0.446), consistent with its likely autotetraploid origin revealed in this study and obligate outcrossing breeding system. Inbreeding (F (IS)) values were low in the three southern populations (mean F (IS) = 0.062), and higher in the northern populations (mean F (IS) = 0.184). Bayesian analysis of population structure revealed that populations could be grouped into two genetic clusters, one including three southern populations and the other the two northernmost ones. Individuals from the two northernmost populations showed higher admixture of the two genetic clusters than individuals from the three southern ones. A thorough analysis of microsatellite electrophoretic patterns suggests an autotetraploid origin for L. narbonense. The genetic structure revealed in this study is attributed to a recent migration from the southern area. This result suggests a net gene flow from the south to the north, likely facilitated by migratory movements of birds visiting the temporary flooded ponds occupied by L. narbonense.

Spatial network structure and amphibian persistence in stochastic environments.

In the past few years, the framework of complex networks has provided new insight into the organization and function of biological systems. However, in spite of its potential, spatial ecology has not yet fully incorporated tools and concepts from network theory. In the present study, we identify a large spatial network of temporary ponds, which are used as breeding sites by several amphibian species. We investigate how the structural properties of the spatial network change as a function of the amphibian dispersal distance and the hydric conditions. Our measures of network topology suggest that the observed spatial structure of ponds is robust to drought (compared with similar random structures), allowing the movement of amphibians to and between flooded ponds, and hence, increasing the probability of reproduction even in dry seasons.

Flood‐mediated dispersal versus hatching: early recolonisation strategies of copepods in floodplain ponds

Summary1. We explored the quantitative contribution of two alternative recolonisation strategies by a combination of experimental and field data from the Little Tallahatchie floodplain (Mississippi, U.S.A.). In this area, several floods of short duration occur in winter and spring. During floods, lentic and lotic waterbodies of different size are connected for a limited period.2. Shortly before the onset of the flood season we collected sediment samples from six temporary ponds. The emergence of seven cyclopoid species was recorded from the experimentally flooded sediments and was quantified over a 4‐week period. Water samples were taken in the same ponds after flooding, from which eight further species were recorded and quantified.3. The contribution of flood‐dispersed individuals was variable among flooded ponds (between 38 and 94%), but numbers of flood‐dispersed colonists did not differ significantly from those of hatching individuals in flooded ponds. Our results demonstrate the equal importance of both hydrological connections and hatching from dormant stages as pathways for recolonisation by copepods if ponds are hydrologically connected.4. The significance of recolonisation by hatching individuals in disconnected waterbodies was apparent in an isolated temporary pond that was exclusively recolonised by cyclopoid copepods emerging from the sediment.

Temporary and Mobile Protected Areas for the Conservation of a Palm Tree Landscape in Uruguay

The Butia capitata woodlands in southeastern Uruguay have a density and dimension that makes them unique in the world. This complex ecosystem, situated in prairie and grasslands, is dominated by Butia capitata palms and associated with a low herb stratum, some shrubs and trees, seasonal flooded areas and small ponds. The presence of cattle has inhibited recruitment for approximately 300 years, and the palm trees are therefore typically of this age. To date, no action has been taken to protect this magnificent landscape, which is under risk of disappearing due to the senescence of the palm trees and lack of recruitment. The pros and cons of using a novel system of temporary and mobile protected areas for landscape conservation are explored. It is concluded that temporary and mobile protected areas should be considered as a tool in a region where almost 100% of the land is privately owned, and the state has very limited funds.

Microsatellite Gene Diversity Analysis in Landlocked Arctic Char from Maine

Abstract Using six microsatellite loci, we characterized the 12 remaining populations of Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus naturally occurring in Maine. More specifically, we challenged the hypotheses based on previous analyses with other markers that (1) Arctic char from Floods Pond (known locally as silver char) represent a distinct evolutionary lineage and (2) all other Arctic char populations from Maine belong to the same evolutionary lineage and therefore do not require individual consideration for conservation. The high level of polymorphism observed at microsatellite loci in this study contrasted sharply with the extremely low levels of variation previously reported at other markers. Analyses confirmed that all lakes possess genetically distinct populations among which gene flow is restricted and on which other evolutionary forces may act independently, enhancing their genetic divergence. However, hierarchical gene diversity, population clustering, and population assignment analyses all indicated that...

Hoanib River flood deposits of Namib Desert interdunes asanalogues for thin permeability barrier mudstone layers inaeolianite reservoirs

ABSTRACT The ephemeral braided Hoanib River of NW Namibia flows for a few days a year, and only high discharges enable the river to pass through interdunal depressions within the northern Namib Desert dune field to the Atlantic. The dune field comprises mainly large transverse dunes resulting from predominant SSW winds. River flood deposits between aeolian dunes are analogous to mudstone layers conformably interbedded with ancient aeolianite dune foresets. Deep floods pond laterally to considerable depths (metres to &gt;10 m) in adjacent interdunes, depositing mud layers (1–50 cm) to considerable heights on avalanche and stoss faces of bounding dunes. Fairly passive flooding only disturbs aeolian stratification minimally. Floodwater clay infiltrates and settles as an impermeable seal, with a flood pond on top, perched, above regional groundwater. Flood ponds evaporate slowly for long periods (&gt;3 years). Early emergence desiccates higher parts of a mud layer. Subsequent floods can refill a predecessor pond, benefiting from the existing impervious seal. Potential preservation of such mud layers is lower on the stoss face, but high on the avalanche face after burial by subsequent dune reactivation and migration. The leeward (right) Hoanib bank, a dune stoss face, is river and wind eroded to exhume fossil interdune pond mud layers of an earlier Hoanib channel. The highly inclined layers are interbedded with dune avalanche foresets and represent the edges of two successive fossil ponds exposed in plan. Ancient flood pond mudstones occur in the Permian–Triassic hydrocarbon reservoir, the Sherwood Sandstone Group of the Cheshire Basin (Kinnerton Formation) and Irish Sea Basin and were previously used erroneously to argue against the aeolian origin of cross‐bed sets. Hoanib studies show that primary river interaction with a dune field might preserve only localized erosional omission surfaces in ancient aeolianites, with little sandy barform preservation, prone to aeolian reworking. Around the main fluvial channel locus, however, flood pond mudstone layers should form a predictable halo, within which fluid permeability will decrease.

Man‐made climatic changes in the Ganges basin

AbstractClimate data pertaining to the Ganges basin in Bangladesh were analysed to find any climatic changes in the wake of the upstream water diversion by the Farakka Barrage. Whereas the diversions have been continuing from at least 30 international rivers upstream of Bangladesh, the diversion from the Ganges is the best known and has a wider coverage than all other diversions. The diversion reduced the Ganges' discharge through the delta by about 60% from a pre‐diversion average value of 1932 m3 s−1, decreased water availability in flood plains, ponds, canals, and ditches by about 50%, dropped the groundwater table, and caused changes in surface features. It took about 5 years of diversions beyond the test run year of 1975 for the environment to react to set 1981 as the baseline year. During the post‐baseline era: (1) heating degree days and cooling degree days were respectively 1.33 and 1.44 times more than their counterparts during the pre‐baseline era; (2) the summertime and wintertime average temperatures were respectively 1 °C more and 0.5 °C less than the corresponding values during the pre‐baseline era; (3) the mode 32 °C of summertime maximum temperatures was 1 °C higher and occurred 414 times more, and the mode 25 °C of wintertime temperature was 1 °C less and occurred 17 times less than the corresponding quantities during the pre‐baseline era; (4) the average value of maximum relative humidity has increased by more than 2% and that of minimum relative humidity has dropped by the same amount; (5) the mode 95% and 70% of maximum and minimum relative humidity values have occurred 1322 times and 84 times more respectively than their pre‐baseline counterparts; and (6) the frequency for 100 mm or more rainfall and the monthly average rainfalls have dropped by about 50% and 30% respectively. The solution to the climatic changes lies in the restoration of the virgin Ganges flow, dredging of the Ganges and its distributaries to remove shoals and siltation, and re‐excavation of canals for water discharge to depleted surface water bodies to re‐establish the lost wetland ecosystems. The findings are useful for climate modellers to predict the climatic changes due to changes in surface features, for policy makers of governments of riparian countries constructing dams/barrages on international rivers for unilateral diversion of water, and for donor agencies who finance such projects. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.

Genetic Identity of Transplanted Arctic Char: Implications for Restocking Programs

Abstract The Sunapee char (Salvelinus alpinus oquassa), an endemic landlocked Arctic char of Sunapee Lake, New Hampshire, disappeared in the mid-1900s due to competition with introduced fishes. Sunapee char differed from other lacustrine North American Arctic char in their unique coloration, large size, and use of a midlake spawning shoal. Before their disappearance, Sunapee char were stocked in a series of small lakes in Idaho; stocked fish have become reproductively established in Sawtooth Lake. Because fish from Floods Pond, Maine, had been labeled “Sunapee trout,” due to their physical similarity to Sunapee Lake char, we wanted to examine the genetic similarity between these populations. If they were found to be identical, fish from Floods Pond might be usable as a source to reintroduce the subspecies into New Hampshire, Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment variation was used to compare Arctic char from Sawtooth Lake, Idaho, with Arctic char populations in Maine, Quebec, New Brunswick, and E...

Mitochondrial DNA and Conservation of an Aboriginal Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus oquassa) from Floods Pond, Maine

Periods of low water in Floods Pond, Maine, USA, during spawning seasons for an endemic population of landlocked Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus oquassa, have contributed to several year-class failures. To determine the genetic uniqueness of these fish, samples of Arctic char from five isolated lakes in New England and eastern Canada were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and compared with samples of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Arctic char from Scandinavia. Results suggest that (1) Arctic char of eastern North America should all be considered members of Salvelinus alpinus oquassa, (2) char from Floods Pond possess a unique mtDNA banding pattern for one restriction enzyme not observed in fish from any other sampled locality (this difference delineates a distinct lineage of Arctic char whose preservation is warranted on genetic grounds), and (3) unique banding patterns did not characterize any other studied char population, including geographic variants (these populations may be viewed as genetically homogeneous, and none warrant individual protection based upon our genetic characterizations). We contend that genetically identified lineages in the early stages of divergence warrant preservation.

Fluvial Response to Late Quaternary Climatic Fluctuations, Central Kobuk Valley, Northwestern Alaska

ABSTRACT Much of northwestern Alaska remained unglaciated during the Pleistocene and thus offers a favorable setting for examining long-term records of high-latitude geological and biological change. Epiguruk, a large cut bank 3.5 km long and up to 36 m high on the Kobuk River south of the Brooks Range in eastern Beringia, exposes complex sedimentary successions representing cycles of upper Quaternary alluviation and eolian sedimentation, downcutting, and soil formation. A rich record of plants and mammals is also preserved in the section. Deposits of fluvial channels and flood plains, eolian dunes, sand sheets, loess, and ponds, as well as organic soils (Histosols) are represented. Parallel-bedded fine sand and coarse silt couplets that commonly contain root structures, ripple cross-laminatio , and silt drapes are flood-plain sediments apparently deposited at the interface of fluvial and eolian environments. Multiple fluvial-to-eolian depositional sequences were caused by influx of eolian sediment to the river from intermittently active dune fields south of the Kobuk River. Alluviation in the Kobuk Valley was coeval with glaciation in the Brooks Range, whereas downcutting occurred during interstadials when dune stabilization limited sediment supply. The depositional model developed at Epiguruk may be useful in interpreting some of the widespread subhorizontally stratified late-glacial deposits of Europe and North America.

Late Holocene aggradation in the lower Humber River valley, Toronto, Ontario

Alluvial fills are common in the lower reaches of rivers along the western shore of Lake Ontario. The Humber River floodplain at Toronto is underlain by a 2.5 km long wedge of alluvium that thins upstream from Lake Ontario. Floodplain sediments were studied for their lithology, 14C age, and fossil pollen. On the levees, grey clay is overlain by oxidized silt and sand. Sediment cores from two flood ponds grade upward from gravel, sand, and silt, to silty marl, mineral peat, and clay, to heterogeneous silt and sand. Base-level (Lake Ontario) rise directly controlled aggradation between 6500 and 1800 years ago, after which time base level no longer directly controlled aggradation because levees had emerged alongside the channel and reduced the supply of sediment to the floodplain. For the past 150 years, upstream forest clearance and urbanization increased sediment input to the floodplain, broadened the levees, and filled the flood ponds.Average flood-pond aggradation rates were estimated from seven 14C dates; these rates declined from 65 cm/100 years between 6500 and 3800 years ago, to 47 cm/100 years between 3800 and 3400 years ago, to 26 cm/100 years between 3400 and 1800 years ago. These rates reflect contemporaneous lake-level rise. Between 1800 and 150 years ago, the average aggradation rate declined below the estimated rate of lake-level rise to 14 cm/100 years. Since then, the average aggradation rate has increased tenfold to 140 cm/100 years, surpassing the historic rate of lake-level rise of 23 cm/100 years. Fossil pollen from the flood ponds reflects local flood plain and regional upland vegetation during the past 4000 years.

Within-Season Homing Movements of Displaced Mature Sunapee Trout (Salvelinus alpinus) in Floods Pond, Maine

Abstract Tagging, displacement and recapture, and ultrasonic tracking of displaced mature Sunapee trout (Salvelinus alpinus) in Floods Pond, Maine, demonstrated that rapid within-season homing occurs in this relict form of Arctic char. Of the trout displaced about 1.8 km from their spawning ground from 1972 to 1975, 9% to 32% were recaptured one to four times within the same spawning season in trap nets set on the spawning ground. Eight of 14 trout tracked ultrasonically in 1975 horned in 2.5 to 10.0 h. Movements of the homing fish were variable; some trout homed paralleling the shoreline, others horned in open water or used a combination of near-shore and open-water movements. Behavior was similar between the sexes and during day and night, although two fish did begin to move just at sundown. Swimming speeds ranged from 15 to 35 cm s-1 and averaged about 0.6 body lengths s-1. Swimming directions were not influenced by wind and wave direction, nor were swimming speeds within individual tracks influenced b...

Reproductive Biology and Early Life History of the Sunapee Trout of Floods Pond, Maine

Abstract The Sunapee trout (Salvelinus alpinus L.) of Floods Pond, Maine, spawned in October and November when surface water temperatures dropped below 15 C. There was little sexual dimorphism. Sexes were present on the spawning area in nearly equal numbers. Spawning occurred at night in shallow (30 to 100 cm) water near the lake shore. Eggs were scattered over a boulder-strewn bottom. There was neither redd construction nor site preparation. The eggs were relatively large (5.08 mm) and negatively buoyant. Females had approximately 2,500 eggs/kg of body weight. In hatchery tests eggs eyed in about 50 days and hatched in 79–122 days at mean water temperatures ranging from 11.0–3.0 C. The yolk sac was absorbed in about two weeks and the fry immediately moved to deep water. All males were mature at age III+ and all females were mature at age IV+. Many females spawned in alternate years while most males spawned every year.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF CAULERPA RACEMOSA VAR. OCCIDENTALIS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND SOME ASPECTS OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY

Caulerpa racemosa, a benthic siphonaceous algae has its natural habitat in the sublittoral zone of tropical areas. In the Philippines, since a few years, it is cultivated on commercial scale in flooded ponds in the intertidal mangrove zone. Unlike in their natural habitats, Caulerpa in these ponds is subjected to sometimes considerable changes in salinity (rain, evaporation, tem-perature and light (Insolation), and in pH). The response of Caulerpa to these factors and the comparison of the ecological conditions, both in the natural habitats and the cultured ponds have been investigated. &#x0D; The experiments showed that the observed changes of the studied parameters normally range within the physiological limits of Caulerpa. Under extreme conditions, however, detri-mental effects can occur. Ways of controlling such factors are discussed.

STUDIES OF WATERFOWL IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: BALDPATE

A relatively large population of Mareca americana winters on the Coastal Plain, almost exclusively along the coast line when meadow flood ponds and sloughs farther inland are sealed by frost. A winter population in the interior is small in numbers and irregular in occurrence. Nesting grounds are in the interior only, from the Okanagan Valley and Kamloops–Nicola region, where the species is scarce, to as far north at least as the Haines Road in the northwest section of the Province. The most productive nesting grounds are in the Cariboo Parklands and the Lakes District near Vanderhoof. The main spring migration of transients through the central interior takes place during the last two weeks of April and by early May a breeding population is established on the many sloughs and ponds of the nesting range. Dry Carex meadows bordering certain water areas is the preferred nesting habitat. It is usual for the full clutch of eggs to be laid not later than June 15. In the Cariboo Parklands the average number of young in 10 June broods was 7.0, the average of 75 July broods was 6.2, and the average of 14 August broods was 5.2. In the Lakes District near Vanderhoof the average number of young in 37 broods during July and August was 7.0. Females with broods habitually frequent the open water of marsh ponds, lake bays, and marsh-edged rivers. Here, if approached by man, they vigorously defend their young by ruses to attract attention from them. Short, successive flights in front of a moving canoe, and splashing across the water in a direction leading away from the young are examples of behavior at this time. Postbreeding males associated in flocks on open water often accompany rafts of postbreeding coots and diving ducks. Aquatic insects is the chief item in the diet of downy young. Adults feed principally on the foliage of aquatic plants, grasses, algae, and seeds of aquatic plants, in that order. Insects are eaten in relatively small amounts. The baldpate may, under certain conditions and in certain localities, destroy cultivated forage plants. It is an important game duck and, because of its almost exclusive vegetable diet, highly palatable. Revenue derived from the hunting of baldpate, and the economic value of its flesh for human food, more than compensate for any economic loss resulting from crop destruction.