QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF VEGETATION ON EROSION PROCESSES ALONG THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT IN THE HAMILTON REGION OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allie J. Ellis ◽  
◽  
Carolyn H. Eyles ◽  
Carolyn H. Eyles
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Niagara Escarpment ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
The Impact

Trend surface analysis of major late Wisconsinan till sheets, Brantford–Woodstock area, southern Ontario

1978 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Cowan
Keyword(s):  
Strong Relationship ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Trend Surface Analysis ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Niagara Escarpment ◽  
Regional Trends ◽  
Grade Material ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Relationship Of

Linear and quadratic trend surfaces were computed for textural, carbonate, clast, and heavy mineral properties of the Catfish Creek (Nissouri Stadial), Port Stanley (Port Bruce Stadial), Tavistock (Port Bruce Stadial), and Wentworth (Port Huron Stadial) tills.Catfish Creek Till pebble grade material provided trend surfaces reflecting the underlying bedrock. However, an overall lack of regional trends in Catfish Creek Till is consistent with field observations that indicate remarkable uniformity for this till over several hundred square kilometres, a phenomenon that is believed to reflect the high energy of this ice sheet. Carbonates in Port Stanley Till were found to increase from east to west as the Silurian–Devonian contact was crossed. Tavistock Till was found to have increasing sand content and decreasing silt content from northwest to southeast owing to incorporation of underlying glaciofluvial sediments; pebble trends reflect the underlying bedrock for the most part. Wentworth Till trend surfaces for carbonates and pebbles show high dolomite near the Niagara Escarpment to the east and northeast with a dilution of dolomite and influx of limestone to the southwest.The strong relationship of the trend surfaces to substrate materials indicates the basal nature of the tills and the local origin of most glacial deposits. Pebble lithologies provide much information about local bedrock and drift prospectors should give close consideration to coarse fragments.

A multi-decade assessment of the impact of large fire events on sediment redistribution using LAPSUS - the Águeda catchment, north-central Portugal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dante Föllmi ◽  
Jantiene Baartman ◽  
João Pedro Nunes ◽  
Akli Benali
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Sediment Dynamics ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Sediment Redistribution ◽  
Central Portugal ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>Wildfires have become an increasing threat for Mediterranean ecosystems, due to increasing climate change induced wildfire activity and changing land management practices. Apart from the initial risk, fire can alter the soil in various ways depending on different fire severities and thus post-fire erosion processes are an important component in assessing wildfires’ negative effects. Recent post-fire erosion (modelling) studies often focus on a short time window and lack the attention for sediment dynamics at larger spatial scales. Yet, these large spatial and temporal scales are fundamental for a better understanding of catchment sediment dynamics and long-term destructive effects of multiple fires on post-fire erosion processes. In this study the landscape evolution model LAPSUS was used to simulate erosion and deposition in the 404 km<sup>2</sup> Águeda catchment in northern-central Portugal over a 41 year (1979-2020) timespan. To include variation in fire severity and its impact on the soil four burnt severity classes, represented by the difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), were parameterized. Although model calibration was difficult due to lack of spatial and temporal measured data, the results show that average post-fire net erosion rates were significantly higher in the wildfire scenarios (5.95 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>) compared to those of a non-wildfire scenario (0.58 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>). Furthermore, erosion values increased with a higher level of burnt severity and multiple fires increased the overall sediment build-up in the catchment, fostering an increase in background sediment yield. Simulated erosion patterns showed great spatial variability with large deposition and erosion rates inside streams. Due to this variability, it was difficult to identify land uses that were most sensitive for post-fire erosion, because some land-uses were located in more erosion-sensitive areas (e.g. streams, gullies) or were more affected by high burnt severity levels than others. Despite these limitations, LAPSUS performed well on addressing spatial sediment processes and has the ability to contribute to pre-fire management strategies. For instance, the percentage soil loss map (i.e. comparison of erosion and soil depth maps) could identify locations at risk.</p>

scholarly journals The role of unpaved roads in the formation of landslide processes (on the example of Voronezh region)

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Andrey N. Timofeev
Keyword(s):  
Soil Layer ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Unpaved Roads ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Voronezh Region ◽  
Landslide Processes ◽  
Landslide Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Landslide Distribution

The article gives a brief description of the Voronezh region, provides data on the cause of landslides in its territory. The cyclical nature of landslide processes is noted, which in the region is on average 6-8 years. Attention is focused on anthropogenic activity, leading to the occurrence of creeping layers of the earth. The main causes of erosion processes are: significant plowing of the area (80%), which is not subject to the rules of anti-erosion agrotechnology; the irrational use of pastures and hayfields; an extensive gully-beam network. The role of temporary reservoirs formed in the ruts of unpaved roads, passing along the slopes and ravines, as a source of overmoistening of the soil layers and initiation of landslide processes is considered. The analysis of the landslide distribution over the territory of the Voronezh region and their dependence on the network of dirt roads is given. The areas of the Voronezh region were ranked by the number of landslide processes associated with the impact of a number of unpaved highways. Of the 32 districts of the region, according to this ranking, 12 are extremely dangerous, very dangerous and dangerous, and the same areas have a very extensive network of unpaved roads running near ravines, steep banks of rivers and ponds, where potentially flow of landslide processes. Dirt roads often have relatively deep ruts where melted or rainwater accumulates, forming local micro-ponds. Flowing to the waterproof layer, water saturates the soil layer, which can slide down the slope, forming a landslide process. It is necessary to predict the possibility of the occurrence of dangerous natural phenomena when laying automobile dirt roads.

scholarly journals A Stepwise Approach to Beach Restoration at Calabaia Beach

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Maiolo ◽  
Riccardo Alvise Mel ◽  
Salvatore Sinopoli
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Stepwise Approach ◽  
Strategic Resources ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
Marine Economy ◽  
Emergency Interventions ◽  
Flooding Events ◽  
The Impact

Sea hazards are increasingly threatening worldwide coastal areas, which are among the most strategic resources of the Earth in supporting human population, economy and the environment. These hazards enhance erosion processes and flooding events, producing severe socio-economic impacts and posing a challenge to ocean engineers and stakeholders in finding the optimal strategy to protect both the coastal communities and the health of the environment. The impact of coastal hazards is actually worsened not only by an enhancing rate of relative sea level rise and storminess driven by climate changes, but also by increasing urban pressure related to the development of the sea economy. With regard to larger environmental awareness and climate change adaptation needs, the present study focuses on a stepwise approach that supports the actions for coastal protection at Calabaia Beach, which is located in the Marine Experimental Station of Capo Tirone (Cosenza, Italy). These actions first aim to protect humans and coastal assets, then to restore the environment and the local habitat, overcoming the need for the emergency interventions carried out in the last decades and pointing out that healthy ecosystems are more productive and support a sustainable marine economy (“Blue Growth”).

scholarly journals Modelling Impacts of a Municipal Spatial Plan of Land-Use Changes on Surface Water Quality—Example from Goriška Brda in Slovenia

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matjaž Glavan ◽  
Sara Bele ◽  
Miha Curk ◽  
Marina Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Phosphorus Loads ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Spatial Plan

Intensive agriculture causes nutrient leaching and accelerates erosion processes, which threatens the good quality status of surface waters, as proposed by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive. The purpose of this study was to define the impact of two alternative agricultural land-use change scenarios defined in a Municipal Spatial Plan on surface water quality by using the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model. As experimental area, we chose a small Kožbanjšček stream catchment (1464 ha) situated in the Goriška Brda region in Slovenia. The area, due to favorable conditions for vineyards, is facing increasing deforestation. The change of 66.3 ha of forests to vineyards would increase the sediment, nitrate, and phosphorus loads in the stream by 24.8%, 17.1%, and 10.7%, respectively. With the implementation of vegetative buffer strips as a mitigation measure of the current situation, we could reduce the sediment, nitrate, and phosphorus loads by 17.9%, 11.1%, and 3.1%, respectively, while a combination of the two land-use change scenarios would result in a slight increase of the above-mentioned loads, corresponding to 0.61%, 2.1%, and 6.6%, respectively, compared to the baseline situation. The results confirm that, as we can increase pollution levels with deforestation, we can also reduce water pollution by choosing proper types of land management measures.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS ON SOIL EROSION PROCESSES AND SOIL PROPERTIES ON HILLY LANDSCAPE IN WESTERN LITHUANIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gintaras JARAŠIŪNAS ◽  
Irena KINDERIENĖ
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land use systems on soil erosion rates, surface evolution processes and physico-chemical properties on a moraine hilly topography in Lithuania. The soil of the experimental site is Bathihypogleyi – Eutric Albeluvisols (abe–gld–w) whose texture is a sandy loam. After a 27-year use of different land conservation systems, three critical slope segments (slightly eroded, active erosion and accumulation) were formed. Soil physical properties of the soil texture and particle sizes distribution were examined. Chemical properties analysed for were soil ph, available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). We estimated the variation in thickness of the soil Ap horizon and soil physico-chemical properties prone to a sustained erosion process. During the study period (2010–2012) water erosion occurred under the grain– grass and grass–grain crop rotations, at rates of 1.38 and 0.11 m3 ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Soil exhumed due to erosion from elevated positions accumulated in the slope bottom. As a result, topographic transfiguration of hills and changes in soil properties occurred. However, the accumulation segments of slopes had significantly higher silt/clay ratios and SOC content. In the active erosion segments a lighter soil texture and lower soil ph were recorded. Only long-term grassland completely stopped soil erosion effects; therefore geomorphologic change and degradation of hills was estimated there as minimal.

THE STATUS OF PARASITES OF THE APPLE MAGGOT, RHAGOLETIS POMONELLA (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE), IN ONTARIO

1971 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Monteith
Keyword(s):  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Rhagoletis Pomonella ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Niagara Escarpment ◽  
The Status

AbstractOpius melleus Gah. and O. lectus Gah. were the only parasites of Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) found in southern Ontario during a 4-year survey. The parasites were found only in the Niagara Region on the slope of the Niagara Escarpment and between it and Lake Ontario. The population of parasites was low though they appeared to be well adapted to attack R. pomonella. They were found in, or adjoining, unsprayed sites where there was shrubby growth under the trees infested by R. pomonella.

The extent of old-growth Thuja occidentalis on cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628-1636 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Larson ◽  
P. E. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Ecology ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Thuja Occidentalis ◽  
Selective Sampling ◽  
Niagara Escarpment ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Extensive random sampling of populations of Thuja occidentalis growing on vertical cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario, Canada, was conducted to determine the extent of an old-growth forest that had recently been described. Nine sites distributed along the length of the escarpment were intensively sampled and from these, 1254 increment cores or cross sections were obtained from 872 trees in all age categories. The results show that all cliffs support a broadly similar old-growth forest of stunted trees, but that statistically significant differences were found in the numbers of trees among sites. No large differences among sites were found in heights or diameters of trees. Maximum ages of 532 (sampled) and 814 years (estimated) were found in the random census, although in subsequent selective sampling, intact stems up to 1032 years were found. The incidence of fire and cutting by humans was also measured, but little evidence of such disturbances was found. It is concluded that exposed cliff faces of the Niagara Escarpment support one of the oldest, most extensive, and most intact old-growth forest ecosystems yet described for eastern North America. The opportunities for the study of basic forest ecology and especially for dendrochronology are considerable. Key words: Thuja occidentalis, old growth, Niagara Escarpment, cliff, age structures.

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