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Marsh terraces, constructed as a restoration and protection strategy, consist of a series of earthen berms in open water areas of the coastal wetland landscape and are being implemented across the Louisiana coast. To assess the efficacy of the marsh terraces as a nature-based solution, a small-scale, high-resolution hydrodynamic model was developed based on field sampling of vegetation and physical parameters (water level, waves, sediment, turbidity, and terrace elevation). This study tested common marsh terrace designs (e.g., chevron, linear, box, T-shape, etc.), ultimately selecting a preferred design based on the evaluation of factors such as vegetation, water depth, and sediment type on terrace stability and sediment retention under calm and storm conditions. The model results revealed that the 100 m box and the chevron designs exhibited greatest terrace stability and sediment trapping, particularly when installed perpendicular to prevailing wind and waves. The preferred terrace design was the box design due to its higher modeled resilience to wind and waves from multiple directions. Vegetation presence enhanced terrace resistance to erosion, with variations depending on vegetation type. Higher vegetation biomass, especially during the summer, contributed to the greatest stability of terraces. Greater water depth between terraces led to increased sediment retention, and terraces predominantly composed of organic-rich mud demonstrated greater stability than those with higher proportions of sand. Overall, vegetation had the greatest impact on sediment retention in the terrace field compared to water depth and sediment type. However, the potential habitat for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) was more influenced by water depth (i.e., 0.1 m < depth <1 m) than shear stress (<0.5 Pa). Even under storm conditions, shear stress rarely determined potential habitat for SAV, as shear stress remained relatively low within the terrace field. Potential SAV habitat was most abundant in shallow areas and increased where sediment stability was lowest (i.e., no vegetation and sand), primarily due to eroded sediment increasing the shallow area. While this model was developed using field data specific to Louisiana marshes, it can be adapted as a tool for terrace restoration project design and planning in most coastal wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin is estimated based on the assumption that vegetation cover should be relatively uniform under similar habitat conditions. The potential for terrace restoration is assessed through an analysis of topographic features and soil layer thickness, while the potential for silt dam construction is evaluated by considering various hydrological and geomorphological factors. Based on these assessments, the overall potential for soil erosion control in the watershed is synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of target areas for ecological restoration within the Kuye River Basin. The study demonstrates that the areas with the greatest potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin are concentrated in the upper and middle reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. The total potential for terracing is 1013.85 km2, which is primarily distributed across the river terraces, farmlands, and gentle slopes on both sides of the riverbanks. Additionally, the potential for the construction of check dams is 14,390 units. The target areas for terracing measures in the Kuye River Basin are primarily situated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. Conversely, the target areas for forest, grass, and check dams, as well as other small watershed integrated management measures, are predominantly located in the hill and gully areas on the eastern and southern sides of the basin. The implementation of the gradual ecological construction of the watershed, based on the aforementioned objectives, will facilitate the protection, improvement, and rational utilization of soil, water, and other natural resources within the watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Reconstruction and rehabilitation have gone through a long period, and now in its latest version, experts have considered regeneration as a comprehensive solution. A kind of improvement that not only seeks to improve the physical space but also considers the social, cultural, economic, and other aspects of such issues in the field as well as the surrounding areas. In this research, the concept of urban regeneration and in particular, urban regeneration in France and the city of Paris, in the "Beaubourg" neighborhood has been discussed and the pillars of the success of the urban regeneration project of this neighborhood have been studied. The neighborhood, which has now become one of the best-known neighborhoods of the city through the "George Pompidou Center", was one of the less developed neighborhoods of Paris in the past. This part of the research is a descriptive-analytic study whose theoretical data have been collected through library studies and in the section of collecting information about the current situation of the neighborhood through direct field observation. Then, following the process of follow-up studies, the weaknesses of this plan were identified using a creative problem-solving process. Considering that the authors of the article were not native and had a new look at the objective structure of the neighborhood, finding weaknesses that were hidden from the French resident observer was on the agenda, and the western front of the Arsene of "Saint-Merry" cathedrals courtyard, was identified as a weak point of the Beaubourg neighborhood regeneration project. To continue the process of recreating and extending its success to the identified weak point, a research process and development have been pursued to provide practical solutions. In the final result and presented solutions, the concept of "Terrace", as the most important pillar of the success of the Beaubourg neighborhood regeneration project, has been the authors' work tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil aggregates are important indicators of soil structure stability and quality. The black soil region of northeast China, known for its high agricultural productivity, faces significant challenges due to soil erosion. This study investigates the impact of terracing on the stability and erodibility characteristics of soil aggregates in sloped farmlands, which is crucial for this important agricultural area. Three research sites with the same basic management modes were selected along a latitudinal gradient, from the mid-temperate zone to the cold temperate zone, in the black soil region of northeast China. The Savinov method was used to analyze the differences in soil aggregate size distribution, stability characteristics, and soil erodibility between terraced and non-terraced slopes at each research site. The results showed that terracing increased the content of large soil aggregates (>0.25 mm) by 5.38–6.35%, with the increase becoming more pronounced from north to south. The improvement in soil structure varied by location and slope position, with the most significant improvement at the middle slope position. Terracing enhanced soil aggregate stability, reduced soil erodibility, and improved soil structure by increasing clay and soil organic matter (SOM) content and reducing soil bulk density (BD), promoting the conversion of small aggregates to large aggregates. Soil stability indicators such as water-stable aggregates (WSAs), mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) were dominated by aggregates > 5 mm, while erodibility indicators such as fractal dimensions (Ds) and the soil erodibility factor (K values) were mainly influenced by aggregates < 0.25 mm. Terraces can improve the soil structure and stability of sloping farmland by increasing the content of large soil aggregates and enhancing overall soil quality. The benefits of these improvements increase with latitude. These findings provide critical insights for determining effective management practices for sloped farmlands in the black soil region under various site conditions. They offer scientific evidence for preventing soil erosion and improving soil quality, thus supporting the sustainable development strategy for protecting black soil and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terracing is a widely adopted agricultural practice in mountainous regions around the world that aims to conserve soil and water resources. Soil nutrients play a crucial role in determining soil quality, particularly in landscapes prone to drought. They are influenced by factors such as land-use type, slope aspect, and altitude. In this study, we sought to examine the impact of terracing on soil nutrients (soil organic content (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3–-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK)) and how they vary with environmental factors in the Chinese Loess Plateau. During the growing season, we collected 540 soil samples from the 0 to 100 cm soil layer across five major land-use types, different slope aspects, and varying altitudes. Additionally, a meta-analysis of literature data further corroborated the effective accumulation of soil nutrients through terracing in the Loess Plateau. Our findings are as follows: (1) Terraced fields, regardless of land-use type, showed a significant improvement in SOC and TN content. (2) Soil nutrient contents within terraced fields were predominantly higher on sunny slopes. (3) Terraces at lower altitudes are characterized by elevated SOC concentrations. (4) A meta-analysis of literature data pertaining to terracing and soil nutrients in this region confirmed the effective accumulation of soil nutrients through terracing. The elucidated outcomes of this study offer a profound theoretical underpinning for the accurate planning and management of terraces, the scientific utilization of land resources, and the enhancement of land productivity.

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The ratio of channel width to channel depth (α) is widely used to quantify the valley geometry of natural alluvial river channels. However, rare studies discussed the feasibility of α to constrain the changes of tectonic and climatic forcing in landscape evolution. To reveal the implication of alluvial valley α values on the effect of rock uplift, we selected an ideal site of the Rumei catchment (RMC) in the mountains of southeast Tibet, where is crossed by the active Lancang River Fault (LCRF) with different spatial characteristics. We used remote sensing, topographic analysis, and grain-size data to analyze channel valley geometry (e.g. valley width, depth, gradient, and α), valley geometry relations and grain-size distribution. Based on the present study, we found that there are three definite groups of α values (α ≤ 4, 4 < α ≤ 6, and α > 6) among the 13 channels in the catchment. The low α group corresponds to alluvial channels at the downstream end of the catchment, where the channels are steep and are controlled by rock uplift driven by thrusting. The medium α group includes channels in the headwaters of the catchment of RMC. High α channels are found in the mid-catchment location of RMC. The time of sediment transport in the mid-catchment has been constrained using radiocarbon ages on organic sediments in alluvial terrace deposits, whose results indicate that the high α channels there were disturbed by a major sediment transport event (debris flows or flood deposits) sometime between 630 and 1991 years ago. We observe that the grain size of deposits is not well related with variation of α values in the study area. We interpreted that the spatial difference of α values is dominantly controlled by the thrusting of LCRF. Hence, we concluded that α is a good indicator of the effect of rock uplift on channel morphology, which could be used to constrain the changes of tectonics in tectonically active mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terraces, farmlands built along hillside contours, are common anthropogenically designed landscapes. Terraces control soil and water loss and improve land productivity; therefore, obtaining their spatial distribution is necessary for soil and water conservation and agricultural production. Spatial information of large-scale terraces can be obtained using satellite images and through deep learning. However, when extracting terraces, accurately segmenting the boundaries of terraces and identifying small terraces in diverse scenarios continues to be challenging. To solve this problem, we combined two deep learning modules, ANB-LN and DFB, to produce a new deep learning framework (NLDF-Net) for terrace extraction using remote sensing images. The model first extracted the features of the terraces through the coding area to obtain abstract semantic features, and then gradually recovered the original size through the decoding area using feature fusion. In addition, we constructed a terrace dataset (the HRT-set) for Guangdong Province and conducted a series of comparative experiments on this dataset using the new framework. The experimental results show that our framework had the best extraction effect compared to those of other deep learning methods. This framework provides a method and reference for extracting ground objects using remote sensing images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are Quaternary paleochannels in the left bank of the lower reaches of the Taedong River in the southeastern side of Pyongyang. We aimed to determine the possibility to find Paleolithic sites by locating terraces and paleochannels using digital elevation models (DEM) and Landsat ETM+. The study on paleochannels focused on survey of terrace of the 80–100 m high, associated with the Paleolithic site, performing topography (elevation, slope and aspect) analysis with DEM data and FCC (False Color Component), BR (Band Ratio), PCA (Principal Component Analysis), ISODATA, and SAM with Landsat ETM+ image. The results show that the analysis method using DEM and ETM+ is effective to find Paleolithic sites through surveys of terrace and paleochannel and analysis of facies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] On the basis of considering the differences of soil property, terrace form and rainfall type, we aimed to establish the estimation method and framework of water storage and retention efficiency of terrace. [Methods] By using soil reservoir calculation model and infiltration model, we explored the prediction methods of soil water distribution in saturation-excess runoff and infiltration-excess runoff. Moreover, based on the Richards equation, we analyzed the two-dimensional infiltration of soil profiles at different field and ridge boundaries. On this basis, we constructed the scenario of soil water movement under single runoff generation mode or two runoff generation modes under four types of rainfall patterns, including pre-peak rainfall, uniform rainfall, post-peak rainfall, and stepped rainfall patterns. [Results] We proposed the distributed estimation method of soil water storage efficiency of terrace field, and the maximum water storage capacity (WM) of soil in a single terraced field was calculated. For different types of terraces, the anti-lateral seepage effect of stone walled bench terrace was the best, and the anti-lateral seepage effect of earth banked terrace was the worst, and the new soil ridge terrace with large pores, small density and short construction time lost more water than the soil ridge terrace with long construction time. The critical time (t) of full flow production under different rain patterns was obtained. [Conclusion] This estimation method could greatly reduce the dependence on field facilities and equipment, and reduce the input cost. With the help of field investigation and sampling, the efficiency of terraced water storage could be estimated based on model simulation. In addition, the method could be used to estimate the water storage efficiency of terrace on a regional scale according to the distributed calculation data of the water storage efficiency of a single terrace field, and provided a reference for the estimation of the water storage efficiency of different regional terraces.

Soil aggregates are important indicators of soil structure stability and quality. The black soil region of northeast China, known for its high agricultural productivity, faces significant challenges due to soil erosion. This study investigates the impact of terracing on the stability and erodibility characteristics of soil aggregates in sloped farmlands, which is crucial for this important agricultural area. Three research sites with the same basic management modes were selected along a latitudinal gradient, from the mid-temperate zone to the cold temperate zone, in the black soil region of northeast China. The Savinov method was used to analyze the differences in soil aggregate size distribution, stability characteristics, and soil erodibility between terraced and non-terraced slopes at each research site. The results showed that terracing increased the content of large soil aggregates (>0.25 mm) by 5.38–6.35%, with the increase becoming more pronounced from north to south. The improvement in soil structure varied by location and slope position, with the most significant improvement at the middle slope position. Terracing enhanced soil aggregate stability, reduced soil erodibility, and improved soil structure by increasing clay and soil organic matter (SOM) content and reducing soil bulk density (BD), promoting the conversion of small aggregates to large aggregates. Soil stability indicators such as water-stable aggregates (WSAs), mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) were dominated by aggregates > 5 mm, while erodibility indicators such as fractal dimensions (Ds) and the soil erodibility factor (K values) were mainly influenced by aggregates < 0.25 mm. Terraces can improve the soil structure and stability of sloping farmland by increasing the content of large soil aggregates and enhancing overall soil quality. The benefits of these improvements increase with latitude. These findings provide critical insights for determining effective management practices for sloped farmlands in the black soil region under various site conditions. They offer scientific evidence for preventing soil erosion and improving soil quality, thus supporting the sustainable development strategy for protecting black soil and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity.

A field experiment was conducted in the Zhangjiachong watershed to analyze the characteristics of rainfall–runoff process and sediment yield under different types of terraces. Various runoff plots were utilized, and a two serial tank model was employed to simulate runoff generation and concentration processes, taking into account vegetation interception. A soil erosion model incorporating raindrop erosion and sheet erosion was established to replicate sediment yield and concentration process. The parameters of the rainfall–runoff model and soil erosion model were calibrated and validated using observed runoff and sediment yield data. The controlling factors on runoff and sediment yield were explored and compared. The results indicate that both calibration and validation outcomes were acceptable. The earth‐banked terraces–citrus demonstrated the largest coefficients of upper and lower surface runoff, while its upper runoff threshold of the upper tank and the runoff threshold of the lower tank were the lowest, suggesting that it was more likely to produce surface and subsurface runoff. On the other hand, the stone dike terraces–crops exhibited the smallest coefficients of upper and lower surface runoff, while its upper runoff threshold of the upper tank was the highest. The lower runoff threshold of the upper tank was the same across different types of terraces. Compared to the earth‐banked terraces, the stone dike terraces have a larger infiltration coefficient in the upper tank and a smaller infiltration coefficient in the lower tank. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the most sensitive factors affecting runoff simulation results are the runoff threshold and the infiltration coefficient of the lower tank. Terraces, whether constructed with earth banks or stone dikes, are effective in reducing soil erosion. However, during storm rainfall events, these terraces may be partially destroyed, resulting in a higher sediment yield than that of the same vegetation cover on slope land. Terraces with hedgerows have a more significant effect on reducing runoff and sediment than those without hedgerows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terraces are important archives for paleontology. In this research, the paleotemperature changes and discharge frequency of Jajroud basin in the northeast of Tehran have been investigated based on the sedimentology and geochemistry characteristics of the reservoirs. First, the sediment samples were analyzed with calcimetry, EC, XRF, and PH techniques, and then these data were correlated with the indices of salinity, chemical weathering, acidity, and maturity of the sedimentary layers of the defenses. The results show three periods of flow rate changes, during the alternation of cold and warm periods. One is at the peak of the glacial period when the accumulation of precipitation in the form of snow and ice in the mountainous part of the basin brought about a decrease in discharge (before the Holocene). In the second stage, by passing from the glacial period to the warm period (about 11 to 8 thousand years ago), Jajrud has experienced its highest flow. Because the melting of glaciers has been accompanied by rainfall. These conditions have also led to severe floods. The existence of very coarse-textured layering in the early Holocene Terraces is the result of the dominance of these conditions. In the third stage, the dominance of recent warm and dry conditions (8 thousand years ago until now) has been associated with the lack of glacial and the decrease in river flow. Because today Jajrud discharge is only supplied by rainfall and the occurrence of periodic floods is also a direct result of exceeding the thresholds of the intensity and duration of rainfall. Recent floods have also occurred in the lower reaches of the Jajrud basin and affect only the area of the Rote sub basin to the outlet of the basin. The findings indicate that the geochemical studies of the reservoirs can provide valuable data to recover the dynamic changes of flow and discharge during the Quaternary period and can be generalized to other similar basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modernist architectural changes of the 19th to the 20th centuries, tuberculosis'therapy influenced the emergence of modernist architectural units, but it has been rarely studied in architectural history. Based on the perspective of tuberculosis, this paper focuses on the history of architectural change from sanatoriums to modernist houses, and specifically analyzes the correspondence and development path between the modernist architectural characteristics -"flat roof, recliner chair, balcony and terrace"and the mainstream treatment of tuberculosis -"Heliotherapy and fresh air treatment". By constructing the picture of the association between tuberculosis and modernism, it argues that tuberculosis is one of the biggest factors influencing modernist architectural change on the one hand, and attempts to explore the medical participation and cultural movement behind the architectural change on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Root growth is crucial in crop production and is influenced by soil attributes, but also affects soil chemical, physical and biological quality, along with management and conservation practices. In this paper, soybean root growth data from a field study at Guarapuava, Paraná State, Brazil are examined. In 2019, at a farm with over 35 years of no-tillage system (NT) adoption, three management sets were established in 1,1 ha macroplots: 1) farmer's NT standard (FNT), without terraces, with downhill farming and with autumn fallow; 2) autumn cover crops and contour farming added to FNT, as best management practices (BMP); 3) terraces and contour farming (TC) added to FNT. Soybean was sowed in November 2020 and 2021, and minirhizotron tubes (1 m long, 7 cm wide) were installed into the soil just after soybean emerged in 2020. Root length, area, volume, and diameter were evaluated with the help of a root scanner. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics. The added conservation practices improved root length, area and volume, significantly for BMP in the subsoil (40-60 cm) compared to FNT standard. Minirhizotron enabled the study of roots in the field, but data variability was high, so that for annual crops with pivoting roots like soybean, root observation points (6 per plot) must be increased, and crop stand close to the observation points is a critical font of error.

Land use on the Chinese Loess Plateau has undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades. The implementation of a series of soil and water conservation measures has significantly altered the soil erosion, transportation, and deposition processes on the Loess Plateau. To effectively address and mitigate soil erosion, it is crucial to accurately quantify the soil loss rate and analyze the contributions of soil and water conservation measures over the past several decades. In this study, the Zhifanggou watershed, located in the hilly area of the Chinese Loess Plateau, is utilized as an illustrative example. Using historical data, remote sensing imagery, and on-site data of soil, vegetation, and soil conservation measures, we assessed the soil loss rates from 1938 to 2022 based on long-term land use changes, utilizing the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) model. Furthermore, we employed a quantitative evaluation to assess the impacts of vegetation change and terrace construction on soil erosion. The findings of our study reveal significant transformations in land use. Farmland experienced an initial increase followed by a subsequent decline, while the opposite pattern was observed for forest land. The simulated soil loss rate for the entire watershed exhibited an upward trend, rising from 34.86 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1938 to 104.11 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1958, before declining to 56.98 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1999 and reaching 5.87 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 2022. Attribution analysis showed that vegetation change exerted a dominant influence on recent soil erosion dynamics, accounting for 86.10 % of the total contribution in 2022, while terraces contributed 13.90 %. These findings clarify long-term soil erosion mechanisms and provide guidance for watershed soil and water conservation management.

Since 2018, domestic Saharawi houses in occupied Western Sahara have become tactical sites for organising dissent. The move to interior spaces came as a collective retreat from the city's public plazas. This retreat from extravagant plazas illustrates that the turn toward interior spaces was a tactic in front of destructive occupation power rather than a withdrawal. This article explores Saharawi spatial production of dissent under two different political moments. I ask, what spaces of dissent do people under occupation animate when the city is mobilised against them? This paper is based on ethnographic engagement with encounters between Saharawis and Moroccan security forces that led Saharawis to construct the house as its own public. I demonstrate interiorising the exterior by analysing homes' terraces as the new space of urban dissent in the Western Sahara. As such, the terrace appears as a new space and a new tool of and in urban insurgency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The avulsion and overflow of river courses during floods, a result of channel siltation above the alluvial plain, is a cause of major natural disasters, including huge property damage and destruction of farmlands. The most sensitive to such risks is the very densely populated area of the Yellow River lower reaches, one of China's most important grain‐producing regions. Problems caused by excessive siltation are a critical issue that should be addressed with full knowledge of sediment‐generation processes, and provenance studies are essential to provide fundamental information for effective environmental management. The Sanmen Gorge is the key region where the great sediment mass produced upstream is conveyed from the middle reaches of the Yellow River to its lower reaches. This study of the terrace sequence exposed along the Sanmen Gorge combines geomorphological observations and provenance analysis based on U‐Pb zircon geochronology and heavy minerals to provide a history of sediment transport through time. The combination of previous research and the outcome of the present study demonstrate that before the Yellow River was formed as an integrated sediment‐routing system, sediments fed into the North China Plain were largely derived from local sources. Instead, after the formation of the Sanmen Gorge, huge quantities of sediment, also derived from the Qinling mountains and stored in the Fenwei basin, were flushed into the North China lowlands by the Yellow River. Such an event took place at 1.2 Ma and has since then impacted severely on floodplain landscape and eventually profoundly affected human activities in the region. Plain Language Summary: Alluvial plains with their fertile lands and plenty of water have served as the birthplace of civilization. However, the same rivers are also a cause of harm and destruction impacting agricultural civilizations during floods. The Chinese civilization originated in the lower Yellow River alluvial plain, which has long been a very important area of food production and population growth. Yellow River is one of Earth's largest rivers and has one of the highest sediment concentrations, fueled by very rapid erosion of fine‐grained sediment stored in the Chinese Loess Plateau and the Fenwei basin. After flowing rapidly through the Sanmen Gorge, the Yellow River slows down and deposits part of its huge sediment mass, causing extremely rapid accumulation in the lower reaches, where the river bed is raised well above the adjacent lowlands, thus representing a perilous threat to surrounding farmlands and urban centers. By investigating the composition and provenance of sediments of the terrace sequences exposed along the Sanmen Gorge, we can reconstruct the evolution of the Yellow River through time. Understanding river behavior and how sediment is generated and transported from the mountain region to the alluvial plain provides the knowledge necessary for more effective environmental management. Key Points: The Sanmen Gorge formed between 3.7 and 1.2 million years agoSediment provenance shows major changes after the integration of Yellow River drainageModern sediment transport is affected by reservoir construction and human activities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of the Jinsha River drainage is a significant subject of concern in the geological and geomorphological fields. Among them, one key question is whether there was a regional paleo lake into which Lower Jinsha River drainage drained during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene, due to massive fluvio-lacustrine sediments widely distributed in the Lower Jinsha River. Nevertheless, there has yet to be a consensus on the genesis of those fluvio-lacustrine sediments due to poor sedimentological and chronological data. In this study, to unravel the origin of those fluvio-lacustrine sediments and the formation model of the Lower Jinsha River, sedimentary characteristics, including spatial distribution, lithological composition, and stratigraphic contact relationship of those fluvio-lacustrine sediments were analyzed, and chronological determination of the fluvio-lacustrine sediments using Electron Spin Resonance and Optically stimulated luminescence method was conducted. The results show that in the Lower Jinsha River, the lacustrine sediments are mainly composed of silt and clay, with apparent horizontal bedding, stacked with fluvial cobble-gravel and sand, and are in unconformable contact with the underlying bedrock strata or paleo soil. The lacustrine sediments are spatially discontinuous and mainly distributed in the Shigu, Taoyuan, Panzhihua, and Longjie reaches. Downstream of these reaches are deeply incised gorges with an average slope >30°, and many landslide landforms and deposits can be identified here. In each reach, the lacustrine sediments were closely distributed along the trunk and tributary channels in the plane and were distributed at different altitudes, forming a sequence of lacustrine terraces. Chronological analysis shows that in different reaches, the deposition ages of lacustrine sediments are significantly different. In each reach, the deposition age of the lacustrine terraces of high altitude is older than that of low altitude. The above characteristics collectively indicate that the lacustrine sediments in the Lower Jinsha River were locally deposited by individual dammed lakes, probably induced by landslide rather than a regional paleo lake by tectonic activities. During the incision process of the river valley, landslides continuously block the river channel, forming dammed lakes, and then deposited lacustrine sediments at different elevations, forming lacustrine terraces. The lacustrine sediment of the topmost lacustrine terrace in Panzhihua reach was dated to be 1.78 Ma, combined with previous studies on the fluvial terraces, indicating the Lower Jinsha River existed and started to incise its valley before the early Pleistocene. The widespread dammed lake sediment indicates that the formation of the Jinsha River valley follows the pattern of "incision-landslide-damming-aggradation-incision". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Rice terraces in the subtropical monsoon region of China are representatives of intensive farming in southern mountainous areas, with various ecosystem service functions. Quantifying their landscape pattern and identifying the impact of major natural factors are key to implementing reasonable protection and achieving sustainable regional development. [Method] Based on ArcGIS spatial analysis technology, the rice terraces in Jiabang, Guizhou, Longji, Hunan, Lianhe and Hani, Yunnan, which were located in the subtropical monsoon mountain area, were taken as the research objects to discuss the impact of natural factors such as topography, soil and lithology on the landscape pattern of rice terraces on the basis of their landscape horizontal and vertical pattern analyses. [ Result] The landscape of various terraced fields mainly included forest land, terraced fields, construction land, water body and unused land, among which the distribution area of terraced fields was Hani > Ziquejie > Jiabang > Longji > Llanhe, and all were concentrated in the central region; The landscape of each terraced field showed a clear hierarchical distribution on the vertical gradient, with the terraced field structure accounting for the largest proportion, followed by forest land, and the village being the smallest; Jiabang, Longji, Ziquejie and Lianhe terraces were mainly distributed in the east, southeast, and south slope directions ( > 60% ) with good light and heat conditions at elevations below 1200 meters ( > 80% ) and slopes from 5 to 24 ° ( > 70% ), while Hani terraces were mainly distributed in the northeast, east, southeast, west and northwest directions ( > 60% ) with relatively flat terrain at elevations below 1900 meters ( > 90% ) ; Hani and Ziquejie terraces were mainly composed of gneiss ( 59. 04%) and granite ( 89. 65%) with good water storage capacity, respectively. The combined terraces were mainly composed of rhyolite ( 40. 27%) with medium water retention capacity, while Jiabang and Longji rice terraces were mainly composed of sandstone (79. 84% and 51. 74%) with strong water permeability; Red soil, yellow soil and paddy soil were the main soil types of Hani, Jiabang, Longji, Ziquejie and Lianhe terraced landscape, and 78. 2%, 97. 8%, 71. 63%, 87. 66% and 99. 9% terraced fields were developed in each terraced landscape. [ Conclusion] The study aimed to further explore the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of subtropical monsoon rice terraces and provide important references for the future development, utilization and protection of terraces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shuitoushang landslide in Ershe in Qijiagou Village of Xinchang Town in Tongjiang County is a typical red-bed terrace landslide in eastern Sichuan. There are few studies on the seepage analyses of such landslides in this area, but similar slopes are widely distributed in the area. In this paper, on the basis of a large number of field investigations, surveys and data collection of disaster sites, the satellite remote sensing, UAV aerial photography, airborne LiDAR, indoor tests and other technical means are comprehensively used to analysis the landslide. Based on the mathematical model of Fredlund & Xing soil-water characteristic curve, the SEEP/W module in Geo-Studio is used to conduct the seepage analysis, and the analysis results at different time stages are coupled with the SLOPE/W module. Then the dynamic relationship between the stability coefficient, rainfall and time is obtained, revealing the deformation process and formation mechanism of the landslide. The results show that: (1) the continuous rainfall causes the groundwater level to rise and the slope stability to decrease, eventually leading to the overall instability and failure of the Shuitoushang landslide. (2) The deformation process of the landslide and the characteristics of groundwater exposure are basically consistent with the results calculated by Geo-Studio, indicating that the results based on Fredlund & Xing model can provide more accurate simulation results in similar areas. (3) Reclamation of terraced fields (paddy fields) will reduce slope stability. The results can provide theoretical support for hidden danger investigation and active prevention of similar landslide disasters in mountainous areas of Sichuan, and provide a reference for disaster prevention and mitigation.

[Objective] The factors influencing landslide potential of loess terraces and the associated landslide formation mechanisms were studied in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of loess terrace landslides. [Methods] With data from the Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform for Pengyang County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, we used the random forest algorithm to extract terrace distribution information in the study area. Based on the overlay analysis method, the high and extremely high susceptibility zones of potential loess terrace landslides in the study area were determined. Eight influencing factors were selected, and the certainty factor method was used for analysis. [Results] ① The terrace area in the study area accounted for 47.28% of the total area of the county. There were 86 potentially unstable slopes, and there were no deforming areas within the influence range of terraces. ② The high and extremely high susceptibility zones for potential landslides of loess terraces accounted for 46.68% of the total area of high and extremely high susceptibility zones in the study area (27.64% of the total area of terraces in the study area). ③ Rainfall, stratum lithology, gully density, and slope direction had strong controlling effects on the spatial distribution of potential landslides of loess terraces in the study area. [Conclusion] The main controlling factors for potential landslides of loess terraces in the study area were rainfall and stratum lithology, especially in the area where the annual rainfall was more than 450 mm and there were Quaternary stone loess with paleosol strata.

Terraces, farmlands built along hillside contours, are common anthropogenically designed landscapes. Terraces control soil and water loss and improve land productivity; therefore, obtaining their spatial distribution is necessary for soil and water conservation and agricultural production. Spatial information of large-scale terraces can be obtained using satellite images and through deep learning. However, when extracting terraces, accurately segmenting the boundaries of terraces and identifying small terraces in diverse scenarios continues to be challenging. To solve this problem, we combined two deep learning modules, ANB-LN and DFB, to produce a new deep learning framework (NLDF-Net) for terrace extraction using remote sensing images. The model first extracted the features of the terraces through the coding area to obtain abstract semantic features, and then gradually recovered the original size through the decoding area using feature fusion. In addition, we constructed a terrace dataset (the HRT-set) for Guangdong Province and conducted a series of comparative experiments on this dataset using the new framework. The experimental results show that our framework had the best extraction effect compared to those of other deep learning methods. This framework provides a method and reference for extracting ground objects using remote sensing images.

[Objective] The aims of this study are to explore the impact of artificial terrain (terraces) on topographic indicators, analyze the impact of building terraces on soil erosion process, and provide scientific basis for the determination of terraces measures in soil erosion assessment. [Methods] The high-resolution DEM data of Zhifanggou watershed were obtained through UAV aerial photogrammetry. Through simulating the original slope surface and constructing horizontal terraces, slope, slope length, slope length and steepness factor (LS), specific catchment area (SCA) and topographic wetness index (TWI) from these data were extracted, and the changes of these factors were analyzed to understand the impact of terraces on erosional terrain. [Results] The construction of terraces reduced the slope, cut off the slope length and decreased the LS factor. With the increase of terrace area ratio, slope, slope length and LS factor all showed a decreasing trend. In the terraced area, the slope, slope length and LS factors were roughly distributed along the contour line in a strip; in the non-terraced area, the slope, slope length and LS factors gradually increased from the water dividing line downward, and then gradually slowed down to the valley bottom. The construction of terraces reduced the SCA and increased the TWI. The spatial pattern of SCA was similar to that of slope length, the value was smaller in the higher part, and was larger in the lower part. The spatial distribution pattern of TWI in terraces was opposite to that of slope, and the spatial distribution pattern of TWI in non-terraces was similar to that of SCA. At the micro scale, the slope length, LS factor, SCA and TWI all tended to increase in the direction of slope decline of the field surface. When constructing or maintaining the terraces, the field surface should be kept as horizon as possible or a slight reverse slope. According to the influence of terraces on the LS factor, the engineering measure factor value of terraces in the study area should be taken as 0.26～0.37. [Conclusion] The construction of terraces has a great contribution to soil and water conservation in the hilly areas of the Loess Plateau, and can provide a reference for the construction of terraces and soil erosion assessment in the hilly areas of the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the second part of a continued study on the legal qualification of balconies (loggias) in the jurisprudence of administrative courts and common courts of law and at the same time an attempt to construct the concepts of a balcony, terrace, and loggia (recessed balcony) from a normative point of view. In part I, we have outlined the condition of research on the issue which is the subject of the study, our assumptions and research hypotheses, terminological and definitional issues in reference to their dictionary meanings, the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court and lower courts of law and the jurisprudence of administrative courts in determining the terminological meanings of the concepts of balcony (loggia) and terrace. Furthermore, a normative analysis of the legal provisions contained in the Act of 24 June 1994 on the Ownership of Apartments (consolidated text promulgated on 21 May 2021 in the official journal “Dz.U.” of 2021, item 1048), the Act of 23 April 1964 - the Civil Code (consolidated text promulgated on 9 June 2022 in the official journal “Dz.U.” of 2022, item 1360, as amended), the Act of 6 July 1982 on Land and Mortgage Registers and Mortgages (consolidated text promulgated on 22 July 2022 in the official journal “Dz.U.” of 2022, item 1728) as well as the legal scholars’ writings and jurisprudence. One of the basic research objectives in this study was also to present the institution of a common property in the context of a potential qualification of balconies, loggias, terraces alternatively as one of the components of a common property or through their classification as a part of the structure of a an apartment. In this paper, the authors have attempted to analyse the definition of common property laid down in Article 3(2) of the Act on the Ownership of Apartments in a de lege lata framework, presenting the most important features of the currently applicable normative concept. It gave rise to de lege ferenda conclusions proposed in the conclusions to this article, in particular as regards the scope of terminology used by the lawmaker. The considerations of a theoretical and legal nature have been extended by an analysis of the views present in particular in the current jurisprudence of common courts of law and administrative courts, as well as references to normative solutions adopted of some foreign legal systems.

Resumen El legado Mariano García Benito (en adelante MGB), formalizado en 2022 al Servicio Histórico del COAM, permite estudiar la obra de un arquitecto conocido por algunos edificios icónicos, pero no por el conjunto de su trabajo. Estudiante y profesional brillante, fue uno de los representantes de la generación que desarrolla la última arquitectura moderna y sus derivas en la España que salía de la autarquía. Su obra de vivienda colectiva en Madrid, con más de treinta edificios construidos, forma un corpus que puede leerse en clave de variaciones en torno a unos pocos conceptos proyectuales. El perímetro abarcante, los volúmenes en cizalla o la terraza como estancia abierta con un nuevo protagonismo, son estrategias que se depuran atravesando la urdimbre de los diversos tipos edilicios en los que el arquitecto trabajó. La organización espacial de las viviendas muestra un riguroso método de trabajo que consigue optimizar circulaciones y dimensionar con precisión el espacio para la domesticidad de la nueva burguesía, pero también para las clases sociales necesitadas de vivienda subvencionada. Las soluciones materiales, el diseño de los programas comunes y la investigación en torno al espacio abierto de corredores, terrazas y patios, caracterizan el trabajo en el hábitat doméstico de MGB quien, como otros autores coetáneos, explora interferencias que mantienen su vigencia en nuestra contemporaneidad. Se adelanta aquí una primera mirada a la obra de MGB, a través de sus proyectos de vivienda colectiva, que quiere enlazar con el conjunto de su obra a modo de registro previo que pueda anticipar investigaciones más específicas. Abstract The legacy of Mariano García Benito (hereinafter MGB), formalized in 2022 at the Historical Service of the COAM, allows us to study the work of an architect known for some iconic buildings, but not for his work as a whole. A brilliant student and professional, he was one of the representatives of the generation that developed the latest modern architecture and its derivations in Spain as it emerged from autarky. His collective housing work in Madrid, with more than thirty buildings, constitutes a corpus that can be read in terms of variations around a few design concepts. The encompassing perimeter, sheared volumes, or the terrace as an open room with new prominence, are strategies that were perfected through the conglomerate of the various types of buildings in which the architect worked. The spatial organization of the dwellings shows a rigorous working method that manages to optimize circulations and accurately dimension the space for the domesticity of the new bourgeoisie, but also for those social classes in need of subsidized housing. The material solutions, the design of the common programs, and the research around the open space of corridors, terraces, and patios, characterize the work in the domestic habitat of MGB, who, like other contemporary authors, explores interferences that remain valid in our contemporaneity. A first look at MGB's work is presented here, through his collective housing projects, as a preliminary record that attempts to link to more specific research on his work as a whole.

Resumen El legado Mariano García Benito (en adelante MGB), formalizado en 2022 al Servicio Histórico del COAM, permite estudiar la obra de un arquitecto conocido por algunos edificios icónicos, pero no por el conjunto de su trabajo. Estudiante y profesional brillante, fue uno de los representantes de la generación que desarrolla la última arquitectura moderna y sus derivas en la España que salía de la autarquía. Su obra de vivienda colectiva en Madrid, con más de treinta edificios construidos, forma un corpus que puede leerse en clave de variaciones en torno a unos pocos conceptos proyectuales. El perímetro abarcante, los volúmenes en cizalla o la terraza como estancia abierta con un nuevo protagonismo, son estrategias que se depuran atravesando la urdimbre de los diversos tipos edilicios en los que el arquitecto trabajó. La organización espacial de las viviendas muestra un riguroso método de trabajo que consigue optimizar circulaciones y dimensionar con precisión el espacio para la domesticidad de la nueva burguesía, pero también para las clases sociales necesitadas de vivienda subvencionada. Las soluciones materiales, el diseño de los programas comunes y la investigación en torno al espacio abierto de corredores, terrazas y patios, caracterizan el trabajo en el hábitat doméstico de MGB quien, como otros autores coetáneos, explora interferencias que mantienen su vigencia en nuestra contemporaneidad. Se adelanta aquí una primera mirada a la obra de MGB, a través de sus proyectos de vivienda colectiva, que quiere enlazar con el conjunto de su obra a modo de registro previo que pueda anticipar investigaciones más específicas. Abstract The legacy of Mariano García Benito (hereinafter MGB), formalized in 2022 at the Historical Service of the COAM, allows us to study the work of an architect known for some iconic buildings, but not for his work as a whole. A brilliant student and professional, he was one of the representatives of the generation that developed the latest modern architecture and its derivations in Spain as it emerged from autarky. His collective housing work in Madrid, with more than thirty buildings, constitutes a corpus that can be read in terms of variations around a few design concepts. The encompassing perimeter, sheared volumes, or the terrace as an open room with new prominence, are strategies that were perfected through the conglomerate of the various types of buildings in which the architect worked. The spatial organization of the dwellings shows a rigorous working method that manages to optimize circulations and accurately dimension the space for the domesticity of the new bourgeoisie, but also for those social classes in need of subsidized housing. The material solutions, the design of the common programs, and the research around the open space of corridors, terraces, and patios, characterize the work in the domestic habitat of MGB, who, like other contemporary authors, explores interferences that remain valid in our contemporaneity. A first look at MGB's work is presented here, through his collective housing projects, as a preliminary record that attempts to link to more specific research on his work as a whole.

Copyright of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology / Shuiwendizhi Gongchengdizhi is the property of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Architectural Journal / Jian Zhu Xue Bao is the property of Architectural Journal Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Drystone terraces offer a series of ecosystem services including both biological and cultural benefits. The aesthetic contribution towards the landscape and the increase in biodiversity levels, constitute drystone terraces and other similar constructions, as important biocultural assets. The low maintenance and the eventual abandonment of drystone terraces cause a series of drawbacks regarding the sustainability of agricultural environments. The main goal of this research was to assess the effect of drystone terrace maintenance level on biodiversity. For that reason, two closely distant agricultural areas of Lesbos Island (North Aegean, Greece) in which olive grove drystone terraces dominate were compared. The non-intrusive method of ecoacoustics was selected, and the levels of the acoustic complexity and acoustic diversity were statistically analyzed for areas that included highly maintained and poorly maintained olive grove drystone terraces. The results indicated an increase in acoustic biodiversity levels in the poorly maintained drystone terraces area. At this early stage, the results highlighted the fact that the increased resources in the poorly maintained drystone terraces, in terms of nesting and feeding opportunities, increased the biodiversity levels. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal expansion of this research is undeniably important.

When it was designated as a World Cultural Heritage (WCH) in 2012, there were 14 Subak organizations formed in Catur Angga Batukaru Area. However, it seems that only Subak Jatiluwih has the privilege to experience rapid development as a tourism destination. The other 13 Subak area in Catur Angga Batukaru has not been well developed. The beauty of their rice terraces, plantation fields, temples and rivers has not been appropriately exposed to the tourists. Further studies are required to investigate the potencies of 13 Subak areas in the Catur Angga Batukaru Area as tourism destinations. An adequate management model would properly assess the potencies of these areas and simultaneously enhance the farmers' well-being, improve the tourist satisfaction level and conserve the environment. The existence of the 13 Subak in Catur Angga Batukaru and its potencies should have developed through the agro-ecotourism-based management model. Hence, this study aimed to organize a Subak-based agroecotourism management model in the WCH of Catur Angga Batukaru. The study’s primary data were collected from farmers’ respondents through a direct survey using a questionnaire prepared prior to the data collection. In-depth interviews were also conducted to gather the study data. This study applied qualitative and quantitative descriptive methods. Findings revealed that the rest of the areas required to be properly built in the WCH of Catur Angga Batukaru Area. These areas would provide spaces to enjoy the beauty of the Subak terraces and the local plantation fields. Hiking tourism in this area has been developed by the Subak organizations and local travel agents under the surveillance of the local tourism departments. Several tourism supporting facilities such as restaurants and home stays also should have been managed by Subak or local investors. It would help the tourism sites to directly contribute to the well-being of the local community, especially the members of Subak. The future management of agro-ecotourism is also required to involve all Subak organizations in the area. A proper management model not only helps Subak to present themselves as the main subject of a tourism program but also makes them capable to experience the advantageous impacts of the agro-ecotourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme rainfall events can make disproportionally larger contributions than common rainfalls to soil erosion rates. Yet assessing the importance of different soil erosion processes during such events remains a critical challenge, especially due to a lack of field observations. Based on detailed field surveys and remote‐sensing analyses, we therefore provide erosion budgets for three representative catchments in the Chinese Loess Plateau, following an exceptional rainstorm event (July 26, 2017; estimated return period: 200 years). Our results show that the associated catchment‐scale erosion intensities were 2815 ± 529 t km‐2 for rill erosion, 787 ± 486 t km‐2 for gully erosion, 4433 ± 657 t km‐2 for landsliding and 3927 ± 1009 t km‐2 for the collapse of implemented soil and water conservation measures (SWCMs, specifically terraces and check‐dams). Hence, landslides (37 ± 4%) and SWCMs collapses (33 ± 4%) were the most important sediment sources, followed by rill (24 ± 3%) and gully erosion (7 ± 4%). The lower contribution of gully erosion likely results from earlier vegetation restoration efforts. Overall, our results indicate that successful erosion control during extreme events strongly depends on integrative and robust catchment management strategies. Specifically, the spatial intersecting of forestland and grassland can play a large role, with reforestation on problematic slopes being an important strategy limiting rill and gully erosion. Sufficient consideration should be given to the planning and maintenance of terraces and check‐dams. The latter should be constructed with good flood‐release facilities, meanwhile many small‐scale dams likely work better than a few large ones. Likewise, (unpaved) roads should receive attention as they can also be a significant runoff and sediment source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Crimean–Caucasian flexure–rupture zone is a boundary structure at the junction of the newest Crimean–Caucasian orogenic range and the Indol–Kuban marginal trough. It is subdivided into three segments with different evolution, which is caused by late orogenic structural reconstruction and the transformation of the early orogenic Kerch–Taman transverse trough into the late orogenic Kerch–Taman saddle-like element of the range. Thus, the segments of the flexure–rupture zone differ in structure and age. The North and South Crimean–Caucasian flexure–rupture zones are the largest newest disjunctive structures of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed procedure of identifying the stages of formation of mountain gorges is based on the use of the orotectonic method. This method makes it possible to reveal schemes of different-scale erosion-accumulative cycles in the gorge and adjacent valley of a large river. These schemes are compared with each other and successively correlated with local and regional stratigraphic schemes for dating the identified stages. The proposed complex of geological, geomorphological, and correlation studies can be used to analyze the history of formation of gorge river valleys in active orogens, such as the Caucasus and Tien Shan. It may also be helpful for paleoenvironmental reconstructions in archaeological research and geotechnical surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Builder (1896-0642) is the property of PWB MEDIA Zdzieblowski sp.j. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As the basic geomorphological unit of the loess hilly gully area, the slope and gouge system is also the main source area of eroded sediment on the Loess Plateau. As the main measures for slope erosion control, vegetation and terraces play an important role in soil erosion control and ecological restoration, and quantitative assessment of the regulatory effect of forest grass and terraces on slope fine trench erosion, and multi-measure collaborative allocation are of great significance for soil erosion control and ecological protection of the Loess Plateau. Based on the previous research on soil erosion and slope trench erosion, in order to reveal the synergistic regulation effect of vegetation and terraced land pattern and configuration on fine trench erosion in slope and trench system, this paper used artificial simulation rainfall, combined with 3D laser scanning technology, to quantitatively analyze the regulatory effect of different measures on fine trench erosion from the slope surface sand production rate and slope micro-terrain change as a whole, and quantitatively analyze the characteristics of single furrow morphological changes such as the change characteristics of the development process of fine furrow length and the change characteristics of fine furrow width and depth ratio from the single furrow morphology. The development process of fine furrow network was also analyzed, and parameters including but not limited to fine furrow erosion amount, fine furrow area, and fine furrow erosion proportion were quantitatively calculated, and the influence of different slope and ditch treatment measures on the characteristic parameters related to fine furrow erosion was expounded from multiple angles, and finally the synergistic effect of different measures on the erosion amount, area and density of fine trench was quantitatively calculated and analyzed for the synergistic effect between multiple measures. The effects of four slope measures: uphill vegetation (measure A), downhill vegetation (measure B), terraces (measure C), and terraces + vegetation (measure D) on the occurrence and evolution of fine furrow erosion were analyzed. The results showed that: 1) Under the same vegetation coverage, the maximum length of the downhill vegetation furrow was reduced compared with that of the uphill vegetation furrow (including the maximum ditch length of the uphill position reached 238.8 cm and the maximum ditch length in the downslope position reached 142.3 cm); 2) In the first rainfall, the maximum sand yield rate reached more than 3 500 g/min, and the maximum sand yield in the second rainfall was only more than 1 100 g/min. The sand yield rate of the second rainfall was 1/3-1/2 of the sand yield of the first rainfall during each production time; 3) The development rate of fine furrow length under each measure was the highest for measure A (6.55 cm/min), followed by measure C (5.71 cm/min), measure B (3.60 cm/min), and measure D (2.69 cm/min); 4) The simultaneous arrangement of terraces and vegetation (measure D) had a better regulatory effect on fine trench erosion than a single measure (measures B and C), and the terraces and vegetation had a synergistic effect on the erosion amount, area and density of fine trench on the erosion index of fine trench (7.71%, 13.76% and 7.52%, respectively). Based on the above research methods and related conclusions, this study provides a relatively new perspective in the prevention and control of soil erosion in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, that is, when setting up actual engineering measures, the differences in the influence of the same measures on the erosion of fine ditches at different positions in the slope and ditch system and the impact of multiple measures and the synergistic effect between multiple measures can be properly considered, and the configuration of soil erosion control programs can be continuously optimized to maximize the benefits of each treatment measure. This study can provide a certain scientific reference for the allocation of slope and ditch treatment measures and the erosion control of fine ditches on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drystone terraces offer a series of ecosystem services including both biological and cultural benefits. The aesthetic contribution towards the landscape and the increase in biodiversity levels, constitute drystone terraces and other similar constructions, as important biocultural assets. The low maintenance and the eventual abandonment of drystone terraces cause a series of drawbacks regarding the sustainability of agricultural environments. The main goal of this research was to assess the effect of drystone terrace maintenance level on biodiversity. For that reason, two closely distant agricultural areas of Lesbos Island (North Aegean, Greece) in which olive grove drystone terraces dominate were compared. The non-intrusive method of ecoacoustics was selected, and the levels of the acoustic complexity and acoustic diversity were statistically analyzed for areas that included highly maintained and poorly maintained olive grove drystone terraces. The results indicated an increase in acoustic biodiversity levels in the poorly maintained drystone terraces area. At this early stage, the results highlighted the fact that the increased resources in the poorly maintained drystone terraces, in terms of nesting and feeding opportunities, increased the biodiversity levels. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal expansion of this research is undeniably important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of domestic high resolution remote sensing satellite technology provides a new means for the investigation of macroscopic, local and detailed characteristics of the Quaternary.Alluvial-diluvial fans, valley terraces, glacial deposits are widely distributed in the eastern section of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In order to study the applicability of domestic high-resolution data in the Quaternary geological survey of this region, the alluvial and flood fan in front of Uruat mountain along Gaizi River basin of China-Pakistan highway and three typical Quaternary strata of Gaizi River valley terrace and Kraguirake glacial moraine were selected as the research objects in this study.Using domestic GF-2 images as the main data sources, with the aid of digital elevation model data, the remote sensing interpretation marker was established, and the fine geological interpretation was carried out.The composition and variation were found out through field verification.The previous distribution range of different periods of glacial moraines in Kailaillak was revised.Based on the analysis of the terrace in Gaizi River valley, the study area experienced at least five stages of tectonic uplift since late Epipleistocene, and the terrace base was formed by at least two stages of glaciation.This study shows that GF-2 images can not only quickly identify the change characteristics of landforms and loose deposits at macro scale, but also it can get geological phenomena that cannot be observed by conventional methods.And then it can meet the requirements of large scale interpretation and cartography.Especially in the identification of micro-geomorphology and interpretation of Quaternary strata, it can improve the level of fine geological interpretation.Research results can provide basic geological data for understanding the development and evolution process of fluvial and glaciation in the Gaizi River basin.Besides, this study can provide a typical example for remote sensing investigation of Quaternary soil mass along the China-Pakistan highway.

Terracing greatly affects soil properties, ecosystem services, human welfare and geographical sustainability. The purpose of this article is to determine the influence of terracing on soil properties across diverse regions in China. Three representative terrace types, including dryland loess terraces, dry-stone terraces, and paddy terraces, were selected as case study areas. Soil sampling was stratified according to thickness of soil layers in each terraced area. Based on field investigations and soil sampling, combined with the means of variance, correlation, redundancy and regression analysis, we analyzed the characteristics of soil properties in the terraces across three areas. Results showed that: (1) alterations of soil physicochemical properties mainly depend on differences between soil parent materials in such regions; (2) Due to the existence of “four-element isomorphism” in the ecosystem and reasonable human activities, paddy terraces had the greatest impact on soil properties which is mainly reflected in decreasing soil pH and increasing SOC, TN, and TK; (3) The content of SOC and TN in different areas was higher in terraced fields than in the sloped lands and decreased with soil deepening; (4) To maintain sufficient supply of soil nutrients and support the sustainability of agricultural terraces, it is necessary to apply manure to improve soil fertility and accelerate its aggregation in the terraces. For example, an increase in the application of nitrogen fertilizer in terraced fields in Hebei and Gansu provinces, which have a serious deficiency in soil available phosphorus (AP), is necessary to get greater amounts of P fertilization. The present study offers a theoretical foundation for the sustainability of terraced ecosystems through efficient crop production, which is the basis for strengthening the ecological security of terraced areas and promoting regional sustainability in those fragile mountains.

Terracing engineering and vegetation plantation have been implemented in many water-limited areas, aiming to reduce the effect of drought, conserve water, and promote ecosystem restoration. However, due to the complexities of slope structure, the major hydrologic processes controlling the water balance of terraces are still unclear. To further quantify the role of terraces on water retention in the stand scale, in a normal year (2015) and a dry year (2016), we compared the water balance for the combination of Platycladus orientalis with zig terrace (PZ), fish scale pits (PF), and natural slope (PN) in a typical loess hilly area of China. Our results indicated that terracing was an effective way to increase water retention and reduce runoff. After the growing season, compared with PN, terraced fields enhanced the water budget with 13.6–21.3 mm for PZ and 2.4–11.7 mm for PF. In addition, terraced fields generated less runoff (a reduction of 45.3–60.8 % for PZ and 19.6–26.6 % for PF) and more soil water storage (an increase of 18.5–24.1 % for PZ and 13.6–14.7 % for PF) than the natural slope. Overall, the water budget of all plots was positive (29.6 mm for PZ > 20.0 mm for PF > 8.3 mm for PN) in the normal year (2015) and negative (−49.6 mm for PZ > −60.8 mm for PF > −63.2 mm for PN) in the dry year (2016). Our results suggest that precipitation is still the primary factor affecting the water budget in woodlands, and terracing measures can help to improve the utilization of precipitation and enhance soil water retention in the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, scattered alluvium sections appear on T1 and T2 terraces. The alluvial deposits on the T1 terrace in Linduo and Ximogou and the T2 terrace in Guoguotang are composed principally of coarse-grained sand particles and rock fragments, with no observable fine-grained components. The T1 terrace alluvium section is dominated by clay and silt and occurs near the town of Dexing, and optically stimulated luminescence dating of sample from this site revealed an age of 18.2 kyear, which indicates that the incision rate of the Yarlung Zangbo River has been 4.7 mm/year since the formation of this section. On the basis of the component characteristics of terraces in Motuo County, the provenance for the terraces is probably related to the breaking of the palaeo-dammed lakes in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. A 430 m elevation difference still exists between the study area and the local base level downstream of the Yalung Zangbo River (Assam Plain), although this river has a strong incision capability (4.7 mm/year), which suggests that tectonic uplift remains very intense east of the Namche Barwa syntaxis.

The slip rate is a fundamental kinematic parameter of active faults. Traditional methods using fault scarps or trenches may produce inaccurate estimates of a fault’s vertical slip rate. A normal fault’s vertical slip rate requires constraints from the hanging wall and footwall. Here, the vertical slip rate at each measuring point along the fault was calculated by the joint constraints of terraces in the footwall and boreholes in the hanging wall. Nine measuring points were selected along the Sertengshan piedmont fault. The vertical slip rates of this fault since 65 and 12 ka were 0.74–1.81 and 0.86–2.28 mm/a, respectively. Four measuring points were selected along the Wulashan piedmont fault. The vertical slip rates of this fault since 60 and 12 ka were 2.14–3.11 and 1.84–2.91 mm/a, respectively. Seven measuring points were selected along the Daqingshan piedmont fault; the vertical slip rates were 2.5–3.88 and 1.78–2.83 mm/a since 58 and 11 ka, respectively. Analysis of the slip rates, the elapsed time since the last palaeoearthquake and the mean recurrence interval of palaeoearthquakes on each fault segment on the northern margin of the Hetao Basin suggests that the Langshankou and Hongqicun segments of the Sertengshan piedmont fault are at higher risk of earthquakes than the other segments. Among the fault segments of the Wulashan piedmont fault, the Baotou segment is at the highest seismic risk. The seismic risk of the Tuyouxi segment of the Daqingshan piedmont fault should not be ignored, and the Tuzuoxi, Bikeqi and Hohhot segments have high seismic risk. Based on the findings and a dynamic model of the formation and evolution of the Ordos block, it is concluded that the depositional centre of the Hetao Basin has tended to migrate from west to east. The vertical force generated by deep material movement is the dominant factor leading to a greater vertical slip rate in the eastern portion of the northern margin of the Hetao Basin. The modern stress field in the Hetao Basin results in an increase in the vertical slip rate of active faults from west to east along the northern margin of the basin.

The temperature and time dependences of the concentration of kinks on the SA and SB steps perpendicular to the upper-terrace dimer rows on the Si(100) surface with an inclination of 0.5° are established. The numbers of step kinks are determined from atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy images of the stepped Si(100) surface. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the number of kinks has a minimum at 650°С. It is suggested that, at low temperatures, the steps are intensively smoothed (step kinks vanish), while at high temperatures, the step-destruction process (formation of a great number of step kinks) is more intensive. The step smoothing and destruction processes include a sequence of atom and dimer elementary acts. As the annealing time increases, the kink concentration decreases and takes a constant value. The equilibrium step-kink concentration is shown to be determined by the surface annealing temperature and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]