Pub Date : 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109768
Matías Ceacero-Moreno, José Álvarez-Rogel, Juan J. Martínez-Sánchez, Héctor M. Conesa, M. Nazaret González-Alcaraz
Mine tailings are open-air waste deposits enriched in metal(loid)s derived from ore processing. Their restoration may proceed through capping and afforestation, which isolate the tailings from the outset, or through spontaneous plant colonization, a slower process whose study provides a model for evaluating the feasibility of direct plant establishment on these materials. Although both pathways can improve soil quality and reduce metal(loid) mobility, the role of vegetation type in modulating these processes remains insufficiently understood. We assessed the effects of shrubs and trees on the physico-chemical, chemical and biological properties of upper soil layers in two metalliferous tailings in semiarid southeastern Spain: one technically restored and one naturally colonized for several decades. Over one year, we monitored soil microclimate, nutrient pools, total and water-soluble metal(loid)s, microbial attributes and ecotoxicity under shrub and tree patches. Tree soils were consistently cooler and wetter during the warm season, with temperature differences of 3–7 °C and moisture differences of 1–4 %. In the colonized tailing, trees markedly improved soil structure and biological functioning relative to shrubs, with higher aggregate stability (50 vs. 34 %), total organic carbon (12 vs. 5 g kg−1), microbial respiration (up to 0.9 g m−2 h−1 CO2) and dehydrogenase activity (0.8 vs. 0.4 μg INTF kg−1 h−1). Despite very high total metal(loid) concentrations (Pb 2150–5400 mg kg−1; Zn 1700–3300 mg kg−1), water-soluble fractions remained comparatively low (100–900 μg kg−1) and increased mainly when dissolved organic carbon peaked under trees.
矿山尾矿是露天废矿床,富含矿石加工过程中产生的金属(样物质)。它们的恢复可以通过封顶和造林进行,这从一开始就隔离了尾矿,或者通过自发的植物定植,这是一个较慢的过程,其研究为评估在这些材料上直接建立植物的可行性提供了一个模型。虽然这两种途径都可以改善土壤质量和减少金属(样物质)的流动性,但植被类型在调节这些过程中的作用仍未得到充分的了解。我们评估了灌木和树木对西班牙东南部半干旱地区两个含金属尾矿的上层土壤的物理化学、化学和生物特性的影响:一个是技术恢复,一个是自然殖民几十年。在一年多的时间里,我们监测了灌木和乔木斑块的土壤小气候、养分池、总金属和水溶性金属、微生物属性和生态毒性。在暖季,树木土壤温度差异为3 ~ 7°C,湿度差异为1 ~ 4%。在定植尾矿中,与灌木相比,乔木显著改善了土壤结构和生物功能,具有更高的团聚体稳定性(50%比34%)、总有机碳(12比5 g kg−1)、微生物呼吸(高达0.9 g m−2 h−1 CO2)和脱氢酶活性(0.8比0.4 μ INTF kg−1 h−1)。尽管总金属(样物质)浓度非常高(Pb 2150 ~ 5400 mg kg - 1, Zn 1700 ~ 3300 mg kg - 1),但水溶性组分仍然相对较低(100 ~ 900 μg kg - 1),主要在树下溶解有机碳达到峰值时增加。
{"title":"Vegetation type modulates spatial-temporal variations in soil conditions in technically restored and spontaneously colonized metalliferous mine tailings","authors":"Matías Ceacero-Moreno, José Álvarez-Rogel, Juan J. Martínez-Sánchez, Héctor M. Conesa, M. Nazaret González-Alcaraz","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109768","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109768","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mine tailings are open-air waste deposits enriched in metal(loid)s derived from ore processing. Their restoration may proceed through capping and afforestation, which isolate the tailings from the outset, or through spontaneous plant colonization, a slower process whose study provides a model for evaluating the feasibility of direct plant establishment on these materials. Although both pathways can improve soil quality and reduce metal(loid) mobility, the role of vegetation type in modulating these processes remains insufficiently understood. We assessed the effects of shrubs and trees on the physico-chemical, chemical and biological properties of upper soil layers in two metalliferous tailings in semiarid southeastern Spain: one technically restored and one naturally colonized for several decades. Over one year, we monitored soil microclimate, nutrient pools, total and water-soluble metal(loid)s, microbial attributes and ecotoxicity under shrub and tree patches. Tree soils were consistently cooler and wetter during the warm season, with temperature differences of 3–7 °C and moisture differences of 1–4 %. In the colonized tailing, trees markedly improved soil structure and biological functioning relative to shrubs, with higher aggregate stability (50 vs. 34 %), total organic carbon (12 vs. 5 g kg<sup>−1</sup>), microbial respiration (up to 0.9 g m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> CO<sub>2</sub>) and dehydrogenase activity (0.8 vs. 0.4 μg INTF kg<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>). Despite very high total metal(loid) concentrations (Pb 2150–5400 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>; Zn 1700–3300 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>), water-soluble fractions remained comparatively low (100–900 μg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and increased mainly when dissolved organic carbon peaked under trees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109768"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109767
Shantao An , Yiping Wu , Xiankai Luo , Ziqi He , Sergey Kivalov , Georgii Alexandrov , Weiqin Dang , Wende Yan , Huanyuan Wang , Bellie Sivakumar , Guangchuang Zhang , Qichen Wang , Fubo Zhao , Linjing Qiu , Pengcheng Sun , Zhao Jin , Ji Chen , Shuguang Liu , Yongming Han
Vegetation restoration represents a highly effective strategy for offsetting carbon emissions, mitigating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the eco-environment. Despite the ecological benefits, the large-scale ‘Grain-for-Green’ program in China has caused unintended hydrological consequences, threatening the sustainability of regional water resources in this arid and semi-arid region. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the competing water demands of ecosystems and humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of vegetation change on the water cycle and the vegetation carrying capacity in a semi-arid loess-gully basin using our previously modified Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), which focuses on simulating forest growth from young to mature stages. Model validation demonstrated that the improved SWAT model can well simulate eco-hydrological processes, including leaf area index (LAI), streamflow, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil water content. Simulations under various vegetation restoration scenarios revealed that low- and medium-intensity revegetation (converting sloping farmland (slope > 15°) to grass or forest) resulted in slight changes (≤4.84 %) in mean annual streamflow, soil water, and ET. In contrast, high-intensity revegetation caused significant water stress, with streamflow and soil moisture reduced by 19.35 % and 15.14 %, respectively. In addition, the vegetation carrying capacity of the watershed was evaluated, indicating that the basin can sustainably support a maximum LAI increase of 0.20 (15.63 %). Overall, this study can be valuable for vegetation restoration and forest management in the Chinese Loess Plateau, and the proposed methods can be applicable in other areas.
植被恢复是抵消碳排放、减缓气候变化、提高生态环境质量的有效策略。尽管具有生态效益,但中国大规模的“退耕还林”工程却造成了意想不到的水文后果,威胁着这一干旱半干旱地区区域水资源的可持续性。因此,了解生态系统和人类相互竞争的水需求是至关重要的。在本研究中,我们利用改进的SWAT (Soil and water Assessment Tool)工具,研究了植被变化对半干旱黄土沟壑区水循环和植被承载能力的影响,该工具侧重于模拟森林从幼龄到成熟期的生长。模型验证表明,改进的SWAT模型能够较好地模拟叶面积指数(LAI)、流量、蒸散发(ET)和土壤含水量等生态水文过程。不同植被恢复情景下的模拟结果表明,低、中强度植被恢复(坡度为15°)退耕还草或还林)对年平均流量、土壤水分和ET的影响较小(≤4.84%),而高强度植被恢复对年平均流量、土壤水分和ET的影响较大,分别减少19.35%和15.14%。流域植被承载能力评价表明,流域可持续支持最大LAI增长0.20(15.63%)。综上所述,本研究对黄土高原植被恢复和森林管理具有一定的参考价值,并可推广应用于其他地区。
{"title":"Assessment of vegetation carrying capacity at the basin-scale using an improved SWAT model","authors":"Shantao An , Yiping Wu , Xiankai Luo , Ziqi He , Sergey Kivalov , Georgii Alexandrov , Weiqin Dang , Wende Yan , Huanyuan Wang , Bellie Sivakumar , Guangchuang Zhang , Qichen Wang , Fubo Zhao , Linjing Qiu , Pengcheng Sun , Zhao Jin , Ji Chen , Shuguang Liu , Yongming Han","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vegetation restoration represents a highly effective strategy for offsetting carbon emissions, mitigating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the eco-environment. Despite the ecological benefits, the large-scale ‘Grain-for-Green’ program in China has caused unintended hydrological consequences, threatening the sustainability of regional water resources in this arid and semi-arid region. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the competing water demands of ecosystems and humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of vegetation change on the water cycle and the vegetation carrying capacity in a semi-arid loess-gully basin using our previously modified Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), which focuses on simulating forest growth from young to mature stages. Model validation demonstrated that the improved SWAT model can well simulate eco-hydrological processes, including leaf area index (LAI), streamflow, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil water content. Simulations under various vegetation restoration scenarios revealed that low- and medium-intensity revegetation (converting sloping farmland (slope > 15°) to grass or forest) resulted in slight changes (≤4.84 %) in mean annual streamflow, soil water, and ET. In contrast, high-intensity revegetation caused significant water stress, with streamflow and soil moisture reduced by 19.35 % and 15.14 %, respectively. In addition, the vegetation carrying capacity of the watershed was evaluated, indicating that the basin can sustainably support a maximum LAI increase of 0.20 (15.63 %). Overall, this study can be valuable for vegetation restoration and forest management in the Chinese Loess Plateau, and the proposed methods can be applicable in other areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109767"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109764
Yuying Cao , Zhengchao Zhou , Mingyu Chen , Jun'e Liu , Peipei Wang , Ning Wang , Bingbing Zhu , Fang Liu , Liyi Wu , Di Yu
Soil erosion on the Loess Plateau poses a significant environmental challenge, resulting in the surface presenting a form of thousands of gullies. The slope-gully system is a typical erosive landform in this region. Along the gully shoulder line (SL), the slope-gully system can be divided into the inter-gully area (IG) and gully area (G). Its transition zone characteristics lead to differences in soil properties and vegetation characteristics between the topographies, thereby influencing the root-soil complex shear resistance. However, the spatial heterogeneity of root-soil complex shear resistance across different topographic units in slope-gully systems, as well as its primary controlling factors, remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study selected the IG, SL, and G in sandy loam soil (Shenmu, SM), silty loam soil (Ansai, AS) and silty clay loam soil (Yongshou, YS) zones of the Loess Plateau to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of shear resistance and its dominant drivers. The results indicated that the shear capacity of the slope-gully system was jointly regulated by topographic, soil textural, and chemical factors. The shear resistance generally showed an increasing and then decreasing trend along IG, SL, and G, and the influence of topographic gradient on cohesion (c) showed different trends in different textured soils. Among them, SL exhibited significantly higher c than G in sandy loam soil (p < 0.05), while significant differences were observed between IG and G in silty loam soil (p < 0.05). Internal friction angle (φ) did not show significant topographic differences among different textured soils. Partial least squares path modeling further revealed that soil chemical properties (standardized path coefficient = 0.55) directly dominated the spatial differentiation of c, whereas φ was primarily controlled by soil textural parameters (standardized path coefficient = 0.36). These findings could provide a scientific basis for optimizing regional erosion management strategies and hold great significance for enhancing soil and water conservation efficiency.
{"title":"Effects of gully topographic vertical zone on the spatial heterogeneity of root-soil complex shear performance in the loess plateau","authors":"Yuying Cao , Zhengchao Zhou , Mingyu Chen , Jun'e Liu , Peipei Wang , Ning Wang , Bingbing Zhu , Fang Liu , Liyi Wu , Di Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil erosion on the Loess Plateau poses a significant environmental challenge, resulting in the surface presenting a form of thousands of gullies. The slope-gully system is a typical erosive landform in this region. Along the gully shoulder line (SL), the slope-gully system can be divided into the inter-gully area (IG) and gully area (G). Its transition zone characteristics lead to differences in soil properties and vegetation characteristics between the topographies, thereby influencing the root-soil complex shear resistance. However, the spatial heterogeneity of root-soil complex shear resistance across different topographic units in slope-gully systems, as well as its primary controlling factors, remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study selected the IG, SL, and G in sandy loam soil (Shenmu, SM), silty loam soil (Ansai, AS) and silty clay loam soil (Yongshou, YS) zones of the Loess Plateau to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of shear resistance and its dominant drivers. The results indicated that the shear capacity of the slope-gully system was jointly regulated by topographic, soil textural, and chemical factors. The shear resistance generally showed an increasing and then decreasing trend along IG, SL, and G, and the influence of topographic gradient on cohesion (<em>c</em>) showed different trends in different textured soils. Among them, SL exhibited significantly higher <em>c</em> than G in sandy loam soil (<em>p</em> < 0.05), while significant differences were observed between IG and G in silty loam soil (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Internal friction angle (<em>φ</em>) did not show significant topographic differences among different textured soils. Partial least squares path modeling further revealed that soil chemical properties (standardized path coefficient = 0.55) directly dominated the spatial differentiation of <em>c</em>, whereas <em>φ</em> was primarily controlled by soil textural parameters (standardized path coefficient = 0.36). These findings could provide a scientific basis for optimizing regional erosion management strategies and hold great significance for enhancing soil and water conservation efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109764"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109762
Sadhan K. Basumatary , Eline N. van Asperen , Siddhant Vaish , Swati Tripathi , H. Gregory McDonald , Rajib Gogoi , Ajay Kumar Arya
This study presents an integrated palaeoecological and palaeoherbivory history of Kaziranga National Park (KNP) since the late Holocene based on biotic proxies. A 110 cm deep sedimentary profile permitted the collection of pollen and spores for analysis employing the standard acetolysis method. Around 3290–1700 years BP, the KNP consisted of a tropical dense mixed forest dominated by Bombax, Cinnamomum, Duabanga, and Lagerstroemia, with less grasslands during a period of warm and humid climatic condition with low wildlife activity compared to the present. From 1700 to 640 years BP, the evergreen taxa, Mesua, Cinnamomum, and Litsea decreased and with an increase in the deciduous taxa, Bombax, Dillenia, and Careya along with an expansion of grassland. The appearance of Mimosa, an invasive plant, is significant and is detrimental to the vegetation in KNP. The increase of coprophilous fungal spores, Sporormiella, Saccobolus, and Ascodesmis, indicates the gradual increase of wildlife in the region. During 640 years BP to present, the forest was comparatively less dense than the preceding phase with an expansion of openland areas. The significant increase of Sporormiella, Saccobolus, and Ascodesmis implies higher levels of the large herbivore population. We propose that the wildlife, especially rhinoceros, migrated from the western and northern part of the region into the north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent in response to climatic amelioration and higher human activities during the late Holocene period. This study will be helpful in providing a better understanding of the palaeoecological and palaeoherbivory history of this region and can provide a greater insight into the causes of migration and subsequent extirpation of wildlife.
基于生物代用指标,研究了晚全新世以来卡兹兰加国家公园(Kaziranga National Park, KNP)的古生态与古草食史。110厘米深的沉积剖面允许收集花粉和孢子,使用标准的乙酰解方法进行分析。在3290 ~ 1700年BP之间,KNP以Bombax、Cinnamomum、Duabanga和Lagerstroemia为主的热带茂密混交林为主,气候温暖湿润,草地较少,野生动物活动较低。1700 ~ 640年间,随着草地面积的扩大,常绿类群Mesua、Cinnamomum和Litsea数量减少,落叶类群Bombax、Dillenia和Careya数量增加。含羞草是一种入侵植物,它的出现对KNP的植被具有重要的危害。嗜粪真菌孢子、孢子菌属(Sporormiella)、Saccobolus和Ascodesmis的增加表明该地区野生动物逐渐增加。640年至今,森林密度相对较前一阶段有所下降,开阔面积有所扩大。Sporormiella, Saccobolus和Ascodesmis的显著增加表明大型食草动物种群的水平较高。我们认为,在全新世晚期,野生动物,尤其是犀牛,从印度次大陆的西部和北部迁移到印度次大陆的东北部是对气候改善和人类活动加剧的响应。这项研究将有助于更好地了解该地区的古生态和古草食历史,并有助于更深入地了解野生动物迁徙和随后灭绝的原因。
{"title":"Palaeoecological and palaeoherbivory dynamics in Kaziranga National Park: Late Holocene vegetation shifts and large mammal biogeography","authors":"Sadhan K. Basumatary , Eline N. van Asperen , Siddhant Vaish , Swati Tripathi , H. Gregory McDonald , Rajib Gogoi , Ajay Kumar Arya","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents an integrated palaeoecological and palaeoherbivory history of Kaziranga National Park (KNP) since the late Holocene based on biotic proxies. A 110 cm deep sedimentary profile permitted the collection of pollen and spores for analysis employing the standard acetolysis method. Around 3290–1700 years BP, the KNP consisted of a tropical dense mixed forest dominated by <em>Bombax</em>, <em>Cinnamomum</em>, <em>Duabanga</em>, and <em>Lagerstroemia</em>, with less grasslands during a period of warm and humid climatic condition with low wildlife activity compared to the present. From 1700 to 640 years BP, the evergreen taxa, <em>Mesua</em>, <em>Cinnamomum</em>, and <em>Litsea</em> decreased and with an increase in the deciduous taxa, <em>Bombax</em>, <em>Dillenia</em>, and <em>Careya</em> along with an expansion of grassland. The appearance of <em>Mimosa</em>, an invasive plant, is significant and is detrimental to the vegetation in KNP. The increase of coprophilous fungal spores, <em>Sporormiella</em>, <em>Saccobolus</em>, and <em>Ascodesmis</em>, indicates the gradual increase of wildlife in the region. During 640 years BP to present, the forest was comparatively less dense than the preceding phase with an expansion of openland areas. The significant increase of <em>Sporormiella</em>, <em>Saccobolus</em>, and <em>Ascodesmis</em> implies higher levels of the large herbivore population. We propose that the wildlife, especially rhinoceros, migrated from the western and northern part of the region into the north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent in response to climatic amelioration and higher human activities during the late Holocene period. This study will be helpful in providing a better understanding of the palaeoecological and palaeoherbivory history of this region and can provide a greater insight into the causes of migration and subsequent extirpation of wildlife.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109762"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109763
Dongliang Zhang , Min Ran , Blyakharchuk Tatiana
The punctuated occupation chronology (∼5200-∼3200 cal. yr BP) documented at the Tongtian Cave in the Sawuer Mountains has been tentatively attributed to global cooling trend, despite the scarcity of direct paleoclimatic evidence from the settlement's immediate hinterland. To address this knowledge gap, we present the vegetation and climate reconstruction derived from pollen and n-alkane biomarkers analysis of three peat sediments spanning ∼5600 years. Our findings reveal three cores collectively demonstrate a progressive regional cooling over the study period and exhibit a distinct hydrological transition: sustained higher ratios prior to ∼800 cal. yr BP, followed by a systematic decline thereafter. The warm and humid conditions in the mountainous regions during the occupation period, which directly facilitated enhanced vegetation productivity. This environmental contrast is particularly striking when compared with contemporaneous arid conditions prevailing in adjacent lowland valleys, where amplified evaporation under extreme warming exacerbated moisture deficits despite reduced precipitation. The progressive desiccation of low-elevation zones ultimately rendered plain settlements unsustainable, triggering migratory shifts toward more favorable montane environments.
在索乌尔山脉通天洞记录的间断占领年代学(~ 5200 ~ ~ 3200 cal. yr BP)被暂时归因于全球变冷趋势,尽管缺乏来自该定居点直接腹地的直接古气候证据。为了解决这一知识差距,我们提出了来自3个泥炭沉积物的花粉和正烷烃生物标志物分析的植被和气候重建,跨度为5600年。我们的研究结果表明,在研究期间,三个岩心共同表现出渐进的区域冷却,并表现出明显的水文过渡:在~ 800 cal. yr BP之前持续较高的比率,随后是系统的下降。占领期间山区温暖湿润的气候条件,直接促进了植被生产力的提高。与同期邻近低地山谷普遍存在的干旱条件相比,这种环境对比尤为明显,在极端变暖下,蒸发加剧了水分不足,尽管降水减少。低海拔地区的逐渐干燥最终使平原居民无法维持,引发了向更有利的山地环境的迁移。
{"title":"Elevational disparity in hydroclimate shifts drove human occupation and abandonment of Tongtian cave in the Sawuer mountains","authors":"Dongliang Zhang , Min Ran , Blyakharchuk Tatiana","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The punctuated occupation chronology (∼5200-∼3200 cal. yr BP) documented at the Tongtian Cave in the Sawuer Mountains has been tentatively attributed to global cooling trend, despite the scarcity of direct paleoclimatic evidence from the settlement's immediate hinterland. To address this knowledge gap, we present the vegetation and climate reconstruction derived from pollen and <em>n</em>-alkane biomarkers analysis of three peat sediments spanning ∼5600 years. Our findings reveal three cores collectively demonstrate a progressive regional cooling over the study period and exhibit a distinct hydrological transition: sustained higher ratios prior to ∼800 cal. yr BP, followed by a systematic decline thereafter. The warm and humid conditions in the mountainous regions during the occupation period, which directly facilitated enhanced vegetation productivity. This environmental contrast is particularly striking when compared with contemporaneous arid conditions prevailing in adjacent lowland valleys, where amplified evaporation under extreme warming exacerbated moisture deficits despite reduced precipitation. The progressive desiccation of low-elevation zones ultimately rendered plain settlements unsustainable, triggering migratory shifts toward more favorable montane environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109763"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109755
Can Liu , Zhangqin Zheng , Pengcheng Ju , Sijie Wang , Wenyu Wang , Zicong Xiao , Xiaodong Liu , Fang Huang , Jihua Hao
Antarctic ecosystems are profoundly shaped by seabird activities, which deliver multiple bio-enriched elements from the sea and form ornithogenic sediments on the land. These seabird-mediated biogeochemical cycles are also very sensitive to climate change, but controversies remain concerning the evolution of seabird populations in ice-free areas. This study analyzed the magnesium (Mg) isotopic compositions of various environmental samples from the Ross Sea region. The results show that the bedrock soils have high δ26Mg values close to the upper continental crust (UCC) value, while guano and ornithogenic soils have lower δ26Mg values close to those of modern seawater. The leaching experiment further suggested no or negligible contribution of chemical weathering to the negative differentiation of Mg isotopes in ornithogenic soils. Instead, the Mg isotopic compositions of ornithogenic sediments should represent a mixture of bedrock and seabird-mediated marine Mg. Based on the mixing calculations, this study further reconstructed the evolution of seabird activities in the Ross Sea of Antarctica. The fluctuations of seabird activities are largely related with their migration and breeding behaviors in response to climate change. Overall, this study reveals the active cycling of Mg controlled by seabird activities in Antarctica and a novel application of Mg isotopes in ornithogenic sediments to reconstruct seabird population dynamics, expanding the application of Mg isotopes in environmental and geological studies.
{"title":"Millennial evolution of seabird activity reconstructed by Mg isotopes in Antarctic lacustrine records","authors":"Can Liu , Zhangqin Zheng , Pengcheng Ju , Sijie Wang , Wenyu Wang , Zicong Xiao , Xiaodong Liu , Fang Huang , Jihua Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antarctic ecosystems are profoundly shaped by seabird activities, which deliver multiple bio-enriched elements from the sea and form ornithogenic sediments on the land. These seabird-mediated biogeochemical cycles are also very sensitive to climate change, but controversies remain concerning the evolution of seabird populations in ice-free areas. This study analyzed the magnesium (Mg) isotopic compositions of various environmental samples from the Ross Sea region. The results show that the bedrock soils have high δ<sup>26</sup>Mg values close to the upper continental crust (UCC) value, while guano and ornithogenic soils have lower δ<sup>26</sup>Mg values close to those of modern seawater. The leaching experiment further suggested no or negligible contribution of chemical weathering to the negative differentiation of Mg isotopes in ornithogenic soils. Instead, the Mg isotopic compositions of ornithogenic sediments should represent a mixture of bedrock and seabird-mediated marine Mg. Based on the mixing calculations, this study further reconstructed the evolution of seabird activities in the Ross Sea of Antarctica. The fluctuations of seabird activities are largely related with their migration and breeding behaviors in response to climate change. Overall, this study reveals the active cycling of Mg controlled by seabird activities in Antarctica and a novel application of Mg isotopes in ornithogenic sediments to reconstruct seabird population dynamics, expanding the application of Mg isotopes in environmental and geological studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109755"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Free-range cattle farming has resulted in considerable challenges to the ecology and environment in pastoral areas, particularly in relation to local water quality in pastoral lakes. This study investigated the impact of cattle manure (CM) on pasture water quality evolution in a typical pasture in arid regions, especially the pollution contribution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Fresh cattle manure (FCM) and dry cattle manure (DCM) were analyzed in a traditional pasture. The results indicated that FCM contained higher N and total organic carbon than DCM. Leaching experiments revealed that FCM released more N and P into pastoral water than DCM. However, soil adsorption and desorption experiments demonstrated that soil in pastoral areas reserve N and P from CM, reducing N and P water pollution contribution. Furthermore, the predominant organisms in FCM, such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota, inhibited the release of N and P from CM. The quantified pollution load from CM to water quality deterioration revealed that the contribution of N and P inputs was below 1 %, indicating that CM is not a major driving factor for water quality decline. Therefore, although CM contributes to pollution load, its impact on water quality evolution is limited compared to that of other anthropogenic factors (local industry and agriculture). This study provides new insights into integrated management strategies for protecting the ecological health in pasture.
{"title":"Pasture cattle manure may not dominate the deterioration of water quality in pastoral lakes","authors":"Hongbo Sheng , Ümüt Halik , Siying Chen , Jianxiang Zhang , Kunran Bai , Abdugheni Abliz","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Free-range cattle farming has resulted in considerable challenges to the ecology and environment in pastoral areas, particularly in relation to local water quality in pastoral lakes. This study investigated the impact of cattle manure (CM) on pasture water quality evolution in a typical pasture in arid regions, especially the pollution contribution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Fresh cattle manure (FCM) and dry cattle manure (DCM) were analyzed in a traditional pasture. The results indicated that FCM contained higher N and total organic carbon than DCM. Leaching experiments revealed that FCM released more N and P into pastoral water than DCM. However, soil adsorption and desorption experiments demonstrated that soil in pastoral areas reserve N and P from CM, reducing N and P water pollution contribution. Furthermore, the predominant organisms in FCM, such as <em>Proteobacteria</em> and <em>Bacteroidota,</em> inhibited the release of N and P from CM. The quantified pollution load from CM to water quality deterioration revealed that the contribution of N and P inputs was below 1 %, indicating that CM is not a major driving factor for water quality decline. Therefore, although CM contributes to pollution load, its impact on water quality evolution is limited compared to that of other anthropogenic factors (local industry and agriculture). This study provides new insights into integrated management strategies for protecting the ecological health in pasture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109756"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109757
Mohsin Mahmood , Ru Tian , Yan Shen , Jiatao Zhang , Lan Du , Anam Ayyoub , Ansa Rebi , Adnan Mustafa , Haoyue Chen , Yiming Zhao , Wenhuai Li , Le Qi , Ahmed Salah Elrys , Zhuwen Xu
Environmental changes, including nitrogen (N) enrichment and altered precipitation, significantly influence phosphorus (P) dynamics in semi-arid grassland soils. However, the long-term effects of N and water additions on microbial communities and key P cycling genes remain unclear. This study investigates how long-term nitrogen (N) and water additions affect soil phosphorus (P) fractions, microbial community composition, and the abundance of key P-cycling genes in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem of Inner Mongolia, China. Drawing on a 17-year field experiment (initiated in 2005), our findings demonstrate that combined N and water inputs significantly enhanced labile and moderately labile P fractions NaHCO₃-Pi, NaHCO₃-Po, NaOH-Pi, NaOH-Po, and HClD-Pi by 58.9 %, 119.5 %, 26 %, and 7.4 %, respectively. HClD-Pi, the dominant contributor to total P, was mobilized primarily in water-added treatments. Labile P followed the order WN10 > N10 > WCK > CK; moderate-labile P ranked WN10 > N10 > WCK > CK; and non-labile P ranked N10 > WN10 > CK > WCK. Water addition suppressed P-starvation-responsive genes (phoX, phnK, ppk) and enhanced mineralization and solubilization genes (phoD, gcd, pqqC). Variation Partitioning Analysis showed microbial communities explained 31 % of labile P variation, while enzyme activity accounted for 35 % of moderate-labile P. PCoA showed distinct microbial and gene composition under WN10. Random Forest, Mantel tests, and VPA confirmed shifts in microbial function and soil P dynamics. These findings demonstrate how long-term nutrient and water additions reshape P fractions and microbial P acquisition strategies. This study offers mechanistic insight into the microbial and biochemical regulation of P availability and highlights the importance of managing N and water to increase labile P, stimulate microbial activity, and reduce P fixation. These results have broad implications for improving nutrient efficiency and sustainability in semi-arid grassland ecosystems under global change.
{"title":"Microbial functional shifts drive soil phosphorus transformation under long-term nitrogen and water inputs in a semi-arid grassland","authors":"Mohsin Mahmood , Ru Tian , Yan Shen , Jiatao Zhang , Lan Du , Anam Ayyoub , Ansa Rebi , Adnan Mustafa , Haoyue Chen , Yiming Zhao , Wenhuai Li , Le Qi , Ahmed Salah Elrys , Zhuwen Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental changes, including nitrogen (N) enrichment and altered precipitation, significantly influence phosphorus (P) dynamics in semi-arid grassland soils. However, the long-term effects of N and water additions on microbial communities and key P cycling genes remain unclear. This study investigates how long-term nitrogen (N) and water additions affect soil phosphorus (P) fractions, microbial community composition, and the abundance of key P-cycling genes in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem of Inner Mongolia, China. Drawing on a 17-year field experiment (initiated in 2005), our findings demonstrate that combined N and water inputs significantly enhanced labile and moderately labile P fractions NaHCO₃-Pi, NaHCO₃-Po, NaOH-Pi, NaOH-Po, and HCl<sub>D</sub>-Pi by 58.9 %, 119.5 %, 26 %, and 7.4 %, respectively. HCl<sub>D</sub>-Pi, the dominant contributor to total P, was mobilized primarily in water-added treatments. Labile P followed the order WN10 > N10 > WCK > CK; moderate-labile P ranked WN10 > N10 > WCK > CK; and non-labile P ranked N10 > WN10 > CK > WCK. Water addition suppressed P-starvation-responsive genes (<em>phoX, phnK, ppk</em>) and enhanced mineralization and solubilization genes (<em>phoD,</em> gcd<em>, pqqC</em>). Variation Partitioning Analysis showed microbial communities explained 31 % of labile P variation, while enzyme activity accounted for 35 % of moderate-labile P. PCoA showed distinct microbial and gene composition under WN10. Random Forest, Mantel tests, and VPA confirmed shifts in microbial function and soil P dynamics. These findings demonstrate how long-term nutrient and water additions reshape P fractions and microbial P acquisition strategies. This study offers mechanistic insight into the microbial and biochemical regulation of P availability and highlights the importance of managing N and water to increase labile P, stimulate microbial activity, and reduce P fixation. These results have broad implications for improving nutrient efficiency and sustainability in semi-arid grassland ecosystems under global change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109757"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109745
Analice Nunes Clarindo , Sara Ramos dos Santos , David Lukas de Arruda , Danilo de Lima Camêlo , Alexandre Tavares da Rocha , Valdomiro Severino de Souza Junior , Heloisa Helena Gomes Coe , Carlos Eduardo de Rezende , Marcelo Metri Corrêa
The integration of multiproxy environmental data on pedogenetic processes can provide insights into the paleoclimatic evolution of a region. In this study, we associated biological markers (Phytoliths, sponge spicules, diatom frustules, and freshwater algae cysts) and organic markers (C/N ratio, stable isotopes, thermogravimetry, and FTIR) to reconstruct the genesis of Spodosols under a semi-arid climate in the Catimbau National Park (CNP). We analyzed a toposequence composed of three Spodosols in the upper positions and one Entisol in the lowest position, located at the base of the Tacaratu Formation (Brazil). This area includes environments such as the first Spodosol profile, developed under conditions prevailing at the top of the toposequence, which was directly influenced by a tectonic fault that raised the water table. PCA of Phytolith indices explained 55.3 % of the total variance: in PC1, the Phytolith assemblage indices clearly separated the wetter profile with predominant C3 vegetation (upper profile) from the drier profiles characterized by greater water stress and grass-rich vegetation, whereas PC2 highlighted the functional differences between C3 and C4 grasses. Although δ13C values in the profiles range from −11.5 to −26.3 ‰, the Phytolith indices indicate that C3-derived DOM transported from upland zones masks the underlying C4 isotopic pattern in the downslope Bh horizons. Phytolith data revealed three distinct paleoclimatic and pedogenetic stages: paludization (∼6400 years BP), fire events (2800–2150 years BP), and podzolization (2150–450 years BP). The results indicate a transition from humid, C3-dominated environments at the upper slope to drier, C4-rich settings downslope, supported by isotopic, Phytolith, and geochemical evidence of vertical and lateral podzolization controlled by slope position and water-table gradients.
{"title":"Multiproxy evidence of environmental phases leading to podzolization in semi-arid soils of Northeastern Brazil","authors":"Analice Nunes Clarindo , Sara Ramos dos Santos , David Lukas de Arruda , Danilo de Lima Camêlo , Alexandre Tavares da Rocha , Valdomiro Severino de Souza Junior , Heloisa Helena Gomes Coe , Carlos Eduardo de Rezende , Marcelo Metri Corrêa","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integration of multiproxy environmental data on pedogenetic processes can provide insights into the paleoclimatic evolution of a region. In this study, we associated biological markers (Phytoliths, sponge spicules, diatom frustules, and freshwater algae cysts) and organic markers (C/N ratio, stable isotopes, thermogravimetry, and FTIR) to reconstruct the genesis of Spodosols under a semi-arid climate in the Catimbau National Park (CNP). We analyzed a toposequence composed of three Spodosols in the upper positions and one Entisol in the lowest position, located at the base of the Tacaratu Formation (Brazil). This area includes environments such as the first Spodosol profile, developed under conditions prevailing at the top of the toposequence, which was directly influenced by a tectonic fault that raised the water table. PCA of Phytolith indices explained 55.3 % of the total variance: in PC1, the Phytolith assemblage indices clearly separated the wetter profile with predominant C<sub>3</sub> vegetation (upper profile) from the drier profiles characterized by greater water stress and grass-rich vegetation, whereas PC2 highlighted the functional differences between C<sub>3</sub> and C<sub>4</sub> grasses. Although δ13C values in the profiles range from −11.5 to −26.3 ‰, the Phytolith indices indicate that C3-derived DOM transported from upland zones masks the underlying C4 isotopic pattern in the downslope Bh horizons. Phytolith data revealed three distinct paleoclimatic and pedogenetic stages: paludization (∼6400 years BP), fire events (2800–2150 years BP), and podzolization (2150–450 years BP). The results indicate a transition from humid, C<sub>3</sub>-dominated environments at the upper slope to drier, C<sub>4</sub>-rich settings downslope, supported by isotopic, Phytolith, and geochemical evidence of vertical and lateral podzolization controlled by slope position and water-table gradients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109745"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.109750
Li Wang , Chenyu Zhang , Shimei Wang , Yong Chen , Yuanyuan He , Keying Zhang , Kun Fang
Wave erosion along the hydro-fluctuation zone is a pervasive phenomenon in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), culminating in bank collapse and consequent initiation of landslide events. To investigate the evolution process and failure mechanism of “wave erosion - bank collapse - landslide movement”, field investigations on TGRA are first carried out to identify the main features of the wave erosion. A reservoir landslide model test platform was subsequently designed that can control the water level of reservoirs, regulate wave patterns, and simulate various bedrock shapes. A material ratio scheme that accounts for the “sliding mass partition similarity” is proposed, along with a novel method for simulating sliding surface materials using composite geotextile and lubricating oil. A series of physical model tests were conducted to simulate the process of wave erosion, bank collapse, and subsequent landslide movement. The erosion evolution of the landslide front, variations in earth pressure, and the overall deformation of the landslide are monitored during the tests. The key findings are as follows: (1) Based on the proposed sliding mass material ratio scheme, novel sliding band materials and self-developed test device, the “wave erosion - bank collapse - landslide movement” process of wave erosion-induced landslides is successfully reproduced. (2) When the landslide front was steep, the wave erosion rate was higher. Over time, the slope of landslide front gradually became gentler, leading to a reduction in the wave erosion rate, which can be described by an exponential decay function. (3) The decrease in anti-sliding force due to erosion-induced bank collapse is the primary factor affecting the stability coefficient of the landslide. Additionally, the unloading effect of the bank collapse weakens the mechanical properties of the soil, significantly reducing its shear strength compared to natural conditions. This study offers a scientific basis for landslide prevention and mitigation strategies in the TGRA.
{"title":"Wave erosion induced bank collapse and its impact on landslides: insights from model tests","authors":"Li Wang , Chenyu Zhang , Shimei Wang , Yong Chen , Yuanyuan He , Keying Zhang , Kun Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2025.109750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wave erosion along the hydro-fluctuation zone is a pervasive phenomenon in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), culminating in bank collapse and consequent initiation of landslide events. To investigate the evolution process and failure mechanism of “wave erosion - bank collapse - landslide movement”, field investigations on TGRA are first carried out to identify the main features of the wave erosion. A reservoir landslide model test platform was subsequently designed that can control the water level of reservoirs, regulate wave patterns, and simulate various bedrock shapes. A material ratio scheme that accounts for the “sliding mass partition similarity” is proposed, along with a novel method for simulating sliding surface materials using composite geotextile and lubricating oil. A series of physical model tests were conducted to simulate the process of wave erosion, bank collapse, and subsequent landslide movement. The erosion evolution of the landslide front, variations in earth pressure, and the overall deformation of the landslide are monitored during the tests. The key findings are as follows: (1) Based on the proposed sliding mass material ratio scheme, novel sliding band materials and self-developed test device, the “wave erosion - bank collapse - landslide movement” process of wave erosion-induced landslides is successfully reproduced. (2) When the landslide front was steep, the wave erosion rate was higher. Over time, the slope of landslide front gradually became gentler, leading to a reduction in the wave erosion rate, which can be described by an exponential decay function. (3) The decrease in anti-sliding force due to erosion-induced bank collapse is the primary factor affecting the stability coefficient of the landslide. Additionally, the unloading effect of the bank collapse weakens the mechanical properties of the soil, significantly reducing its shear strength compared to natural conditions. This study offers a scientific basis for landslide prevention and mitigation strategies in the TGRA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 109750"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}