An Estimate of Basin‐Wide Denitrification Based on Floodplain Inundation in the Atchafalaya River Basin,Louisiana

Maximizing the reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen gas (denitrification) has been advocated as a means to decrease nitrate pollution that causes eutrophication and hypoxia in estuaries worldwide. Managing this flux in bottomland forest wetlands of the Mississippi River could potentially reduce the world's second largest hypoxic zone. We used published denitrification rates, geospatial data on habitat area and inundation frequency, water level records (1963–2011), and average monthly temperatures to estimate annual denitrification in the Atchafalaya River Basin, the principal distributary of the Mississippi River. Denitrification rates ranged from 5394 kg N year^?1 (3.07 kg N km^?2 year^?1) in 1988 to 17 420 kg N year^?1 (9.92 kg N km^?2 year^?1) in 1981, and rates were consistently higher in fall compared with those in spring. Total NO₃^? denitrified in the basin was negligible compared with total NO₃^? entering the Gulf of Mexico. If all N denitrified in the basin instead entered the Gulf, the hypoxic zone was predicted to increase only 5.07 km² (0.06%). This negligible effect of the basin on N dynamics in the Gulf agrees with other mass balance and isotopic studies in the region. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sources of nitrogen to stream food webs in tributaries of the Red River Valley,Manitoba

Lake Winnipeg has undergone rapid eutrophication over the last several decades with a large portion of the associated nutrient loads delivered via the Red River. Consequently, subcatchments of the Red River Valley (RRV) are priorities for nutrient management, an aim that requires identification of key nutrient sources to stream food webs. We identified the primary sources of nitrogen to food webs of rural streams of the RRV, as well as variation in nitrogen input between spring and summer. We measured δ¹⁵N of particulate organic matter (POM) and collector-gatherer invertebrates collected in spring and summer from 20 subcatchments, which exhibited a range of agricultural intensity and size of municipal wastewater lagoons. δ¹⁵N values of POM and collector-gatherer invertebrates were best predicted by the presence of wastewater treatment lagoons, with δ¹⁵N values increasing with the number of people served by lagoons in spring and summer. When present, wastewater contributed a greater proportion of nitrogen to stream food webs than agricultural sources. Waste sources also had a greater relative contribution to food webs in summer than spring. Despite wastewater lagoons releasing nitrogen in short-term, pulsed discharges, the influence of wastewater on food web nitrogen persisted from the summer release into the following spring. Based on the observed importance of wastewater as a source of nitrogen to stream food webs, we recommend management agencies consider additional actions to reduce nutrient losses from wastewater treatment facilities as well as agricultural lands to more effectively protect aquatic ecosystems.     

The Contribution of Conservation Practices in Reducing Runoff, Soil Loss, and Transport of Nutrients at the Watershed Level

The lack of land use planning and the absence of conservation practices in a watershed can contribute to increased runoff, soil loss, and nutrient transport, which compromise the environmental quality in a watershed, especially the water resources. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of conservation practices in reducing runoff and soil and nutrient losses using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in the S?o Bartolomeu Stream Watershed, which is a significant watershed in Brazil. The modeling allowed us to identify critical areas regarding sediment yield, runoff, and nutrient loss. After that, conservation practices aimed at reducing the impacts of such processes were simulated. We also identified the most sensitive model parameters to simulate changes in management practices. Simulation results showed an average annual runoff (R) of 35?mm, average annual sediment yield (SY) of 51?t ha^-1?year^-1, 3.6?t ha^-1?year^-1 of total nitrogen (TN), and 1.6?t ha^-1?year^-1 of total phosphorus (TP). When considering the adoption of conservation practices, results showed an increase in water infiltration in the watershed and reductions of 18?%, 66?%, 25?%, and 30?% for R, SY, TN, and TP, respectively. Interventions which prioritize adequate management practices can be highly efficient and avoid changes in consolidated land uses.     

Comparison of Carbon Sequestration Ability and Effect of Elevation in Fenced Wetland Plant Communities of the Xilin River Floodplains: A Model Case Study

Floodplain habitats of the Xilin River in Inner Mongolia, China, were overgrazed by sheep and cattle until fencing of the floodplains was implemented in 2000. Carbon cycling of three plant communities of differing floodplain elevation after fencing showed that biomass in low‐elevation wetlands increased fastest until reaching its maximum at 20 years in the future, while a slower increase in biomass existed in high‐elevation and ‘hummock’ wetlands. Modelling and field experiments revealed differences between the three plant communities that were primarily attributed to different elevation levels and inundation periods. This study also determined the carbon sequestration capacity of the three floodplain wetland types (0.18 kg C m^?2 year^?1 in low‐elevation wetlands, 0.09 kg C m^?2 year^?1 in high‐elevation wetlands, and 0.05 kg C m^?2 year^?1 in hummock wetlands). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impacts of Land-use Changes on the Hydrology of the Grande River Basin Headwaters,Southeastern Brazil

Land-use changes affect soil water balance. The Upper Grande River Basin (UGRB) headwaters have undergone intense modifications in land use. This study was conducted to simulate, using the LASH model, the impacts on the hydrological regime in the UGRB with five land-use trends: S₁ and S₂ – reforestation with eucalyptus covering 20 % and 50 %, respectively, from the current grassland area; S₃ – reforestation with eucalyptus covering 100 % of the current grassland area only in the sub-basins where this trend is predominant; S₄ and S₅ deforestation of 30 % and 70 % of the forest remnants in the Mantiqueira Range region for the cultivation of grasslands, respectively. Results demonstrate that runoff would be reduced due to the land-use changes by 51.65 mm yr^?1, 110.29 mm yr^?1 and 59.48 mm yr^?1 for scenarios S₁, S₂ and S₃, respectively. However, scenarios S₄ and S₅ could increase streamflow by 57.63 mm year^?1 and 156.78 mm year^?1, respectively. This indicates that land-use changes might make the basin more prone to flooding and other hazards associated with increased runoff.     

An eutrophication index for lowland sandy rivers in Mediterranean coastal climatic regions of Southern Africa

The eutrophication of waterways has become an endemic global problem. Nutrient enrichment from agriculture activities and waste water treatment plants are major drivers, but it remains unclear how lowland sandy rivers respond to eutrophication. The objective of this study was the development and verification of eutrophication index for sandy rivers (EISR) to prioritize nutrient enrichment river stretches caused by different land use activities that include point and nonpoint sources of nutrient enrich water. The Berg River drainage system in South Africa served as a case study area for this purpose during the dry seasons (December and January) of 2015 and 2016. In the initial EISR development phase, periphyton, benthic biomass (chl‐a mg m^?2), and macroinvertebrate families were employed as benthic bioindicators of river bedforms, whereas in the second phase, physicochemical and abiotic variables were used as target indicator. Using a weight of support approach, the site receiving sewage effluent was categorize as heavily polluted whereas sites impacted by agriculture land use activities were polluted. The EISR that focuses strongly on benthic bioindicators, which are close to the transfer of nutrients and energy in the food web, showed a distinct difference between river bedform impacted by sewage effluent and agriculture none point source. A maximum benthic algae biomass of 110 mg m^?2 chl‐a was recorded with higher sediment orthophosphate concentration at sewage‐impacted sites. The outcome of the proposed EISR showed that it can be employed as a decision support tool for eutrophication management of sandy rivers.     

Regulation leads to increases in riparian vegetation,but not direct allochthonous inputs,along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon,Arizona

Dams and associated river regulation have led to the expansion of riparian vegetation, especially nonnative species, along downstream ecosystems. Nonnative saltcedar is one of the dominant riparian plants along virtually every major river system in the arid western United States, but allochthonous inputs have never been quantified along a segment of a large river that is dominated by saltcedar. We developed a novel method for estimating direct allochthonous inputs along the 387 km‐long reach of the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam that utilized a GIS vegetation map developed from aerial photographs, empirical and literature‐derived litter production data for the dominant vegetation types, and virtual shorelines of annual peak discharge (566 m³ s^?1 stage elevation). Using this method, we estimate that direct allochthonous inputs from riparian vegetation for the entire reach studied total 186 metric tons year^?1, which represents mean inputs of 470 gAFDM m^?1 year^?1 of shoreline or 5.17 gAFDM m^?2 year^?1 of river surface. These values are comparable to allochthonous inputs for other large rivers and systems that also have sparse riparian vegetation. Nonnative saltcedar represents a significant component of annual allochthonous inputs (36% of total direct inputs) in the Colorado River. We also estimated direct allochthonous inputs for 46.8 km of the Colorado River prior to closure of Glen Canyon Dam using a vegetation map that was developed from historical photographs. Regulation has led to significant increases in riparian vegetation (270–319% increase in cover, depending on stage elevation), but annual allochthonous inputs appear unaffected by regulation because of the lower flood peaks on the post‐dam river. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of the coastal plain on the downstream material fluxes from a small coastal mountainous river basin

Small mountainous coastal basins display steeper gradients, suggesting intensified river transport. However, there is little information about downstream trends in rivers with low discharge and material fluxes across coastal plains and its influence on land‐sea material transport. This study examined 2 years of river discharge, suspended sediment and nutrient concentrations, fluxes and yields from upstream to the upper estuary of a typical South‐east Atlantic Basin. This study provides data about the material retention capacity of the coastal plain. The results indicated that the coastal plain did not affect nutrient concentrations, but reduced turbidity, inducing chlorophyll a and consequently primary productivity in the lower river basin and upper estuary. The coastal plain attenuated the increasing downstream material fluxes, but also curbed suspended sediment and TN fluxes, across the lower river/upper estuary. In contrast, TP and PO₄^3? fluxes increased sharply across the coastal plain. This was influenced by natural and anthropogenic P inputs from soils and run‐off to the river channel. These exceeded the retention capacity of the coastal plain and result in a high export efficiency of this nutrient to the sea.     

Microbial processes at the land–water interface,and cross‐domain causal relationships,as influenced by atmospheric deposition of pollutants in three freshwater lakes in India

The effects of long‐term atmospheric deposition of pollutant elements on the trans‐surface causative relationships at three lake sites having different catchment characteristics were investigated in this study. The selected determinants included lake productivity, bottom sediment quality, and a suite of microbial variables (microbial biomass (C_mic); basal respiration; substrate‐induced respiration; bacterial:fungal ratio; metabolic quotient; and alkaline phosphatase and FDAase activities) measured at the land–water interface, in relation to atmospheric deposition of phosphate; nitrate; ammonium; sulphate; calcium; and magnesium. The results indicated significant between‐site differences (P < 0.001) in the atmospheric deposition of phosphate (0.21–1.96 kg.h^?1.year^?1); nitrate (2.77–28.05 kg.h^?1.year^?1); ammonium (0.58–11.60 kg.h^?1.year^?1); sulphate (5.64–32.15 kg.h^?1.year^?1); calcium (4.50–30.00 kg.h^?1.year^?1); and magnesium (1.50–12.15 kg.h^?1.year^?1), as well as a consistently increasing input of these ions across time. The catchment vegetation had important effects on microbial variables that, in turn, affected lake productivity. Interfaces of woodland lake were found to be rich in phenolics, supporting low C_mic and activities. Except for alkaline phosphatase, which declined over time, atmospheric deposition of pollutant elements increased the C_mic and activities at the land–water interface. The time lag correlation analysis indicated the C_mic and lake productivity relationships were significantly altered by atmospherically driven nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, with a time lag of 2–3 years. Despite being supportive, aerial nutrient inputs appeared to have a destabilizing effect on both, microbial biomass and lake productivity variables. These observations indicate that if present atmospheric deposition trends of pollutant elements continue, it will modify the cross‐domain causative relationships of inland lentic systems over the long term. These study results are relevant for the formulation of strategies for managing freshwater tropical lakes.     

Assessment of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) stock in Lake Baringo,Kenya

The management measures used for sustainable utilization of Clarias gariepinus in Lake Baringo do not have a stock assessment reference, attributable mainly to a lack of information on biological limits and target reference points. Assessment of Clarias gariepinus stock in Lake Baringo was carried out between August 2013 and July 2014. A total of 2772 fish were sampled from 25 boats (40%) for 5 days each week for length and weight measurements. Fish Stock Assessment Tools and yield model were used to estimate population parameters, exploitation rate and optimal fishing scenarios. Annual C. gariepinus standing biomass was estimated at 21 383 kg, L_∞ = 114.30, K = 0.37 year^?1, W = 0.0147L^2.81, Z = 1.14 year^?1, M = 0.61 year^?1, F = 0.53 year^?1, and exploitation rate = 0.46 year^?1. The relative yield‐per‐recruit (Y′/R) and biomass‐per‐recruit (B′/R) resulted in E_max = 0.44 and F_MSY = 0.50 year^?1. The yield‐per‐recruit ratio at maximum sustainable yield was 29.12%, and the SSB_MSY per recruit ratio = 56.10%. The steady‐state biomass, exploitation rate and optimal fishing scenario indicated a pristine fishery for the lake, suggesting the current fishing efforts should not be exceeded to enable sustainable economic utilization of C. gariepinus.     

三峡库区香溪河回水区营养状态变化特征与驱动因子

基于2015—2016年香溪河回水区域主要水质参数和营养状态的周年监测数据,分析并探讨三峡库区香溪河库湾回水区营养状态的季节性变化特征及潜在污染来源。结果表明:(1)香溪河回水区TN、TP污染十分严重,在调查时段内,各月份香溪河库湾水体的TN、TP质量浓度均远高于限制值,易发生水体富营养化;(2)香溪河回水区水体营养程度较高,所有月份均达到中营养以上水平,并在2015年8月达到富营养状态。水体营养状态从低到高季节顺序为秋季、冬季、春季、夏季。TN质量浓度是影响香溪河回水区水体富营养化程度最重要的指标;(3)香溪河回水区TN主要来自农业面源污染和城镇生活污水排入,流域上游的磷矿资源开采产生的工业废水以及库湾沿岸的点源污染是水体中CODMn与TP污染负荷的主要来源。水体中Chl-a质量浓度受TN、TP等营养盐的限制较弱,SD受浮游藻类和悬浮物的共同影响。     

Variations in zooplankton community structure and water quality conditions in three habitat types in northern Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is vulnerable to increasing eutrophication, which has become manifested in ecological changes not yet fully understood. From October 2009 to January 2010, the influence of water quality on zooplankton community structure in three habitats in northern Lake Victoria, including sewage lagoons at the lake shores, Napoleon Gulf (NG) and the interface between the lake and the Nile River (also known as Source of the Nile River), was examined. Selected physico‐chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration; water temperature; electrical conductivity; water depth) were measured in‐situ, while water samples were collected for chlorophyll‐a determinations. Zooplankton was sampled with conical plankton net (mesh size 60 μm; 0.25‐m mouth diameter). The NG and Source of the River Nile (SN) sampling sites exhibited significantly higher species richness, relative to the Sewage Lagoons (SL) site (F_2,69 = 68.533; P < 0.05). Higher mean densities and dry biomass of zooplankton was generally a characteristic of the SL site (8715 ± 3241 ind L^?1; 1862 ± 451 μg L^?1), compared to the NG (119 ± 24 ind L^?1; 53 ± 8 μg L^?1) and SN sites (151 ± 26 ind L^?1; 58 ± 9 μg L^?1). Copepoda constituted a high numerical composition of the zooplankton at the NG and SN sites (>90% for both sites), while Rotifera dominated the zooplankton community at the SL site (97%). The mean values (±SE) of soluble reactive phosphorus (4060.7 ± 776.6 μg L^?1) and nitrate–nitrogen (2121.7 ± 355.5 μg L^?1) were much higher for the SL site, compared with the SN (8.2 ± 1.1 μg L^?1; 28.6 ± 5.3 μg L^?1, respectively), and NG site (7.8 ± 0.8 μg L^?1; 32.7 ± 5.4 μg L^?1, respectively). This study indicated the nutrient‐rich conditions observed at the SL site suppress the zooplankton species diversity, but favour species‐specific abundance and biomass. These study results indicate the zooplankton community structure can be used as a biological indicator of water quality in the Lake Victoria region.     

Sources and leaching of manganese and iron in the Saigon River Basin, Vietnam

High concentrations of manganese and iron in the Saigon River are major problems for the water supply in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. To identify their sources and leaching processes, we surveyed water quality along the Saigon River and ran batch leaching tests using soil and sediment samples. Two important leaching processes were identified: acidic leaching from acid sulfate soil (ASS) in the middle reaches of the river, and Mn dissolution and Fe reduction from sediments in the downstream reaches. Low pH caused the concurrent release of Fe and Mn from the ASS. In contrast, anoxia caused the release of Fe but not Mn from the sediments, whereas low pH facilitated Mn dissolution. Sediments are a more important source of Mn because of their higher Mn contents (10 times) and release rates (14 times) than those from ASS.     

Spatial Optimization of Best Management Practices to Attain Water Quality Targets

Diffuse nutrient loads are a common problem in developed and agricultural watersheds. While there has been substantial investment in best management practices (BMPs) to reduce diffuse pollution, there remains a need to better prioritize controls at the watershed scale as reflected in recent US-EPA guidance for watershed planning and Total Maximum Daily Load development. We implemented spatial optimization techniques among four diffuse source pathways in a mixed-use watershed in Northern Vermont to maximize total reduction of phosphorus loading to streams while minimizing associated costs. We found that within a capital cost range of 138 to 321 USD ha^-1 a phosphorus reduction of 0.29 to 0.38 kg ha^?1 year^?1, is attainable. Optimization results are substantially more cost-effective than most scenarios identified by stakeholders. The maximum diffuse phosphorus load reduction equates to 1.25 t year^?1using the most cost-effective technologies for each diffuse source at a cost of $3,464,260. However, 1.13 t year^?1 could be reduced at a much lower cost of $976,417. This is the practical upper limit of achievable diffuse phosphorus reduction, above which additional spending would not result in substantially more phosphorus reduction. Watershed managers could use solutions along the resulting Pareto optimal curve to select optimal combinations of BMPs based on a water quality target or available funds. The results demonstrate the power of using spatial optimization methods to arrive at a cost-effective selection of BMPs and their distribution across a landscape.     

Influence of river regulation on nitrogen and phosphorus mass transport in a large south American river

The Paraná upper reaches, above the confluence with the Paraguay River, drains a predominantly humid, tropical-subtropical basin that has been extensively altered by anthropogenic activities. Deforestation followed by intense mechanized agriculture has progressively increased in the last decades. Many industrial settlements and hydroelectric impoundments have been developed. Suspended matter, total phosphorus, and inorganic nitrogen exportation rates were estimated at 14 t km^?2 y^?1, 28kg TP km^?2 y^?1 and 188kg N km ^?2 y^?1 respectively. These rates are compartively low when compared to other areas of the world. It was estimated that riverine mass transport represented roughly 6 per cent of the phosphorus and 20 per cent of the nitrogen inputs in the basin. Mass transport of suspended matter and soluble reactive phosphorus are lower and inorganic nitrogen higher than in 1967–1969. Siltation in the man-made lakes reduced both suspended matter and phosphorus transport. Inorganic nitrogen increase is thought to be related to increased fertilizer inputs.     

Water quality in the southern Tibetan Plateau: chemical evaluation of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)

Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) is the largest river system draining the northern slopes of the Himalayan ranges on the southern Tibetan Plateau. It remains one of only two large non‐regulated rivers in China. In this paper the chemical composition of Yarlung Tsangpo and its major tributaries (Raga Tsangpo, Nyangchu and Lhasa River) are studied. Water samples (n = 55) were collected and measured for major ions, trace elements and nutrients in order to: (1) define the present chemical quality of this water course; (2) address possible mechanisms governing the water chemical compositions, and (3) identify potential sources for contaminants. Multivariable analysis shows that geology and climate are the major explanatory variables for the spatial variation in water chemistry in this river system. In general, water chemistry is mainly controlled by carbonate weathering, with Ca²⁺ and HCO being the dominant ions. In addition, runoff from brackish/saline lakes and geothermal waters, enriched in Na⁺, Cl^?, SO, Mg²⁺ and Li, are major contributors of elevated concentrations of these solutes in the headwater regions resulting in a relatively high loading of total dissolved solids (TDS, 146–397 mg L^?1). Levels of most heavy metals and total dissolved nutrients were generally found to be low. However, elevated As concentration (avg. 95 μg L^?1) in the headwaters and additions from untreated wastewater were evident at some locations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fish-Mediated Nutrient and Energy Exchange between a Lake Superior Coastal Wetland and its Adjacent Bay

Little has been done to quantify fluxes of organisms, nutrients, and energy between freshwater coastal habitats and adjacent offshore waters or to evaluate the ecological implications of these exchanges on a whole-lake basis. To test the hypothesis that fish-mediated transport might play an important role in the flux of nutrients and energy between coastal wetlands and adjacent lake waters, net carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and energy fluxes were estimated in forage fish between a Lake Superior coastal wetland and an adjacent bay. This was accomplished by sampling fish at the inlet/outlet of Bark Bay Slough for 1 week per ice-free month in 1995. Average carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of the 20 species analyzed was 45.1, 11.3, and 2.45% of dry-weight, respectively. Estimates of organism, nutrient, and energy movement revealed a net export from the slough to the adjacent Bark Bay, due largely to emigration of YOY yellow perch, Perca flavescens (> 40,000 individuals), YOY northern pike, Esox lucius (> 600 individuals), and yearling emerald shiner, Notropis atherinoides (> 8,000 individuals) in June and July, and YOY brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus (> 500 individuals) in October. Since these fish movements resulted in relatively small fluxes of nutrients (1,376 g carbon, 335 g nitrogen, 73 g phosphorus) and energy (65,100 kJ) from the wetland to the lake, the most significant influence of forage fish emigration on Lake Superior may be through subsequent trophic interactions in nearshore habitats. However, assessment of the significance of the nutrient and energy results awaits a more complete budget for these ecosystems.     

Growth and population parameters of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in the open waters of Lake Victoria,Kenya

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was introduced into Lake Victoria in the early 1950s and 1960s and has since become the dominant tilapiine in the lake. This study investigated the growth and population parameters of O. niloticus in Lake Victoria on the basis of length–frequency data collected during the period June 2014 and June 2015. The asymptotic length (L_∞) had a mean (±SE) value of 46.24 ± 0.04 cm TL, growth curvature (K) of 0.69 ± 0.25 year^?1, total mortality (Z) of 2.18 ± 0.80 year^?1, a natural mortality (M) of 1.14 ± 0.28 year^?1, a fishing mortality (F) of 1.05 ± 0.53 year^?1, an exploitation rate (E) of 0.46 ± 0.08, a growth performance index (?) of 3.14 ± 0.17 and a length at first capture (L_C50) of 20.31 ± 0.40 cm TL. Comparing the results of this study with previous studies indicates the parameters K, Z and M have increased, whereas ?, F, E and L_C50 have decreased. Changes in these parameters could be attributed to the existing high fishing capacity, and changing lake conditions. Thus, management measures should include continued restriction on illegal fishing methods and gears, such as the use of undersized gillnets (<5 in. mesh size) and beach seines. More attention also should be directed to the implementation of measures to control pollution of the lake from its various sources.     

River channel cutoff dynamics,Sacramento River,California, USA

We measured patterns of river channel migration and cutoff between 1904 and 1997 on a 160 km meandering alluvial reach of the Sacramento River by intersecting a sequential set of river channel centrelines mapped from a field survey and aerial photography. We identified approximate dates and locations of cutoffs and quantified cutoff dimensions. Twenty‐seven chute and 11 partial cutoffs occurred over this 93‐year time interval, with an average of one cutoff approximately every 2.5 years or 0.0029 cutoffs per kilometre per year. The average rate of lateral channel change was over the study period was 5.5 ± 0.6 m year^?1 (approximately 0.02 channel widths per year) due to progressive migration and cutoff combined. An average of 5% of the total channel length moved laterally via chute cutoff at a rate of 22.1 ± 3.3 m year^?1 versus 94% of channel length that moved via progressive migration at a rate of 4.7 ± 0.5 m year^?1. The remaining 1% of channel length migrated via partial cutoff at a rate of 13.0 ± 2.8 m year^?1. Although channel cutoff was less predominant mode of channel change than progressive migration in terms of channel length, an average of 20% of the total floodplain area change between successive centrelines was attributable to cutoffs. Peak cutoff frequency was concentrated temporally between 1964 and 1987 and was also spatially clustered in specific active sub‐reaches along the valley axis over the entire study period. We hypothesize that the probability of channel cutoff is a function of both channel geometry and discharge. Bends that experienced chute cutoff displayed an average sinuosity of 1.97 ± 0.1, an average radius of curvature of 2.1 ± 0.2 channel widths and an average entrance angle of 111 ± 7°, as opposed to average values for bends migrating progressively of 1.31 ± 0.01, 2.8 ± 0.1 and 66 ± 1°, respectively. The sinuosity of Sacramento River bends experiencing chute cutoff appears to have been consistently declining from 2.25 ± 0.35 channel widths in 1904 to 1.54 ± 0.23 channel widths in 1987. We hypothesize that this trend may be due in part to the influence of land‐use changes, such as the conversion of riparian forest to agriculture, on the ‘erodibility’ of bank and floodplain materials. For the post‐dam flow regime (1937 on), cutoff frequency was significantly correlated with an estimate of cumulative overbank flow. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methane emissions from riverine and swampy coastal wetlands: influence of open and macrophyte‐infested areas

The atmospheric concentration of methane (CH₄) exerts a strong influence on the global climate. Notably, wetlands are important CH₄ sources, whose emission represents an ecosystem process depending on such wetland characteristics as organic matter, temperature, pH, methanogenesis and CH₄ oxidation, all of which vary on the basis of the type of wetland. Methane fluxes were investigated in a preliminary study in the region, using the chamber method in the open water and macrophyte‐infested wetlands of swampy and riverine types in Kilifi, a coastal district in Kenya, Africa. Despite a lack of significant interactions, the macrophyte‐infested areas emitted the highest quantity of methane of about 21.96 ± 0.04 mg CH₄ m^?2 day^?1, compared with the water areas that emitted about 19.35 ± 0.05 mg CH₄ m^?2 day^?1. The preliminary CH₄ fluxes measured in this study are below the range reported from previous wetland field experiments in the tropics and temperate regions, indicating the need to conduct a series of similar experiments to produce more precise total estimates in the entire region.