Application of distance sampling techniques for diving ducks on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie

Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie are important migration staging areas for diving ducks including canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria), redheads (Aythya americana), and lesser and greater scaup (Aythya affinis and Aythya marila). Starting in 1983, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) attempted to census diving ducks on the United States portion of Lake St. Clair throughout autumn migration; however, in 2010 the MDNR expanded the traditionally surveyed area to include all of Lake St. Clair and a portion of western Lake Erie. The idea of achieving a census over the expanded study area was unrealistic, and instead distance sampling techniques were adopted in an effort to generate statistically valid estimates of detection probabilities and abundances for diving ducks during spring and autumn migration. We found distance sampling techniques to be a viable option for estimating diving duck abundance as long as flock size is accounted for as a covariate affecting the detection function. Diving ducks were generally more abundant on our study area during autumn migration with a mean of 306,327 ducks/survey (SE = 40,729) compared to an average spring abundance of 91,053 ducks/survey (SE = 19,175). Peak abundance occurred on 20 November 2012 with an estimated 596,335 diving ducks on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. Ultimately, our methodology could be used to establish long-term, standardized data collection techniques and applied to conservation planning for waterfowl in the Great Lakes region.     

Sediment distribution and accumulation in Lake Naivasha,Kenya over the past 50 years

Although surface waterbodies are water sources for socio‐economic activities and ecosystems, their functions are threatened by sedimentation. Sedimentation of lakes and reservoirs can result in a loss of storage capacity and altered water quality. The present study assessed the sedimentation status of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, based on sediment distribution and accumulation over the past 50 years, using a Bathymetric Survey System (BSS). The BSS uses multi‐frequency Acoustic Profiling System (APS) to map recently deposited sediments. Sediment core samples were collected with a vibe‐ coring device and dated. Sediment layers corresponding to a period of the past 20 and 50 years were identified. Sediment cores and acoustic images were subsequently used to determine sediment thickness within the lake. The collected depth data from multi‐frequency APS, and dated cores were processed in DepthPic and Surfer software. The sediment depth was extracted in DepthPic, while the sediment volume and distribution were generated from Surfer software. The results from present study indicated that sediment distribution varied from one part of the lake to another for the past 20 and 50 years. High sediment thickness observed in the south‐west and eastern parts of the lake. Between 1996–2016 and 1966–2016 periods, the maximum accumulated sediment thickness was found to be about 0.55 and 1.9 m, with an average sediment thickness of 0.25 and 0.56 m, respectively. The mean sediment load corresponding to the 1966–1996 and 1996–2016 periods was 2.78 × 10⁵ and 4.61 × 10⁵ t/year, respectively. It was found that sediment load into Lake Naivasha has been increasing in the recent past. Based on the present the study, it was found that combined use of BSS, sediment cores and dating can be adopted in many lakes and reservoirs to determine sediment thicknesses even where no prior bathymetric surveys exist for comparison.     

Indicators of the ecological stress and environmental susceptibility of Keenjhar Lake,Sindh, Pakistan

Keenjhar Lake, mega storage of drinking water for the residents of Karachi metropolis, agriculture cultivation and a well‐known recreational place, has been steadily contaminated. This study was aimed to understand the level of pollution and the reasons for a decrease in fish production over the past decade based on the available datasets. Focusing on some heavy metals such as Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb, beyond limit can cause of human health risk, here we provide a critical review of the previous studies conducted to findout reasonable solutions to cope with rapid environmental changes. A multivariate approach of principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to test the relationships among physicochemical parameters in relation to the heavy metals. The first component PCI revealed 88.09%, variability in the loaded dataset and PCII II 6.05% of the total variations. A cluster analysis was established to delineate heavy metal intensity in the corresponding years. Results indicated that since 2012, there has been a steady increase in heavy metal concentration, which can subsequently pose a significant threat to human health. Therefore, it is emphasized that carcinogenic health effects of such contamination on human health need to be investigated. However, over a decade datasets can solely fill knowledge gaps associated with framework conservation and management strategies.     

3D-modelling of Lake Kivu: Horizontal and vertical flow and temperature structure under spatially variable atmospheric forcing

With the increasing extraction of methane from Lake Kivu, there is a growing need to evaluate the effect of such operations on the lake’s permanent density stratification. This requires understanding of the spatial structure and variability of flow velocities and constituents in Lake Kivu. In this study, we develop a 3D hydrodynamic model of Lake Kivu, set-up within DELFT3D at a 750 m grid spacing and forced by COSMO-CLM atmosphere model results at a 2.8 km grid spacing. Validation shows that the model correctly reproduces the generation and breakdown of the temperature stratification in the upper mixed layer and predicts flow velocity magnitudes and directions similar to measurements both at the surface and at greater depth. Analysis of currents reveals a surface current pattern with two clockwise circulations, one around the whole lake and a smaller one in the northern part, with velocities around 0.1 m/s. This pattern is consistently present over an (ensemble-)averaged day, both in the wet and in the dry season, while day-by-day variations are large. Time-averaged deep currents are found to be a few mm/s at maximum. However, the variations can be substantial, with standard deviations up to 2 cm/s for the currents at 220 m depth, attributed to internal seiches. The temperature stratification, present during the entire wet season, is found to first break down in the dry season in the southern part of the lake. This is explained by the spatial differences in the wind stress and the evaporation heat fluxes during the dry season.     

Coupling watershed modeling,public engagement,and soil analysis improves decision making for targeting P retention wetland locations

Constructed and restored wetlands can be effective sinks for particulate and dissolved phosphorus (P) if properly managed, but identifying suitable P retention wetland locations remains challenging. From a landscape perspective, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models identify locations within target watersheds with high nutrient loads that exhibit appropriate site characteristics and hydrodynamics. However, soil properties vary at the field scale, dictating the capacity of wetland systems to remove P and ultimately determining if a given wetland will operate as a sink or source of P over time. Land ownership and site access further complicate identification of P retention wetland locations. As a result, optimization and identification of P retention wetland locations requires analysis at both 1) watershed and 2) field scales, and 3) public engagement. In response, a survey effort linked SWAT model results that identified locations with target watersheds with field soil P storage capacity data and interested landowners. Results suggest that several locations recommended for their high SWAT-predicted P loading and landowner interest were in fact not well suited for project implementation due to soil P saturation and legacy P constraints. These findings highlight the need to couple watershed models with field scale soils analysis to identify locations for P retention wetlands in order to avoid unintended P release. Additionally, increased collaboration with social scientists and others familiar with public engagement strategies is needed to improve outreach activities targeting regional water quality improvements. Practical applications for nutrient retention wetland site selection are also discussed.     

Variations in water level,area and volume of Hongze Lake,China from 2003 to 2018

Lake changes have great impacts on local and regional ecosystems and socioeconomic activities. To determine the recent changes in Hongze Lake, radar altimeter and Landsat data were used to examine the water level and area and estimate the water volume changes from 2003 to 2018. Generally, the annual water level results from radar altimeter data showed good agreement with in situ measurements (r² = 0.62, bias = −0.02 m, mean absolute error = 0.10 m and root mean square error = 0.12 m). Although the results show that the water level and water volume of Hongze Lake had no trends during the 16 years, the water area decreased significantly at a rate of 19.76 km² per year. Despite great fluctuations throughout 16 years, two shifts occurred in approximately 2007 and 2013. The water level, area and volume of Hongze Lake decreased from 2007 to 2012, but they all showed increasing trends after 2013. The interannual changes in the water level and volume of Hongze Lake were consistent with the changes in annual precipitation, while the change in area was mainly affected by human activities, especially land reclamation and aquaculture activities along the lakeshore. In addition, the intra-annual change in the water level was greatly affected by artificial activities such as irrigation and flood prevention.     

鄱阳湖区二期防洪工程监理实践与思考

介绍了国家１９９８年计划工程－鄱阳湖区二期防洪工程的监理情况，并结合本工程监理工作中遇到的一些问题，阐述了目前堤防工程监理工作的认识及解决问题的对策。     

Sex ratio and reproduction of invasive red devil, (Amphilophus labiatus: Cichlidae) in Lake Sentani,Indonesia

The Red Devil Cichlid Amphilophus labiatus (Günther 1864), native to Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua in Central America, is widely cultivated as an attractive, yet aggressive, aquarium fish that has been introduced to several freshwater locations around the world. It was recently introduced into Lake Sentani in Indonesian New Guinea, a naturally rich aquatic habitat home exhibiting a diverse fauna with high endemism. To better understand the invasive potential and impacts of A. labiatus, the present study was undertaken to describe the sex ratio and reproductive potential of A. labiatus in Lake Sentani through determination of its gonad maturation stages, gonado‐somatic index and fecundity. The fish were collected using floating gill nets at six locations around the lake between June and August 2019. Sex identification, gonads type, gonad stage and weight, fecundity were observed in the laboratory. Of the total 542 of A. labiatus collected during the survey, 345 individuals were sampled for sex ratio and reproduction. The overall male:female ratio was skewed towards males in a ratio of 3.28:1. The males were generally found to be in the gonad maturation stage I, while the females were commonly found in gonad maturation stages III and IV for all sampling locations during the study period. The highest male mean GSI value was found for the Yakonde site (0.24 ± 0.21) and at the Ayapo site (1.11 ± 1.01) for the females, with a fecundity of 191–2,720 eggs. The fish have spread to most parts of the lake, being conditioned to potentially spawn at any location, thereby providing an explanation for the observed rapid increase of the A. labiatus population over the last ten years. The results of the present study suggest a high invasive potential for this species in this and other similar lake habitats, warning that their careful management should be undertaken to restrict their further spread in Indonesia and elsewhere.     

The influence of diet, consumption and lipid use on recruitment of white bass

The abundance of white bass (Morone chrysops) in Lake Erie has declined in recent years, sparking interest in mechanisms influencing its recruitment. We evaluate two mechanisms affecting recruitment: diet and the potential for competition, and storage of lipid energy reserves and the relationship to overwinter survival. The fish in our study were characteristic of white bass in the northern portion of their range, feeding predominantly on zooplankton. Only the largest age‐0 white bass ate fish as a significant portion of their diet. Over the summer sampling period, we found decreasing ration sizes, expressed as a percentage of maximum ration, as the summer progressed with a concomitant decrease in the relative amount of lipid storage. In laboratory experiments, age‐0 white bass held at 5°C and given food ad libitum did feed, but at rates that were insufficient to maintain body weight. Loss in weight was accompanied with a loss in lipids at a rate of 2.8 mg of lipids per gram of body weight per day. Based on our data, we concluded that age‐0 white bass in Lake Erie were food‐limited. Food limitation resulted in reduced growth rates, presumably related to competition with other planktivorous fishes. Reduced growth results in increased mortality and, ultimately, low recruitment through increased risk of predation by larger piscivorous fishes, reduced ability for white bass to switch to more energetically profitable piscivory and the increased likelihood of higher overwinter mortality because of reduced lipid stores.     

基于总入流概念的鄱阳湖设计洪水计算

由于受到江河湖槽自然演变和人类活动的影响,鄱阳湖出湖控制站实测资料无法满足一致性和可靠性要求,再加上湖区水情复杂、观测资料匮乏,导致设计洪水计算面临较大困难。基于入库洪水理论,引入了总入流的计算方法,对于湖区各支流控制站和无控区间来水的流量过程,只考虑传播时间的叠加,避免了对各种自然、人为因素影响的定量计算,计算结果真实反映了洪水量级与时程分配过程,满足设计洪水计算规范要求。计算成果可为鄱阳湖区综合规划、水利枢纽设计提供依据。