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Debris Removal (debris + removal)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	66%

Selected Abstracts

Influence of Inorganic Substrata Size, Leaf Litter and Woody Debris Removal on Benthic Invertebrates Resistance to Floods in Two Contrasting Headwater Streams

INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
J. Bosco Imbert
Abstract We studied the influence of inorganic substrata size, leaf litter and woody debris removal on the resistance of benthic invertebrates to floods in two contrasting forested headwater streams of the Agüera basin (northern Spain): Cuchillo stream (stream bed dominated by cobbles and pebbles) and Salderrey stream (stream bed dominated by bedrock and boulders). Generally, floods had a greater effect on benthic invertebrates resistance in the Salderrey stream, apparently due to the high presence of loose substrata overlaying bedrock and the higher scouring of sediment in this stream. Unlike Salderrey stream total number of individuals of Simuliidae, Echinogammarus tarragonensis and Protonemura spp. in riffles greatly increased at the reach scale in the Cuchillo stream after two floods, suggesting that Cuchillo was more retentive than Salderrey. A positive relationship between substrata size and invertebrate resistance to floods was found in the Cuchillo stream but not in the Salderrey stream. It appears that the flood disturbances in the Salderrey stream were too strong to find an increase in resistance as substrata size increased. Invertebrate resistance on leaf litter and resistance predictability were also higher in the Cuchillo stream; the former result suggests that retention of leaf packs was greater in the Cuchillo stream. The lack of a statistically significant effect of woody debris removal may imply that the composition and stability of inorganic substrata have more influence on invertebrate resistance to floods than woody debris at the reach scale in these headwater streams dominated by relatively stable substrata. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

Debris-covered Glaciers and Rock Glaciers in the Nanga Parbat Himalaya, Pakistan

GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2000
John F. Shroder
The origin and mobilization of the extensive debris cover associated with the glaciers of the Nanga Parbat Himalaya is complex. In this paper we propose a mechanism by which glaciers can form rock glaciers through inefficiency of sediment transfer from glacier ice to meltwater. Inefficient transfer is caused by various processes that promote plentiful sediment supply and decrease sediment transfer potential. Most debris-covered glaciers on Nanga Parbat with higher velocities of movement and/ or efficient debris transfer mechanisms do not form rock glaciers, perhaps because debris is mobilized quickly and removed from such glacier systems. Those whose ice movement activity is lower and those where inefficient sediment transfer mechanisms allow plentiful debris to accumulate, can form classic rock glaciers. We document here with maps, satellite images, and field observations the probable evolution of part of a slow and inefficient ice glacier into a rock glacier at the margins of Sachen Glacier in c. 50 years, as well as several other examples that formed in a longer period of time. Sachen Glacier receives all of its nourishment from ice and snow avalanches from surrounding areas of high relief, but has low ice velocities and no efficient system of debris removal. Consequently it has a pronounced digitate terminus with four lobes that have moved outward from the lateral moraines as rock glaciers with prounced transverse ridges and furrows and steep fronts at the angle of repose. Raikot Glacier has a velocity five times higher than Sachen Glacier and a thick cover of rock debris at its terminus that is efficienctly removed. During the advance stage of the glacier since 1994, ice cliffs were exposed at the terminus, and an outbreak flood swept away much debris from its margins and terminus. Like the Sachen Glacier that it resembles, Shaigiri Glacier receives all its nourishment from ice and snow avalanches and has an extensive debris cover with steep margins close to the angle of repose. It has a high velocity similar to Raikot Glacier and catastrophic breakout floods have removed debris from its terminus twice in the recent past. In addition, the Shaigiri terminus blocked the Rupal River during the Little Ice Age and is presently being undercut and steepened by the river. With higher velocities and more efficient sediment transfer systems, neither the Raikot nor the Shaigiri form classic rock-glacier morphologies. [source]

Comparative investigation of two rotary nickel,titanium instruments: ProTaper versus RaCe.

INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004
Part 2.
Abstract Aim, To determine the cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability of ProTaper and RaCe nickel,titanium rotary instruments during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted human teeth. Methodology, A total of 48 root canals of mandibular and maxillary molars with curvatures ranging between 25° and 35° were divided into two groups of 24 canals each. Based on radiographs taken prior to instrumentation with the initial instrument inserted into the canal, the groups were balanced with respect to the angle and the radius of canal curvature. Canals were prepared using a crown-down preparation technique. After each instrument, the root canals were flushed with a 2.5% NaOCl solution and at the end of instrumentation with NaCl. Using pre- and post-instrumentation radiographs, straightening of the canal curvatures was determined with a computer image analysis program. After splitting the roots longitudinally, the amount of debris and smear layer was quantified on the basis of a numerical evaluation scale, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data established for scoring the debris and the smear layer were separately recorded and analysed statistically using the Wilcoxon test. Results, Two ProTaper and three RaCe instruments fractured; there was no significant difference between instrument types (P > 0.05). Completely clean root canals were never observed. For debris removal, RaCe files achieved significantly better results (P < 0.001) than ProTaper instruments. The results for remaining smear layer were similar and not significantly different (P > 0.05). RaCe instruments maintained the original canal curvature significantly better (P < 0.05) than ProTaper instruments. No significant differences were detected between the instruments (P > 0.05) for the time taken to prepare the canals. Conclusions, Under the conditions of this study, RaCe instruments resulted in relatively good cleaning and maintained the original curvature significantly better than ProTaper did. [source]

Influence of Inorganic Substrata Size, Leaf Litter and Woody Debris Removal on Benthic Invertebrates Resistance to Floods in Two Contrasting Headwater Streams

Recruitment dynamics of invasive species in rainforest habitats following Cyclone Larry

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
H. T. MURPHY
Abstract In tropical forests, natural disturbance creates opportunities for species to claim previously utilized space and resources and is considered an important mechanism in the maintenance of species diversity. However, ecologists have long recognized that disturbance also promotes exotic plant invasions. Cyclones cause extensive defoliation, loss of major branches and multiple tree falls, resulting in a significantly more open canopy and increased light and heat levels in the understorey. The widespread and massive disturbance caused by cyclones provides ideal conditions for rapid recruitment and spread of invasive species. The ecological roles of invasive species in rainforest habitats following such a severe disturbance are poorly understood. Severe category 4 Cyclone Larry crossed the North Queensland coast in March 2006 causing massive disturbance to rainforest habitats from Tully to Cairns and west to the Atherton Tablelands. We established 10 plots in an area extensively damaged by this cyclone near El Arish in North Queensland. On each plot nine 2 × 2 m quadrats were established with three quadrats per plot in each of the following treatments: (i) complete debris removal down to the soil layer, (ii) removal of coarse woody debris only, and (iii) uncleared. We monitored recruitment, growth and mortality of all native and invasive species in the 90 quadrats every 3 months since the cyclone. Here we present the recruitment dynamics of invasive species across the study area in relation to the level of disturbance, the type of quadrat treatment, and the diversity and abundance of the native recruiting flora over the first 12 months post-cyclone. Our results suggest that invasive species will mostly comprise a transient component of the flora in the early stages of the successional response. However, some species may have longer-term effects on the successional trajectory of the rainforest and future forest composition and structure. [source]

Species-specific Seedling Responses to Hurricane Disturbance in a Puerto Rican Rain Forest1

BIOTROPICA, Issue 4 2003
Lawrence R. Walker
ABSTRACT Seedling dynamics were followed in a Puerto Rican forest for 20 months following a severe hurricane to study the interactive effects of hurricane debris, nutrients, and light on seedling diversity, density, growth, and mortality. Three treatments (debris removal, an unaltered control with hurricane debris, and chemical fertilization added to hurricane debris) altered levels of forest debris and soil nutrients. Canopy openness was measured twice using hemispherical photographs of the canopy. We examined the demographic responses of six common species to treatments over time. Seedling densities increased for all six species but the only significant treatment effects were increased densities of the pioneer tree Cecropia and the shrub Palicourea in the debris removal treatment. Seedling growth declined with declining light levels for four species but not for the pioneer tree Alchornea or the non-pioneer tree Dacryodes. Only Cecropia and the non-pioneer tree Chionanthus had treatment effects on growth. Mortality also differed among species and tended to be highest in the fertilized plots for all but Cecropia and Dacryodes. We found only some of the expected differences between pioneer and non-pioneer plants, as each species had a unique response to the patchy distributions of organic debris, nutrients, and light following the hurricane. High local species diversity was maintained through the individualistic responses of seedlings after a disturbance. RESUMEN Seguimos la dinámica de plántulas en un bosque en Puerto Rico durante 20 meses después del huracán Hugo para estudiar el efecto de la interacción de hojarasca de huracán, nutrientes, y luz sobre la diversidad de especies, la densidad, el crecimiento, y la mortalidad. Establecimos tres tratamientos (remoción de hojarasca, control con la hojarasca de huracán inalterada, y fertilizante químico añadido a la hojarasca del huracán) para alterar los niveles de hojarasca en el bosque y los nutrientes en el suelo. Medimos luz directa e indirecta dos veces usando fotografias hemisféricas del dosel. La diversidad y la uniformidad en la distribución de especies pero no la riqueza de especies fueron reducidas en presencia de fertilización. Durante el estudio examinamos respuestas demográficas de seis especies communes a los tratamientos. La densidad de plántulas aumentó para todas las seis especies pero el único efecto de tratamiento fue el aumento en la densidad del árbol pionero Cecropia y el arbusto Palicourea en el tratamiento de remoción de hojarasca. El crecimiento de plántulas disminuyó según los niveles de luz disminuyeron para cuatro de las especies pero no para el árbol pionero Alchornea o el árbol nopionero Dacryodes. Sólo el crecimiento de Cecropia y del árbol no-pionero Chionanthus fue affectado por los tratamientos. La mortalidad fue diferente entre las especies y tuvo una tendencia a ser mayor en las parcelas fertilizadas. Sólo encontramos algunas de las diferencias esperadas entre plantas pioneras y no-pioneras. Cada especie respondió de forma única a la distribución en parches de hojarasca, nutrientes, y luz luego del huracán. La aha diversidad local de especies se mantuvo a través de las respuestas individualizadas de las plántulas después de la perturbación. [source]