Soil water repellency (SWR) reduces the rates of wetting in dry soils and is known to interfere with water movement into as well as within the soils. The objective of this study was to investigate the hydrophysical characteristics of three water-repellent tropical exotic plantation forest soils in wet and dry seasons. The study sites were Eucalyptus grandis (EG), Pinus caribaea (PC), and Casuarina equisetifolia (CE) plantation forest soils located in the up-country intermediate zone (EG and PC), and low-country dry zone (CE). Field experiments were conducted to measure the infiltration rate, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (k), water sorptivity (SW). Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the potential SWR and water entry value (hwe). All three soils showed higher SWR in the dry season, where CE soils showed the highest. The EG soils showed the highest SWR in the wet season. Although SWR in all soils decreased with increasing depth in the wet season, only CE soils showed a significant decrease in SWR with soil depth in the dry season. Compared with the wet season, the k (–1 cm) was lower and hwe was higher in the dry season. However, SW did not show a significant difference between wet and dry seasons. Initial infiltration rate and k (–1 cm) showed a negative correlation with contact angle in all three soils. Soils showed positive linear correlations between k (–1 cm) and SW, and negative linear correlations between SW and hwe showing that surface water absorption is related to both subsurface unsaturated water flow and surface water entry pressure. It was clear that the water entry into soils and the subsurface water flow were hindered by the SWR. High water entry values in the dry season predict high potentials for intensified surface runoff and topsoil erosion. Future research will be required on the interactions between soil biology and soil properties such as pore structure that would influence water flow into and within soils.
In scientific practice, we find ideal models that rely on a sort of idealization. These ideal-model descriptions are usually construed as distorted representations of some real system. As such, the ideal-model descriptions count as appeals to (scientific) fictions. Here, I present a category of ideal-model descriptions which – even though involving some idealization assumptions – are nevertheless true. These cases come out as puzzling though. On the one hand, they presuppose some misrepresentations of an intended target system; on the other hand, they are true of that target system. and Lukáš Bielik
The procedure for identification of the long-term trends in the individual water quality determinands in surface water is described in the study. The methodology is based on requirements of the Directive 2000/60/EC and the existing water quality data in the database of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. The methodology gives guidance for estimation of following issues: - influence of the length of the series on trends of development; - methods for calculation of the statistical characteristics; - methods for identification of the increasing and decreasing trends, as well as of the trend reversal point; - selection of the decision criteria for assessment of the trend significance. The methodology was applied for the trend analysis of the selected pollutants in the middle part of Hron River at Salkova near Banska Bystrica city. The results show that the rapid increase of pollution in 1970`s is followed by gradual improvement of the surface water quality in next period. and V predloženej štúdii je opísaný postup pri identifikácii dlhodobých trendov jednotlivých ukazovateľov kvality vody v povrchových tokoch. Pri vypracovaní metodiky sa vychádzalo z požiadaviek smernice 2000/60/EC a z existujúcich údajov o kvalite vody v databáze Slovenského hydrometeorologického ústavu. Vypracovaná metodika navrhuje konkrétne postupy na určovanie, napr. - vplyvu dĺžky obdobia na vývojové trendy; - spôsobov výpočtu štatistických ukazovateľov; - spôsobov identifikácie trendov rastu a poklesu, ako i bodov obratu trendu; - kritérií na rozhodovanie o významnosti jednotlivých trendov. Navrhnutá metodika bola aplikovaná pri analýze vybraných ukazovateľov kvality vody v mieste odberu Hron-Šalková , situovanom pri Banskej Bystrici. Z výsledkov vyplýva, že po prudkom náraste znečistenia stredného Hrona v sedemdesiatych rokoch dvadsiateho storočia dochádza k postupnému zlepšovaniu kvality povrchových vôd v tomto úseku.
Optimization methods are used to estimate parameters required for routing floods through open compound channels. Besides initial and boundary flow conditions, data required especially include, crosssectional area (A) of flow and conveyance (K) as functions of flow depth (y) for a representative crosssection of the study reach. Thus, instead of optimizing upon channel's geometric and hydraulic parameters, optimization is performed upon non-physical parameters in assumed A(y) and K(y) relationships. The optimization method selected for this application is the Nelder and Mead Simplex Algorithm. The objective function is expressed in terms of the relative differences between observed and simulated stages and discharges, which are evaluated based on the complete numerical solution of St Venant equations. This approach to formulating the optimization problem was applied to unsteady flow data sets for an experimental reach of the River Main in Northern Ireland. Based on statistical analysis, simulated and observed stages were found to be in good agreement. and Parametre potrebné pre kvantifikáciu transformácie povodňových vĺn v otvorených, zložených kanáloch, boli určené optimalizačnou metódou. Okrem počiatočných a okrajových podmienok sú potrebné ďalšie údaje, vrátane plochy priečneho rezu prúdom (A), ako aj vodivosť časti toku (K) ako funkcie hĺbky (y) pre reprezentatívny priečny rez. Namiesto optimalizácie geometrických a hydraulických parametrov kanála, optimalizácia sa vykonala pre nefyzické parametre, predpokladajúc závislosti A(y) a K(y). Vybranou metódou optimalizácie je Nelderov a Meadov Simplex Algoritmus. Funkcia je vyjadrená pomocou relatívnych rozdielov medzi pozorovanými a simulovanými vodnými stavmi a prietokmi, ktoré boli vyčíslené numerickým riešením rovníc St. Venanta. Tento spôsob formulácie optimalizačného problému bol aplikovaný na údaje pre neustálené prúdenie v experimentálnom priamom úseku rieky Main (River Main) v Severnom Írsku. Štatistickou analýzou bolo zistené, že simulované a merané vodné stavy boli veľmi blízke.
The aim of the paper is to study spatial and temporal changes in the magnitude, duration and frequency of high flows in the Danube basin. A hydrological series of the mean daily discharges from 20 gauging stations (operated minimally since 1930) were used for the analysis of changes in the daily discharges. The high flow events were classified into three classes: high flow pulses, small floods, and large floods. For each year and for each class, the means of the peak discharges, the number and duration of events, and the rate of changes of the rising and falling limbs of the waves were determined. The long-term trends of the annual time series obtained were analyzed and statistically evaluated. The long-term high flow changes were found to be different in three individual high flow classes. The duration of the category of high flow pulses is decreasing at 19 stations on the Danube and is statistically significant at the Linz, Vienna, Bratislava and Orsova stations. The frequency of the high flow pulses is increasing in all 20 stations. Also, the rising and falling rates of the high flow pulse category are increasing at the majority of the stations. The long-term trends of the selected characteristics of the small floods are very similar to the trends of the high flow pulses, i.e., the duration of small floods is decreasing, and their mean number per year is increasing. In the category of large floods the changes were not proved.
The fact that flash floods initiated in arable catchments are often accompanied by massive sediment and nutrient loads often leads to the assumption that surface runoff is the principle pathway by which runoff reaches watercourses. On the basis of an evaluation of several rainfall-runoff events in a representative agricultural catchment, we show that runoff from cultivated land may be generated in a way similar to that seen on forested slopes, where shallow subsurface runoff is the predominant pathway by which runoff makes its way to watercourses in most runoff events. To identify the predominant runoff pathway, we employed a combination of turbidity measurements and stream discharge data. Suspended sediment flux, a newly introduced index representing the ratio between precipitation duration and total sediment yield, and direction of the discharge-turbidity hysteresis loops were proposed as reflective indicators of the frequency of runoff via different pathways. In our study, most of the events initiated by rainstorms of various intensities and durations resulted in rapid increases in stream discharge. Although we observed temporal variability of topsoil properties attributable to seasonal weather changes and agricultural activities, e.g. bulk density and porosity, runoff generation was mainly driven by precipitation characteristics and the initial catchment saturation.
In recent years the issue of the natural hydrological and meteorological time series fluctuation has been discussed more and more intensively. As the series of measured hydrological and climatological data become longer and easier worldwide accessible it is possible to deal with a large amount of historical data in their complexity. Handling these data we cannot go without new methods of mathematical statistics and mathematical analysis. In the study some methods of the long-term trends identification in the hydrological time series are presented. Apart from the classical methods, like that of moving averages, the paper focuses in detail on the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter. The HP filter is applicable to the trend analysis of the long-term hydrological time series. Next, a new method of the period length identification, the combined periodogramm method, is theoretically developed. Using this method the long cycles length identification becomes more precise. Here, the cycle is considered to be long when it takes the length of about 1/6 to 1/3 of the measured time series. Identification of such long cycles is important with respect to the future hydrospherical processes forecast. Results of application of these methods to the Slovak hydrological time series are presented in the second part of the study. and V posledných rokoch sa začína čoraz viac diskutovať na tému prirodzených fluktuácií hydrologických a meteorologických radov. So stále sa predlžujúcimi radmi meraných hydrologických a klimatických údajov a zlepšujúcim sa prístupom k meraným údajom na celom svete možno komplexnejšie spracovať veľký počet historicky nameraných časových radov. Pri spracovávaní týchto údajov sa nezaobídeme bez rozvoja nových metód štatistiky a matematickej analýzy. V predloženej štúdii boli opísané metódy identifikácie dlhodobého trendu hydrologických radov. Popri už klasických metódach (metóde kĺzavých priemerov) bol v tejto práci rozpracovaný Hodrickov-Prescottov (HP) filter. HP filter možno aplikovať na analýzu trendu dlhodobých ročných hydrologických časových radov. Ďalej bola v štúdii teoreticky rozpracovaná nová metóda identifikácie dĺžky periód časových radov - metóda kombinovaného periodogramu. Uvedená metóda spresňuje identifikáciu dĺžky dlhých cyklov, teda cyklov s dĺžkou okolo 1/6 až 1/3 meraného časového radu. Práve identifikácia týchto dlhých cyklov je veľmi dôležitá pri odhade budúceho vývoja hydrosféry. Praktické použitie uvedených metód na slovenských hydrologických radoch je prezentované v druhej časti štúdie.
In the second part of the paper long-term trends and cyclicity in hydrological time series are identified using both the Hodrick-Presoctt (HP) filter and the combined periodogram. The HP filter seems to be a good tool for analyzing annual time series. It clearly identifies the decrease in the Slovak rainfall time series 1900-1990 and the increase in those of 1990-2000. Using the combined periodogram method oscillation cycles in the discharge time series of main Slovak rivers were identified. These cycles are likely to be characteristic for all Slovak rivers in general. This means the discharge time series are not stationary, they involve a cyclical component. To calculate hydrological characteristics it is necessary to have such a sufficiently long time series that involves both complete wet and dry periods. Because of existence of an about 29 year cycle, a period consisting of 30 years is very suitable. From the long-term point of view, both Danube and Morava Rivers possess steady trends while in the Bodrog and Vah rivers a decrease in discharge occurred during the XX Century. This decrease was mainly due to lower annual rainfalls in Slovakia. When determine long-term discharges, an oscillation of wet and dry periods should be taken into account. The trends should be determined for closed cycles, i.e., either from minimum to minimum or from maximum to maximum. From the long-term trends analysis it follows that the linear trend is not adequate to extrapolate the hydrological time series to the future. and V druhej časti štúdie je identifikovaný dlhodobý trend a cyklickosť slovenských hydrologických časových radov použitím Hodrickovho-Prescottovho (HP) filtra a metódou kombinovaného periodogramu. HP filter sa ukázal byť dobrým nástrojom na analýzu časových radov ročných údajov. Zreteľne identifikuje pokles zrážkových úhrnov na územie SR v období 1900-1990 a nárast úhrnov v rokoch 1990-2000. Metódou kombinovaného periodogramu boli identifikované cykly kolísania prietokových radov najvýznamnejších slovenských tokov. Je pravdepodobné, že tieto cykly sú charakteristické pre všetky slovenské toky. Prietokové rady zahŕňajú v sebe cyklickú zložku. Pri výpočtoch hydrologických charakteristík je potrebné hydrologické charakteristiky počítať z dostatočne dlhých radov zachytávajúcich celý cyklus - mokré i suché obdobie. Tridsaťročné obdobie na výpočet hydrologických charakteristík tokov je vzhľadom na existenciu ca 29-ročného cyklu veľmi vhodné. Z dlhodobého hľadiska Dunaj a Morava majú vyrovnaný trend vodnosti, v Bodrogu a vo Váhu došlo v 20. storočí k poklesu odtoku. Na tomto poklese majú najväčší podiel nižšie ročné zrážkové úhrny na územie SR. Pri určovaní dlhodobých trendov prietokov je potrebné brať do úvahy cykly striedania sa suchých a mokrých období. Vývojové trendy je potrebné určovať za obdobia uzavretých cyklov - od minima po minimum, alebo od maxima po maximum. Z analýzy dlhodobých trendov vyplýva, že použitie lineárneho trendu nie je vhodné na extrapoláciu hydrologických radov do budúcnosti.
The paper presents relationship between the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and physiological responses of individual trees in a beech stand using an example of an experimental plot in Bienska valley (Zvolen, Slovakia). SPI is a widely used tool for monitoring both short-term and long-term droughts, and for the assessments of drought impacts on agriculture. Due to the complex ecosystem bonds, monitoring of drought in forests often requires a sophisticated technological approach. The aim of the paper was to correlate the SPI on the physiological responses of trees that were recorded during the performed physiological research (sap flow, and stem circumference increment) at the site in the growing seasons (May to September) of the years 2012-2014. The results revealed a relationship between the index and the physiological responses, although the problem with the impact of other environmental factors has also come up. The secondary correlation, in which soil water potential that significantly affects physiological responses of forest tree species was used as a dependent variable, showed a tighter relationship with the SPI. We found the highest correlation between the soil water potential and the values of SPI aggregated for five weeks. This indicates that the beech forest has a five week resistance to drought stress. The results also enable simple monitoring of the initiation of the drought stress by applying SPI for five weeks.
In the realm of the philosophy of sounds and auditory experience there is an ongoing discussion concerned with the nature of sounds. One of the contestant views within this ontology of sound is that of the Property View, which holds that sounds are properties of the sounding objects. A way of developing this view is through the idea of dispositionalism, namely, by sustaining the theory according to which sounds are dispositional properties (Pasnau 1999; Kulvicki 2008; Roberts 2017). That portrayal, however, is not sufficient, as it has not inquired the metaphysical debates about dispositions beyond the conditional analysis. In this paper, I try to advance this view by including recent developments (for instance Bird 2007; Vetter 2015) in the field of dispositionalism and I analyse whether this new version can sort out known and new objections to Property View.