Drivers of multi-scale plant community structure in agricultural field margins of South Korea

This data set describes the distribution of a total of 90 plant species growing on field margins of an agricultural landscape in the Haean-myun catchment in South Korea. We conducted our survey between July and August 2011 in 100 sampling plots, covering the whole catchment. In each plot we measured three environmental variables: slope, width of the field margin, and management type (i.e. "managed" for field margins that had signs of management activities from the ongoing season such as cutting or spraying herbicides and "unmanaged" for field margins that had been left untouched in the season). For the botanical survey each plot was sampled using three subplots of one square meter per subplot; subplots were 4 m apart from each other. In each subplot, we estimated three different vegetation characteristics: vegetation cover (i.e. the percentage of ground covered by vegetation), species richness (i.e. the number of observed species) and species abundance (i.e. the number of observed individuals / species). We calculated the percentage of the non-farmed habitats by creating buffer zones of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 m radii around each plot using data provided by (Seo et al. 2014). Non-farmed habitats included field margins, fallows, forest, riparian areas, pasture and grassland.

Description of sediments, epoch, calcium carbonate, orgnic carbon, geolipids and mass accumulation rate at DSDP Holes 92-597A, 92-600 and 92-601B

Low concentrations of organic carbon in slowly accumulating sediments from Sites 597, 600, and 601 reflect a history of low marine productivity in the subtropical South Pacific since late Oligocene times. The distributions of n-alkanes, n-alkanoic acids, and n-alkanols provide evidence of the microbial alteration of sediment organic matter. Landderived hydrocarbons, possibly from eolian transport, dominate n-alkane distributions in these samples.

Grain size analysis on core plugs of sediment core CRP-1 (Table 1, 2)

Twenty four core samples from CRP-1, seven from Quaternary strata (20-43.55 meters below sea floor or mbsf) and seventeen from early Miocene strata (43.55 to 147.69 mbsf), have been analysed for their grain-size distribution using standard sieve and Sedigraph techniques. The results are in good agreement with estimates of texture made as part of the visual core description for the 1 :20 core logs for CRP-1 (Cape Roberts Science Team, 1998). Interpretation of the analyses presented here takes into account the likely setting of the site in Quaternary times as it is today, with CRP-1 high on the landward flank of a well-defined submarine ridge rising several hundred metres above basins on either side. In contrast, seismic geometries for strata deposited in early Miocene times indicate a generally planar sea floor dipping gently seaward. Fossils from these strata indicate shallow water depths (< 100 m), indicating the possibility that waves and tidal currents may have influenced sea floor sediments. The sediments analysed here are considered in terms of 3 textural facies: diamict, mud (silt and clay) and sand. Most of the Quaternary section but only 30% of the early Miocene section is diamict, a poorly sorted mixture of sand and mud with scattered clasts, indicating little wave or current influence on its texture. Although not definitive, diamict textures and other features suggest that the sediment originated as basal glacial debris but has been subsequently modified by minor winnowing, consistent with the field interpretation of this facies as ice-proximal and distal glaciomarine sediment. Sediments deposited directly from glacier ice appear to be lacking. Mud facies sediments, which comprise only 10% of the Quaternary section but a third of the early Miocene section, were deposited below wave base and largely from suspension, and show features (described elsewhere in this volume) indicative of the influence of both glacial and sediment gravity flow processes. Sand facies sediments have a considerable proportion of mud, normally more than 20%, but a well-sorted fine-very fine sand fraction. In the context of the early Miocene coastal setting we interpret these sediments as shoreface sands close to wave base.

Calcium carbonate, organic carbon, sediment description and hydrogen and oxygen index at DSDP Sites 93-603, 93-605, 93-604 and 95-603

The organic matter contents of sediments and rocks sampled during DSDP Leg 93 have been characterized by CHN and Rock-Eval analyses. Most samples from Sites 604 and 605 on the New Jersey continental slope and from Site 603 on the Hatteras outer continental rise contained less than 0.5% organic carbon. Some Neogene samples from the slope contained 1 to 2% organic carbon, and Cretaceous samples from the outer rise were as rich as 13.6% organic carbon by weight. Thin layers of black claystones of Santonian, Cenomanian, and Albian age were found interbedded in organiccarbon- lean, bioturbated, turbiditic claystones. Similar layers of turbiditic black marlstones were interspersed among Neocomian limestones and sandstones. Although the organic matter in many of the samples appeared to be detrital continental material, according to Rock-Eval and C/N values, Cenomanian black shales, in particular, contained substantial proportions of marine-derived organic matter.

Characteristics of soil profiles from the Ouémé Upper Catchment (HVO), Térou, Benin

Soil degradation threatens agricultural production and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the coming decades, soil degradation, in particular soil erosion, will become worse through the expansion of agriculture into savannah and forest and changes in climate. This study aims to improve the understanding of how land use and climate change affect the hydrological cycle and soil erosion rates at the catchment scale. We used the semi-distributed, time-continuous erosion model SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) to quantify runoff processes and sheet and rill erosion in the Upper Ouémé River catchment (14500 km**2, Central Benin) for the period 1998-2005. We could then evaluate a range of land use and climate change scenarios with the SWAT model for the period 2001-2050 using spatial data from the land use model CLUE-S and the regional climate model REMO. Field investigations were performed to parameterise a soil map, to measure suspended sediment concentrations for model calibration and validation and to characterise erosion forms, degraded agricultural fields and soil conservation practices. Modelling results reveal current "hotspots" of soil erosion in the north-western, eastern and north-eastern parts of the Upper Ouémé catchment. As a consequence of rapid expansion of agricultural areas triggered by high population growth (partially caused by migration) and resulting increases in surface runoff and topsoil erosion, the mean sediment yield in the Upper Ouémé River outlet is expected to increase by 42 to 95% by 2025, depending on the land use scenario. In contrast, changes in climate variables led to decreases in sediment yield of 5 to 14% in 2001-2025 and 17 to 24% in 2026-2050. Combined scenarios showed the dominance of land use change leading to changes in mean sediment yield of -2 to +31% in 2001-2025. Scenario results vary considerably within the catchment. Current "hotspots" of soil erosion will aggravate, and a new "hotspot" will appear in the southern part of the catchment. Although only small parts of the Upper Ouémé catchment belong to the most degraded zones in the country, sustainable soil and plant management practices should be promoted in the entire catchment. The results of this study can support planning of soil conservation activities in Benin.

Mean dynamic topography of the North Indian Ocean

A satellite-only Mean Dynamic Topography (MDT) of the North Indian Ocean is estimated from the DIRR5 geoid and CNES_CLS11 mean sea surface (Schaffer et al. 2012). DIRR5 geoid is estimated from the latest release (Release 5) of GOCE gravity data according to previous studies (e.g., Johannessen et al. 2003; Raj, 2014). Note that this MDT estimated is referenced to a time period of 7 years (1993-1999). A correction data obtained from AVISO is later used to convert the MDT to a time reference of 20 years (1993-2012). More details are given in Raj (2016).

Location and ages of terrestrial peatlands located on continental shelves and in coastal sediments

This synthesis dataset contains records of freshwater peat and lake sediments from continental shelves and coastal areas. Information included is site location (when available), thickness and description of terrestrial sediments as well as underlying and overlying sediments, dates (when available), and references.

Description of manganese nodules and crust collected from the Hakurei Maru Cruise GH76-1, January-March, 1976, in the Central Pacific Basin

This report of the GH76-1 cruise mainly includes the results of the on-board observations in the survey area of the medial-eastern part of Central Pacific Basin (5 degree -10 degree N, 170 degree -175 degree W) and partly of analytical work at the on-shore laboratory. In addition, the results of some on-board optical and geophysical works along the tracks of Japan-Ogasawara-survey area-Hawaii, are described in appendices. The GH76-1 cruise of the R/V Hakurei-maru was carried out from the 10th January to the 9th March, 1976 as the second phase field work of the Geological Survey of Japan five-year research program of study on the manganese nodule deposits of the Central Pacific Basin and also as a part of the National Research Institute for Pollution and Resources research program of technological study on the exploitation of deep sea mineral resources. The GSJ research program (F.Y. 1974-F.Y. 1978) aims at providing basic information on the manganese nodule distribution and their origin on the deep sea floor of the Central Pacific Basin bounded by the Marshall Ridge to the west, the Christmas Ridge to the east, and the Mid-Pacific Mountains to the north. The first phase of investigation was carried out during the GH74-5 cruise in the eastern part of the area (6 degree -10 degree 30'W, 164 degree 30'-171 degree 30'N)(Mizuno and Chujo, eds., 1975), and the present second phase covered an areas of 5 degree square, just west of the GH74-5 area.

A 2.8 Ma sedimentological, geochemical and palynological record of sediment core ICDP5011-1 in Lake Elgygytgyn, NE Russia

The reliability of Arctic climate predictions is currently hampered by insufficient knowledge of natural climate variability in the past. A sediment core from Lake El'gygytgyn (NE Russia) provides a continuous high-resolution record from the Arctic spaning the past 2.8 Ma. The core reveals numerous "super interglacials" during the Quaternary, with maximum summer temperatures and annual precipitation during marine benthic isotope stages (MIS) 11c and 31 ~4-5 °C and ~300 mm higher than those of MIS 1 and 5e. Climate simulations show these extreme warm conditions are difficult to explain with greenhouse gas and astronomical forcing alone, implying the importance of amplifying feedbacks and far field influences. The timing of Arctic warming relative to West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreats implies strong interhemispheric climate connectivity.

Characteristics of samples obtained during Pokhodsk 2012-2013 campaigns in the joint Russian-German POLYGON Project

Polygonal tundra, thermokarst basins and pingos are common and characteristic periglacial features of arctic lowlands underlain by permafrost in Northeast Siberia. Modern polygonal mires are in the focus of biogeochemical, biological, pedological, and cryolithological research with special attention to their carbon stocks and greenhouse-gas fluxes, their biodiversity and their dynamics and functioning under past, present and future climate scenarios. Within the frame of the joint German-Russian DFG-RFBR project Polygons in tundra wetlands: state and dynamics under climate variability in Polar Regions (POLYGON) field studies of recent and of late Quaternary environmental dynamics were carried out in the Indigirka lowland and in the Kolyma River Delta in summer 2012 and summer 2013. Using a multidisciplinary approach, several types of polygons and thermokarst lakes were studied in different landscapes units in the Kolyma Delta in 2012 around the small fishing settlement Pokhodsk. The floral and faunal associations of polygonal tundra were described during the fieldwork. Ecological, hydrological, meteorological, limnological, pedological and cryological features were studied in order to evaluate modern and past environmental conditions and their essential controlling parameters. The ecological monitoring and collection program of polygonal ponds were undertaken as in 2011 in the Indigirka lowland by a former POLYGON expedition (Schirrmeister et al. [eds.] 2012). Exposures, pits and drill cores in the Kolyma Delta were studied to understand the cryolithological structures of frozen ground and to collect samples for detailed paleoenvironmental research of the late Quaternary past. Dendrochronological and ecological studies were carried out in the tree line zone south of the Kolyma Delta. Based on previous work in the Indigirka lowland in 2011 (Schirrmeister et al. [eds.] 2012), the environmental monitoring around the Kytalyk research station was continued until the end of August 2012. In addition, a classical exposure of the late Pleistocene permafrost at the Achchaygy Allaikha River near Chokurdakh was studied. The ecological studies near Pokhodsk were continued in 2013 (chapter 13). Other fieldwork took place at the Pokhodsk-Yedoma-Island in the northwestern part of the Kolyma Delta.