Abstract
Material exchange frequently occurs in gullies, and thus the relationship between a gully-network structure and sediment transport potential has attracted considerable interest. However, previous researches ignored the difficulty of material transport from sources to sinks, and did not quantify the connectivity of a network structure. In this study, we used a graph model structure to model gully networks of six typical sample areas in the Loess Plateau of China and quantified gully network connectivity using four indexes: average node strength, accessibility from sources to sinks, potential flow, and network structural connectivity index. Results show that: (1) Reflected by different quantitative indexes, the trends of gully network connectivity in different regions are similar. From north to south, the connectivity of a sample area first increases and then decreases. (2) The more mature gullies have stronger network connectivity. Small resistance is conducive to material transport in the gullies. (3) The node connectivity index of the gully network shows a significant aggregation distribution in space, and node connectivity on the main channel is often stronger than that on the branch trench. These results not only deepen the understanding of the process and mechanism of loess gully geomorphic development and evolution but also provide a reference for geomorphic studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baartman JEM, Masselink R, Keesstra SD, et al. (2013) Linking landscape morphological complexity and sediment connectivity. Earth Surf Proc Land 38(12): 1457–1471. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3434
Borselli L, Cassi P, Torri D (2008) Prolegomena to sediment and flow connectivity in the landscape: a GIS and field numerical assessment. Catena 75: 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2008.07.006
Bracken LJ, Croke J (2007) The concept of hydrological connectivity and its contribution to understanding runoff-dominated geomorphic systems. Hydrol Process 21: 1749–1763. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6313
Brierley G, Fryirs K, Jain V (2006) Landscape connectivity: the geographic basis of geomorphic applications. Area 38(2): 165–174. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2006.00671.x
Casalí J, Giménez R, Díez J, et al. (2010) Sediment production and water quality of watersheds with contrasting land use in Navarre (Spain). Agr Water Manage 97: 1683–1694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2010.05.024
Cavalli M, Trevisani S, Comiti F, et al. (2013) Geomorphometric assessment of spatial sediment connectivity in small Alpine catchments. Geomorphology 188: 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.05.007
Chang RX (2015) Studies on gully erosion assessment and partition in Loess Plateau based on shoulder lines. Master thesis, Nan**g: Nan**g Normal University. p 22. (In Chinese)
Conte P, Ferro V (2018) Measuring hydrological connectivity inside a soil by low field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry. Hydrol Process 32(1): 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11401
Correa Ayram CA, Mendoza ME, Etter A, et al. (2015) Habitat connectivity in biodiversity conservation: A review of recent studies and applications. Prog Phys Geog 40(1): 7–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133315598713
Cossart E, Fressard M (2017) Assessment of structural sediment connectivity within catchments:insights from graph theory. Earth Surf Dynam 5(2): 253–268. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-253-2017
Cossart E, Viel V, Lissak C, et al. (2018) How might sediment connectivity change in space and time? Land Degrad Dev 29(8): 2595–2613. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3022
Czuba JA, Foufoula-Georgiou E (2015) Dynamic connectivity in a fluvial network for identifying hotspots of geomorphic change. Water Resour Res 51(3): 1401–1421. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR016139
Deshmukh DS, Chaube UC, Tignath S, et al. (2010) Morphological analysis of sher river basinusing GIS for identification of erosion — prone areas. Ecohydro Hydrobiol 10(2–4): 307–314. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10104-011-0025-4
Fressard M, Cossart E (2019) A graph theory tool for assessing structural sediment connectivity: Development and application in the Mercurey vineyards (France). Sci Total Environ 651: 2566–2584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.158
Harvey AM (2001) Coupling between hillslopes and channels in upland fluvial systems: implications for landscape sensitivity, illustrated from the Howgill Fells, northwest England. Catena 42(2–4): 225–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(00)00139-9
Harvey AM (2002) Effective timescales of coupling within fluvial systems. Geomorphology 44(3):175–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00174-X
Hassan MA, Michael C, Lisle TE, et al. (2005) Sediment transport and channel morpholog of small forested streams. J Am Water Resour As 41(4): 853–876. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03774.x
Heckmann T, Schwanghart W (2013) Geomorphic coupling and sediment connectivity in an Alpine Catchment-Exploring sediment cascades using graph theory. Geomorphology 182: 89–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.10.033
He ZW, Chen N (2021) Feature analysis of gully landforms in the Loess Plateau based on complex networks. Geo-inf Sci 23(7): 1196–1207. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.12082/dqxxkx.2021.200639
Ji HY (2020) Study on the influence of ecological construction on sediment connectivity in the small watershed of Camel mountain. Tech Sup Water Resour 155(03): 188–190+294. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1008-1305.2020.03.051
Jiang L, Tang GA, Zhao MW, et al. (2013) Extraction and analysis of loess gully heads considering geomorphological structures. Geogr Res 32(11): 2153–2162. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.11821/dlyj201311016
**g K (1986) A study on gully erosion on the Loess Plateau. Sci Geogr Sin (04): 340–347. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.1986.04.003
Kaller MD, Keim RF, Edwards BL, et al. (2015) Aquatic vegetation mediates the relationship between hydrologic connectivity and water quality in a managed floodplain. Hydrobiologia 760(1): 29–41.
Lexartza-Artza I, Wainwright J (2011) Making connections: changing sediment sources and sinks in an upland catchment. Earth Surf Proc Land 36: 1090–1104. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2134
Li CR (2018) Studies on Gully Development and Regional Difference in Loess Plateau Based on Topographic Feature Elements. Master thesis, Nan**g Normal University. p 34. (In Chinese)
Li CR, Li FY, Dai ZY, et al. (2020a) Spatial variation of gully development in the loess plateau of China based on the morphological perspective. Earth Sci Inform 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-020-00491-4
Li LP, Lu HY (2010) A preliminarily quantitative estimation of the sedimentation and erosion rates of loess deposits in Chinese Loess Plateau over the past 250 ka. Acta Geogr Sin 65(1): 37–52. (In Chinese)
Li PY, Wu JH, Qian H (2016) Preliminary assessment of hydraulic connectivity between river water and shallow groundwater and estimation of their transfer rate during dry season in the Shidi River, China. Environ Earth Sci 75(2): 1–16.
Li SJ, Dai W, **ong LY, et al. (2020b) Uncertainty of the morphological feature expression of loess erosional gully affected by DEM resolution. Geo-inf Sci 22(03): 338–350. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.12082/dqxxkx.2020.190352
Li Z, Lin XQ, Coles AE, et al. (2017) Catchment-scale surface water-groundwater connectivity on China’s Loess Plateau. Catena 152: 268–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2017.01.026
Liu W, Shi CX, Ma YY, et al. (2021) Land use and land cover change-induced changes of sediment connectivity and their effects on sediment yield in a catchment on the Loess Plateau in China. Catena 207: 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105688
Liu YB, Zhu XM, Zhou PH, et al. (1988) The laws of hillslope channel erosion occurrence and development on Loess Plateau. Res Soil Water Conserv 7(01):9–18. (In Chinese)
Liu YW, **ong LY, Fang X (2017) Pattern analysis of terrain feature points of loess topograph. Geo Geo-inf Sci 033(005): 35–41. (In Chinese)
Loro M, Ortega E, Arce RM, et al. (2015) Ecological connectivity analysis to reduce the barrier effect of roads. An innovative graph-theory approach to define wildlife corridors with multiple paths and without bottlenecks. Landsc Urban Plan 139: 149–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.03.006
Ma J (2019a) Study on Evolution Simulation of Loess Gully Based on DEM. Master thesis, Nan**g Normal University. p 2. (In Chinese)
Ma YY (2019b) Effect of ecological construction on runoff and sediment connectivity in a typical small watershed on Loess Plateau. Master thesis, **’an University of Technology. P 5. (In Chinese)
Meerkerk AL, Van Wesemael B, Bellin N (2009) Application of connectivity theory to model the impact of terrace failure on runoff in semi — arid catchments. Hydrol Process 23: 2792–2803. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7376
Meng B, Liu JL, Bao K, et al. (2020) Methodologies and management framework for restoration of wetland hydrologic connectivity: a synthesis. Integr Environ Asses 16(4): 438–451.https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4256
Miller JR, Lord ML, Villarroel LF, et al. (2012) Structural organization of process zones in upland watersheds of central Nevada and its influence on basin connectivity, dynamics, and wet meadow complexes. Geomorphology 139–140: 384–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.11.004
Mitasova H, Hofierka J, Zlocha M, et al. (1996) Modelling topographic potential for erosion and deposition using GIS. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 10(5): 629–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/02693799608902101
Molina A, Govers G, Van den Putte A, et al. (2009) Assessing the reduction of the hydrological connectivity of gully systems through vegetation restoration: field experiments and numerical modelling. Hydrol Earth Syst Sc 13(10): 1823–1836. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-13-1823-2009
Moore ID, Burch GJ (1986) Physical basis of the length-slope factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Soil Sci Soc Am J 50(5): 1294–1298. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000050042x
Najafi S, Dragovich D, Heckmann T, et al. (2020) Sediment connectivity concepts and approaches. Catena 196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104880
Nunes JP, Malvar M, Benali AA, et al. (2016) A simple water balance model adapted for soil water repellency: application on Portuguese burned and unburned eucalypt stands. Hydrol Process 30(3):463–478. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10629
Sandercock PJ, Hooke JM (2011) Vegetation effects on sediment connectivity and processes in an ephemeral channel in SE Spain. J Arid Environ 75(3): 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2010.10.005
Schmidt KH, Morche D (2006) Sediment output and effective discharge in two small high mountain catchments in the Bavarian Alps, Germany. Geomorphology 80: 131–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.09.013
Segurado P, Branco P, Ferreira MT (2013) Prioritizing restoration of structural connectivity in rivers: A graph based approach. Landscape Ecol 28(7): 1231–1238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-013-9883-z
Theler D, Reynard E, Lambiel C, et al. (2010) The contribution of geomorphological map** to sediment transfer evaluation in small alpine catchments. Geomorphology 124(3): 113–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.006
Thwaites RN, Brooks AP, Spencer JR, et al. (2022) What type of gully is that? The need for a classification of gullies. Earth Surf Proc Land 47(1):109–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5291
Tian J, Tang GA, Zhou Y, et al. (2013) Spatial variation of gully density in the Loess Plateau. Sci Geogr Sin 33(05): 622–628. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.2013.05.014
Tuset J, Vericat D, Batalla RJ (2016) Rainfall, runoff and sediment transport in a Mediterranean mountainous catchment. Sci Total Environ 540: 114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.075
Wang WZ, Jiao JY (2018) Rainfall erosion sediment yield and soil and water conservation sediment reduction in the Loess Plateau. Bei**g, Science Press. (In Chinese)
Zhang LP, Ma ZZ (1998) The research on the relation between gully density and cutting depth in different drainage landform evolution periods. Geogr Res(03):50–55. (In Chinese)
Zhang YF (2019) Response of channel sediment connectivity to channel morphology and rainfall in small watershed of the hill and gully Loess Plateau region. Master thesis, Northwest A&F University. p 6. (In Chinese)
Zhao GJ, Gao P, Tian P, et al. (2019) Assessing sediment connectivity and soil erosion by water in a representative catchment on the Loess Plateau, China. Catena 185: 104284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104284
Zhou Y, Lei X, Yang F, et al. (2019) Characteristics and influencing factors of proximity distance index on the northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau in China. J Mt Sci 16(12): 2844–2855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5610-9
Zhou Y, Tang GA, Wang C, et al. (2010) Automatic segmentation of loess positive and negative terrains based on high resolution grid DEMs. Sci Geogr Sin 30(2): 261–266. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.2010.02.003
Zhou Y, Yang CQ, Li F, et al. (2021) Spatial distribution and influencing factors of Surface Nibble Degree index in the severe gully erosion region of China’s Loess Plateau. J Geogr Sci 31(11): 1575–1597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-021-1912-2
Zhu HC, Tang GA, Wu LC, et al. (2012) Extraction and analysis of gully nodes based on geomorphological structures and catchment characteristics: A case study in the Loess Plateau of North Shaanxi province. Adv Water Sci 23(01): 7–13. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.14042/j.cnki.32.1309.2012.01.014
Zhu SJ (2013) Research on Watershed Hypsometric Integral in the Loess Plateau Based on Digital Elevation Models. PhD thesis, Nan**g Normal University. p 26. (In Chinese)
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42271421 and 41930102).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cheng, Jh., Luo, Lh., Li, Fy. et al. Regional differences in gully network connectivity based on graph theory: a case study on the Loess Plateau, China. J. Mt. Sci. 20, 1035–1050 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7709-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7709-7