Most of the current global land cover datasets and global scale land-use models use a classification of land cover based on the dominant land cover type within a distinct region or pixel. Such a classification disregards the diversity and intensity of human influence on land systems. In this paper we propose a novel way of classification and modeling land-use using a classification based on land-use systems (LUSs) that represent specific combinations of human-environment interactions. A cluster analysis was used to identify and map these LUSs.

An empirical power function model of V=kQᵐ has been used worldwide to describe the relationship between flow velocity (V, ms⁻¹) and discharge rate (Q, m³s⁻¹) for rill and open channel flows. However, it has seldom been applied to watershed outlet channels taking into account the impacts of watershed size. In this study, observed data from four experimental watersheds of different sizes, ranging from about 1 to 100km², were used to verify the stability of the power function model for use at a watershed level on the Loess Plateau.

There is a long tradition of river monitoring using taxonomy-based metrics to assess environmental quality in Europe via benthic macroinvertebrate communities. A promising alternative is the use of their species life-history traits. Both methods (taxonomy-based and trait-based), however, have relied on the time-consuming identification of taxa. River biotopes, (i.e.