Abstract:Resulting from the collision of the Eurasian and Indian plates, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is commonly known as the 'roof of the world'. Collectively the Yarlung Tsangpo, Nu, Lancang, Yangtze, Yalong, and Yellow River basins drain the eastern margin of the plateau. In this paper, we utilize Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation data to examine morphometric and relief attributes of these basins to reveal insights into tectonic activity and rates of incision. A robust technique using Matlab is proposed to alleviate errors associated with SRTM data in the derivation of river longitudinal profiles. Convex longitudinal profiles are interpreted to be a product of uplift rates that exceed rates of channel incision along the entire margin of the QinghaiTibetan Plateau. Highest relief towards the south reflects extensive fluvial incision. High relief is also prominent along major active faults. Erosion patterns are related to distance from knickpoints. Highest rates of erosion and incision are evident towards the south, with decreasing values towards the north, suggesting a link between tectonic activity and erosion.

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Although future climate change will significantly affect New Zealand's climate, how regional climates will be changed remains highly uncertain. As a consequence, pre-screening sensitivity analysis is recommended for climate-sensitive activities. A 'bottom-up' approach intended to serve this purpose in the context of non-irrigated pasture is developed and demonstrated in the Hawke's Bay context. This is achieved using a simple daily water balance model to simulate near-surface hydrological processes and empirical relationships between transpiration and pasture dry matter production. The Hawke's Bay case study indicates that the methodology has merit and is worthwhile pursuing nationally (with refinements).

We describe Aulacospira furtiva sp. n. (Pulmonata: Vertiginidae), and we expand on the protologue of Georissa carinata Sutcharit et Jirapatrasilp, 2020 (Neritomorpha: Hydrocenidae). Both species occur on limestone hills on the west flank of the Mekong delta, in Vietnam and Cambodia, and presumably are endemic to these hills.