Abstract：Studies about natural gravels are significant for understanding of regional tectonics and climate change, and especially the gravel size is an important parameter in geology. To provide users with a more comprehensive understanding and application background of gravel statistical methods, we summarize two types of gravel statistical methods (surface gravel statistics methods and stratigraphic gravel statistics methods) with the operation of gravel statistical methods, sampling process, sample size, error analysis, and applicable conditions. The surface gravel statistics methods usually include the Wolman pebble count and area sampling. The Wolman pebble count emphasizes random sampling and is more suitable for gravel diameter larger than 2 mm to study the downstream fining of sediment in gravel-bed rivers. The area sampling is mostly used to explore natural phenomena of the gravel-sand transition in rivers and the characteristic of aquatic habitats due to its suitable gravel size range up to fine-grained sand. In contrast, the stratigraphic gravel statistics methods emphasize the stratification of gravel and apply the volumetric sampling. Previous researchers developed several kinds of mesh sieves based on corresponding research purposes. And the gravel size range can also reach to fine sand, which is most suitable for studying the response of gravel grain sizes to climate and tectonics, streambed monitoring and sediment transport analysis. This comprehensive study of the gravel statistical methods indicates that the choice of different methods largely depends on the research purpose and field working conditions which suggests us to make flexible selection based on specific situations.
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2020, Vol. 47 
