Soil erosion and hydrological response to land abandonment in a central inland area of Portugal

This paper analyses the effects of land abandonment on runoff and sediment yield in a central inland area of Portugal. Rainfall simulation experiments were performed in areas of traditional land use (land cultivated with cereals) with various types of soil plant cover associated with the period of abandonment (4–5 years, 15–20 years and 30–40 years) in two different seasons, namely under very dry conditions and after a long wet period. Statistical analysis showed a notable difference between the cultivated soils and those abandoned for a long period of time, which included appreciable vegetation recovery, higher organic matter content and negligible overland flow and soil loss. Cereal cultivation, in particular ploughing, is a very negative land management practice, due to the high runoff and soil loss. Within 4–5 years a crust develops over abandoned soils with sparse herbaceous plant cover, particularly after a dry season, which enhances runoff and sediment yield. In scrubland and oak plots, although marked water repellency was registered at the end of a dry, warm season, its influence seems to be irrelevant in terms of overland flow and erosion yield. The major factor in controlling overland flow and reducing soil erosion rates appears to be the role played by vegetation in protecting the soil surface and supplying organic carbon to the top layer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs

Assessing the impacts of climatic and, in particular, land use changes on rates of soil erosion by water is the objective of many national and international research projects. However, over the last decades, most research dealing with soil erosion by water has concentrated on sheet (interrill) and rill erosion processes operating at the (runoff) plot scale. Relatively few studies have been conducted on gully erosion operating at larger spatial scales.Recent studies indicate that (1) gully erosion represents an important sediment source in a range of environments and (2) gullies are effective links for transferring runoff and sediment from uplands to valley bottoms and permanent channels where they aggravate off site effects of water erosion. In other words, once gullies develop, they increase the connectivity in the landscape. Many cases of damage (sediment and chemical) to watercourses and properties by runoff from agricultural land relate to (ephemeral) gullying. Consequently, there is a need for monitoring, experimental and modelling studies of gully erosion as a basis for predicting the effects of environmental change (climatic and land use changes) on gully erosion rates.In this respect, various research questions can be identified. The most important ones are:

What is the contribution of gully erosion to overall soil loss and sediment production at various temporal and spatial scales and under different climatic and land use conditions?

What are appropriate measuring techniques for monitoring and experimental studies of the initiation and development of various gully types at various temporal and spatial scales?

Can we identify critical thresholds for the initiation, development and infilling of gullies in different environments in terms of flow hydraulics, rain, topography, soils and land use?

How does gully erosion interact with hydrological processes as well as with other soil degradation processes?

What are appropriate models of gully erosion, capable of predicting (a) erosion rates at various temporal and spatial scales and (b) the impact of gully development on hydrology, sediment yield and landscape evolution?

What are efficient gully prevention and gully control measures? What can be learned from failures and successes of gully erosion control programmes?

These questions need to be answered first if we want to improve our insights into the impacts of environmental change on gully erosion. This paper highlights some of these issues by reviewing recent examples taken from various environments.     

7·26暴雨下不同土地利用坡面浅沟沟槽发育特征及体积估算

为明确黄土高原"7·26"特大暴雨下不同土地利用坡面浅沟沟槽形态发育特征,该文以黄土高原沟壑区岔巴沟流域为研究对象,采用实地的方法,研究休闲地、农地和撂荒地坡面浅沟沟槽侵蚀形态特征和沟槽体积估算。结果表明:1)休闲地、农地和撂荒地浅沟沟槽发育宽度集中分布在30～70cm、深度集中分布在20～60 cm、断面面积集中分布在0.05～0.25 m~2;沟槽平均宽度分别为46.46、47.41和43.11 cm,深度为47.11、36.06和41.47 cm,断面面积为0.23、0.17和0.19 m~2,其中,休闲地坡面沟槽深度和断面面积均显著高于农地(P0.05)。2)休闲地和农地的宽深比均为浅沟上坡段下坡段中坡段,而撂荒地为下坡段上坡段中坡段;三者宽深比均大于1且农地平均宽深比显著高于休闲地和撂荒地(P0.05),即3种土地利用坡面沟槽的横向侵蚀速率高于沟底下切速率。3)休闲地、农地和撂荒地坡面浅沟沟槽平均侵蚀体积分别为5.9、3.26和4.5m~3,其中,休闲地地侵蚀体积显著大于农地(P0.05)。4)3种土地利用坡面浅沟沟槽侵蚀体积可分别采用浅沟长度的线性函数、幂函数和指数函数进行估算。     

Predicted trends of soil erosion and sediment yield from future land use and climate change scenarios in the Lancang–Mekong River by using the modified RUSLE model

Soil erosion and sediments in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin as a result of climate change and changes in land use pose a threat to the existence of the riparian people, biodiversity and ecosystems. This study seeks to assess the annual soil erosion in terms of spatial distribution and the trends of sediment yield with the climate and land changes in future scenarios in 2030 and 2040 through the modified RUSLE model. Future lands were simulated by using the MLP artificial neural network and the Markov chain analysis. The future climate was examined by using the Max Planck Institute model, which showed a corrected bias and downscaled grid size under the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The simulated land use indicated that the forest areas were converted mostly to agricultural lands and urban areas. In the future, the average rainfall under all RCP scenarios is higher than that from the historical period. The R and C factors changed constantly, thereby affecting the soil erosion rate and sediment yield. The maximum erosion was estimated at approximately 21,000 and 21,725 t/km²/y under RCP8.5 in both years. Meanwhile, the results of sediment yield in 2030 and 2040 under RCP scenarios were much higher when compared to historical sediment data around 66.3% and 71.2%, respectively. Thailand's plateau, some parts of Cambodia and Laos PDR and the Mekong Delta are vulnerable to increase soil erosion and sediment yield. Measures to address these issues need to be planned to prepare and mitigate the possible effects, especially the loss of storage capacity in dams.     

The impact of environmental change on the intensity and spatial pattern of water erosion in a semi-arid mountainous Andean environment

Aerial photographs taken in 1976 and 1989 and a field survey in 1999 showed that land use in a 900-ha catchment in the southern part of the Ecuadorian Andes is highly dynamic. Over 23 years, ca. 83 ha of arable land was abandoned and ca. 70 ha was taken into agricultural production. Changes in land use were not spatially homogeneous. Parcels on unstable geologic formations and close to village centres were preferably set-aside. Land taken into cultivation was preferably located on gently sloping areas close to newly built sites and arterial roads. The area with bush vegetation increased by regeneration of natural vegetation on fields set-aside in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There was a complex interaction between water erosion and environmental change in the study area. Land taken into production was levelled for furrow irrigation: this led to a net reduction in the area susceptible to water erosion. However, one quarter of the area affected only by sheet and rill erosion 23 years ago has since become incised by deep gullies. This increase in gully density was related to inadequate construction and management of irrigation infrastructure, rather than to change in vegetation cover and/or soil erodibility caused by agricultural practices. This factor is often overlooked in studies of the effects of environmental change on geomorphologic processes.     

特大暴雨下不同土地利用类型坡面切沟发育特征

切沟侵蚀是黄土高原丘陵沟壑区水土流失的重要形式之一，然而极端暴雨条件下不同土地利用类型坡面切沟侵蚀研究还鲜见报道。该研究以陕北2017年"7·26"特大暴雨为例，研究了岔巴沟流域3种土地利用类型（农地、休闲地和撂荒地）坡面切沟发育形态特征及体积估算模型。结果表明：1）农地、休闲地和撂荒地切沟长度分布在20 m内的占比分别为55.6%、34.8%和44.8%；农地切沟平均深度为110 cm，分别比休闲地和撂荒地高18.3%、19.2%；农地和休闲地切沟平均宽深比分别为0.87和0.84，横断面呈"宽-浅型"，而撂荒地切沟呈"方型"（宽深比1.01）。2）撂荒地切沟侵蚀体积分别比农地和休闲地减少47.8%和28.3%，表明植被恢复有效地削弱了极端暴雨作用下的切沟侵蚀。3）农地切沟不同坡段侵蚀体积由高到低为下坡、上坡、中坡，而休闲地和撂荒地切沟侵蚀体积沿坡长方向呈递增趋势；3种土地利用类型切沟在上坡段的沟岸拓宽速率大于下切速率，中下坡则相反。4）农地、休闲地和撂荒地切沟侵蚀体积均与切沟长度、横断面面积呈极显著幂函数关系（P<0.001），横断面面积是切沟体积估算更为有效的参数。研究结果可为黄土高原丘陵沟壑区不同土地利用类型坡面切沟侵蚀体积估算及其防治提供重要依据。     

Rainfall/runoff/erosion relationships and soil properties survey in abandoned shallow soils of NE Spain

Purpose

Shallow soils previously cultivated under terraced systems may change their properties after agricultural release and spontaneous plant colonization. Investigations were conducted in terraced fields (NE Spain) to prove that vegetation installed after the abandonment may generally improve soil properties by the formation of stable organic horizons. However, restriction in plant species along the natural vegetation succession and intensification of erosion processes may occur after abandonment depending on fire frequency and soil use history.

Materials and methods

Ten environments with different plant covers under a Lithic Xerorthent were selected and erosion plots (Gerlach type) installed providing their best adaptability at the terrace scale. Selected soil environments represented the sequence of abandonment: from current poorly cultivated soils, soils under pasture, soils under shrubs, and soils under stands of pine and cork trees. Relevant rainfall events producing runoff and erosion were recorded from November 2011 to May 2012. Erosion rates and erosion components were analysed in sediments and water in order to monitor carbon, nitrogen and other nutrient removal by overland flow. Similarly, the physical and chemical properties of the soil environments under study were determined at the same time interval of runoff erosion.

Results and discussion

Soils under pasture, vines and recently burnt pine forest produced the highest runoff followed by soils under shrubs and forest. However, eroded soil yields and nutrient removal were much higher in cultivated soils and soils in recently burnt sites, which had shown poorer soil properties with respect to soils abandoned for longer and preserved by fire. Fire-affected soil environments also showed a thinner organic horizon and reduced water retention. Although erosion rates and nutrient depletion were low in all environments with respect to other areas of Spain, higher splash than water erosion was an early warning indicator of the high susceptibility to degradation of these shallow soils.

Conclusions

Results outlined that the renaturalization dynamics after agricultural abandonment are complex biophysical processes involving the parent material, depth to bedrock and other soil properties as well as the succession of vegetative cover and plant associations responsible for building a new soil mantle contrasting with erosion processes. Planning for management of land abandonment is strongly recommended.

     

黄土高原集流槽的发育与控制

本文从细沟交汇与分叉和人为耕作作用两方面论叙了集流槽的发生发展机制,在搞清其发生发展规律的基础上,讨论了它在现代侵蚀沟和微地貌分类中的归属问题,指出它应作为细沟、浅沟、切沟系列以外一种特殊的侵蚀微地形。将发生在集流槽底部,宽度30～50cm,其深度与耕作层等深的小侵蚀沟称为浅沟。嗣后讨论了用细沟、浅沟分布的不均匀性拟定的集流槽发育系数d,来鉴别集流槽发育程度的方法,分析了集流槽与细沟侵蚀、浅沟侵蚀的关系。最后提出控制集流槽发展,防止浅沟、切沟侵蚀的两项措施。     

Uncertainty of factors determining runoff and erosion processes as quantified by rainfall simulations

Rainfall simulations at different scales have been used for understanding the influence of different factors on runoff generation and erosion. They are an accepted method for calibrating and validating physically based rainfall and erosion models. Nevertheless, it is proven that not only the patterns of rainfall are highly variable over space and time. Soil parameters responsible for runoff generation and erosion – e.g. infiltration capacity, soil moisture, aggregate stability – are highly variable, too. The results of more than 100 plot scale rainfall simulations on abandoned fields in different areas of Spain are analysed for identifying and quantifying factors affecting runoff and erosion processes. The variability of superficial runoff and suspended sediment yield is very high within most of the test areas, reaching values up to a runoff coefficient of 1 and yielding 130 g per experiment. Only within the semi-arid areas we can find a significant and high correlation between vegetation cover and sediment yield (and sediment concentration), whereas most of the other investigated surface parameters show no influence on runoff and erosion.     

Contrasted Impact of Land Abandonment on Soil Erosion in Mediterranean Agriculture Fields

Abandonment of agricultural land results in on-and off-site consequences for the ecosystem. In this study, 105 rainfall simulations were carried out in agriculture lands of the Mediterranean belt in Spain(vineyards in Málaga, almond orchards in Murcia, and orange and olive orchards in Valencia) and in paired abandoned lands to assess the impact of land abandonment on soil and water losses. After abandonment, soil detachment decreased drastically in the olive and orange orchards, while vineyards did not show any difference and almond orchards registered higher erosion rates after the abandonment. Terraced orchards of oranges and olives recovered a dense vegetation cover after the abandonment, while the sloping terrain of almond orchards and vineyards enhanced the development of crusts and rills and a negligible vegetation cover resulted in high erosion rates. The contrasted responses to land abandonment in Mediterranean agricultural lands suggest that land abandonment should be programmed and managed with soil erosion control strategies for some years to avoid land degradation.     

Soil degradation and soil surface process intensities on abandoned fields in Mediterranean mountain environments

The Pyrenean and Pre‐Pyrenean mountain areas have been intensively used at least since roman times, but nowadays depopulation has lead to widespread land abandonment without a steering land‐management. Vegetation recovery is weak in most abandoned fields. Soil formation and characteristics are conditioned by this fact, and for this, soils show past degradation processes and are mostly predominant factors for continuing land degradation or restoration. Three study areas were set up along a climatic gradient with increasing summer water deficit in the sub‐humid zone between the Central Pyrenees and Pre‐Pyrenees. Soil survey combined with experiments for the determination of infiltration, runoff and erosion were applied for understanding the degradation history and the future development of the soils. All areas are dominated by Entisols, but also Inceptisols and Alfisols are found, and even soils with hydromorphic features. The soils show signs of heavy erosion. The parental material determines the nutrient supply and the general chemical properties. All sites show a weak water storing capacity, as a result of the removal of fine material by erosion and due to the depletion of soil organic matter. In addition, infiltration capacity and runoff generation are high within the studied areas, averaging between 27 and 37 per cent. The driest area studied shows an ongoing trend to degradation, with high erosion rates combined with a high degradations status of the soil. The other areas are characterised by a patchy pattern of soil degradation and regradation processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial variability and change in soil organic carbon stocks in response to recovery following land abandonment and erosion in mountainous drylands

This research investigates the impact of human activities on carbon (C) dynamics in a mountainous and semi‐arid environment. Despite the low C status of drylands, soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest C pool in these systems and therefore may offer significant C sequestration potential in systems recovering from degradation. Nevertheless, quantification of this potential is limited by lack of knowledge concerning the magnitude of and controls on regional SOC stocks. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) investigate the variability of soil organic carbon in relation to recovery period and key soil and topographical variables, and (ii) quantify the effects of recovery period following abandonment on SOC stocks. Soil profiles were sampled in the Sierra de los Filabres (southeast Spain) in different land units along geomorphic and degradation gradients. SOC contents were modelled using recovery period and soil and topographical variables. Sample depth, topographic position, altitude, recovery period and stone content were identified as the main factors for predicting SOC concentrations. SOC stocks in 1 m depth of soil varied between 3.16 and 76.44 t/ha. Recovery period (years since abandonment), topographic position and altitude were used to predict and map SOC stocks in the top 0.2 m. The results show that C accumulates rapidly during the first 10–50 yr following abandonment; thereafter, the stocks evolve towards a steady‐state level. The erosion zones in the study area demonstrate greater potential to increase their SOC stocks when abandoned. Deposition zones have greater SOC values, although their C accumulation rate is lower compared with erosional landscapes in the first 10–50 yr following abandonment. Therefore, full understanding of the C sequestration potential of land use change in areas of complex topography requires knowledge of spatial variability in soil properties and in particular SOC.     

不同土地利用方式下赤红壤坡面土壤侵蚀特征

为探究降雨和土地利用对南方赤红壤坡面侵蚀特征的影响,通过天然降雨观测试验,定量分析不同土地利用方式(坡耕地、果园、人工草地和撂荒地)下坡面径流和侵蚀泥沙特征,探讨降雨类型及土地利用对坡面侵蚀产沙的影响以及降雨特征参数与坡面水沙指标间的关系。结果表明:(1)2018年研究区降雨主要集中在5—9月,且每月降雨量主要由一场或几场暴雨及大暴雨组成;(2)坡耕地坡面年径流量和年侵蚀量均最大,分别是果园、人工草地以及撂荒地处理下的3.4,8.0,6.0倍和340.5,1605.3,1720.3倍;(2)次降雨下,坡面径流量在年内表现为前期平稳,后期波动增加,侵蚀量表现为前期波动较大,后期变化相对平稳,且侵蚀产沙主要集中在前期;(3)不同土地利用方式下,暴雨及大暴雨产生的径流量均占年径流量的75%以上,坡耕地、果园、人工草地以及撂荒地处理下由暴雨和大暴雨产生的侵蚀量分别占年侵蚀量的99.1%,71.8%,52.3%和51.6%;(4)降雨量和最大30min降雨强度是影响赤红壤坡面侵蚀最重要的降雨特征参数,降雨历时和植被覆盖度均显著影响果园、人工草地及撂荒地坡面径流量。研究结果有助于明晰南方赤红壤区不同土地利用现状土壤侵蚀特征,为区域水土保持提供参考依据。     

Effects of land use and landscape on spatial distribution and morphological features of gullies in an agropastoral area in Sardinia (Italy)

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), soil erosion is one of the main causes of desertification in the Northern Mediterranean. Recently, the role of channelled erosion in sediment delivery has been underlined by several studies. The aim of this paper is to describe a simplified experimental methodology settled up for studying the relationships between gully erosion and land use.The experimental site, which is wide about 720 ha, is located in a hilly area threatened by desertification in Central Eastern Sardinia (Italy). This area is characterised by irregular morphology with steep slopes, where agropastoral activities, particularly tillage with heavy machinery and overgrazing, are causing severe soil erosion and compromising agricultural productivity. Previous studies carried out in the same area highlighted the need to quantify and monitor soil erosion in order to outline management guidelines for farmers. In this study, an integrated methodology that uses aerial photographs and field surveys was applied to inventory the gullies of the area. The degree of activity and morphological characteristics of gullies were assessed in the field by measuring the position and shape of gully heads, and their width and depth. Total gully volume was also estimated. Relationships among distribution, density and morphological characteristics of gullies, and geomorphological features, land use and land use historical dynamics of the area have been studied. The results show the very significant impact of agricultural activities on gully activity and density.     

Time and scale of gully erosion in the Jedliczny Dol gully system, south-east Poland

Key catchments of the Roztocze loess area in south-east Poland have a great potential of revealing the history of long-term soil erosion and changes in land use. The knowledge of how and when soil erosion took place in the past helps one understand the impact of land use changes on the landscapes [Bork, H.-R., 1989. Soil erosion during the past Millennium in Central Europe and its significance within the geomorphodynamics of the Holocene. Catena 15, 121–131]. The Jedliczny Dol gully system near the town Zwierzyniec in south-east Poland was investigated by using detailed field stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of charcoal and wood.In connection with new settlements which were established between the 14th and 16th centuries, arable land was cultivated and forests were used much more intensively. As a consequence, the loess soils were strongly eroded during heavy rainfalls. Up to 4 m of colluvial sediments were deposited in the gully system during the 15th and/or 16th centuries. The thickness of the colluvial sediments indicate severe erosion which might be related to excessive timber exploitation for the local glass and iron production. With the foundation of the so-called Ordinariat Zamoyski at the end of the 16th century, some parts of the area were presumably reforested. High pressure on the land at the beginning of the 19th century enabled a second main phase of gulling before 1900.Since 1890 at the latest, almost the whole catchment is used as a forest, however, concentrated runoff on compacted forest roads can still be high after heavy rainfalls.In loess areas soil erosion caused by intensive land use, triggered by heavy rainfalls, can change the landscape drastically. These changes will continue to influence how catchments react, even if land use gets less intensive again. This knowledge should be considered regarding future, sustainable land use and recent changes in land use in the south-eastern Polish loess regions.     

Soil moisture variability in a semi-arid gully catchment: implications for runoff and erosion control

Spatial patterns in surface soil moisture during dry and wet weather conditions have been recorded over a 3.68 ha gully catchment in central Spain. During dry weather conditions this spatial pattern was characterised by areas of relatively wet and dry soil, forming a mosaic of areas with contrasting hydrological response. Semi-variogram analysis has indicated that these areas are spatially isolated and unconnected, with the effect that surface runoff from source areas within the catchment may be re-absorbed by surrounding areas which act as sinks for overland flow. Consequently during dry weather conditions, variation in the soil's physical and hydrological properties, as reflected by spatial differences in soil moisture, may be advantageous in minimising widespread catchment runoff and erosion, by creating spatial isolation of runoff producing areas and by promoting discontinuity in hydrological pathways. During wet weather conditions, however, extensive saturation, exceeding a catchment wetness threshold, increased spatial continuity in hydrological pathways, regardless of the spatial variation in soil hydraulic properties, resulting in widespread runoff and erosion. Management strategies should therefore aim to raise this wetness threshold value, by improving the soils physical and hydrological properties. The creation of a mosaic pattern of areas with contrasting hydrological response may prove to be an effective management strategy in runoff and erosion control in semi-arid environments.     

黔中喀斯特区典型土地利用方式及耕作措施的水土流失调控效应

[目的]探讨贵州省中部喀斯特地区坡面几种典型土地利用类型及耕作措施对土壤水分、土壤侵蚀及坡面径流的调控效应,探明其差异显著性,为区域坡面水土流失防治提供参考。[方法]采用野外径流小区定位观测法,以贵州省龙里县羊鸡冲小流域及贵阳修文龙场小流域为研究对象,开展坡面不同土地利用及耕作方式水土流失调控效应的研究。[结果]林地、撂荒地及农耕地对土壤水分的调控效应差异不显著(p0.05),对土壤侵蚀的调控效应差异显著(p0.05)。3种土地利用方式对径流的调控效应相对复杂,具体为撂荒地显著低于林地(p0.05),但林地与农耕地间、撂荒地与农耕地间均无显著差异(p0.05);两种典型耕作措施研究结果显示,蔬菜种植(春甘蓝)对土壤水分、水土流失的调控效应优于玉米种植(单作),但两者对土壤水分及水土流失的调控效应均无显著差异(p0.05)。[结论]黔中喀斯特区3种土地利用方式中,撂荒地水土流失调控效应显著高于林地和耕地;蔬菜种植水土流失调控效应高于玉米单作,但是两者无显著差异(p0.05)。     

漫岗黑土区坡耕地中雨季浅沟发育机制

典型黑土区雨季的浅沟侵蚀非常严重，为制定有效的预防措施，分析坡耕地中浅沟的发育机制以及浅沟造成的实际水土流失量是十分必要的。通过在典型黑土区3年的野外调查，结合坡长小区的试验观测资料，分析了雨季浅沟的发育机理，结果表明：由微地形起伏以及不合理的耕作方式造成的一定范围内的水流汇集是漫岗黑土区发生浅沟侵蚀的主要原因，集水线处垄沟内的泥沙淤积使该处的水道连通是诱发浅沟侵蚀的直接原因；而只量算浅沟体积得到的侵蚀量并不能真实的反映浅沟侵蚀实际的破坏力，其汇水坡面上的侵蚀量也相当客观，甚至大于沟道的侵蚀量。     

Land abandonment,landscape evolution,and soil erosion in a Spanish Mediterranean mountain region: The case of Camero Viejo

The Spanish Mediterranean mountains have played an important social and economic role for many centuries. However, since the 1950s these regions have been considered of little economic interest, and this has led to the abandonment of villages, reduced productive activity, and significant changes in the landscape. In the last 50 years the Camero Viejo region (Iberian System, northeast Spain) has been subject to these changes, and was selected as our study area. Landscape evolution and soil erosion, as a result of agricultural abandonment, were studied using different analysis techniques: photointerpretation, geographic information systems and rainfall simulation. The results showed that a large proportion of previously cultivated land has been subject to plant recolonization processes. From 1956 to 2001, woodlands area increased from 10·1 per cent to 37 per cent, and scrubland increased from 42 per cent to 60 per cent. Changes in landscape structure in the same period suggest that the Camero Viejo is in a transitional stage from a highly humanized landscape to a more natural landscape. Although plant cover expansion is evident on most Camero Viejo hillslopes, in some terraced areas erosion processes are active. The generalized abandonment of agricultural terraces has favored the collapse of the stone walls of the terraces, with sliding of the soil. Surface runoff on abandoned terraces is also important. These erosion processes are related to the hydrological functioning of slopes following abandonment, neglect, and in some areas the intensification of grazing. Terrace destruction has a negative impact on the landscape and represents the loss of fertile soils. Landscape diversity should be preserved as an essential element of the economic potential of the Camero Viejo. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.