Impact of land use changes on the hydrological properties of volcanic ash soils in South Ecuador

Abstract. The effect of land use on the water retention capacity of Umbric Andosols in south Ecuador was studied. The objective was to acquire a better insight into the hydrological processes of the ecosystem and the role of the soil, in order to assess the impact of changing soil properties due to land use change on the hydrology of the high Andes region. Field data on the water retention capacity at wilting point of Umbric Andosols were collected for both cultivated field conditions and original bush vegetation. The pH in water and in NaF, texture, organic matter content and dry bulk density were measured to show which physicochemical soil characteristics are responsible for the water retention of the Umbric Andosols and for the irreversible loss in water retention due to air drying. Organic matter content appears to be very important and certainly more important than allophane clay content. Water retention of the organic litter layer was calculated to be 16 mm, this would be lost when vegetation was cleared and the land cultivated.     

Water quality in relation to land use and land cover in the upper Han River Basin,China

A total of 42 sampling sites were selected in the riverine network of the upper Han River basin (approximately 95, 200 km²) of China. Over the time period of 2005–2006, 252 water samples were collected and analyzed for physico-chemical variables in order to investigate their spatio-temporal variability in particular the relationship with land use and land cover. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant spatial variability in pH, EC, TDS, turbidity, SPM, ORP and nitrogen across the basin. Meanwhile, nitrogen, ORP, I_Mn and turbidity generally displayed higher values in the rainy season. Correlation analysis and regression analysis indicated that water temperature, I_Mn, and nitrogen were significantly related to vegetated coverage, and subwatersheds with higher vegetation cover had relative lower turbidity, SPM, I_Mn, nutrients and TDS. Bare lands had significant influence on nitrogen concentration in the riverine network, implying its large geologic sources in the basin. Percentage of urban area was the predictor for pH and DP, while agricultural land for SPM and I_Mn. The research could provide critical information in sustainable land use practice for water resource conservation for the basin.     

Local faces,global flows: The role of land use and land cover in global environmental change

The emergence of land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) as one of the major themes within the global environmental change research community poses a series of difficult but not insurmountable problems. LUCC takes place incrementally through the operation of sets of human and biophysical forces largely specific to the locale in question, but cumulatively LUCC contributes significantly to global environmental change. Linking LUCC to global change requires the cooperation of the natural and social sciences to bridge the local to global dynamics involved. The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme and the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Programme are undertaking the development of an international research project with such aims in mind. This project seeks to improve understanding of LUCC dynamics by balancing the need for a nuanced understanding at the local level with the need from improved regional and global LUCC models. The rudiments of this effort and some of problems confronting it are outlined here.     

The use of land evaluation information by land use planners and decision-makers: a case study in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract. Land evaluation is the prediction of land performance over time under specific uses, to guide strategic land use decisions. Modern land evaluation has a 30 year history, yet the results have often been disappointing. Land users and planners have been reported to ignore land evaluations, perhaps reflecting poor quality, low relevance, or poor communication. To test the success of a large land evaluation exercise undertaken as part of micro-catchment project in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, we queried agricultural extensionists, considered as the primary land evaluation clients. We used a questionnaire with both structured and open questions, to determine their experiences with, and attitudes to, the current land evaluation method. The soil resource inventory and associated land evaluation had some usefulness, but were not in general used for their intended purpose, namely farm planning. This was mainly because they did not contain crucial information necessary to such planning in the actual context of the farmer taking decisions. The primary deficiencies were identified as:

• (1)

  no estimate of environmental degradation risk;

       
  
  

Properties and classification of volcanic ash soils around Lake Kuwanuma on the eastern footslope of Mt. Funagata in Miyagi prefecture,northeastern Japan

One of the developments in recognition of soil properties and different soils is from morphological to analytical. With an incorporation of analytical data, transitional soils can be systematically named using a key-out order as well as typical soils. Our major objective was to evaluate soils with multiple forming processes such as andosolization, podzolization, etc., using soil analytical data, selecting a small area having different soil names based on soil morphological properties. According to a local soil map, Ando soils, Brown forest soils (Dark) and Wet and Dry podzols soils are adjacently distributed around Lake Kuwanuma on the eastern footslope of Mt. Funagata in Miyagi prefecture, northeastern Japan. We studied the morphological, chemical and mineralogical properties of these soils and classified them according to the recent Comprehensive Soil Classification System of Japan (CSCSJ), United States Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy (ST) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The elevation of Lake Kuwanuma is 780 m above sea level and a plateau is located next to a steep slope on the western side of the lake. Three pedons were sampled from the northern side of Lake Kuwanuma, and 3 additional pedons were sampled from the plateau. The average difference in elevation between these two groups of pedons was 229 m. All 6 pedons were classified as Andosols in CSCSJ, Udands in ST and Andosols in WRB. Thus, andosolization was the dominant soil-forming process throughout the study area. The major modification of Andisols in the study area was caused by forest vegetation. Of the 6 pedons sampled, three were classified as Fulvudands in ST and had the Fulvic prefix qualifier in WRB. Furthermore, weak podzolization was suggested on the basis of soil profile observations. One pedon on the plateau had a Bs horizon, which satisfied the spodic horizon requirements of ST. Thus, weak podzolization, especially on the plateau, was another accessory characteristic in the present study area. The nearby distribution of Podzols soils and Ando soils in the local soil map may be explained by differences in temperature, leaching intensity and other factors. A podzolic subgroup of Andosols/Udands was desired to express the properties of pedons on the plateau in the lower categories of the recent soil classification systems.     

Regional differences in patterns of fish species loss with changing land use

Human-centered land use causes ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity in streams, yet such processes may be highly heterogeneous among species and regions. We quantified fish species sensitivity to several classes of land use and determined if trends varied among three geoclimatic regions of Maryland, USA. Our approach compares the cumulative frequency distribution (CFD) of sites where a species was expected to occur to the CFD of those where it was collected to estimate the species-specific maximum degree of land use tolerated and the minimal amount that may induce an impact. Fishes were most vulnerable to urban land use gradients, though trends were region-specific with heightened sensitivity in the Piedmont (64-72% of species negatively affected) relative to the Coastal Plain (45-52% negatively affected). Species found in both regions exhibited greater vulnerability to urbanization in the Piedmont. Responses to agricultural land use were less severe though trends were region-specific as well with the least sensitive in the Piedmont and the greatest negative impact in the Highlands region. In many cases, reduced population abundances were detected at lower levels of land use relative to the range where the species was apparently extirpated. Our results demonstrate that population reduction and species loss due to land use change differs substantially among regions, even within a single species. Greater sensitivity observed in abundance-weighted analyses implies that further loss of fish diversity may be impending in impacted streams. Our results have direct application to prioritize conservation resources and forecast future declines in species distributions and biodiversity.     

Soil organic matter quantity and quality in mountain soils of the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia, affected by land use change

 Changes in soil management practices influence the amount, quality and turnover of soil organic matter (SOM). Our objective was to study the effects of deforestation followed by pasture establishment on SOM quantity, quality and turnover in mountain soils of the Sui Checti valley in the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia. This objective was approached by analysis of total organic C (TOC), N, lignin-derived phenols, and neutral sugars in soil samples and primary particle-size soil fractions. Pasture installation led to a loss of about 30% TOC compared with the native Juniperus turkestanica forests. The pasture soils accumulated about 20% N, due to inputs via animal excrement. A change in land use from forest to pasture mainly affected the SOM bound to the silt fraction; there was more microbial decomposition in the pasture than in the forest silt fraction, as indicated by lower yields of lignin and carbohydrates, and also by a more advanced oxidative lignin side-chain oxidation and higher values of plant : microbial sugar ratios. The ratio of arabinose : xylose was indicative of the removal of carbohydrates when the original forest was replaced by pasture, and we conclude that this can be used as an indicator of deforestation. The accumulation of lignin and its low humification within the forest floor could be due to the extremely cold winter and dry summer climate. Received: 10 March 1999     

基于地形梯度的河北省太行山区土地利用时空变异研究

地形在一定程度上影响着土地利用变化, 对土地利用空间格局的形成具有重要影响。利用GIS空间分析功能, 结合地形位指数、分布指数和土地利用程度综合指数, 系统分析了1990-2008年间河北省太行山区土地利用变化的地形梯度特征, 探讨地形因素对土地利用方式选择及空间格局的影响, 并定量分析了地形梯度上的土地利用程度状况。结果表明: 各种土地利用类型空间分布及其变化明显受到地形因子的影响和制约, 总的分布特征为: 随着地形位的升高, 耕地的分布指数呈现降低趋势, 草地、建设用地、水域和未利用地先升后降, 而林地则升高; 研究期间林地的优势地形位的上限增加了2个地形位, 草地已失去高地形位上的分布优势, 在中地形位上的优势分布区间增加了3个地形位, 水体的优势地形位在低地形位上有所扩展, 未利用地的优势地形位明显收缩, 而耕地、建设用地优势地形位基本保持稳定; 土地利用程度综合指数随着地形位的增加而不断下降。根据地形梯度上土地利用程度的定量表达, 将研究区地形位划分为3个区段: 耕地、水域、建设用地和未利用地的优势地形位区域、草地和林地的优势分布区、林地的优势地形位区域, 其面积分别占研究区总面积的45.79%、41.30%和12.91%。在此基础上对河北省太行山区土地资源的合理利用和生态环境恢复提出了相应建议和措施。     

The influence of land use and pesticides on methane oxidation in some Belgian soils

 In a first experiment, the effect of land use on the uptake rate of atmospheric CH₄ was studied in laboratory incubations of intact soil cores. A soil under deciduous forest showed the highest CH₄ oxidation. Its overall CH₄ uptake during the measuring period (202 days) was 1.03 kg CH₄ ha^–1. Natural grassland showed the second highest CH₄ oxidizing capacity (0.71 kg CH₄ ha^–1). The overall amount of CH₄ uptake by fertilized pasture was 0.33 kg CH₄ ha^–1. CH₄ oxidation in arable soils with different fertilizer treatments varied between 0.34 and 0.37 kg CH₄ ha^–1. Undisturbed soils had a higher CH₄ uptake capacity than agricultural soils. The moisture content of the soil was found to be an important parameter explaining temporal variations of CH₄ oxidation. Different methods of fertilization which had been commenced 10 years previously were not yet reflected in the total CH₄ uptake rate of the arable soil. In a second experiment, a number of frequently used pesticides were screened for their possible effect on CH₄ oxidation. In a sandy arable soil lenacil, mikado and oxadixyl caused significantly reduced CH₄ oxidation compared to the control. Under the same conditions, but in a clayey arable soil, mikado, atrazine and dimethenamid caused a reduction of the CH₄ uptake. In a landfill cover soil, with a 100-fold higher CH₄ oxidation rate, no inhibition of CH₄ oxidation was observed, not even when the application rate of pesticides was tenfold higher than usual. Received: 1 December 1998     

Soil microbial community composition and land use history in cultivated and grassland ecosystems of coastal California

Phospholipid ester-linked fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were used to evaluate soil microbial community composition for 9 land use types in two coastal valleys in California. These included irrigated and non-irrigated agricultural sites, non-native annual grasslands and relict, never-tilled or old field perennial grasslands. All 42 sites were on loams or sandy loams of similar soil taxa derived from granitic and alluvial material. We hypothesized that land use history and its associated management inputs and practices may produce a unique soil environment, for which microbes with specific environmental requirements may be selected and supported. We investigated the relationship between soil physical and chemical characteristics, management factors, and vegetation type with microbial community composition. Higher values of total soil C, N, and microbial biomass (total PLFA) and lower values of soil pH occurred in the grassland than cultivated soils. The correspondence analysis (CA) of the PLFA profiles and the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of PLFA profiles, soil characteristics, and site and management factors showed distinct groupings for land use types. A given land use type could thus be identified by soil microbial community composition as well as similar soil characteristics and management factors. Differences in soil microbial community composition were highly associated with total PLFA, a measure of soil microbial biomass, suggesting that labile soil organic matter affects microbial composition. Management inputs, such as fertilizer, herbicide, and irrigation, also were associated with the distinctive microbial community composition of the different cultivated land use types.     

Changes in particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon with land use in contrasting soils

Soil organic carbon(SOC) is the largest terrestrial carbon(C) stock, and the capacity of soils to preserve organic C(OC) varies with many factors,including land use, soil type, and soil depth. We investigated the effect of land use change on soil particulate organic matter(POM) and mineral-associated organic matter(MOM). Surface(0–10 cm) and subsurface(60–70 cm) samples were collected from paired sites(native and cropped) of four contrasting soils.Bulk soils were separated into POM and MOM fract...     

Overgrazing effects on vegetation cover and properties of volcanic ash soil in the páramo of Llangahua and La Esperanza (Tungurahua, Ecuador)

Abstract. The páramo is a high-altitude ecosystem of the northern Andes. The vegetation is continuous, with grasses as the dominant groundcover. Because of their high water retention, páramos play a fundamental role in water availability for all the population of the inter-Andean valleys. There are many studies of this specific ecosystem, but very few are focussed on overgrazing and its effect on vegetation and soil properties. Intensive grazing started less than 20 years ago and was studied in a representative area in the western Cordillera of central Ecuador covered by recent volcanic ash deposits. Intensive sheep grazing has led to a strong decline in the number of plant species, the replacement of the tussock grass vegetation by a short carpet grass vegetation, and an increase of bare land. In that area, the upper 50 cm of Andisols are deeply affected by a convergent decrease of Al and Fe oxalate and pyrophosphate in soil extracts, carbon contents decrease from 100 g kg^–1 to less than 50 g kg^–1 in the humid zone, from 70 to 40 g kg^–1 in the dry zone and a reduction of water-retention capacity at −33 kPa matrix potential from 800 g kg^–1 to 200 g kg^–1 in humid zones, from 350 to less than 100 g kg^–1 in drier areas. They showed also a decrease in the macrostructure and the development of a highly water repellent microstructure. All these important transformations favour the development of aeolian erosion in dry areas, runoff on bare surfaces, and gully erosion on slopes. The role of the páramo in water-regulation of this ecosystem seems to have been adversely affected for the future.     

Soil fertility affected by land use history,relief position,and parent material under a tropical climate in NW-Vietnam

In Vietnam as much as half of the total land area is already degraded by soil erosion and nutrient depletion. In particular, degradation due to deforestation is increasingly affecting mountainous areas in north-western Vietnam. The necessity to safeguard the farmers' livelihoods requires sustainable resource management, which firstly requires a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of resources. The objectives of the present study were to (1) identify the dominant soil types and their vulnerability using elicitation of local soil knowledge, (2) characterise the physical and chemical properties of the soils and (3) link them to the relief position and land use in order to (4) initiate sustainable soil use based on recommendations deduced from objectives (1) to (3). These objectives were achieved also by the elicitation of local knowledge. The final aim of the study was to initiate sustainable soil use based on recommendations for sustainable land use scenarios. The Chieng Khoi commune in Son La province of northern Vietnam was chosen as representative for other erosion-prone Southeast Asian sloping areas. In a participatory approach, combining local and scientific knowledge, sixteen sites were selected, representative for distinct relief positions, parent material (sand stone and silt stone), land use history, and erosion hazard. Chemical (e.g. content of organic matter, nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and plant available phosphorous) and physical properties (e.g. air capacity, plant available water) were used to estimate soil fertility. The predominant reference soil groups in the study area are Alisols and Luvisols, with a high diversity in respect to soil fertility. These soils are locally named ‘red soil’ and ‘black soil’, respectively. Although the main physical processes are erosion and selective sedimentation, farmers tend to underestimate their impact and causes, whereas soil quality was well-evaluated. Soils with high fertility were found on less eroded upper parts of hills and at sites, where agricultural use started only recently. Once degraded by cultivation practices, soils derived from sandstone did not recover even after more than 50 years of fallow. As a result of unsustainable land use, soils on middle and lower slopes are often affected by severe soil erosion, whereas foot slope soils suffer from accumulation of eroded infertile subsoil material as well as stagnic conditions. This study showed that unsustainable land use at upslope landscape positions has a severe impact on downslope areas. The elicitation of local knowledge facilitated the identification of such hot spots, allowing the implementation of spatially targeted conservation measures.     

The effect of land use/cover change on surface runoff in Shenzhen region,China

Shenzhen is one of the special economic zones in China. It has been growing rapidly from rural land to an industrial city since the mid-1980s. With the process of urbanization, flooding has become a threat to the security of the city area. In this study, Buji River basin in Shenzhen Region was selected to investigate the effect of urbanization on surface runoff and peak discharge. Land use data were obtained from LANDSAT images in 1980, 1988, 1994, and 2000, and surface runoff in the same period was simulated by SCS model. Results showed that urbanization played an important factor intensifying the flood process. Increase of urbanized land and decrease of farmland might be the main reasons for increasing runoff. At 10%, 50% and 90% rainfall probability (the rainfall probability of 10% means 10-year return period of moist year, 2-year return period of normal year and 10-year return period of dry year), the increase of runoff coefficient was 12.6%, 20.7% and 33.5% respectively under relatively dry soil moisture condition, however, and the value was 2.5%, 4.3% and 6.9% respectively under relatively wet soil moisture condition. Urbanization led to obvious increase in the maximum flood discharge and decrease in runoff confluence time. At 1%, 2% and 5% rainfall probability, the increase of the maximum flood discharge was 20.2%, 23.0% and 28.9% respectively, under relatively dry soil moisture condition. The corresponding value was 1.3%, 1.6% and 2.6% respectively under relatively wet soil moisture condition. Due to urbanization in the past 20 years, runoff coefficient increased 13.4% and the maximum flood discharge increased 12.9% on average.     

基于CA-Markov的土地利用时空变化与生境质量预测——以宁夏中部干旱区为例

探究干旱半干旱区土地利用结构动态变化特征，评估并预测生境质量，可为区域生态规划和恢复提供决策性依据。本研究以搭载OLI和ETM+传感器遥感影像和气象数据、社会经济数据等为基础，采用土地利用转移流概念、InVEST模型和CA-Markov模型研究2000-2030年宁夏中部干旱区土地利用和生境质量时空变化特征及规律，对未来情境进行模拟和预测。研究结果表明：宁夏中部干旱区土地系统结构变化与生态建设规划高度一致，具有黄河流域两侧集中分布的特征，土地系统综合动态度逐期减小，活跃度具有稳中有变、部分较活跃的特征。土地系统信息熵特征值呈逐年降低趋势。随着时间变化土地系统受人类活动干扰强度低，自我调整程度高，修复能力强，系统向稳定状态转化。2000-2015年研究区生态环境质量呈“U”型特征，以优秀等级为主。2015-2030年土地系统结构将发生显著变化，生境质量优秀、差和良好等级面积逐渐扩大，生态系统呈现稳定向好的趋势。本研究的多模型集成应用可为区域土地规划和生态恢复建设提供理论依据和支撑。     

The influence of land use and fallow period on the properties of two calcareous soils in the humid tropics of southern Mexico

Calcareous soils are common in the humid tropics of Mexico, but little is known about their productivity and resistance to changes in land use. The influence of land use and duration of fallow on physical and chemical properties were investigated in (a) a loamy Rendzina (at Site A) rich in organic matter and limited in depth by calcareous gravel, and (b) a deeper Calcaric Phaeozem (at Site B) with a more clayey texture throughout. Plots at different successional stages within farmers' shifting cultivation systems were selected on both soils: cropland/young fallow (zero years fallow length), shrub-fallow and tree-fallow at Site A, and cropland/young fallow and forest at Site B. Changes in soil properties suggested a process of recovery with fallow length, in which organic matter, total N and CEC increased with time. The increase in organic matter was remarkably large, on average 0.5–0.6% per year. The Rendzina contained more organic matter than the Calcaric Phaeozem, probably because of its greater carbonate content, which is presumed to protect organic matter against decomposition. The differences in soil properties were mostly greater over time than between treatments.     

Organic matter in density fractions of water-stable aggregates in silty soils: Effect of land use

The location of soil organic matter (SOM) within the soil matrix is considered a major factor determining its turnover, but quantitative information about the effects of land cover and land use on the distribution of SOM at the soil aggregate level is rare. We analyzed the effect of land cover/land use (spruce forest, grassland, wheat and maize) on the distribution of free particulate organic matter (POM) with a density <1.6 g cm⁻³ (free POM_<1.6), occluded particulate organic matter with densities <1.6 g cm⁻³ (occluded POM_<1.6) and 1.6-2.0 g cm⁻³ (occluded POM_1.6-2.0) and mineral-associated SOM (>2.0 g cm⁻³) in size classes of slaking-resistant aggregates (53-250, 250-1000, 1000-2000, >2000 μm) and in the sieve fraction <53 μm from silty soils by applying a combined aggregate size and density fractionation procedure. We also determined the turnover time of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions at the aggregate level in the soil of the maize site using the ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratio. SOM contents were higher in the grassland soil aggregates than in those of the arable soils mainly because of greater contents of mineral-associated SOM. The contribution of occluded POM to total SOC in the A horizon aggregates was greater in the spruce soil (23-44%) than in the grassland (11%) and arable soils (19%). The mass and carbon content of both the free and occluded POM fractions were greater in the forest soil than in the grassland and arable soils. In all soils, the C/N ratios of soil fractions within each aggregate size class decreased in the following order: free POM_<1.6>occluded POM_<1.6-2.0>mineral-associated SOM. The mean age of SOC associated with the <53 μm mineral fraction of water-stable aggregates in the Ap horizon of the maize site varied between 63 and 69 yr in aggregates >250 μm, 76 yr in the 53-250 μm aggregate class, and 102 yr in the sieve fraction <53 μm. The mean age of SOC in the occluded POM increased with decreasing aggregate size from 20 to 30 yr in aggregates >1000 μm to 66 yr in aggregates <53 μm. Free POM had the most rapid rates of C-turnover, with residence times ranging from 10 yr in the fraction >2000 μm to 42 yr in the fraction 53-250 μm. Results indicated that SOM in slaking-resistant aggregates was not a homogeneous pool, but consisted of size/density fractions exhibiting different composition and stability. The properties of these fractions were influenced by the aggregate size. Land cover/land use were important factors controlling the amount and composition of SOM fractions at the aggregate level.     

Implications of decadal changes in precipitation and land use policy to soil erosion in Basilicata,Italy

This paper examines the implications of changes in precipitation and land use to soil erosion from 1955 to 2002 in Basilicata, a hilly portion of southern Italy. Analysis of daily precipitation records reveals statistically significant trends using both non-parametric and parametric approaches. The inter-annual variability of precipitation increases in intensity; primarily between October and January. From 1955 to 2000, the length of dry spells greatly increased, while wet days decreased. A land use change map was produced for the three study areas using aerial photos (1955) and orthophotos (1997 and 2002), integrated with field surveys. Results show that land use is highly dynamic in Basilicata, especially due to the application of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) measures. The EU policies resulted in reclamation of badlands and degraded grasslands for agriculture, principally the cultivation of durum wheat. This farming practice and the abandonment of some of the remodeled areas have increased the risk of soil erosion and desertification processes, and is manifest in land degradation by rill networks and gullying.     

不同土地利用方式土壤温室气体排放对碳氮添加的响应

揭示不同土地利用方式下土壤N2O产生机制及其CO2和CH4的排放,有助于土壤温室气体减排措施的制定。本研究以长沙金井河流域酸性红壤上菜地、稻田、茶园和林地土壤为研究对象,控制温度和土壤含水量,采用静态培养-气相色谱法,研究4种利用方式土壤N2O、CO2和CH4的排放对不同碳氮和硝化抑制剂添加的响应。结果表明,由于土壤pH较低,酸性红壤外加氮源后仅有较小的N2O排放。葡萄糖能够促进尿素添加后N2O的排放及土壤反硝化作用N2O的排放。异养硝化作用可能是酸性红壤N2O产生的主要途径。硝化抑制剂双氰胺（DCD）对酸性红壤N2O减排无明显效果。碳氮添加后土壤N2O的总排放量表现为茶园 > 菜地 > 稻田 > 林地。外源有机碳能够显著促进4种利用方式土壤CO2的排放,表现为茶园、稻田 > 菜地、林地。但除稻田土壤CH4排放增加外,菜地、茶园和林地土壤CH4排放对外源有机碳无明显响应。