The role of soil surface conditions in regulating runoff and erosion processes on a metamorphic hillslope (Southern Spain): Soil surface conditions,runoff and erosion in Southern Spain

This study presents the results of an analysis into the role of soil surface conditions in the regulation of soil hydrology and erosive processes at one hillslope under dry Mediterranean climatic conditions. The methodology was based on the analysis of hillslope surface components and their hydrological and erosive function on a patch to scale by means of rainfall simulation and experimental plots. The results showed the existence of a complex eco-geomorphological system composed of a multitude of vegetation patches distributed at random on the hillslope, and where the presence of different surface conditions on the soil can have a sizeable influence on hydrological and erosive behavior. From the hydrological point of view, the runoff generation mechanisms follow a seasonal pattern depending on the moisture of the soil with a different spatial condition, with frequent hydrological disconnections between parts of the hillslope, as in other Mediterranean mountainous regions. Soil surface rock fragments, the layout of tussocks intra-hillslope and previous soil moisture as dynamic control factors in the hydrological and erosive processes are all important.     

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.     

Assessing the variability of soil surface characteristics in row-cropped fields: The case of Mediterranean vineyards in Southern France

Spatial patterns of soil surface characteristics (SSC) are important factors for heterogeneity in runoff and infiltration processes in row-cropped fields. The objective of this paper is to analyse the spatial heterogeneity of SSC in the case of a vineyard in order to propose an adequate sampling strategy. A preliminary field survey was carried out to obtain a quantitative assessment of SSC. The experimental layout consisted of 3 wire-trained vine subplots with 3 different soil treatment. 60 observations per subplot were conducted using the line transect method. Their locations were determined according to a stratified sampling design conceived in accordance with the geometric structure of the vineyard system, defined by the alignment of vine rows and the direction of the main slope. The spatial heterogeneity of SSC was analysed at intra-transect and inter-transect levels using measurements of structural crust, sedimentary crust, grass and organic litter. The characterization of intra-transect heterogeneity, using join-count statistics, allowed patches of homogeneous units of attributes to be detected and hence an appropriate sampling resolution and an adequate transect length to be determined. A sampling resolution of 10 cm on a 1.25 m length transect was found to be appropriate for the observation of homogeneous units of attributes. Analysis of inter-transect heterogeneity, using non-spatial statistics, revealed considerable variability between rows and inter-rows that must be accounted for during field surveys. The role of site topography on spatial patterning of SSC attributes across the plot and the need to stratify the plot into areas with homogeneous slope were also demonstrated. Finally, the t-test procedure indicated that the minimum sample size was found to be 200 transect/ha for a minimum precision rate of 80% in the values of SSC attributes.     

南方红壤丘陵区水土流失现状与综合治理对策

在南方红壤区水土流失与生态安全综合科学考察的基础上,分析南方红壤丘陵区水土流失现状、特点、成因、危害以及近50年来的演变趋势。结果表明：南方红壤考察区目前有水土流失面积13．12万km^2,占红壤考察区土地面积的15．06％。近50年来,南方8省的水土流失面积在1985年前呈增加趋势,1985年以后呈现递减趋势。针对水土流失的特点与危害,提出水土流失治理的综合治理对策。认为：《中华人民共和国水土保持法》是水土流失综合治理的根本保证;科学规划、分区治理、实施战略性推进是综合治理的前提,推行生态补偿机制、实施重大工程是综合治理的契机;水土保持科技进步是综合防治水土流失的催化剂。     

Impacts of the ancient Maya on soils and soil erosion in the central Maya Lowlands

Many studies across the central and southern Maya Lowlands of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico have produced records of land degradation, mostly sedimentation and soil erosion, during the ancient Maya period from before 1000 BC to the Maya Collapse of c. AD 900. This paper provides new data from two sites (Blue Creek and Cancuén), synthesizes more than a decade of the authors' research in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, and synthesizes other findings from this region. These research projects analyzed more than 100 excavations in upland and depression sites, cored lakes and wetland sediments, and studied sediments in the field and laboratory using radiocarbon dating, a battery of soil chemistry tests, stratigraphic analysis, magnetic susceptibility, elemental analyses, and artifact identification. Our objective was to date when sedimentation and soil erosion occurred, identify stable surfaces, and correlate them with the state of knowledge about past land use. These findings indicate three general epochs of accelerated soil erosion and identified two major paleosols. The three waves of soil erosion occurred in the Preclassic period (c. 1000 BC to AD 250), the Late Classic (AD 550 to 900), and in the last several decades. The major paleosol (‘Eklu'um’) in these sites is a well-developed Mollisol or Vertisol that started forming in the early Holocene and was buried in either the Preclassic or Classic periods (AD 250 to 900). At some sites the Eklu'um paleosol lies beneath sediments with a fainter paleosol, which in turn lies buried below Classic period and later sediments. This picture shows higher than expected soil erosion linked to the region's first pioneer farmers in the Preclassic and less than expected soil erosion in the Late Classic when population peaked and land use was the most intensive. In other regions like Cancuén, Guatemala, however, most soil erosion occurred during the Maya Late Classic (AD 550–830). Erosion here was intense but short-lived: depressions record 1–3 m of aggradation in two centuries. A third epoch of accelerated soil loss and aggradation arose with the rapid land use changes brought by new pioneers during the last several decades.     

东北漫川漫岗和山地丘陵黑土区侵蚀沟形态特征遥感分析

侵蚀沟形态特征反映其侵蚀发生发展的环境条件,探究侵蚀沟形态参数特征及空间分异规律对深入理解侵蚀沟的侵蚀进程具有重要意义。该文选择漫川漫岗和山地丘陵2个典型黑土地貌类型区,基于高分遥感影像(QuickBird(0.61 m)、GeoEye-1(0.5 m)及Worldview 2(0.5 m))和地形数据(ASTGTM2(30 m分辨率)),采用目视解译法提取计算侵蚀沟沟长、沟宽、周长和面积等形态参数值,分析侵蚀沟形态特征;探究地形因子影响下侵蚀沟形态参数的分异规律。研究结果显示:1)2个典型区的各形态参数间存在显著性差异,漫川漫岗区侵蚀沟各形态参数均大于山地丘陵区;2)侵蚀沟形态呈现"细长状",和漫川漫岗区相比,山地丘陵区侵蚀沟更细长,沟缘位置更复杂;3)侵蚀沟形态参数随坡度的增加总体上呈先增大后减小的趋势,在3°～6°范围内参数值达到最大,坡度越小侵蚀沟沟缘位置越复杂;坡向上,漫川漫岗区和山地丘陵区的侵蚀沟的形态参数值在SE或SW上值最大,说明阳坡或半阳坡侵蚀沟发育强烈。该研究结果对于侵蚀沟易发区确定及防治具有重要意义。     

红壤丘陵区不同植被恢复模式土壤理化性质相关分析

南方红壤丘陵区土壤侵蚀严重,成为我国生态系统退化地带之一,为了探讨植被恢复模式与土壤理化性质改良关系,合理利用丘陵区土地,本文研究了草本、果树、果树+草、果树+草+农作物和果树+农作物等不同植被恢复模式对土壤物理及化学性质的影响,并运用灰色关联分析方法对不同恢复模式的土壤理化性质进行相关分析。研究结果表明:不同植被恢复模式土壤理化性质影响差异显著,百喜草全园覆盖的草本模式改良土壤理化性质的综合效应最佳,然后依次是果树+农作物、果树+草+农作物、果树+草。横坡套种土壤改良效应明显优于纵坡套种,全区覆盖处理优于带状覆盖处理。南方丘陵区侵蚀劣地植被恢复,可以优先考虑恢复百喜草的草本模式和果树+农作物模式,尤其是,果树+横坡套种农作物模式适宜在南方丘陵区大力推广。     

Characterizing spatial variability of soil properties in alluvial soils of India using geostatistics and geographical information system

Alluvial soils constitute significant portion of cultivated land in India and it contributes towards food grain production predominantly. The objectives of this study were to assess the spatial variability of soil pH, organic carbon (OC), available (mineralizable) nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K) and available zinc (Zn) of alluvial floodplain soils of Kadwa block, Katihar district, Bihar, India. A total of 85 soil samples, representative of the plough layer (0–25 cm depth from surface) were randomly collected from the study area. The values of soil pH, OC, N, P, K and Zn varied from4.4 to 8.4, 0.20% to 1.20%, 141 to 474, 2.2 to 68.2, 107 to 903 kg ha^–1 and 0.22 to 1.10 mg kg^–1, respectively. The coefficient of variation value was highest for available P (94.3%) and lowest for soil pH (11.3%). Spherical model was found to be the best fit for N, P and Zn contents, while exponential model was the best fit for OC, and Gaussian model was the best-fit model for pH and K. The nugget/sill ratio indicates that except pH and available K all other soil properties were moderately spatially dependent (25–57%). Soil properties exhibited different distribution pattern. It was observed that the use of geostatistical method could accurately generate the spatial variability maps of soil nutrients in alluvial soils.     

Impacts of historical land use changes on erosion and agricultural soil properties in the Kali Basin at Lake Balaton, Hungary

Historical land use changes may have significant impact on erosion and agricultural soil properties, including soil degradation by acidification, nutrient leaching and organic matter depletion. The Kali Basin study area, a small catchment of high landscape value located in a national park at Lake Balaton, Hungary, with its historical agricultural records, together with the available unique historical land use data for the last 200 years, provides an opportunity to study and model impacts of historical land use changes on erosion and agricultural soil properties. Comparison of long-term land uses with present soil degradation indicator parameters showed that permanent arable land use has led to degradation of both the physical and chemical properties of soils in the Kali Basin. Application of the SEDEM/WATEM distributed erosion and sediment transport model showed that, despite the low overall sediment export from the catchment, land use changes introduced by property ownership and agricultural changes have decreased average soil erosion in the catchment but increased relative sediment export to Lake Balaton. This is due to changes in the land cover pattern that allow more sediment transported to the river system. The overall conclusion of this study is that besides the size and area proportion of land use types, land use pattern seems to be equally important in soil erosion and degradation processes, thus land use pattern is a key factor for landscape planning and development in the Kali Basin. A relationship between the sociological and agro-ecological reasons for the recorded land use changes is also shown in this study.     

Assessing and monitoring the soil quality of forested and agricultural areas using soil-quality indices and digital soil-mapping in a semi-arid environment

In recent decades, the conversion of forest to agricultural land has been a major worldwide concern and a cause of environmental and soil-quality degradation. In this study, soil-quality indices (SQIs) were applied using several soil properties to determine the effects of land use on soil quality in a 206.50 km² area in Kurdistan Province, Iran. The Weighted Additive Soil Quality Index (SQI_w) was calculated using two scoring methods and two soil indicator selection approaches. Nine soil-quality indicators/variables were measured for 124 soil samples (0–30 cm depth). Calculated SQIs were digitally mapped with a random forest (RF) model using auxiliary data. The RF model was the best predictor of the SQI computed using the total dataset (TDS) and linear score function (SQI_w-TDS-linear). Soil quality was better estimated using non-linear scoring (r² = 0.82) than with linear scoring (r² = 0.73). The mean values of all SQIs were significantly greater in forestland than cropland. It is clear that soil quality is considerably reduced by deforestation, and that best management practices that maintain soil quality and reduce erosion must be developed for the soils of this region if they are to remain productive.     

西南紫色土水蚀区坡谱信息熵与地形因子关系分析

坡谱信息熵可综合反映地形起伏特征,计算便捷,为探索其能否替代计算繁杂的地形因子应用在土壤侵蚀评价中,该研究以西南紫色土水蚀区为研究对象,基于ASTER GDEM（30 m分辨率）,计算坡谱信息熵、坡度坡长因子及沟壑密度等地形因子,分析坡谱信息熵与地形因子量化关系。结果表明：全区坡谱曲线形态有\     

基于LUCC的冀北土石山区东北沟流域土壤侵蚀时空变化分析

 在GIS技术的支持下,利用气候、土壤、植被盖度、DEM、土地利用现状调查和影像等数据,揭示东北沟流域土地利用和土壤侵蚀变化特点,明确土地利用类型与土壤侵蚀的关系。结果表明：1）近20年来流域土地利用变化剧烈,林地增加,草地、耕地和难利用土地减少,林地和草地之间及其内部转化较为明显;2）土壤侵蚀模数由1990年的5136.13t/(km2·a)减小到2009年的1823.30t/(km2·a),土壤侵蚀强度明显减弱,土壤侵蚀由轻度侵蚀(32.78%)和中度侵蚀(28.49%)为主减弱到以微度侵蚀(42.16%)和轻度侵蚀(33.25%)为主;3）不同土地利用类型的平均土壤侵蚀模数均有大幅度的下降,其差异也比较明显,林地、居住建筑用地的侵蚀强度较小,难利用土地土壤侵蚀强度较大。难利用土地是今后水土流失治理的重点区域。     

Relationships between spatial pattern of Locusta migratoria manilensis eggpods and soil property variability in coastal areas

Spatial distribution of Locusta migratoria manilensis eggpods and soil properties (water content at 5 cm depth, salinity, organic matter and pH) was studied by integrating geostatistical analysis and GIS techniques. During 2 years of surveys over the entire study area (6000 ha), extensive data (292 regularly grids with 450-m intervals), coupled with intensive data (2601 regularly grids of 0.5-m separation) were used to characterize spatial patterns of L. m. manilensis eggpods and soil property variability and to explore the relationship between them. Semivariograms indicated the eggpods and four soil properties showed high spatial heterogeneity. The spatial distribution of eggpods, at distances ranging from 50-452 m in spatial autocorrelation, was best described using the spherical model. Spatial autocorrelation in total spatial heterogeneity in soil water content at 5 cm, salinity, organic matter and pH were 76.15, 78.04, 57.19 and 61.85%, respectively, and the scales of spatial heterogeneity were 621, 594, 1014 and 1368 m, respectively. GIS assessment maps of eggpods and soil properties, derived by block kriging, displayed patterns of the locust eggpods and soil property variability at an area-wide scale. Most eggpods (66.27% and 72.24% for 2002 and 2003, respectively) were found at the areas with low salinity (<2.0% approximately), suitable water content at 5 cm (10.1-20.0%). No eggpods were found at such areas with high soil water content at 5 cm (>30%) and salinity (>3%). In a way, the spatial distribution pattern of locust eggpods mainly depended on the soil heterogeneity at the study area. t-Tests indicated that sites between with eggpods and without eggpods were significantly different only in soil water content at 5 cm depth and salinity. The results may provide useful information on sampling in the field, forecasting and monitoring locust plague and reclaiming coastal locust breeding areas in China.     

水土保持背景下黄土丘陵区农业产业-资源系统耦合关系研究—— 基于农户行为的视角

为明确黄土丘陵区水土保持政策对农业产业、农业资源之间的互动关系及作用路径的影响,选择典型代表县域陕西省吴起县,基于农户行为的视角构建了农业产业资源系统耦合关系结构方程模型。首先设定水土保持政策、农户行为、农业资源环境、农业产业发展、耦合状态的5个潜变量及其所对应的观测变量,根据对研究区农业产业资源系统耦合关系的感性认识,提出了9个假设,在此基础上设计农业产业资源系统耦合关系模型,检验结果表明,建立的模型能有效地揭示研究区水土保持背景下农业产业资源系统耦合关系。模型运行结果表明:水土保持政策显著改善了区域农业资源环境条件(路径系数为0.62),政策与其生态目标相吻合,但对农户资源利用及产业经营的正向行为产生了抑制作用(路径系数为0.22),政策与农户行为间存在着激励不相容。在系统耦合过程中,农户行为不仅直接影响系统耦合状态(路径系数为0.42),同时通过促进农业产业发展而间接影响耦合状态(间接路径系数为0.61×0.35=0.21),农户生产决策行为构成系统耦合关系中重要的中介,成为影响系统耦合的关键;由于政策对资源利用的强制规定以及对农户行为的抑制作用,农业资源环境对农业产业发展未起到支撑作用(路径系数为0.24),二者之间存在局部相悖。基于以上结果,在黄土丘陵区区域发展中应充分利用现有资源环境条件,实现农业产业与资源的优化耦合。     

Impact of litter quality on mineralization processes in managed and abandoned pasture soils in Southern Ecuador

Tropical regions are currently undergoing remarkable rates of land use change accompanied by altered litter inputs to soil. In vast areas of Southern Ecuador forests are clear cut and converted for use as cattle pastures. Frequently these pasture sites are invaded by bracken fern, when bracken becomes dominant pasture productivity decreases and the sites are abandoned. In the present study implications of invasive bracken on soil biogeochemical properties were investigated. Soil samples (0-5 cm) were taken from an active pasture with Setaria sphacelata as predominant grass and from an abandoned pasture overgrown by bracken. Grass (C₄ plant) and bracken (C₃ plant) litter, differing in C:N ratio (33 and 77, respectively) and lignin content (Klason-lignin: 18% and 45%, respectively), were incubated in soils of their corresponding sites and vice versa for 28 days at 22 °C. Unamended microcosms containing only the respective soil or litter were taken as controls. During incubation the amount of CO₂ and its δ¹³C-signature were determined at different time intervals. Additionally, the soil microbial community structure (PLFA-analysis) as well as the concentrations of KCl-extractable C and N were monitored. The comparison between the control soils of active and abandoned pasture sites showed that the massive displacement of Setaria-grass by bracken after pasture abandonment was characterized by decreased pH values accompanied by decreased amounts of readily available organic carbon and nitrogen, a lower microbial biomass and decreased activity as well as a higher relative abundance of actinomycetes. The δ¹³C-signature of CO₂ indicated a preferential mineralization of grass-derived organic carbon in pasture control soils. In soils amended with grass litter the mineralization of soil organic matter was retarded (negative priming effect) and also a preferential utilization of easily available organic substances derived from the grass litter was evident. Compared to the other treatments, the pasture soil amended with grass litter showed an opposite shift in the microbial community structure towards a lower relative abundance of fungi. After addition of bracken litter to the abandoned pasture soil a positive priming effect seemed to be supported by an N limitation at the end of incubation. This was accompanied by an increase in the ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacterial PLFA marker. The differences in litter quality between grass and bracken are important triggers of changes in soil biogeochemical and soil microbial properties after land use conversion.     

Controls of temporal and spatial variability of methane uptake in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Aerated forest soils are a significant sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄). Soil properties, local climate and tree species can affect the soil CH₄ sink. A two-year field study was conducted in a deciduous mixed forest in the Hainich National Park in Germany to quantify the sink strength of this forest for atmospheric CH₄ and to determine the key factors that control the seasonal, annual and spatial variability of CH₄ uptake by soils in this forest. Net exchange of CH₄ was measured using closed chambers on 18 plots in three stands exhibiting different beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) abundance and which differed in soil acidity, soil texture, and organic layer thickness. The annual CH₄ uptake ranged from 2.0 to 3.4 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹. The variation of CH₄ uptake over time could be explained to a large extent (R² = 0.71, P < 0.001) by changes in soil moisture in the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil. Differences of the annual CH₄ uptake between sites were primarily caused by the spatial variability of the soil clay content at a depth of 0-5 cm (R² = 0.5, P < 0.01). The CH₄ uptake during the main growing period (May-September) increased considerably with decreasing precipitation rate. Low CH₄ uptake activity during winter was further reduced by periods with soil frost and snow cover. There was no evidence of a significant effect of soil acidity, soil nutrient availability, thickness of the humus layer or abundance of beech on net-CH₄ uptake in soils in this deciduous forest. The results show that detailed information on the spatial distribution of the clay content in the upper mineral soil is necessary for a reliable larger scale estimate of the CH₄ sink strength in this mixed deciduous forest. The results suggest that climate change will result in increasing CH₄ uptake rates in this region because of the trend to drier summers and warmer winters.