Modelling Post‐Tree‐Harvesting Soil Erosion and Sediment Deposition Potential in the Turano River Basin (Italian Central Apennine)

The overall aim of the paper is the assessment of human‐induced accelerated soil erosion processes due to forest harvesting in the Upper Turano River Basin. The spatio‐temporal pattern of soil erosion processes was investigated by means of a spatially distributed modelling approach. We used the Unit Stream Power Erosion and Deposition model. During the soil erosion‐modelling phase, the forest cover changes were mapped via remote sensing. According to this operation, the forest sectors exploited for timber production amounted to about 2781 ha or 9·9% of the wooded surface from March 2001 to August 2011. In this period, the average annual net soil erosion rate estimated by means of modelling operations totalled 0·83 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for all the forest lands. The net soil erosion rate predicted for the disturbed forest lands is significantly higher than the average value for the entire forest (5·34 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹). Estimates indicate a soil loss equal to 8521 Mg y⁻¹ (net soil erosion 0·34 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) in the undisturbed forest area (254 km²), whereas the 27·8 km² of disturbed forest area could potentially lose 14 846 Mg y⁻¹. The paper shows that a disturbed forest sector could produce about 74·2% more net erosion than a nine times larger, undisturbed forest sector. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil degradative effects of slope length and tillage methods on alfisols in Western Nigeria. I. Runoff,erosion and crop response

Field runoff plots were established in 1984 to evaluate the effects of slope length on runoff, soil erosion and crop yields on newly cleared land for four consecutive years (1984–1987) on an Alfisol at Ibadan, Nigeria. The experimental treatments involved six slope lengths (60 m to 10 m at 10-m increments) and two tillage methods (plough-based conventional tillage and a herbicide-based no-till method) of seedbed preparation. A uniform crop rotation of maize (Zea mays)/cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) was adopted for all four years. An uncropped and ploughed plot of 25 m length was used as a control. The water runoff from the conventional tillage treatment was not significantly affected by slope length, but runoff from the no-till treatment significantly increased with a decrease in slope length. The average runoff from the no-till treatment was 1·85 per cent of rainfall for 60 m, 2·25 per cent for 40 m, 2·95 per cent for 30 m, 4·7 per cent for 20 m and 5·15 per cent for 10 m slope length. In contrast to runoff, soil erosion in the conventional tillage treatment decreased significantly with a decrease in slope length. For conventional tillage, the average soil erosion was 9·59 Mg ha⁻¹ for 60 m, 9·88 Mg ha⁻¹ for 50 m, 6·84 Mg ha⁻¹ for 40 m, 5·69 Mg ha⁻¹ for 30 m, 1·27 Mg ha⁻¹ for 20 m and 2·19 Mg ha⁻¹ for 10 m slope length. Because the no-till method was extremely effective in reducing soil erosion, there were no definite trends in erosion with regard to slope length. The average sediment load (erosion:runoff ratio) also decreased with a decrease in slope length from 66·3 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for 60 m to 36·3 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for 10 m slope length. The mean C factor (ratio of soil erosion from cropped land to uncropped control) also decreased with a decrease in slope length. Similarly, the erosion:crop yield ratio decreased with a decrease in slope length, and the relative decrease was more drastic in conventional tillage than in the no-till treatment. The slope length (L) and erosion relationship fits a polynomial function (Y=c+aL+bL²). Formulae are proposed for computing the optimum terrace spacing in relation to slope gradient and tillage method. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nutrient Movement Due to Overland Flow in Managed Native Eucalyptus Forests,Southeastern Australia

A rainfall simulator study of total nutrient movement due to overland flow on forest skid trails and general harvesting areas (GHA) in the native eucalypt forests of southeastern Australia, confirmed that the disturbed and compacted areas were the dominant sources of sediment-bound pollutants. Low runoff production and low sediment availability on the rough surfaces of the GHA reduced total nutrient yields. On the more recently disturbed and burnt sites, the solution pathway may have been more dominant due to runoff coming in contact with surface ash and charcoal. We also recorded significant reductions in the total nutrient yields as runoff from the skid trail was delivered to the adjacent hillslope via a cross bank (water bar). This was due primarily to coarse-grained sediment deposition at the base of the banks. Nutrient concentrations in the eroded sediment at the cross bank outlets, however, remained 9 times higher than the in-situ surface soils, due to the preferential delivery of fine aggregate material to the adjacent hillslope. Further reductions in total nutrient yields occurred as overland flow passed through the GHA, illustrating the effectiveness of vegetative filtering in reducing runoff volumes and sediment fluxes. Temporal trends in the data highlighted significant reductions in total nutrient movement on both areas of disturbance as sites regenerated over a period of ～ 5 years. Water pollution abatement practices in these environments should aim to locate skid trails to maximise the redistribution of runoff and sediment from highly disturbed areas to more vegetated parts of the hillslope, and by appropriate cross bank spacing, reduce the volume of overland flow carrying sediment and nutrients.     

Simulated rainfall evaluation of revegetation/mulch erosion control in the Lake Tahoe basin: 2. Bare soil assessment

Slopes that have been disturbed through roadway, ski slope or other construction often produce more sediment than less disturbed sites. Reduction or elimination of sediment loading from such disturbed slopes to adjacent streams is critical in the Lake Tahoe basin. Here, use of a portable rainfall simulator (RS), described in the first paper of this series, is used to evaluate slope effects on erosion from bare volcanic and granitic soils (road cut and ski run sites) common in the basin in order to establish a basis upon which revegetation treatment comparisons can be made. Rainfall simulations (60 mm h⁻¹, approximating a 100‐year, 15‐minute storm) at each site included multiple replications of bare soil plots as well as some adjacent ‘native’, or relatively undisturbed soils below trees where available. Field measurements of time to runoff, infiltration, runoff, sediment discharge rates, and average sediment concentration were obtained. Laboratory measurements of particle‐size distributions using sieve and laser counting methods indicated that the granitic soils had larger grain sizes than the volcanic soils and that road cut soils of either type also had larger grain sizes than their ski run counterparts. Particle‐size‐distribution‐based estimates of saturated hydraulic conductivity were 5–10 times greater than RS‐determined steady infiltration rates. RS‐measured infiltration rates were similar, ranging from 33–50 mm h⁻¹ for disturbed volcanic soils and 33–60 mm h⁻¹ for disturbed granitic soils. RS‐measured runoff rates and sediment yields from the bare soils were significantly correlated with plot slope with the exception of volcanic road cuts due to the narrow range of road cut slopes encountered. Sediment yields from bare granitic soils at slopes of 28 to 78 per cent ranged from ∼1 to 12 g m⁻² mm⁻¹, respectively, while from bare volcanic soils at slopes of 22 to 61 per cent they ranged from ∼3 to 31 g m⁻² mm⁻¹, respectively. Surface roughness did not correlate with runoff or erosion parameters, perhaps also as a result of a relatively narrow range of roughness values. The volcanic ski run soils and both types of road cut soils exhibited nearly an order of magnitude greater sediment yield than that from the corresponding native, relatively undisturbed, sites. Similarly, the granitic ski run soils produced nearly four‐times greater sediment concentration than the undisturbed areas. A possible goal of restoration/erosion control efforts could be recreation of ‘native’‐like soil conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Profile carbon and nutrient levels and management effect on soil quality indicators in the Mardi watershed of Nepal

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient stocks in the soil profile (0–80 cm) in four dominant land uses [forest, upland maize and millet (Bari), irrigated rice (Khet), and grazed systems)] and 0–15 cm depth along elevation gradient 1000 to 3000 m, and aspects in the Mardi watershed were measured. Soil properties at 0–15 cm depth were also measured in undisturbed forest, forest with free grazed system, managed forest, and grassland to compare the soil quality index (SQI) of topsoils. The SOC and nutrient concentration decreased with increasing profile depth. The SOC and N contents in the 0–15 cm depth of forest soils were significantly greater than the corresponding depth in upland maize and millet, irrigated rice, and grazed systems. On the other hand, available P and K concentrations at the same depth were significantly greater in upland maize and millet compared to irrigated rice, grazed system, and forest land uses. The SOC and N stocks (0–15 cm) increased from agricultural land at the valley bottom at about 1000 m above mean sea level (a.s.l.) (24 and 3 Mg ha^?1) compared to undisturbed forest (74 and 5.9 Mg ha^?1) at 2600 m a.s.l, demonstrating the effects of cover and elevation. Both SOC and N stocks decreased sharply in grassland (54 and 4.5 Mg ha^?1) at elevations of 2600 to 2800 m a.s.l. compared with undisturbed forest. Above 2800 m a.s.l. the cover type changed from grass to coniferous forest, and the SOC and N stocks steadily increased at the summit level (3200 m a.s.l.) to 65 and 6.9 Mg ha^?1, respectively. Slope and aspect significantly affected SOC with the northwest aspect having significantly higher concentrations (46 g kg^?1) than other aspects. Similarly, SOC concentration at the lowest slope position (39 g kg^?1) was significantly higher than the middle or upper positions (25 and 13 g kg^?1). Integrated soil quality index (SQI) values varied from 0.17 to 0.69 for different land uses, being highest for undisturbed forest and lowest for irrigated rice. The SQI demonstrated the degradation status of land uses in the following ascending order: irrigated rice?>?grazed system?>?forest with free grazing?>?upland maize and millet?>?managed forest?>?grass land?>?undisturbed forest. The irrigated rice, grazed system, upland maize and millet, and freely grazed forestlands need immediate attention to minimize further deterioration of soil quality in these land uses.     

Dynamics of the dead wood carbon pool in northwestern Russian boreal forests

Our study examines dead wood dynamics in a series of permanent plots established in closed, productive second-growth forest stands of north-west Russia and in temporary plots that represent different successional stages and types of disturbance. Dead wood stores measured on 63 plots 0.2–1.0 ha in size range from 1–8 Mg C ha^?1 in young to mature intensively managed stands, 17 Mg C ha^?1 in an old-growth forest, 20 Mg C ha^?1 on a clear-cut, and 21–39 Mg C ha^?1 following a severe windthrow. A total of 122 logs, snags, and stumps aged by long-term plot records was sampled for decay rates and to develop a system of decay classes. Annual decomposition rates are: 3.3% for pine, 3.4% for spruce, and 4.5% for birch. Based on these decay rates the average residence time of carbon (C) in the dead wood pool is 22–30 years. The mortality input on the permanent plots was 23–60 Mg C ha^?1 over 60 years of observation or 15–50% of the total biomass increment. This data suggests a dead wood mass of 10–22 Mg C ha^?1 would be expected in these mature forests if salvage had not occurred. In old-growth forests, dead wood comprised about 20% of the total wood mass, a proportion quite similar to the larger, more productive forests of the Pacific Northwest (USA). If this proportioning is characteristic of cool conifer forests it would be useful to estimate potential dead wood mass for old-growth forests without dead wood inventories. However, the use of a single live/dead wood ratio across the range of successional stages, a common practice in C budget calculations, may substantially over-or under-estimate the dead wood C pool depending upon the type of disturbance regime. Intensive forest management including short harvest rotations, thinning and wood salvage reduces dead wood C stores to 5–40% of the potential level found in undisturbed old-growth forest. In contrast, natural disturbance increases dead wood C pool by a factor of 2–4.     

Runoff Development and Soil Erosion in a Wet Tropical Montane Setting under Coffee Cultivation

The western interior portions of Puerto Rico offer optimal climatic conditions for coffee cultivation. However, land and water degradation result when abrupt topographic relief and high annual rainfall combine with forest conversion for coffee farming. Small‐scale rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to quantify runoff and erosion from four land surface types (i.e., mulched, weed‐covered, and bare soils under active cultivation, and unpaved roads) representative of coffee farms in Puerto Rico. Results show that mulch‐covered soils had runoff coefficients similar to those from undisturbed forested conditions (~4%), and that they eroded at rates about a quarter of those for bare cultivated soils. Weed‐covered soils had surprisingly high runoff coefficients (~70%), yet their erosion rates were only three‐fourths of those for bare soils. Annualized erosion rates from unpaved roads were 65 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, or ten times greater than bare soils and about a hundred times higher than weed‐ or mulch‐covered surfaces. Farm‐scale sediment production estimates amount to ~11 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, about two‐orders of magnitude higher than under forested conditions. At the farm‐scale, only 2 – 8% of the total sediment is potentially attributable to cultivated hillslopes. In contrast, unpaved roads may account for over 90% of the sediment budget, even though they comprise only 15% of the farm surface area. Therefore, while providing mulch or a vegetative cover to bare cultivated soils should be part of effective soil management, mitigating the effects of coffee cultivation on downstream water resources must focus on the unpaved road network as the primary sediment source. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rice yield gaps in irrigated systems along an agro‐ecological gradient in West Africa

Irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) in West Africa covers about 12 % of the regional rice‐growing area, and is produced all along the agro‐ecological gradient from the forest zone to the Sahara desert margins. Spatial and temporal variability of yield gaps (i.e., difference between actual and potential yield) were determined to set priorities for research and target technologies. On‐farm trials were conducted on 191 irrigated lowland fields in the humid forest, the savanna and the Sahel. Farmers' yields were compared with those of super‐imposed treatments of improved fertilization and weed management. Farmers' yields varied between 0.2 and 8.7 Mg ha^‐1, with average yields of 3.4 Mg ha^‐1 (Guinea savanna), 3.6 Mg ha^‐1 (humid forest), 3.9 Mg ha^‐1 (Sahel), and 5.1 Mg ha^‐1 (Sudan savanna). Simulated potential yields increased from 7 Mg ha^‐1 in the forest to about 10 Mg ha^‐1 in the Sahel. Accordingly, yield gaps were large, ranging from 3.2 to 5.9 Mg ha^‐1. Researcher weed control in the Sahel gave grain yield increases of about 1.0 Mg ha^‐1. Improved weed and N fertilization management increased yields by 1 to 2 Mg ha^‐1 in the forest and Guinea savanna sites. A share of 57‐80 % of the yield gap could not be accounted for. Improving weed control is likely to have the highest pay‐off in the Sahel while improved management of fertilizer N will be most beneficial in the forest and savanna environments.     

Seeding and mulching + seeding effects on post‐fire runoff,soil erosion and species diversity in Galicia (NW Spain)

The effects of two different soil rehabilitation treatments on runoff, infiltration, erosion and species diversity were evaluated in a shrubland area in Galicia (NW Spain) after an experimental fire by means of rainfall simulations. The treatments compared were: seeding, seeding + mulching and control (untreated). Rainfall simulations were conducted 9 months after fire and the application of soil rehabilitation treatments. A rainfall rate of 67 mm h⁻¹ was applied for 30 min to each runoff plot. Seeding significantly increased plant species richness in the treated plots relative to the control plots, although it had no effect on diversity or evenness. Rehabilitation treatments did not significantly increase soil cover or affect runoff and infiltration. Soil losses were low in all cases, varying from 75·6 kg ha⁻¹ in the seeded + mulched plots to 212·1 kg ha⁻¹ in the untreated plots. However, there were no significant differences in sediment yields between treatments. The percentage of bare soil appeared to be a critical variable in controlling runoff and erosion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Agricultural Sediment Reduction by Giant Cane and Forest Riparian Buffers

The sediment filtering capabilities of giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Chapm.) and forest riparian buffers were compared in a southern Illinois, USA non tile drained agricultural watershed. Giant cane, a bamboo species, serves as important wildlife habitat throughout its native range in the southeastern and lower midwestern United States. Overland flow samples were collected at the field edge and at 3.3 m, 6.6 m, and 10.0 m within the riparian buffers during 19 precipitation events over a 1-year period. On an annual basis, significant sediment reductions occurred by 3.3 m and 6.6 m in the cane and forest buffers, respectively. The giant cane buffer reduced incoming sediment mass by 94% within the first 3.3 m, while the forest buffer reduced sediment by 86% over 6.6 m. Within 10.0 m of the field edge, the cane and forest buffers reduced sediment mass by 100% and 76%, respectively. On a seasonal basis, the cane buffer outperformed the forest buffer. During each of the four seasons, the cane buffer reduced sediment masses within 3.3 m of the field edge, while the forest buffer showed initial reductions occurring at 6.6 m during the summer, fall, and winter. No detectable reductions occurred during the spring in the forested buffer. Reductions in sediment concentrations were less evident compared to mass basis, indicating that infiltration may be a more important sediment reduction mechanism than particle settling. Both the forest and giant cane buffers had relatively high measured soil infiltration rates. Study results indicate that giant cane is an appropriate species to include in riparian buffer restoration designs for sediment control.     

Die kurzfristige pH-Pufferung von gestörten und ungestörten Waldbodenproben

Short-timed pH-buffering of disturbed and undisturbed forest soil samples The pH buffering of disturbed and undisturbed soils under spruce (podzol and podzolic cambisol derived from phyllite, eutric cambisol derived from basalt) was studied in the laboratory by adding H₂SO₄ in ecologically relevant concentrations (pH 5.6–2.0). For the cambisol with crumb structure no difference was found. 80–90% of the added protons were neutralized by release of Ca and Mg. Disturbed samples of the podzol buffer less than 70% of the applicated acid. For undisturbed samples the maximum buffering rate of 185 g H⁺/ha · h is reached with a proton load of about 500 g H⁺/ha · h (related to 4 cm soil depth). Buffering behaviour of the podzolic cambisol lies between the podzol and the cambisol. 70–90% of the proton input is buffered in the disturbed samples while the undisturbed one does not reach its maximum buffering rate, even with high proton load. In this soil Al-release is the most reactive buffer.     

Soybean Best Management Practices for Louisiana,USA, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control

This field study was conducted over a 3-year time period in Louisiana to determine which soybean (Glycine max L.) tillage practice discharged the least amount of nutrients and sediment from experimental plots after rainfall/runoff events. In addition, tillage effect on soybean yield was investigated. Experimental design consisted of three Louisiana soybean tillage treatments [conventional (CT), stale seedbed (SS), and no-till (NT)] with three replications per treatment. A randomized complete-block design was used for statistical analysis. Each of the nine treatment plots measured 27.1 m by 106.4 m and was equipped with an automatic runoff sampler integrated with a continuously recording flow meter and H-flume. Composite runoff samples were analyzed for ammonium N (NH₄ ⁺-N), nitrate N (NO₃ ^?-N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), orthophosphorus (ortho-P), total organic carbon (TOC), and total solids (TS). Analyte discharge (kg ha^–1) per rainfall/runoff event was calculated using runoff concentrations and total runoff flows (L). Statistical analysis showed that discharge treatment means were highly variable and that tillage practice had little or no effect on total runoff and on the amount of N and P discharged from treatment plots. Treatment differences over the study were nonsignificant for all N and P forms 93% and 61% of the time, respectively. Only 21% of the time was mean treatment total runoff significant (P ≤ 0.05). Stale seedbed and NT practices reduced sediment discharges over segments of the soybean growing seasons. Total organic carbon discharge from the NT plots was significantly greater 42% of the time. Soybean yields were highly variable within and between treatments and strongly influenced by rainfall, disease, and insects.     

Some effects of tramlines on surface runoff, sediment and phosphorus mobilization on an erosion-prone soil

Although introduced into UK farming to help ensure more even application of agrochemicals, tramlines (marked wheelways through crops) are a potential cause of surface runoff and transfer of diffuse pollutants, including sediment and phosphorus (P), into watercourses. To help quantify these potential effects, the impact of tramlines on sediment and P movement in surface runoff was assessed on an erosion‐prone sloping (5°) fine sandy soil over two successive winters. Three replicate and hydrologically isolated runoff plots measuring 15 m long and 2 m wide, and either with, or without, a tramline, were established on field demonstration areas which had received different soil (traditionally ploughed vs. reduced cultivated) and crop (early vs. late drilling) management practices. Reduced cultivation (minimum tillage) consisted of heavy discing (5–8 cm depth) instead of ploughing (20–25 cm depth). Over monitoring periods ranging up to 5 months, plots with tramlines running up and down the slope generated, on average, 46% more runoff (+1–2 mm) compared with plots without tramlines on ploughed soils. This extra runoff resulted in up to fivefold greater sediment loss (+0.4 t ha^?1) and up to fourfold greater total P loss (+0.3 kg ha^?1) from the plots. However, the presence of tramlines had no significant impact on runoff, or sediment and P transfers, where the soil received reduced cultivation. Plots with tramlines that were partially crop covered, or which ran across the slope rather than up and down the slope, produced the same amount of runoff, sediment and P transfer as plots without tramlines. Greatest entrainment of sediment and P in runoff occurred where tramlines coarsely indented the soil, or caused erosion rills to form. Establishing tramlines in dry soils reduced the degree of soil indentation and the risk of channelled runoff causing sediment and P entrainment. The data suggest that tramlines can be managed more sensitively on erosion vulnerable soils to help minimize the risk of sediment and P pollution of our surface waters, and various options are discussed.     

Runoff sediment particle sizes associated with soil erosion in the Lake Tahoe Basin,USA

Runoff sediment from disturbed soils in the Lake Tahoe Basin has resulted in light scattering, accumulation of nutrients, and subsequent loss in lake clarity. Little quantified information about erosion rates and runoff particle‐size distributions (PSDs) exists for determining stream and lake loading associated with land management. Building on previous studies using rainfall simulation (RS) techniques for quantifying infiltration, runoff, and erosion rates, we determine the dependence and significance of runoff sediment PSDs and sediment yield (SY, or erodibility) on slope and compare these relationships between erosion control treatments (e.g., mulch covers, compost, or woodchip incorporation, plantings) with bare and undisturbed, or ‘native’ forest soils. We used simulated rainfall rates of 60–100 mm h⁻¹ applied over replicated 0·64 m² plots. Measured parameters included time to runoff (s), infiltration and runoff rates (mm h⁻¹), SY (g mm⁻¹ runoff), and average sediment concentration (SC, g L⁻¹) as well as PSDs in runoff samples. In terms of significant relationships, granitic soils had larger particle sizes than volcanic soils in bulk soil and runoff samples. Consequently, runoff rates, SCs, and SYs were greater from bare volcanic as compared to that from bare granitic soils at similar slopes. Generally, runoff rates increased with increasing slope on bare soils, while infiltration rates decreased. Similarly, SY increased with slope for both soil types, though SYs from volcanic soils are three to four times larger than that from granitic soils. As SY increased, smaller particle sizes are observed in runoff for all soil conditions and particle sizes decreased with increasing slope. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

农牧业交错区禾本植被过滤带过滤效果模拟

为探究内蒙古岱海流域农牧业交错区禾本植被过滤带截流减沙效果对入流强度和泥沙含量的响应。在内蒙古中部农牧业交错区的巨宝庄镇试验区设置不同来水流量(0.77,0.9,1.08,1.26 L/s)和泥沙含量(0.04,0.06,0.08,0.1 g/cm³),共计16个处理,研究不同来水条件下植被过滤带的截流减沙效果。基于VFSMOD模型模拟,并优化该地区植被过滤带参数。结果表明:VFSMOD模型可以较好地对冰草、羊草混播植被过滤带泥沙和径流出流量进行模拟。植被过滤带前期对径流拦蓄主要依靠入渗,入流强度增加缩短了径流出流时间,0.77 L/s入流强度水流经过过滤带后出流时间分别为0.9,1.08,1.26 L/s入流强度下出流时间的1.3,1.6,1.6倍。0.77,0.9 L/s入流强度下泥沙出流量趋于稳定,而1.08,1.26 L/s入流强度下泥沙出流量随时间推移而增加。入流泥沙含量和入流强度对出流泥沙量影响显著(p＜0.05)。     

贵州省喀斯特地区典型小流域不同种植模式坡面径流产沙研究

对位于贵州省喀斯特地区的龙里水土保持科技示范区10个不同种植模式的径流小区进行了试验观测。研究表明,在相同的降雨条件下,灌木(如树莓)、天然草地和撂荒地等坡面径流产沙量较小,径流量分别为0.71,0.74和0.71m3,产沙量分别为20.3,20.3和20.16g,上述3种种植模式坡面水土保持功能较好。乔木种植模式则因未能形成灌木层、草本层及枯枝落叶层等,其坡面水土保持功能较差,3个乔木径流小区的径流量分别为1.18,0.98和0.95m3;产沙量分别为119.56,126.56和125.89g,均远大于其他几种种植模式。坡耕地因免耕、地表结皮等原因,其水土保持功能也好于乔木种植小区。     

Soil carbon pools of reclaimed minesoils under grass and forest landuses

Minesoils are characterized by low soil organic matter and poor soil physicochemical environment. Mine soil reclamation process has potential to restore soil fertility and sequester carbon (C) over time. Soil organic C (SOC) pool and associated soil properties were determined for reclaimed minesoils under grass and forest landuses of varied establishment year. Three grassland sites of 30, 9, and 1 years after reclamation (G30, G9, and G1) and two forest sites, 11 years after reclamation (RF) and undisturbed stand of 40 years (UF), were selected within four counties (Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Coshocton) of southeastern Ohio. Soil bulk density (BD) of reclaimed forest (RF) soil was significantly higher than undisturbed forest (UF) soils within 10–40 cm soil depth profile. Reclamation process increased soil pH from slightly acidic to alkaline and decreased the soil EC in both landuses. Among grassland soils, significant changes in SOC and total soil N contents were observed within 0–10 cm soil depth. SOC contents of G30 (29.7 Mg ha⁻¹) and G9 (29.5 Mg ha⁻¹) were significantly higher than G1 soils (9.11 Mg ha⁻¹). Soil N content was increased from G1 (0.95 Mg ha⁻¹) to G9 (2.00 Mg ha⁻¹) site and then the highest value was found under G30 (3.25 Mg ha⁻¹) site within 0–10 cm soil depth. UF soils had significantly higher SOC and total N content than RF soils at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silvopasture Switchgrass Fertilized with Poultry Litter: Nutrient Removal,Soil Fertility,and Runoff Water Quality

Alternative use of poultry litter (PL) for forest rather than pasture fertilization would improve forest soil fertility and reduce nutrient build-up in pasture. Yield and nutrient uptake of Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) silvopasture annually fertilized with PL or urea at 80 and 160 kg N ha^?1 for four years, and without fertilization were compared. Treatment effects on soil fertility and effect of PL on runoff water quality were also determined. Fertilization with N increased yields 120% to an average of 3.8 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1. Since nutrient removal was small, P, base cations and pH increased in the ≤30 cm depth soil with PL. Total P in edge-of-plot runoff was increased by 0.31 kg ha^?1 y^?1 at the higher PL rate. Two applications at this rate per tree rotation might be justified based on increased soil fertility and infrequently increased P load.     

Simulated rainfall evaluation of revegetation/mulch erosion control in the Lake Tahoe Basin—1: method assessment

Revegetation of road cuts and fills is intended to stabilize those drastically disturbed areas so that sediment is not transported to adjacent waterways. Sediment has resulted in water quality degradation, an extremely critical issue in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Many revegetation efforts in this semiarid, subalpine environment have resulted in low levels of plant cover, thus failing to meet project goals. Further, no adequate physical method of assessing project effectiveness has been developed, relative to runoff or sediment movement. This paper describes the use of a portable rainfall simulator (RS) to conduct a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of a variety of erosion‐control treatments and treatment effects on hydrologic parameters and erosion. The particular goal of this paper is to determine whether the RS method can measure revegetation treatment effects on infiltration and erosion. The RS‐plot studies were used to determine slope, cover (mulch and vegetation) and surface roughness effects on infiltration, runoff and erosion rates at several roadcuts across the basin. A rainfall rate of ≈60 mm h⁻¹, approximating the 100‐yr, 15‐min design storm, was applied over replicated 0·64 m² plots in each treatment type and over bare‐soil plots for comparison. Simulated rainfall had a mean drop size of ≈2·1 mm and approximately 70% of ‘natural’ kinetic energy. Measured parameters included time to runoff, infiltration, runoff/infiltration rate, sediment discharge rate and average sediment concentration as well as analysis of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and dissolved phosphorus (TDP) from filtered (0·45 μm) runoff samples. Runoff rates, sediment concentrations and yields were greater from volcanic soils as compared to that from granitic soils for nearly all cover conditions. For example, bare soil sediment yields from volcanic soils ranged from 2–12 as compared to 0·3–3 g m⁻² mm⁻¹ for granitic soils. Pine‐needle mulch cover treatments substantially reduced sediment yields from all plots. Plot microtopography or roughness and cross‐slope had no effect on sediment concentrations in runoff or sediment yield. RS measurements showed discernible differences in runoff, infiltration, and sediment yields between treatments. Runoff nutrient concentrations were not distinguishable from that in the rainwater used. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness of Grass Filters in Reducing Phosphorus and Sediment Runoff

Surface water contamination can often be reduced by passing runoff water through perennial grass filters. Research was conducted in 2006 to 2008 to evaluate the size of cool season grass filters consisting primarily of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) with some orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) relative to drainage area size in reducing runoff sediment and phosphorus (P). The soil was Pohocco silt loam Typic Eutrochrepts with a median slope of 5.5?%. The grass filters occupying 1.1 and 4.3?% of the plot area were compared with no filter with four replications. The filters were planted in the V-shaped plot outlets which were 3.7?×?11.0?m in size. The filter effect on sediment and P concentration was determined from four natural runoff events when nearly all plots had runoff. Filter effect on runoff volume and contaminant load was determined using total runoff and composites of samples collected from 12 runoff events. Sediment concentration was reduced by 25?% with filters compared with no filter (from 1.10 to 1.47?g?L^?1), but P concentration was not affected. The 1.1 and 4.3?% filters, respectively, compared with having no grass filter, reduced: runoff volume by 54 and 79?%; sediment load by 67 and 84?% (357 to 58?kg?ha^?1); total P load by 68 and 76?% (0.58 to 0.14?kg?ha^?1); particulate P (PP) load by 66 and 82?% (0.39 to 0.07?kg?ha^?1); and dissolved reactive P (DRP) load by 73 and 66?% (0.2 to 0.07?kg?ha^?1), respectfully. A snowmelt runoff event had 56?% greater DRP concentration compared with rainfall-induced runoff events. Grass filters reduced sediment and P load largely by reducing runoff volume rather than reducing concentration. Well-designed and well-placed grass filters that occupy 1.0 to 1.5?% of the drainage area and intercept a uniform flow of runoff from a drainage area can reduce sediment and nutrient loss in runoff by greater than 50?%.