Application of spectral mixture modelling to the regional assessment of land degradation: A case study from basilicata,Italy

Mapping and monitoring of land degradation processes such as soil erosion has become an important task for both agricultural and environmental planners. The potential of using SPOT-HRV data for assessing the types of soil erosion and land degradation is obvious. The spectral information and the spatial resolution of the multispectral data allow a high accuracy in local mapping and rapid regional assessment. In Basilicata, southern Italy, spectral mixture modelling (end-member techniques) has been applied to extract relevant information for assessing soil erosion. This method allows an estimate of the proportion of surface cover types (end-members) within the pixel. From the data sets average spectral responses were extracted for growing vegetation, non-green sclerophylous vegetation mixed with dry grasses and bare soil. Using these spectra as end-members in the model, it was possible to decompose the spectral information of all pixels into the three surface components, giving the percentage cover of the three types within every pixel. Classification of the pixels according to the percentage of surface cover or bare soil allows an assessment of erosion or erosion risk.     

Adapting the RUSLE to model soil erosion potential in a mountainous tropical watershed

This research integrates the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to model erosion potential for soil conservation planning within the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (SMBR), Mexico. Mountainous topography and a tropical uni-modal precipitation regime characterize this region. These unique climatic and topographic characteristics required a modification of the standard RUSLE factors and their derivation. The resulting RUSLE–GIS model provides a robust soil conservation planning tool readily transferable and accessible to other land managers in similar environments. Future pressure to expand agriculture and grazing operations within the SMBR will unquestionably accentuate the already high rate of soil erosion and resultant sediment loading of watercourses occurring in this region. Until recently there did not exist a reliable or financially viable means to model and map soil erosion within large remote areas. An increase in the reliability and resolution of remote sensing techniques, modifications and advancements in watershed scale soil erosion modelling techniques, and advances in GIS, represent significantly improved tools that can be applied to both monitoring and modelling the effects of land use on soil erosion potential. Data used in this study to generate the RUSLE variables include a Landsat Thematic Mapper image (land cover), digitized topographic and soil maps, and tabular precipitation data. Soil erosion potential was modelled within Zenzontla, a sub-catchment of the Rı́o Ayuquı́la, located in the SMBR, and the results are presented as geo-referenced maps for each of the wet and dry precipitation seasons. These maps confirm that high and extreme areas of soil loss occur within the Zenzontla sub-catchment, and that erosion potential differs significantly between wet and dry seasons.     

基于DEM和GIS的修正通用土壤流失方程地形因子值的提取

 地形是影响土壤侵蚀的重要因子。以修正通用土壤流失方程中的地形因子为研究对象,以黄土高原延河流域县南沟5m分辨率的DEM为数据源,在ArcGIS软件平台下,实现对地形因子LS值的提取。对提取后的LS值和LS值分布进行检验分析,结果表明:以5m分辨率的DEM为数据源,采用适合该地区的修正后的LS值的算法,在ArcGIS支持下,可以获得较准确的LS值。研究结果可以为区域土壤侵蚀的地形因子研究提供数据支持,为更大区域尺度转换提供数据匹配基础,同时,为土壤侵蚀在区域尺度上进行预测评价提供方法引导和技术支持。     

Human modification of stream valleys in the western plateau of São Paulo,Brazil: implications for environmental narratives and management

Deforestation, agricultural land uses and urbanization have altered stream channels and floodplains in many regions of the world, yet occurrences of post‐settlement alluvium (PSA) and benchmark pre‐settlement horizons (Palaeosols) are unreported in many tropical and subtropical developing countries. Twentieth century land uses, motivated strongly by state subsidies in the cases of coffee and cotton cultivation and soy – wheat double cropping, caused soil erosion and the corresponding formation of PSA and stream‐channel changes in small catchments of the Western Plateau of São Paulo State, Brazil. Analysis of land‐use changes suggests necessary alteration of regional environmental management for restoration planning, water quality monitoring and control of gully erosion. Narratives of regional environmental change should address the impacts of agropastoral land uses on soil and water resources, rather than concentrating on deforestation and forest land cover. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring of soil erosion and assessment for contribution of sediments to rivers in a typical watershed of the Upper Yangtze River Basin

An assessment of the effectiveness of soil conservation practices is very important for watershed management, but the measurement over a small area does not necessarily represent the truth over a large area. Monitoring of soil erosion and analysis of sediment delivery were carried out in the Lizixi watershed (which is typical of the Upper Yangtze Basin, China), using remote sensing and a geographic information system (GIS). Land‐use and land‐cover maps were prepared by an interpretation of 1986 and 1999 images from SPOT and Landsat TM. Slope‐gradient maps were created from digital elevation model (DEM), while merged images of SPOT and Landsat TM were used to obtain land‐use information. The area of soil erosion was classified by an integration of slope gradients, land‐use types and vegetation cover rates, and soil erosion rates and their changes were calculated in a grid‐based analysis using an Erdas GIS. The change in sediment delivery ratio was estimated based on the changes in soil erosion rates from both monitoring and the truth survey. There was a reduction in soil erosion rate of 4·22 per cent during a 13‐year period after soil conservation practices were adopted in the Lizixi watershed. The amount of sediments transported into rivers has decreased by 51·08 per cent during the same period due to an integrated application of biological and engineering measures. The comparison of soil erosion severity between pre‐conservation and post‐conservation revealed that soil loss has been obviously diminished and the measures were quite effective. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水土流失定量遥感方法新进展及其在太湖流域的应用

本文介绍了水土流失定量遥感方法研究所取得的新进展及其在太湖流域的应用结果。显示出该法具有快速、准确、省钱和实用的特点。建成了可供长期使用的太湖流域苏皖区水土流失定量遥感监测系统 ,还有 1 996、1 997、1 999年的全区、分县市统计的土壤年流失量、侵蚀模数、流失强度等级面积、防治强度类型面积和相应最终成果图等。依据太湖流域苏皖区的监测结果 ,讨论了水土流失的空间和时间变化、应用领域等。土壤年流失量及流失面积的增减 ,与监测年的降雨侵蚀力R密切相关。凡土壤年流失量大的年份 ,次年很可能出现水质恶化和蓝藻爆发 ,表明监测结果将在太湖水质面源污染增量监测与治理中发挥应用价值。     

Assessing the potential of changing land use for reducing soil erosion and sediment yield of catchments: a case study in the highlands of northern Ethiopia

Reservoir sedimentation is the most serious threat for water harvesting schemes and hydroelectric power dams in Ethiopia. Designing watershed conservation strategies and management is crucial to reduce the rate of sedimentation. Because different landscape types have varying potentials for enhancing erosion processes, site‐ and process‐specific conservation measures are needed to target an appropriate intervention to the most needed locations. In this study, a GIS‐based distributed soil erosion/deposition model was used to simulate the potential of land‐use and cover (LUC) changes and conservation measures for reducing water induced soil erosion and potential sediment yield for two catchments in northern Ethiopia. LUC change and conservation measures targeted gully and stream buffers, protection of steep slopes and protection of areas with soil loss greater than a given threshold. The results show that land management measures targeted at hot‐spot areas of erosion and gully formation could reduce potential annual sediment yield from catchments by approximately 60% compared with the current losses. The study demonstrates the potential of a GIS‐based LUC‐redesign approach as a tool for optimizing land‐use and management strategies to reduce run‐off and erosion rates in the highlands of northern Ethiopia.     

The assessment of soil loss by water erosion in China

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem in China. Planning for soil erosion control requires accurate soil erosion rate and spatial distribution information. The aim of this article is to present the methods and results of the national soil erosion survey of China completed in 2011. A multi-stage, unequal probability, systematic area sampling method was employed. A total of 32,948 sample units, which were either 0.2–3 km² small catchments or 1 km² grids, were investigated on site. Soil erosion rates were calculated with the Chinese Soil Loss Equation in 10 m by 10 m grids for each sample unit, along with the area of soil loss exceeding the soil loss tolerance and the proportion of area in excess of soil loss tolerance relative to the total land area of the sample units. Maps were created by using a spatial interpolation method at national, river basin, and provincial scales. Results showed that the calculated average soil erosion rate was 5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in China, and was 18.2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for sloped, cultivated cropland. Intensive soil erosion occurred on cropland, overgrazing grassland, and sparsely forested land. The proportions of soil loss tolerance exceedance areas of sample units were interpolated through the country in 250 m grids. The national average ratio was 13.5%, which represents the area of land in China that requires the implementation of soil conservation practices. These survey results and the maps provide the basic information for national conservation planning and policymaking.     

Assessment of soil erosion hazard and prioritization for treatment at the watershed level: Case study in the Chemoga watershed,Blue Nile basin,Ethiopia

Soil erosion by water is the most pressing environmental problem in Ethiopia, particularly in the Highlands where the topography is highly rugged, population pressure is high, steeplands are cultivated and rainfall is erosive. Soil conservation is critically required in these areas. The objective of this study was to assess soil erosion hazard in a typical highland watershed (the Chemoga watershed) and demonstrate that a simple erosion assessment model, the universal soil loss equation (USLE), integrated with satellite remote sensing and geographical information systems can provide useful tools for conservation decision‐making. Monthly precipitation, soil map, a 30‐m digital elevation model derived from topographic map, land‐cover map produced from supervised classification of a Land Sat image, and land use types and slope steepness were used to determine the USLE factor values. The results show that a larger part of the watershed (>58 per cent of total) suffers from a severe or very severe erosion risk (>80 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹), mainly in the midstream and upstream parts where steeplands are cultivated or overgrazed. In about 25 per cent of the watershed, soil erosion was estimated to exceed 125 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Based on the predicted soil erosion rates, the watershed was divided into six priority categories for conservation intervention and 18 micro‐watersheds were identified that may be used as planning units. Finally, the method used has yielded a fairly reliable estimation of soil loss rates and delineation of erosion‐prone areas. Hence, a similar method can be used in other watersheds to prepare conservation master plans and enable efficient use of limited resources. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

川中丘陵区侵蚀产沙的尺度单元及其研究方法

川中丘陵区地表以紫色沙页岩风化形成的紫色土壤为主,基岩风化剥蚀过程与流失过程交替进行.该区垦殖率高,植被盖度低,地形破碎,土地利用结构复杂,土壤侵蚀严重。根据川中丘陵区的景观特征和土地利用格局,认为地块应为该区土壤侵蚀研究的基本单元;探讨了在不同尺度单元上开展土壤侵蚀监测、评价和预测预报的方法。     

A New Assessment of Soil Loss Due to Wind Erosion in European Agricultural Soils Using a Quantitative Spatially Distributed Modelling Approach

Field measurements and observations have shown that wind erosion is a threat for numerous arable lands in the European Union (EU). Wind erosion affects both the semi‐arid areas of the Mediterranean region as well as the temperate climate areas of the northern European countries. Yet, there is still a lack of knowledge, which limits the understanding about where, when and how heavily wind erosion is affecting European arable lands. Currently, the challenge is to integrate the insights gained by recent pan‐European assessments, local measurements, observations and field‐scale model exercises into a new generation of regional‐scale wind erosion models. This is an important step to make the complex matter of wind erosion dynamics more tangible for decision‐makers and to support further research on a field‐scale level. A geographic information system version of the Revised Wind Erosion Equation was developed to (i) move a step forward into the large‐scale wind erosion modelling; (ii) evaluate the soil loss potential due to wind erosion in the arable land of the EU; and (iii) provide a tool useful to support field‐based observations of wind erosion. The model was designed to predict the daily soil loss potential at a ca. 1 km² spatial resolution. The average annual soil loss predicted by geographic information system Revised Wind Erosion Equation in the EU arable land totalled 0·53 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, with the second quantile and the fourth quantile equal to 0·3 and 1·9 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, respectively. The cross‐validation shows a high consistency with local measurements reported in literature. © 2016 The Authors. Land Degradation and Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil mapping for land‐use planning in a karst area of N Thailand with due consideration of local knowledge

For the development of sustainable land‐management systems in the highlands of N Thailand, detailed knowledge about soil distribution and soil properties is a prerequisite. Yet to date, there are hardly any detailed soil maps available on a watershed scale. In this study, soil maps on watershed level were evaluated with regard to their suitability for agricultural land‐use planning. In addition to common scientific methods (as underlying the WRB classification), participatory methods were used to exploit local knowledge about soils and to document it in a “Local Soil Map”. Where the WRB classification identified eight soil units, the farmers distinguished only five on the basis of soil color and “hardness”. The “Local Soil Map” shows little resemblance with the detailed, patchy pattern of the WRB‐based soil map. On the contrary, the “Local Soil Map” is fairly similar to the petrographic map suggesting that soil color is directly related to parent material. The farmers' perception about soil fertility and soil suitability for cropping could be confirmed by analytical data. We conclude that integrating local soil knowledge, petrographic information, and knowledge of local cropping practices allows for a rapid compilation of information for land‐evaluation purposes at watershed level. It is the most efficient way to build a base for regional land‐use planning.     

Erosion modelling approach to simulate the effect of land management options on soil loss by considering catenary soil development and farmers perception

The prevention of soil erosion is one of the most essential requirements for sustainable agriculture in developing countries. In recent years it is widely recognized that more site‐specific approaches are needed to assess variations in erosion susceptibility in order to select the most suitable land management methods for individual hillslope sections. This study quantifies the influence of different land management methods on soil erosion by modelling soil loss for individual soil‐landscape units on a hillslope in Southern Uganda. The research combines a soil erosion modelling approach using the physically based Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP)‐model with catenary soil development along hillslopes. Additionally, farmers' perceptions of soil erosion and sedimentation are considered in a hillslope mapping approach. The detailed soil survey confirmed a well‐developed catenary soil sequence along the hillslope and the participatory hillslope mapping exercise proved that farmers can distinguish natural soil property changes using their local knowledge. WEPP‐model simulations show that differences in soil properties, related to the topography along the hillslope, have a significant impact on total soil loss. Shoulder and backslope positions with steeper slope gradients were most sensitive to changes in land management. Furthermore, soil conservation techniques such as residue management and contouring could reduce soil erosion by up to 70 percent on erosion‐sensitive slope sections compared to that under tillage practices presently used at the study site. The calibrated model may be used as a tool to provide quantitative information to farmers regarding more site‐specific land management options. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于CSLE模型和抽样单元法的县域土壤侵蚀估算方法对比

为提高县域尺度地块(栅格)土壤侵蚀模数估算的准确性,以河北省怀来县为例,基于CSLE模型,分别采用全域覆盖计算和4%密度抽样单元推算方法对全县土壤侵蚀进行计算和对比分析。结果表明:全域覆盖计算比4%抽样单元推算水土流失面积大59.0 km~2,相对差异达12.94%。全域覆盖计算可实现空间全覆盖,更准确地反映县域水土流失空间分布特点,适用于中、小尺度土壤侵蚀定量计算,但需要较高精度和全面的数据源保证;抽样单元推算适用于流域、区域等大尺度土壤侵蚀估算,但结果受抽样方法、抽样密度、外推或插值方法等因素影响较大。应进一步加强遥感解译准确性、侵蚀因子精度等对CSLE全域覆盖计算结果影响的研究,完善模型参数数据库,率定因子值,实现参数本地化。     

Surface runoff and soil erosion estimation using the SWAT model in the Keleta Watershed,Ethiopia

This study evaluates surface runoff generation and soil erosion rates for a small watershed (the Keleta Watershed) in the Awash River basin of Ethiopia by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Calibration and validation of the model was performed on monthly basis, and it could simulate surface runoff and soil erosion to a good level of accuracy. The simulated surface runoff closely matched with observed data (derived by hydrograph separation). Surface runoff generation was generally high in parts of the watershed characterized by heavy clay soils with low infiltration capacity, agricultural land use and slope gradients of over 25 per cent. The estimated soil loss rates were also realistic compared to what can be observed in the field and results from previous studies. The long‐term average soil loss was estimated at 4·3 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹; most of the area of the watershed (∼80 per cent) was predicted to suffer from a low or moderate erosion risk (<8 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹), and only in ∼1·2 per cent of the watershed was soil erosion estimated to exceed 12 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Expectedly, estimated soil loss was significantly correlated with measured rainfall and simulated surface runoff. Based on the estimated soil loss rates, the watershed was divided into four priority categories for conservation intervention. The study demonstrates that the SWAT model provides a useful tool for soil erosion assessment from watersheds and facilitates planning for a sustainable land management in Ethiopia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A proposed method for modelling the hydrologic response of catchments to burning with the use of remote sensing and GIS

Forest fires can have significant effects on the hydrological response of catchments, resulting in many cases in severe land degradation, flooding and soil erosion. These post-fire hazards often cause extensive damage to public and private property and urban infrastructure, thus carefully planned and designed mitigation activities are required for reducing their magnitude. This study presents a method for the quantitative estimation and mapping of post-fire erosion and runoff, which can provide the basis for the planning of these mitigation activities. Within the context of the proposed method a soil-erosion model is integrated within a GIS and remote sensing and digital cartographic data are used for estimating the model parameters before and after the passage of the fire. The model incorporates the effects of fire on the parameters that control erosion using remotely sensed estimates of the characteristics of the fire, such as the temperature and the extent. The method was implemented in four regions in Greece where severe wildfires took place during the summer of 1998. Pre- and post-fire model runs showed significant changes in runoff and erosion patterns as a result of the passage of the fire and a notable increase in the spatial variability of post-fire erosion rates. Results indicated net increases of up to 0.76 × 10^− 2 mm/h in erosion rates, although small decreases were also observed in some areas. The application of the method led to the identification of areas where erosion is expected to accelerate significantly and thus hazard-mitigation works are urgently required. The proposed method can clearly benefit from higher resolution remote-sensing data and more detailed datasets on soil properties and characteristics and is expected to provide a useful tool in planning and prioritising the works that are required for the mitigation of post-fire hazards.     

Large‐scale assessment of soil erosion using a neuro‐fuzzy model combined with GIS: A case study of Hubei Province,China

Reliable and cost‐effective soil erosion assessment is an important precondition for soil conservation measures, which remains a major challenge at large scale. Considering that the neuro‐fuzzy model has the special advantage in multi‐index comprehensive assessment and GIS technology is adept at geo‐spatial information processing, through the combination of them, it is possible to provide an effective approach for this difficult problem. Taking Hubei Province as a case study area, five evaluating indicators were selected for the large‐scale assessment, in which the GIS technology was used to construct the classification maps of evaluating indicators and to divide basic assessment units, and the neuro‐fuzzy model was adopted to extract fuzzy rules for individual units assessment from available ground truth data. According to the optimized assessment criteria generated by the neuro‐fuzzy model, the soil erosion state of the entire study area was then assessed. To represent the spatial distribution of soil erosion, a detailed map was produced by statistical mapping, which was represented with six erosion levels (from slight to severe) at a map scale of 1:250 000. The resulting map showed that about 30.1% of the total land area in Hubei was affected by different levels of soil erosion problem. Western high mountains and eastern low mountains suffered from the most serious erosion damage, a strong level of soil erosion was widely observed in these mountains. Large areas of moderate level erosion occurred in the northern hills. In contrast, most of the central plains were characterized as slight level erosion effect. The validation indicated that an overall accuracy of 88% and a κ of 0.89 were achieved, proving that the resulting map was in conformity with actual conditions, which indicates this assessment approach was reasonable and applicable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

延河流域水土保持措施减蚀效应分析

 利用延河流域35个雨量站50多年的日降雨、数字高程模型、土壤类型图、土地利用图和植被覆盖图、水土保持措施调查数据,结合黄土高原的区域特征,运用CSLE,在ArcGIS的支持下分别计算研究区1986、1997和2006年土壤侵蚀量,以1986年的水土保持措施实施情况作为基期水平,模拟1997、2006年在水土保持基期水平情景下的土壤侵蚀量,对比分析水土保持措施变化对土壤侵蚀量的影响。结果表明:以1986年作为基期,新增水土保持措施在1997年减少土壤侵蚀量96万t,在2006年减少土壤侵蚀量628万t;考虑2006年降雨特征不同于研究区多年降雨特征,按照2006年降雨特征计算,则新增水土保持措施在2006年减少土壤侵蚀量140万t。研究结果可为延河流域水土保持效益评价、水土流失治理和生态建设提供参考。     

Upland Farming System Erosion Yields and Their Constraints to Change for Sustainable Agricultural Conservation Practices: A Case Study of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Change in Indonesia

In the upper catchments of Southeast Asia, land use change from forest to agricultural systems generated land degradation and conflicts between uplanders and lowlanders. More sustainable cropping systems are proposed to upper‐catchment farmers. Grass fodder strip (GFS) is an effective anti‐erosion practice, and it involves lower costs for farmers. However, labour and cash constraints are sometimes preventing farmers to implement it. To evaluate farms' current impact and adaptation capacities, we need a comprehensive understanding of farm and farm household characteristics that influence their activities. This paper proposes an approach that combines farm household surveys and modelling of farm erosion yield to help project planners and policy makers to identify such farmers in a data‐scarce environment. We developed two farm typologies—one based on both farm and farm household characteristics and one based on their erosion yield and constraints. We calculated erosion yields on plot level by using revised universal soil loss equation method and identified their constraints. We found that a typology based on farm constraints and calculated farm erosion was a good complement to identify farmers who are generating the highest erosion yields and would be able to change their production systems. This methodology is mainly useful at the beginning of conservation projects, when very few hard data are available. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temporal variability and time compression of sediment yield in small Mediterranean catchments: impacts for land and water management

Increased soil erosion, pressure on agricultural land, and climate change highlight the need for new management methods to mitigate soil loss. Management strategies should utilize comparable data sets of long‐term soil erosion monitoring across multiple environments. Adaptive soil erosion management in regions with intense precipitation requires an understanding of inter‐annual variability in sediment yield (SY ) at regional scales. Here, a novel approach is proposed for analysing regional SY . We aimed to (i) investigate factors controlling inter‐ and intra‐annual SY , (ii) combine seasonality and time compression analyses to explore SY variability and (iii) discuss management implications for different Mediterranean environments. Continuous SY measurements totalling 104 years for eight small catchments were used to describe SY variability, which ranged from 0 to 271 t/ha/year and 0 to 116 t/ha/month. Maximum SY occurs in spring to summer for catchments with oceanic climates, while semi‐arid or dry summer climates experience SY minimums. We identified three time compression patterns at each time scale. Time compression was most intense for catchments with minimum SY in spring to summer. Low time compression was linked to very high soil loss, low run‐off and sediment production thresholds, and high connectivity. Reforestation, grassland and terracing changed SY magnitudes and time compression, but failed to reduce SY for large storm events. Periods with a high probability of high SY were identified using a combination of intra‐annual SY variability, seasonality analysis, and time compression analysis. Focusing management practices on monthly flow events, which account for the majority of SY , will optimise returns in Mediterranean catchments.