Uncertainty analysis in near-surface soil moisture estimation on two typical land-use hillslopes

Purpose

Spatial prediction of near-surface soil moisture content (NSSMC) is necessary for both hydrologic modeling and land use planning. However, uncertainties associated with the prediction are always neglected and lack of quantitative analysis. The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of different sources of uncertainty on NSSMC estimation at two typical hillslopes (i.e., tea garden and forest).

Materials and methods

In this study, stepwise multiple regression models with terrain indices and soil texture were built to spatially estimate NSSMC on two typical land use hillslopes (tea garden and forest) at different dates. The uncertainties due to limited sample sizes used for developing regression models (uncertainty of model parameter), digital elevation model resolutions of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 m (uncertainty of terrain indices) and spatial interpolations of soil texture by kriging or cokriging with electromagnetic induction (uncertainty of soil texture), were investigated using bootstrap, resampling, and Latin hypercube sampling techniques, respectively.

Results and discussion

The accuracies of NSSMC predictions were acceptable for both tea garden (the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency or NSE?=?0.34) and forest hillslopes (NSE?=?0.57). The model parameter uncertainty was more important on tea garden hillslope than on forest hillslope. A significant negative correlation (P?<?0.05) was observed between the model parameter uncertainty and the mean NSSMC of the hillslopes, indicating that the model parameter uncertainty was small when the hillslope was wet. The resolution uncertainty from digital elevation model had a minor effect on NSSMC predictions on both hillslopes. The texture uncertainty was weak on NSSMC estimations on tea garden hillslope. However, it was more important than the model parameter uncertainty on the forest hillslope.

Conclusions

Improving the regression model structure and the hillslope soil texture mapping are critical in the accurate spatial prediction of NSSMC on tea garden and forest hillslopes, respectively. This study presents techniques for analyzing three different uncertainties that can be used to identify the main sources of uncertainties in soil mapping.

     

典型峰丛洼地坡面土壤水分动态变化的时序分析

采用时间序列分析方法，分析了2004年5～9月广西环江典型峰丛洼地坡面上6种土地覆被类型10，20cm土壤水势与降水动态变化的相关关系。结果表明：（1）灌丛与板栗覆草土壤中的水分较充裕，其含量受天气的波动变化较小，对降水的影响具有缓效性、长期性的特点；（2）坡耕地中水分含量较低，随降雨的波动变化剧烈，但南瓜的地上植株部分对土壤水分的调节保持有积极作用；（3）撂荒草地与木豆土壤水分含量的层间差异都较显著，对降水响应的即时性也强，但撂荒地20cm土层对降水的响应期长些，能保证短时间内向10cm土层的水分补给；（4）处于幼龄期的板栗，土壤水分变化反映的是仅受天气影响下的自然裸露坡地的状况，变化介于灌丛、板栗覆草和撂荒草地、木豆之间。     

Predicting runoff from semi-arid hillslopes as source areas for water harvesting in the Sierra de Gador, southeast Spain

The effectiveness of water harvesting systems collecting surface runoff form rangeland hillslopes in semi-arid regions is difficult to predict, since the hydrological response at the outlet depends on the heterogeneity of hydrological processes. The lack of continuous runoff pathways, due to the irregular spatial patterns of soil properties and the variety of antecedent soil moisture conditions directly influence runoff generation and control discharge into the water harvesting cisterns. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of semi-arid hillslopes in generating runoff for water harvesting systems. Runoff was estimated by the STREAM expert-based model which was applied to three semi-arid hillslopes (0.4 to 6 ha). On the one hand the STREAM model rules were adapted to the regional conditions i.e. an antecedent precipitation index was adjusted to local soil moisture conditions and the rainfall duration was defined as the total rainfall event quantity and the effective rainfall duration (P_tot/t_eff). On the other hand, the distribution of rock outcrop and vegetation cover along the slopes was used to define homogeneous hydrological units. Final infiltration capacities were attributed to these hydrological units based on values found in the literature. The prediction performances are acceptable for the three water harvesting systems with an RMSE of 13.9 m³. It was shown that the rainfall/runoff model was more sensitive to the duration of the storm than to the antecedent soil moisture conditions. The use of a unique set of hydrological parameters for the three water harvesting systems on representative hillslopes allows the runoff prediction from any rangeland hillslope within the same region. Furthermore, the spatial patterns of soil surface characteristics are crucial for collecting runoff at the outlet of the system. Model runs demonstrated that degradation of vegetation and sealing of very small areas within flow paths can lead to an increase of annual runoff by as much as a factor two.     

Runoff- and erosion-reducing effects of vegetation on the loess hillslopes of China under concentrated flow

Evaluating the effects of revegetation on runoff and erosion reduction is essential for studying soil and water conservation on the Loess Plateau after implementation of China's Grain for Green Project. However, quantifying the influence of revegetation on the erosion caused by concentrated runoff in extreme rainstorms is still challenging. To evaluate this influence, scouring-erosion experiments were implemented in situ on the vegetated hillslope plots (GR) and bare hillslope plots (CK). The runoff-reducing effects of grass (GRR) averaged 31%, 20% and 8%, and the erosion-reducing effects of grass (GER) averaged 93%, 95% and 93% on the 5°-plots, 10°-plots and 18°-plots, respectively. The ratios of GRR to GER were 0.09–0.33, implying that the ability of vegetation to reduce erosion was greater than its ability to reduce runoff. The GRR and GER obviously decreased as the inflow rate increased, and the GRR decreased as the hillslope gradient increased, but there were no obvious differences in the GER between hillslope gradients. Vegetation could decrease the ability of the concentrated flow to carry and transport sediment and increase the energy consumption of the concentrated flow in response to hydraulic resistance. Vegetation also significantly reduced the degree of rill development. The degree of rill dissection on the GR (0.054–0.087 m² m^?2) was lower than that on the CK (0.061–0.184 m² m^?2). Our findings provide an essential reference for ecological environment and vegetation restoration on loess hillslopes.     

降雨对不同土地利用类型土壤水氮变化特征的影响

以2018年6—10月降雨条件下园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地的标准径流小区为研究对象,裸地为对照,通过研究降雨对园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地的土壤含水率、总氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量与土层深度和时间的变化特征,经野外试验数据统计分析,提出降雨对园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地土壤含水率、总氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量与土层深度和时间变化特征的影响。结果表明:降雨增加园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地土壤含水率,加速土壤总氮、硝态氮和铵态氮水解转化硝化和反硝化速度,影响土壤含水率、总氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量,降雨与土壤含水率、总氮、硝态氮、铵态氮呈显著相关性(P0.05)。降雨条件下园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地的土壤含水率随土层深度增大而增大,土层深度100 cm处土壤含水率最大,分别为30.34%,27.67%,24.98%,24.03%和21.95%,总氮随土层深度增大呈先增大后减小,在土层深度为60 cm土壤总氮含量最大,分别为1.02,0.99,0.90,0.86,0.75 g/kg,硝态氮和铵态氮含量随土层深度增大而减小,在土层深度为100 cm硝态氮和铵态氮含量均最小,其中硝态氮含量分别为9.01,7.89,7.25,6.10,5.22 mg/kg,铵态氮含量分别为9.41,9.14,6.40,5.38,4.37 mg/kg。土壤含水率随时间的延长先减小后增大又减小,呈正余弦变化趋势,8月土壤含水率最大,分别为22.97%,22.01%,19.87%,19.03%和17.98%,总氮随时间的延长先增大后减小,8月总氮最大,分别为1.09,1.01,0.94,0.84,0.76 g/kg,硝态氮和铵态氮含量随时间的延长而逐渐减少,6月硝态氮和铵态氮含量均最大,其中硝态氮含量分别为13.40,12.37,11.20,10.39,8.67 mg/kg,铵态氮含量分别为18.89,17.02,14.54,12.02,8.36 mg/kg。不同土地利用类型土壤含水率、总氮、硝态氮和铵态氮平均值与土层深度和时间关系由大到小依次为园地、林地、荒草地、坡耕地和裸地,研究结果为农田土壤水肥流失控制和养分利用提供理论技术支持。     

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.     

三峡库区茶园坡面土壤水分空间分布特征及对降雨补给的响应

利用高频率(5 min)的土壤水分探针和自动气象站监测三峡库区典型茶园坡面与林地坡面的土壤水分变化过程及其对降雨的响应，明确了林地和茶园土壤水分变化的规律，揭示了土地利用方式和微地形对土壤水分和降雨储蓄的影响机制。结果表明：(1)在时间上，茶园和林地土壤含水率随降雨量的变化而改变，土壤含水率随土层深度呈现“W”型和“S”型变化。土壤含水率年内变异系数随着土层深度的增加而降低，表层土壤(10 cm)含水率为中等变异水平(10%相似文献   

Linking fragipans,perched water tables,and catchment-scale hydrological processes

Soils with very slowly permeable fragipans and fragipan-like argillic horizons are extensive throughout the Palouse Region of northern Idaho and eastern Washington, USA. These soils develop seasonal perched water tables (PWTs) under the xeric moisture regime of the region. The objective of this study was to utilize a hydropedology approach to examine the linkages between fragipans, PWTs, and catchment-scale hydrological processes such as soil water storage, runoff, and lateral throughflow. A 1.7-ha catchment dominated by Fragixeralfs (Fragic Luvisols) was instrumented with 135 automated shallow wells to monitor PWTs. Soil water content was measured with water content reflectometry probes, and catchment outflow was measured with a flume. A 35 m × 18 m plot was isolated hydrologically from the surrounding hillslope using tile drains and plastic sheeting to measure perched water outflow. Results show that during the wet winter and spring months, the transition from unsaturated to saturated conditions is accompanied by changes in volumetric water storage of only 4–5%. PWT levels are at the surface of ∼ 26–45% of the catchment soils during periods of high rainfall and snowmelt, thereby generating saturation-excess surface runoff from hillslopes. Observed solute movement via subsurface flow is very rapid and ranges between 2.9 and 18.7 m d^− 1 when PWTs are maintained in more-permeable Ap and Bw horizons. Subsurface lateral flow accounts for as much as 90% of the incident precipitation and snowmelt during early spring. Data indicate that the relatively shallow depth to the fragipans and high K_sat in surface soil layers combine to create a very flashy hydrological system characterized by considerable temporal and spatial variation in patterns of saturation-excess runoff.     

“MIRSED” towards an MIR approach to modelling hillslope soil erosion at the national scale

This paper reports a new methodology for assessing regional and national patterns of hillslope scale soil erosion rates in the UK using a MIR (minimum information requirement) version of WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) known as MIRSED. WEPP is parameterised using a national coverage, environmental database containing topographic, soil, land management and climate variables for all hillslopes within each grid cell to be modelled. The MIRSED matrix summarises the behaviour of WEPP in a multi-dimensional parameter space, allowing results to be queried using a subset of key, spatially variable parameters to produce an averaged hillslope soil erosion response from each 1 km² grid cell. The approach is demonstrated for the Great Ouse catchment, Cambridgeshire, UK and highlights highest hillslope erosion rates of 2.2 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ associated with steepest slopes, erodible soils and management practices that leave the soil exposed for critical times of the year. A mean soil erosion rate of 0.4 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ is predicted from hillslopes across the catchment which compares well with observed data collated at different scales, using contrasting measurement techniques.     

基于时间稳定性和降维因子分析的土壤水分监测优化

以南京市高淳区青山茶场中相邻的茶园和竹林坡地为研究区,对研究区土壤水分进行长期定点监测。基于土壤水分时间稳定性,结合因子分析选取典型样点组合,采用多元线性回归模型构建各监测点土壤水与典型样点间的数量关系。通过典型样点预测各监测点土壤水分,并检验预测结果,以期通过少数样点的监测来反映研究区的整体概况,优化研究区土壤水分监测。结果表明:在茶园仅监测7个点时,验证期RMSE小于1.5 cm3/cm3;竹林仅监测5个样点时,验证期RMSE小于1.7 cm3/cm3,模型能很好地预测研究区各样点土壤水分,为优化土壤水监测、减少野外工作量提供了理论依据。不同土地利用方式、不同深度处土壤水分分布特征存在显著差异;竹林土壤水分具有较强的时间稳定性,土壤水分的空间自相关性较茶园强;30 cm深处比10 cm深处土壤水分具有更稳定的空间分布结构。     

Intelligent estimation of spatially distributed soil physical properties

Spatial analysis of soil samples is often times not possible when measurements are limited in number or clustered. To obviate potential problems, we propose a new approach based on the self-organizing map (SOM) technique. This approach exploits underlying nonlinear relation of the steady-state geomorphic concave–convex nature of hillslopes (from hilltop to bottom of the valley) to spatially limited soil textural data. The topographic features are extracted from Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission elevation data; whereas soil textural (clay, silt, and sand) and hydraulic data were collected in 29 spatially random locations (50 to 75 cm depth). In contrast to traditional principal component analysis, the SOM identifies relations among relief features, such as, slope, horizontal curvature and vertical curvature. Stochastic cross-validation indicates that the SOM is unbiased and provides a way to measure the magnitude of prediction uncertainty for all variables. The SOM cross-component plots of the soil texture reveals higher clay proportions at concave areas with convergent hydrological flux and lower proportions for convex areas with divergent flux. The sand ratio has an opposite pattern with higher values near the ridge and lower values near the valley. Silt has a trend similar to sand, although less pronounced. The relation between soil texture and concave–convex hillslope features reveals that subsurface weathering and transport is an important process that changed from loss-to-gain at the rectilinear hillslope point. These results illustrate that the SOM can be used to capture and predict nonlinear hillslope relations among relief, soil texture, and hydraulic conductivity data.     

基于土地利用和微地形的红壤丘岗区土壤水分时空变异性

在红壤丘岗区冬春两季,以网格采样法测定了红壤丘岗区一块包含茶地、旱地和林地的缓坡的地表层和深层土壤含水率,采用经典统计结合地统计方法分析了其空间变异特征。结果表明：单一土地利用下,林地土壤含水率明显高于茶地和旱地,整体采样区土壤水分变异系数明显大于单一土地利用。同一季节表层和深层土壤水分具有类似的变异趋势;土壤水分在不同利用下存在截然不同的变异特征。通过半方差分析发现,茶地－旱地交界区土壤水分空间变异低于其他地方;另一方面,茶地－旱地土壤水分不具备空间相关性。另外,采样区表现出明显的各向异性且季节性变化明显,在冬季,土地利用和微地形共同影响水分变异特征;而在春季,土地利用是土壤水分变异的主导因素。除茶地-旱地交界区冬季水分不具有空间相关性外,土壤水分整体上具有良好的变异特征和空间连续性,因此可以利用地统计学在整体采样区进行水分空间变异的研究。     

Evaluating the applicability of the water erosion prediction project (WEPP) model to runoff and soil loss of sandstone reliefs in the Loess Plateau,China

Soil erosion is one of the most serious environmental issues, especially in vulnerable areas such as the Pisha sandstone regions located in the Loess Plateau (China). In these types of reliefs, long-term studies monitoring runoff and soil loss are scarce, and even more considering the efficiency of different soil management techniques applied to reduce land degradation. In this study, seven years (2014–2020) of in-situ measurements of surface runoff and soil loss for different land uses (forestland, shrubland, grassland, farmland, and bare land) in a Pisha Sandstone environment at the Loess Plateau were conducted. We applied the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model combining the large database with the precipitation regimes. Our results showed that runoff volume coming from observed and simulated data exhibited significant differences among them depending on the different vegetation types. Runoff and soil loss were different among diverse land use types as follows: farmland > grassland > shrubland > forestland. After conducting a calibration, we found satisfactorily simulated surface runoff and sediment yield based on precipitation regimes and land uses at sandstone reliefs. Simulation performance of surface runoff was better than sediment yield. The range of standard error of the model simulation for event and annual values of runoff were 4.71 mm and 12.19 mm, respectively. The standard error for event and annual values of soil loss were 4.19 t/hm² and 21.86 t/hm². In the calibration group, R² of runoff and soil loss were 0.92 and 0.86 respectively, while Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (E) reached 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. In the validation group, the R² for both runoff and soil loss were 0.82 and 0.56, respectively. Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (E) were 0.77 and 0.54 for the runoff and sediment yield. We concluded that using a detailed monitoring dataset, the WEPP model could accurately simulate and predict water erosion in the hillslopes of Pisha sandstone area.     

Characteristics of Water Infiltration in Layered Water-Repellent Soils

Water-repellent(WR) soil greatly influences infiltration behavior. This research determined the impacts of WR levels of silt loam soil layer during infiltration. Three column scenarios were utilized, including homogeneous wettable silt loam or sand, silt loam over sand(silt loam/sand), and sand over silt loam(sand/silt loam). A 5-cm thick silt loam soil layer was placed either at the soil surface or 5 cm below the soil surface. The silt loam soil used had been treated to produce different WR levels, wettable, slightly WR, strongly WR, and severely WR. As the WR level increased from wettable to severely WR, the cumulative infiltration decreased. Traditional wetting front-related equations did not adequately describe the infiltration rate and time relationships for layered WR soils. The Kostiakov equation provided a good fit for the first infiltration stage. Average infiltration rates for wettable, slightly WR, strongly WR, and severely WR during the 2 nd infiltration stage were 0.126, 0.021, 0.002, and 0.001 mm min~(-1) for the silt loam/sand scenario,respectively, and 0.112, 0.003, 0.002, and 0.000 5 mm min~(-1) for the sand/silt loam scenario, respectively. Pseudo-saturation phenomena occurred when visually examining the wetting fronts and from the apparent changes in water content(?θ_(AP)) at the slightly WR,strongly WR, and severely WR levels for the silt loam/sand scenario. Much larger ?θAPvalues indicated the possible existence of finger flow. Delayed water penetration into the surface soil for the strongly WR level in the silt loam/sand scenario suggested negative water heads with infiltration times longer than 10 min. The silt loam/sand soil layers produced sharp transition zones of water content. The WR level of the silt loam soil layer had greater effects on infiltration than the layer position in the column.     

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。     

不同种植年限压砂地土壤水分对降水脉动的响应

采取野外大田试验,定量分析了7.1和1.9mm不同降水脉动下3d内不同种植年限压砂地土壤含水率随时间的变化规律。试验结果表明,压砂地土壤含水率与时间呈指函数正相关关系,相关系数介于0.938 1~0.987 3,土壤含水率增加量表现为:新压砂地中压砂地老压砂地。降水脉动为7.1mm时,新压砂地、中压砂地、老压砂地在降水后第3天土壤含水率比降水前分别增加了42.3%,27.4%和23.2%,平均含水率较裸地分别增加了52.7%,45.5%和38.2%。降水脉动为1.9mm时,土壤含水率分别增加了22.6%,21.7%和7.6%,平均含水率较裸地分别增加了171.8%,156.4%,110.3%。两次降水土壤平均含水率均表现为:新压砂地中压砂地老压砂地裸地。降水分别为7.1和1.9mm时,压砂地土壤含水率分别在降水后第7天和第5天开始出现缓慢下降。和裸地相比,压砂地显著提高了降水的利用效率。     

滇中尖山河流域不同土地利用类型土壤抗蚀性

为揭示滇中尖山河小流域不同土地利用类型的侵蚀特性,以滇中尖山河小流域4种不同土地利用类型(坡耕地、裸地、林地、园地)不同土层(0—10,10—20,20—30 cm)土壤为研究对象,通过对土壤抗蚀性15个指标的测定与分析,研究了不同土地利用类型对土壤抗蚀性的影响。结果表明:不同土地利用类型中坡耕地、裸地5 mm土壤水稳性团聚体显著低于林地、园地,5 mm水稳性团聚体含量表现为裸地(12.72%)大于坡耕地(8.93%),且坡耕地0.25 mm团聚体随土层深度的增加而降低;土壤团聚体结构破坏率表现为裸地坡耕地林地园地,土壤有机碳含量与0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量均达到极显著正相关。不同土地利用类型下园地和林地土壤的抗蚀指数、结构系数、团聚度、土壤结构和稳定性、抗分散强度和保水保肥能力最高,水稳性指数较大,分散系数最小,土壤抗蚀性能最强。不同土地利用类型综合抗蚀指数大小顺序为园地(0.823 6)林地(0.520 4)坡耕地(-0.382 2)裸地(-0.961 8)。综上,实行人工造林能够显著提高原土结构稳定性,园地和林地在增加土壤抗蚀性方面有明显优势,加强人工林建设可作为研究区土壤改良的有效措施。     

Soil Moisture Variations with Land Use along the Precipitation Gradient in the North–South Transect of the Loess Plateau

Knowledge of soil moisture spatial variation with land use along the precipitation gradient is necessary to improve land management and guide restoration practice in the water‐limited Chinese Loess Plateau. This study selected 45 sampling points at 11 sites across the north–south transect of the Loess Plateau based on the precipitation gradient and land use. Results showed that the vertical profiles of soil moisture revealed large variations with the precipitation gradient changing, especially in the surface layer (0–100 cm). Significant linear correlation existed between the average soil moisture of the profile and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) for each land use type (p < 0·05). Hereinto, the soil moisture under the grassland was affected more greatly by precipitation. The soil moisture under each land use commonly revealed the trend as farmland > grassland > shrubland > woodland, while it might be higher under the woodland than the shrubland in the surface layer in regions with MAP <500 mm. The soil moisture of woodland or shrubland at the selected points was below or approximate to the permanent wilting point in regions with MAP <520 mm. Covariance analysis confirmed the effects of land use and MAP on the soil moisture in depth of 100–300 cm, and it showed land use did not pose significant effects in the surface layer. In addition, our study indicated that it is necessary to reconsider and re‐evaluate the current vegetation restoration strategy in the perspective of vegetation sustainability and soil water availability, in which woodland and shrubland were selected on a large scale in the arid and semi‐arid regions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Erosion processes and erodibility of cultivated soils in North Rhine‐Westphalia under artificial rain. II. Results of field experiments and comparison with laboratory trials

In the densely populated state of North Rhine‐Westphalia, soil erosion by water causes substantial on‐site degradation and off‐site damages. The implementation of soil‐conservation measures is improved, if soil erodibilities and erosion processes are known. In a state‐wide investigation, we aimed to representatively assess soil‐erosion processes and erodibilities of cultivated soils. For this purpose, we measured surface runoff and soil‐loss rates of 28 cultivated soils with field plots under artificial rain. In the field experiments, surface runoff and soil loss indicated high sealing susceptibilities and high erodibilities on soils of quite different textures including a clay silt, a loam silt, a loam sand, a sand loam, and two standard loams. Rill formation causing high soil‐loss rates was observed on a clay silt (soil BM) and on a loam silt (soil RB), the latter yielding an empirical K‐factor of 1.66 t ha^–1 h N^–1. K‐factors of other silty soils ranged from 0.04 to 0.48, whereas sandy soils and clayey soils had K‐factors ranging from 0.00 to 0.32, and 0.00 to 0.12, respectively. Comparatively high erodibilities of two silt clays were due to saturation overland flow. Erosion processes and erodibilities of soils with similar texture varied to a large extent, possibly caused in part by seasonal differences in the timing of erosion tests. Surface runoff was different in field experiments compared with laboratory experiments (companion paper) conducted with topsoil material taken from the field plots. In addition, higher concentrations of suspended sediment were recorded on average in the field than in the laboratory. These differences might reflect the influence of the subsoil and are due to higher transport capacities on longer plots in the field. Thus, laboratory experiments can complement but not replace costly field trials for K‐factor determination. Empirical K‐factors derived from field and laboratory experiments are in general lower than K‐factors of other soils in Germany or calculated K‐factors derived from pedotransfer functions, which might be attributed to a more maritime‐type climate in North Rhine‐Westphalia. Since the temporal variability of erodibility was not assessed, the reported K‐factors should be regarded as preliminary.     

哈尼梯田水源区不同景观类型土壤水分的入渗特性及影响因子

[目的]揭示不同景观类型土壤水分入渗特性及影响因子的差异,为红河哈尼梯田世界遗产的保护及持续发展提供参考。[方法]选择草地、林地、旱地和茶园等景观类型的7个样地,用Hood IL-2700土壤水分入渗仪测定样地土壤水分入渗参数,并分析枯落物持水性能和土壤物理性质因子对土壤水分的影响。[结果]在人为影响程度不同的森林和草地生态系统内部,土壤水分入渗能力表现为:原始林次生林人工林,荒草地蕨草地。在研究区的4种景观类型水平上,土壤水分入渗能力表现为:园地(翻耕)草地森林耕地(未翻耕),说明人为活动对土壤水分入渗效率影响显著。不同景观类型的土壤水分入渗特征值与影响因素的相关分析显示,除园地外的其他景观类型土壤水分入渗值与土壤枯落物特征、土壤物理性质中的多个指标具相关性。[结论]人为活动影响下的4种景观类型的土壤入渗能力差异明显,枯落物特性和土壤物理性质是关键因素。