Loss of yield caused by soil erosion on sandy soils in the UK

Abstract. Soil productivity, the intrinsic ability of land to yield useful products, can be affected by soil erosion. While much research has been carried out on the processes, there is as yet little information on the impact of soil erosion on in situ productivity of agricultural land in the British Isles. This paper reports the results of a de-surfacing experiment on deep sandy soils in East Anglia. Grain yields of fertilized barley planted immediately after de-surfacing were at least 15 and 45% less on 15 and 25 cm de-surfaced plots than on non-desurfaced soils. There was strong evidence pointing to an acceleration of soil erosion itself on the de-surfaced plots. Both the amount of water stored in the topsoil and water use by the crop decreased with increasing severity of simulated erosion. We observed a drop in organic matter and readily available nitrogen with erosion. Nitrogen mineralization and leaching losses were also affected by simulated soil erosion. The experiment showed that sudden severe erosion may induce substantial barley production losses on deep sandy soils. The size and effect of de-surfacing depends on a number of factors such as soil depth, subsoil type, precipitation and crop type.     

延怀盆地葡萄种植区不同土地利用方式表土风蚀特征分析

研究延怀盆地葡萄种植区不同土地利用方式下土壤风蚀特征,可为区域土地利用布局调整、生态环境建设提供数据支撑。以怀来县为研究对象,采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,分析了葡萄、果桑、欧李、玉米留茬免耕、玉米翻耕5种土地利用方式的2018年11月—2019年3月土壤含水量、粒径及风蚀量月变化特征。结果表明:(1)未出现降水事件之前,5种土地利用方式土壤含水量均呈现随时间增加而下降的趋势,3种林果用地中土壤水分下降幅度表现为葡萄欧李果桑。(2)研究区5种土地利用方式表层土壤粒度主要为砂砾,含量达47%～63%。0.05～0.002 mm的粉粒是该区域风蚀过程中损失的主要颗粒。(3)5种土地利用方式中地表风蚀量表现为玉米翻耕地葡萄玉米留茬免耕欧李果桑。在该区域土壤风蚀防治过程中可以通过在小尺度上合理调整果桑等林果用地与葡萄、粮食用地土地利用布局的方式,达到降低近地表风速、拦截风沙、降低风蚀的作用。     

Influence of simulated erosion on soil properties and maize yield in Northwestern India

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted at the Regional Research Station of Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri, Punjab, India, to determine the immediate influence of artificial topsoil removal (simulated erosion) on selected soil properties, maize (Zea mays) growth and yield, and restoration of crop productivity with nitrogen (N) fertilization. For the laboratory experiment, soil samples (0–15 cm) were obtained after removing 0, 6, 12, and 18 cm of a sandy loam topsoil from a cereal grain cropped field. In the field experiment, topsoil was removed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 cm in main plots, and six N treatments at rates of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg N ha^‐1 were applied in subplots. Topsoil removal greatly decreased mineralized N, N mineralization potential and rate constant, and increased time for half mineralization of N. Bulk density and penetration resistance increased as a result of topsoil removal and infiltration capacity of the soil decreased. Total profile water was more at the time of harvest than at sowing in the plots where topsoil was removed, but the water expense efficiency decreased. Both grain and straw yield of maize decreased substantially as a result of adverse effect of topsoil removal on plant height, mass and depth of root, length and girth of cob, and thousand grain weight. Nitrogen application improved maize growth and yield, but the crop responded to higher doses of N on eroded plots than the uneroded plots, and yields on eroded plots did not match to those obtained on uneroded plots at any level of N application. In conclusion, artificial surface soil erosion deteriorated soil properties governing maize productivity. More N was required where topsoil had been eroded, but N application alone did not restore crop yield to that level obtained from uneroded soil. Therefore, there is a need to look for and quantify other factors also to improve soil productivity.     

Assessment of soil erosion indicators for maize-based agro-ecosystems in Kenya

Measuring soil loss is costly, must cover a range of field situations, is not standardized, and is season dependent. In addition, use of sparse soil loss data (from other studies) compromises the integrity of many erosion models. Easily assessable soil erosion indicators to monitor the cumulative effect of erosion between tillage/weeding and harvesting called eroding clods, flow surfaces, pre-rills, and rills were surveyed directly after the 1995 rainy season in the Taita Taveta district of Kenya, to assessed the utility of each indicator. Their incidences were modeled using CPA. In the area, 70 maize plots in 11 map units, having considerable variation in altitude, land cover, rainfall, and geomorphology, were surveyed. Soil loss was considered variable between plots due to differences in surface soil, land cover, infrastructure (trash lines, grass strips, and Fanya-juu), crop management, slope, and map unit. The eroding clods indicator proved of little significance because the initial clods cover was unknown; the indicator probably relates better to soil erodibility then to soil loss. Flow surfaces, formed during erosive showers, were less present on fields with a higher ground and canopy cover, if the area of eroding clods was high, and if the topsoil had no loam which reduces chances of sealing; no impact of infrastructure, tillage, and weeding were detected. Fewer pre-rills were present where the fraction of groundcover was high, where Pigeon Peas were not grown (they cause micro-relief and concentrated flows), where weeding ended late (time effect), where more flow surfaces occurred, where Fanya-juu was constructed (less steep slopes), where the top-soil contained little sand (less sediment entrainment), and where maize was intercropped with vegetables (positive canopy cover effects). The model was not map unit specific and had an Adjusted R² of 67%. The log-linear relationship indicates that combined positive conditions exponentially reduce the occurrence of pre-rills. The “pre-rill” indicator related best to management-affected site conditions and seems to reflect best the cumulative effects of soil loss over time. Rills were found at 18 sites located in drier areas on sandy–clay soils. The model suggested more rills if the topsoil contains no silt; this makes the soil susceptible to compaction, peptisation when wet, and rill formation.     

Ecology,classification and soil pattern of colluvial soils of the bornhoeved lake district (North-Germany)

Water erosion causes the accumulation of soil material, especially at the bottom slope and in landscape depressions. According to FAO-UNESCO (1990) colluvial soils can be classified as Cumuli-Aric Anthrosols if the minimum thickness of the altered topsoil is 5 dm or more. These soils are characterized by addition of small amounts of soil material that has been incorporated into the underlying material by tillage and/or turbation. As a result of geological factors and land-use intensities, Cumuli-Aric Anthrosols differ markedly in their ecological properties. In the study area ‘Bornhoeved Lake District (Schleswig-Holstein, North-Germany)’ soil patterns have been investigated showing the interdependence of soil landscapes and their soil units by water erosion and accumulation. Examples of various colluvial soils in catenary sequences in the study area are presented. Colluvial soils in the study area are characterized by a layer thickness between 5 and 14 dm and show significantly higher quantities of organic matter, nitrogen and plant-available water in comparison with eroded soils.     

Black soil degradation by rainfall erosion in Jilin,China

Black soils, originally characterized by a deep, dark A‐horizon, are widespread in the Northeast Plain of China and have been one of the most fertile agricultural resources in the country. However, more than a half‐century of intensified management degraded its productivity, mainly with the loss of the dark‐coloured A‐horizon by rainfall erosion. Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), the rainfall erosion losses of black soils in YuShu and DeHui counties of Jilin Province were estimated. The rate of loss of thickness of the A‐horizon of black soils and the time over which the A‐horizons of some black soils in the region might be lost were evaluated. The results showed that about 4–45 t ha⁻¹ topsoil could have been lost each year under corn (Zea mays L.) production. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) production would double the losses. Soil losses were directly related to soil type, tillage practices and crop grain yields. The thickness of the A‐horizon of black soils in the region decreased at rates of 0ċ5–4ċ5 mm yr⁻¹, depending on soil type and management practices. Corn production may have resulted in an annual loss of 8ċ3 million tonnes of topsoil from black soils alone in Jilin Province; soybean production could have greatly increased this loss. Traditional intensified farming can accelerate the degradation of black soils; conservation tillage has great potential to prevent rainfall erosion losses for the same soils. Accordingly, to preserve and restore the productivity of black soils, conservation tillage is appropriate and should be adopted in Jilin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

More people,more erosion? Land use,soil erosion and soil productivity in Murang'a district,Kenya

Intensification of land use can become a threat to agricultural sustainability if they lead to increased soil erosion. This study examines land‐use changes, soil and water conservation, soil erosion and soil productivity in the Highlands of Kenya. In addition, it examines farmers' perception of livelihood changes. Land‐use changes were determined from interpretations of aerial photographs taken in 1960 and 1996. Additional information on land use, soil and water conservation and livelihood changes were obtained from discussions and interviews with farmers, as well as from field verifications of the most recent aerial photographs. Soil samples were analysed and soil erosion assessed according to the PLUS classification scheme. The results indicate that substantial changes in land use, such as introduction of coffee and high‐yielding maize, and fragmentation of land holdings have taken place. Less land was conserved in 1996 as compared to 1960. Moreover, SWC practices have changed from fanya chini terraces and shifting cultivation to bench terraces and permanent cultivation. Rates of soil nutrients (organic C, N and K) and maize‐yield levels decreased significantly with increasing erosion. Farmers' perception of livelihood changes was differentiated according to farmers' off‐farm resource 60 per cent of the farmers depended on income from the land and thought livelihoods were better in the 1960s. It is concluded that more efforts to decrease soil erosion and investments in land and labour are necessary to sustain soil productivity and hence secure rural livelihoods. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring biophysical potential and sustainability of wheat cultivation in Uruguay at the national level

Abstract. A methodology is presented that explores soil survey information at the national level (1:1 M), generating sustainability indicators for wheat cultivation in Uruguay. Potential yields were calculated for simplified crop production situations under several constraints, such as limitation of water availability calculated from soil physical properties and climatic conditions, and limitation of nutrient availability calculated from soil fertility and climatic conditions. Land quality sufficiency was examined by comparing these yields with the constraint-free yield conditioned only by solar radiation, temperature and the crop's photosynthetic properties. Crop growth was simulated only for areas suitable for the defined agricultural use. Model runs were repeated with inclusion of a topsoil loss scenario over 20 years as defined from an erosion risk analysis. Comparison between crop growth simulations for the two situations, gives an indication of the changes in land quality status, which supplies an indicator for agroecological sustainability.
On the basis of crop growth simulation it is concluded that wheat production constraints in Uruguay appear to be mainly related to water availability limitations, while nutrient availability is near optimal for the suitable soils. The simulated loss of topsoil impacts most on soil physical properties, expressed in reduced water-limited yields. Soil fertility status, evaluated by change in nutrient-limited yields, was little affected by the scenario.     

Concentrated flow erosion rates as affected by rock fragment cover and initial soil moisture content

Concentrated flow experiments using a small hydraulic flume and a constant flow discharge and bed slope have been conducted in order to investigate the effects of rock fragment cover (Rc) on sediment yield for an initially wet and an initially air-dry loamy topsoil. The experimental results indicate that Rc reduces concentrated flow erosion rates (E) in an exponential way (i.e., E=e^−bRc), which is similar to previously reported relations for other water erosion processes such as interrill erosion and sheet-rill erosion measured on runoff plots. The decay rate (b) of this exponential relationship increased throughout the experiments because of scour-hole development and bed armouring. The concentrated flow erosion rates and b-values also depend on the initial moisture content of the topsoil. Depending on Rc, mean concentrated flow erosion rates were 20% to 65% less on initially wet compared to initially air-dry topsoils. The mean value for b was 0.032 for the initially wet, but only 0.017 for the initially air-dry topsoil, indicating that a rock fragment cover is less efficient in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates when the topsoil is initially air-dry than when it is initially wet. The results help explain the data scatter in reported relationships between Rc and interrill–rill erosion rates. They also indicate that a given surface rock fragment cover will offer more protection to wet topsoils than to dry topsoils, which are very common in Mediterranean environments. Event-based water erosion models should incorporate effects of antecedent soil moisture content as well as those of Rc on concentrated flow erosion rates.     

Impacts of land‐use intensity on soil organic carbon content,soil structure and water‐holding capacity

The impact of land‐use intensity is evaluated through changes in the soil properties in different areas of the traditional central Spanish landscape. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content, bulk density, aggregate stability and water‐holding capacity (WHC) in the topsoil of active and abandoned vineyards, livestock routes (LR) and young Quercus afforested areas were analysed. These different types of land use can be interpreted as having a gradient of progressively less impact on soil functions or conservation. As soil use intensity declines, there is an increase in SOC content (from 0.2 to 0.6%), WHC (from 0.2 to 0.3 g H₂O per g soil) and aggregate stability (from 4 to 33 drop impacts). Soils beneath vines have lost their upper horizon (15 cm depth) because of centuries‐old tillage management of vineyards. Except for an increase in bulk density (from 1.2 to 1.4 g/cm³), there were no differences in soil characteristics 4 yr after the abandonment of vine management. LR can be considered sustainable uses of land, which preserve or improve soil characteristics, as there were no significant differences between topsoil from LR and that from a 40‐yr‐old Quercus afforested area. SOC content, one of the main indicators for soil conservation, is considered very low in every case analysed, even in the more conservative uses of land. These data can be useful in understanding the slow rate of recovery of soils, even after long‐term cessation of agricultural land use.     

The effect of land management practices on soil erosion and land desertification in an olive grove

The need for reliable estimates of soil loss under different land management practices (LMPs) is becoming imperative in the Mediterranean basin to inform decisions on more effective strategies for land management. The effect of LMPs on soil erosion and land degradation has been investigated using experiments from November 2008 to November 2011 in an olive grove in central Crete (Greece). The study area was on sloping land with soils formed on marl deposits which are vulnerable to desertification because of surface runoff and tillage. The experimental design included three treatments with two replicates (3 × 5 m experimental plots) corresponding to the following LMPs: (i) no tillage–no herbicide application, (ii) no tillage–herbicide application and (iii) ploughing to 20 cm perpendicular to the contours. The following variables were monitored: surface water runoff, sediment loss, soil temperature at 10 cm, soil moisture content at depths of 20 and 50 cm, as well as selected climatic variables. The results show that the no tillage–no herbicide management practice gave the lowest sediment loss (1.44–4.78 g/m²/yr), the lowest water runoff (1.8–11.5 mm/yr), the greatest amount of water stored in the soil, the lowest soil temperature and the lowest desertification risk compared with the other treatments. Tillage resulted in the greatest sediment loss (13.6–39.2 g/m²/yr) and surface runoff (16.5–65.0 mm/yr), and an intermediate amount of water stored in the soil. In addition, this treatment led to the loss of soil thickness of 3.7 mm/yr because of ploughing. The results demonstrate the high risk of desertification in the investigated region and the methodology can be used in other Mediterranean areas as an assessment framework for evaluating land degradation and the impact of land management on soil erosion.     

汾河上游不同土地利用方式对坡地水土流失的影响

以汾河上游阳坡小流域为研究区,在2015—2017年进行了天然降雨条件下的坡面产流产沙小区试验,结果表明:(1)研究区的侵蚀性降雨在年内和年际间分布很不均匀。少数几次强降雨对降雨侵蚀力的贡献很大。(2)不同侵蚀性降雨条件下,鱼鳞坑+乔木或灌木拦蓄径流或泥沙能力最强,裸地最弱;坡面产流量大小依次为:裸地坡耕地草地油松黄刺玫鱼鳞坑+油松鱼鳞坑+黄刺玫。坡面产沙量大小规律为:鱼鳞坑+乔或灌草地乔或灌坡耕地裸地。(3)随着雨量增加,各植被小区的径流调控率和泥沙调控率均呈下降趋势;相近雨量时,随着雨强的增加,径流调控率和泥沙调控率明显下降。(4)各小区的降雨量和产流量、产流量和产沙量之间呈现显著正相关(P0.05)。在裸地、黄刺玫及草地小区,I30与产流量之间是均无显著相关。在裸地、油松、黄刺玫、耕地小区,I30和产沙量之间无显著相关。     

黄土丘陵区不同坡度、土地利用类型与降水变化的水土流失分异

 为了确定不同坡度、土地利用类型及降水参数对水土流失的影响,通过黄土丘陵区坡耕地、草地的3个坡度(10°,15°和20°)小区连续14年的径流、侵蚀观测数据,分析不同坡度、土地利用模式和降水变化的水土流失分异。试验结果表明:1)坡耕地水土流失量随坡度的升高而增加,20°小区显著大于10°和15°小区;草坡地小区的年水土流失量也随坡度变化,不同坡度小区之间没有显著性差异。2)坡耕地与草地的水土流失量具有显著性差异,坡耕地年均径流量和侵蚀量分别为草地的1．8倍和13．9倍,与草地比较,坡耕地明显地增加水土流失风险。3)不同土地类型水土流失模数受年降水变化的影响效应不同。坡耕地水土流失量受少数强降水控制,年径流量、侵蚀量与年降水量、产流降水量之间无显著性相关;草地的年径流量、侵蚀量分别与年产流降水量、年降水量显著相关。4)坡耕地的水土流失受降水量(P)、最大30min降水强度(I30)和综合降水指数(PI30)的显著影响,但各因素的决定系数不同,影响系数次序为PI30>I30>P。草地的径流与降水变量关系与坡耕地一致,但次侵蚀量仅与I30变化的显著性影响,而与P、PI30无显著性相关。草地的水土流失量受坡度差异以及降水变化的影响较弱,表明草地能够有效地控制水土流失,对荒坡草地采取保护措施以促进植被、土壤的进展恢复。坡耕地水土流失变化与坡度、降水变量的关系更为直接,通过降低坡度、休耕和免耕等耕作模式,减少土壤扰动和增加地面植被盖度,可有效减少水土流失。     

Soil erosion and hydrological response to land abandonment in a central inland area of Portugal

This paper analyses the effects of land abandonment on runoff and sediment yield in a central inland area of Portugal. Rainfall simulation experiments were performed in areas of traditional land use (land cultivated with cereals) with various types of soil plant cover associated with the period of abandonment (4–5 years, 15–20 years and 30–40 years) in two different seasons, namely under very dry conditions and after a long wet period. Statistical analysis showed a notable difference between the cultivated soils and those abandoned for a long period of time, which included appreciable vegetation recovery, higher organic matter content and negligible overland flow and soil loss. Cereal cultivation, in particular ploughing, is a very negative land management practice, due to the high runoff and soil loss. Within 4–5 years a crust develops over abandoned soils with sparse herbaceous plant cover, particularly after a dry season, which enhances runoff and sediment yield. In scrubland and oak plots, although marked water repellency was registered at the end of a dry, warm season, its influence seems to be irrelevant in terms of overland flow and erosion yield. The major factor in controlling overland flow and reducing soil erosion rates appears to be the role played by vegetation in protecting the soil surface and supplying organic carbon to the top layer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interrill erosion from disturbed and undisturbed samples in relation to topsoil aggregate stability in red soils from subtropical China

The assessment of soil erodibility to water erosion in the field is often expensive and time-consuming. This study was designed to reveal the effects of aggregate breakdown mechanisms on interrill erosion dynamics and develop an improved model for assessing interrill soil loss, which incorporated the soil aggregate stability tests as a substitute for the interrill erodibility parameter, from both disturbed and undisturbed samples for red soils in subtropical China. Six cultivated areas of sloping land with red soils were selected, and topsoil aggregate stability was analyzed using the Le Bissonnais method to determine the different disaggregation forces. Laboratory rainfall simulations were designed to distinguish the effects of slaking (at different wetting rates) and mechanical breakdown (with and without screening) on soil erosion characteristics. Field rainstorm simulations with medium and high rainfall intensities were conducted on runoff plots (2 m 1 m) with slope gradients varying from 10% to 20% for each soil type. A new instability index, Ka, which considers aggregate breakdown mechanisms in interrill erosion processes, was proposed based on the disturbed sample results. Ka showed a close relationship with erosion rates in both disturbed and undisturbed samples. Following from the results of undisturbed sample experiments, Ka was used as a substitute for the erodibility factor, and introduced into the WEPP model, establishing a new erosion predication formula for red soils which had a good correlation coefficient (R² = 0.89**). This research made a good attempt at estimating the interrill erosion rate on the basis of aggregate stability from simple laboratory determinations. These results extend the validity of soil aggregation characterization as an appropriate indicator of soil susceptibility to interrill erosion in red soils from subtropical China. The formula based on the instability index, Ka, has the potential to improve the methodology used for assessing interrill erosion rates.     

Soil Structural Stability and Water Retention Characteristics Under Different Land uses of Degraded Lower Himalayas of North‐West India

The lower Himalayan regions of north‐west India experienced a severe land‐use change in the recent past. A study was thus conducted to assess the effect of grassland, forest, agricultural and eroded land uses on soil aggregation, bulk density, pore size distribution and water retention and transmission characteristics. The soil samples were analysed for aggregate stability by shaking under water and water drop stability by using single simulated raindrop technique. The water‐stable aggregates (WSA) >2 mm were highest (17·3 per cent) in the surface layers of grassland, whereas the micro‐aggregates (WSA < 0·25 mm) were highest in eroded soils. The water drop stability followed the similar trend. It decreased with the increase in aggregate size. Being lowest in eroded soils, the soil organic carbon also showed an adverse effect of past land‐use change. The bulk density was highest in eroded lands, being significantly higher for the individual aggregates than that of the bulk soils. The macroporosity (>150 µm) of eroded soils was significantly (p < 0·05) lower than that of grassland and forest soils. The grassland soils retained the highest amount of water. Significant (p < 0·05) effects of land use, soil depth and their interaction were observed in water retention at different soil water suctions. Eroded soils had significantly (p < 0·05) lower water retention than grassland and forest soils. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and maximum water‐holding capacity of eroded soils were sufficiently lower than those of forest and grassland soils. These indicated a degradation of soil physical attributes due to the conversion of natural ecosystems to farming system and increased erosion hazards in the lower Himalayan region of north‐west India. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土地利用类型对侵蚀黄壤腐殖质及土壤酶的影响

[目的]研究土壤侵蚀条件下,土地利用类型对黄壤不同土层深度的腐殖质(胡敏酸、富里酸和胡敏素)和4种重要土壤酶的影响,为保持土壤肥力提供科学依据。[方法]采用锯齿形布点法,采集土壤表层至30cm深度的3个土层土壤样品,用3次4分法淘汰多余样品,再测定相应指标。[结果](1)保持土壤肥力最好的是灌丛和园地,耕地最容易受侵蚀;土壤肥力高低与胡敏素的含量有直接关系。(2)土壤侵蚀导致水分和氮元素流失会影响胡敏酸的含量;林地、园地和耕地土壤表层的富里酸易流失,而草地仅对于土壤表层肥力保持有作用。(3)耕作对土壤表层的脲酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性的不利影响较大;土壤侵蚀导致的土壤pH值改变对土壤酶的影响也很明显。(4)相关性分析表明腐殖质各组分含量与4种土壤酶都有着密切的联系且互相影响。[结论]黄壤受侵蚀下,土地利用类型对腐殖质及土壤酶有明显不同的影响。     

Erosional impacts on soil properties and corn yield on Alfisols in central Ohio

Accelerated soil erosion can impact upon agronomic productivity by reducing topsoil depth (TSD), decreasing plant available water capacity and creating nutrient imbalance in soil and within plant. Research information on soil‐specific cause – effect relationship is needed to develop management strategies for restoring productivity of eroded soils. Therefore, two field experiments were established on Alfisols in central Ohio to quantify erosion‐induced changes in soil properties and assess their effects on corn growth and yield. Experiment 1 involved studying the effects of past erosion on soil properties and corn yield on field runoff plots where soil was severely eroded and comparing it with that on adjacent slightly eroded soil. In addition, soil properties and corn grain yield in runoff plots were compared on side‐slopes with that on toe‐slopes or depositional sites. Experiment 2 involved relating corn growth and yield to topsoil depth on a sloping land. With recommended rates of fertilizer application, corn grain yield did not differ among erosional phases. Fertilizer application masked the adverse effects of erosion on corn yield. Corn grain yield on depositional sites was about 50 per cent more than that on side‐slope position. Corn plants on the side‐slope positions exhibited symptoms of nutrient deficiency, and the ear leaves contained significantly lower concentrations of P and Mg and higher concentrations of Mn and K than those grown on depositional sites. Corn grain yield in experiment 2 was positively correlated with the TSD. Soil in the depositional site contained significantly more sand and silt and less clay than that on the side‐slope position. There were also differences in soil properties among erosional phases. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content was 19\7 g kg⁻¹ in slightly eroded compared with 15\1 g kg⁻¹ in severely eroded sites. Aggregate stability and the mean weight diameter (MWD) were also significantly more in slightly eroded than severely eroded soils. Adverse effects of severe erosion on soil quality were related to reduction in soil water retention, and decrease in soil concentration of N and P, and increase in those of K, Ca and Mg. Severe erosion increased leaf nutrient contents of K, Mn and Fe and decreased those of Ca and Mg. Corn grain yield was positively correlated with aggregation, silt and soil N contents. It was also negatively correlated with leaf content of Fe. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in Physical Properties of Soils with Land Use Time in the Brazilian Savanna Environment

Soils from central Brazil have been intensively used over the last decades because of the rapid conversion of savannas ( Cerrado ) into corn/soybean fields. The objective of this work is to study modifications in the physical properties of soils in the Rio Verde watershed, as a function of the land use time for agriculture, determined from classification of Landsat satellite images between 1980 and 2010. Soil samples were collected at surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) horizons for the different classes of land use time (<10, 10–20, 20–30, and >30 years). The following physical properties were measured: bulk density (BD), air permeability (K_a), penetration resistance (PR), microporosity (MI), macroporosity (MA), and total porosity (TP). Results showed a strong expansion with time of agriculture that occupied 35·3% (1980), 37·4% (1990), 51·3% (2000), and 60·9% (2010) of the watershed area. When properties were compared with those from the reference areas (preserved soils under native vegetation), significant differences were observed for all the physical attributes of soils for a land use time higher than 20 years. Overall, BD and PR increased with land use time, and the opposite was verified for K_a, MA, and TP. Some physical properties presented values (e.g., 1·54 g cm⁻³ for BD and 0.06 cm³ cm⁻³ for MA) close to the critical ones reported to affect crop development, but they were not still impacting on local soybean yield. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of Land Use Change and Dam Construction on Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield in the Black Soil Region,Northeastern China

Since the 1960s, the implemented soil conservation measures on steep slopes and the densely planted shelterbelts as well as the constructed reservoirs and ponds in Baiquan County, northeastern China have dramatically altered the landscape and would greatly influence soil erosion and sediment yield (SY ). However, how these land use changes and the constructed dams affected soil erosion and SY still remained unclear. A physically distributed soil erosion model WaTEM/SEDEM that has been calibrated and validated using 25 reservoir SY s in the study area was applied using nine land use scenarios (land uses in 1954, 1975 and 2010, each with 8, 32 and without dams) to assess their impacts on sediment delivery at the Shuangyang catchment (915 km²). The results show that land use changes as well as the increased dam numbers progressively decreased catchment sediment delivery and the impact of dams on sediment delivery was more efficient under the intensified land use condition (1954 land use without reservoirs). With respect to 1954 land use without dams, current land use condition (2010 land use with 32 dams) was simulated to decrease SY by 61·8%. Soil conservation measures (terrace and contour tillage as well as shelterbelts) on the slopes greatly influenced SY and over 80% of the reduced SY were caused by land use changes. This study indicates that soil conservation measures are sustainable sediment control measures for the black soil region because the accumulation of sediment in dams causes shortening of the useful life in reservoirs and ponds and implies increasing financial costs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.