Land degradation,soil conservation and the sediment load of the Yellow River,China: Review and assessment

Ninety per cent of the sediment load of the Yellow River, the world's muddiest river, comes from the loess plateau region in the middle course of the river. Control of this sediment supply is essential to avoid the danger of flooding in the lower reaches on the South China Plain. Since 1971, sediment loads entering the lower reaches have decreased, by 20 per cent as a result of lower precipitation, and by 27 per cent through soil conservation works and reservoir construction. Reductions in erosion can be obtained by restraining the formation of overland flow through promotion of an effective vegetation cover and elimination of the soil surface cover to encourage infiltration. Reservoir operation is a key to control of sediment movement through tributaries and along the main river. Water demands often conflict with sediment control, and, as a consequence, reservoir operation systems have changed several times in the past decade. The possibility of a further reduction in the sediment load of the Yellow River exists, but much depends on how rapidly control of grazing and deforestation leads to the establishment of plant cover on the loess plateau.     

山东省水土保持区划探讨

本文对山东省水土保持区划工作进行了探讨。作者根据全省自然条件、社会经济情况, 影响土壤侵蚀的诸因子, 及水土流失现状等综合因素, 提出了山东省水土保持区划原则, 并依据分区原则, 在水利部统一划分一级区、二级区的前提下, 将全省共划分3个三级区、12个三级亚区。     

Occurrence and hydrological effects of water repellency in different soil and land use types in Mexican volcanic highlands

Little is known on the hydrological behavior of the volcanic ash soils, which are characterized by extremely high porosities and hydraulic conductivities. In this study the occurrence and hydrological effects of water repellency were investigated at a plot scale for different types of land use and volcanic soils in Mexican volcanic highlands from Michoacan, Mexico: [1] fir, pine and oak mixed forest soils developed from lavas, [2] soils developed from volcanic ashes and pyroclastic sediments under sparse fir, pine and oak forest and shrubland, [3] pine and oak forested soils developed from lavas and pyroclastic sediments, and [4] bare soils on recent ash sediments in plain surfaces. Soil water repellency was assessed using the water drop penetration time test and rainfall simulations were performed on circular plots (50 cm in diameter) during 30 min and at an intensity of 90 mm h^− 1 in order to study the hydrological response of each area. The return period for storms with a similar intensity in the area is 10 years. The shape and depth of the wetting front after simulated rainfall was also analyzed. Soil water repellency showed a high variability among the different studied zones. Organic matter content, soil texture and acidity were the most important factors for developing hydrophobicity. A wide range of soil water repellency classes (hydrophilic to severely water-repellent soils) has been found in soils under dense fir, pine and oak mixed forests or shrubland, while inexistent or slight water repellency has been observed in soils under sparse forest or at bare ash-covered areas. At a plot scale, marked differences in the hydrological behavior of the studied land use and soil zones were observed after the rainfall simulations. Soil water repellency contributes to fast ponding and runoff generation during the first stages of rainstorms. Runoff was enhanced in water-repellent forested soils (average runoff coefficients between 15.7 and 19.9%), in contrast to hydrophilic or slightly water-repellent soils, where runoff rates were lower (between 1.0 and 11.7%). Shallow and irregular wetting fronts were observed at water-repellent zones, reducing the soil water storage capacity. The implications of soil water repellency in soil hydrology and erosion risk in the area shed light on the soil hydrology of the studied ecosystems, and can contribute to develop better management policies.     

Participatory soil and water conservation planning using an erosion mapping tool in the central highlands of Kenya

Despite several approaches that aimed at mobilising East African farmers to embrace soil and water conservation (SWC) activities, farmers hardly responded since they were seldom involved in the planning of SWC activities. Two tools that employ farmers' participation were developed and applied at Gikuuri catchment in Kenya. The first tool involved farmers to map soil erosion using their own indicators and determine the soil erosion status at catchment scale. This formed the basis upon which they undertook to plan for SWC measures at catchment scale. Farmers also predicted crop yield losses based on the soil erosion status. Farmers widely approved the soil erosion status map since their own indicators and perceptions were used. The second tool provided cash flow trends for a variety of SWC activities and farmer situations. Farmers can use land with a high, moderate or low erosion status and often have rather different socio‐economic settings. The net benefits over 5 yr for bench terraces, fanya juu terraces and grass strips were illustrated to assist farmers in making informed decisions on SWC adoption. The two tools increased awareness on the need for collective actions among farmers and showed fields that cause run‐on on downslope fields. The improved awareness of erosion problems and the related financial consequences increased farmers' willingness to share the investment costs for cut‐off drains. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

龙须草水土保持效益研究

对龙须草地水土保持效益研究结果表明 ,与空旷地相比种植龙须草可降低土壤容重 0 .13g/cm3 ,增加土壤总孔隙度 4 .9% ,提高土层土壤贮水量 14 .9% ,年土壤侵蚀量 4 72 .7t/km2 ,比对照减少 94 .5 % ,生态效益和经济效益显著。     

Assessment of soil degradation in the Canary Islands (Spain)

In the Canary Islands a number of factors, both natural and induced by human activity, act on the fragile ecosystems and agricultural land to cause increasing problems with desertification and progressive degradation of soil productivity. the results of an assessment of soil degradation in the Canary Islands, The processes, causes and impacts, are presented in this paper. Although several processes and factors contribute to soil degradation in the Canary Islands, two have been found to exert a greater qualitative influence: (a) accelerated erosion (water and aeolian); (b) salinization-sodification (natural and induced by agricultural use). Approximately 40 per cent of the Canary Islands' land is undergoing rapid erosion. the factors involved May, be grouped into: natural erosion—torrential rainfall, sparse vegetation, high soil erodibility, rugged relief; and erosion due to human activities—unsuitable management of arable soils on the steep slopes, overgrazing and deforestation. About 60 per cent of the surface of the archipelago, including areas given over to intensive agriculture, is affected by salinization.The main factors responsible are: natural—an arid climate and a regime of oceanic winds; and human activities—overexploitation of the aquifers, irrigation with water having a high salt and/or sodium content, intensive monoculture, and excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals.     

Participatory soil and water conservation planning using a financial analysis tool in the West Usambara highlands of Tanzania

Despite decades of soil and water conservation (SWC) efforts in Tanzania, the adoption of the recommended SWC measures by farmers is minimal. In the past, SWC plans did not incorporate farmers' knowledge, and the economics of SWC was not given much attention at the planning stage. This research evaluated the applicability of two tools for participatory soil erosion mapping using farmers' indicators of soil erosion and financial analysis of SWC measures at the planning stage. The two tools were evaluated in Kwalei catchment in the West Usambara highlands, Tanzania. The participatory soil erosion‐mapping tool uses farmers' indicators of soil erosion to identify, classify and map soil erosion at the catchment level. The financial analysis tool involves farmers in a stepwise analysis of the costs and benefits of SWC measures before the implementation. The erosion‐mapping tool increased farmers' awareness on the severity of soil erosion problems, and they realised the need for SWC plans at both field and catchment scales. With the financial analysis tool farmers participated in the cost and benefits analysis and were able to select SWC options that were feasible under their socio‐economic situation. The two tools were able to demonstrate that farmers' participation in SWC planning increases the acceptance of SWC measures because they solve problems that are perceived by themselves. The financial analysis tool demonstrated how farmers could make selection of SWC measures that are feasible under their biophysical and economic condition if they are informed about the costs and benefits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using plot soil loss distribution for soil conservation design

Soil conservation design is generally based on the estimation of average annual soil loss but it should be developed taking into account storms of a given return period. However, use of frequency analysis in soil erosion studies is relatively limited. In this paper, an investigation on statistical distribution of soil loss measurements was firstly carried out using a relatively high number of simultaneously operating plots of different lengths, λ (11, 22, 33 and 44 m) at the experimental station of Sparacia (southern Italy). Using a simple normalization technique, the analysis showed that the probability distribution of the normalized soil loss is independent of both the scale length λ and the temporal scale, which are completely represented by the mean soil loss calculated for a given event using all replicated data collected in plots having the same length. Then, a comparison between the frequency distribution of soil loss and rainfall erosivity index of the USLE was carried out. An estimating criterion of the annual soil loss of a given return period was also developed. By this criterion, the frequency distribution of the rainfall erosivity factor can be used to design soil conservation practices.     

A pragmatic approach to modelling soil and water conservation measures with a catchment scale erosion model

To reduce soil erosion, soil and water conservation (SWC) methods are often used. However, no method exists to model beforehand how implementing such measures will affect erosion at catchment scale. A method was developed to simulate the effects of SWC measures with catchment scale erosion models. The method was implemented by applying the LISEM model to an agricultural catchment on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. The method consisted of a field scale calibration based on P-factors, followed by application at catchment scale. This calibration included factors such as saturated conductivity, Manning's n, roughness and slope angle. It was found that using data on P-factors, such models can be calibrated to give acceptable predictions at pixel scale. However, P-factors were also found to vary with land use type and storm size. Besides, more data on the physical effectiveness of SWC measures are needed. At catchment scale, the effect of SWC was found to be different from that at pixel scale. Most SWC were simulated to be more effective at catchment scale, indicating additional infiltration during transport through the catchment to the outlet. However, slope corrections in case of terraces were found to be less effective at this scale. Nevertheless, a simulation for current land use with current SWC measures indicated that these SWC measures decrease runoff by 28% and erosion by 60%.     

科尔沁不同沙地土壤饱和导水率比较研究

用Guelph入渗仪对科尔沁沙地不同沙漠化阶段土壤不同层次的土壤饱和导水率(Kfs)进行测定,分析研究了Kfs与沙地类型、土层厚度、沙丘坡位及土壤理化性质的关系.结果表明:(1)草地(潜在沙漠化)、固定沙丘(轻度沙漠化)和流动沙丘(严重沙漠化)的Kfs依次增大,平均值分别为2.15、4.79和5.89 mm min-1,呈现出土壤入渗能力随沙漠化程度的增强而增强的趋势;三种沙地间Kfs差异显著,沙丘不同坡位Kfs也有较大差异,表明科尔沁沙地Kfs具有较高的空间异质性;(2)三种沙地Kfs随深度的变化规律差异较大,草地Kfs随深度呈抛物线状变化,而固定沙丘Kfs随深度呈指数函数变化;(3)通过逐步回归分析发现对Kfs影响较大的土壤理化性质是土壤有机质含量、土壤细砂含量、黏粉粒含量和粗砂粒含量,并且Kfs与前三个因素呈显著的负相关关系,与最后一个因素呈显著的正相关关系.     

Soil loss and soil water content affected by land levelling in Penedès vineyards,NE Spain

This paper analyses the differences in soil moisture, runoff and sediment concentration resulting from land levelling works carried out before new vineyard establishment in a reference wine region of NE Spain. In low disturbed soils, low differences in soil moisture were observed, while in high disturbed soils, soil moisture and water infiltration of the surface were always lower than in the low disturbed ones, while soil sealing was higher in high disturbed than in the low disturbed soils. Differences in runoff and sediment concentrations were also observed. The most disturbed plot showed a higher sediment concentration in runoff, which together with higher runoff volumes gave higher erosion rates and soil losses than the low disturbed one. The differences within the most disturbed soils were high after high intensity rainfall events, while no significant variations were observed in the least disturbed ones.     

Effects of land use on soil erosion in a tropical dry forest ecosystem,Chamela watershed,Mexico

During the past few decades, Mexico has been converting tropical dry forest (TDF) into cropland and pasture, with land degradation expressed as soil erosion being the main environmental consequence. The factors and processes influencing soil erosion are related to scale. At a microscale, the stability of soil aggregates has a significant impact on soil erodibility and strongly influences other soil properties. However, at plot and watershed scales, these relationships are less well known. The relationships between the distribution of soil aggregate size, soil properties and soil erosion were examined for two soil geomorphological units (hillslopes over granite and hillslopes over tuffs) and three land uses (TDF, unburned pasture and burned pasture) within the Chamela watershed of west–central Mexico. To evaluate soil aggregation as a parameter for upscaling soil erosion, the researchers measured microtopographic features at plot scales and interpreted 1:35,000 panchromatic aerial photographs at a watershed scale. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences in soil organic carbon (P < 0.05) and soil moisture (P < 0.01) contents between the two soil geomorphological units, and field tests showed differences in soil texture and structure.     

Estimated Holocene soil carbon-soil degradation in Nevada and Western Utah, USA

There is much interest in predicting future carbon-soil degradation and that occurring today. We have National Soil Survey Laboratory data to assess some of the soil carbon degradation in the Great Basin and western Utah. For this we included data on 32 Nevada and Utah soils on Pleistocene geomorphic surfaces at elevations of 973 to 3172 m. Their mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranges from 20 to 55 cm and mean annual soil temperatures (MAST) from 5 to 12 °C. The MAP and MAST closely correlate with elevation (E) (r = 0.96 and − 0.97 respectively). Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle) dominates vegetation at the higher, colder elevations. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) and juniper (Juniperus L.) dominate at intermediate elevations. Little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula Nutt.) and related desert species dominate at the lower, warmer elevations. We used acid dichromate digestion and FeSO₄ titration to analyze for soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density and coarse fragments in the soils to put the data on a volume basis. The soils are well drained and uncultivated. Accumulation of organic carbon in each pedon (OCp) is correlated to MAP and MAST (r = 0.81, and − 0.78 respectively). We predicted OCp from the relationship,

(1)

r² = 0.64, S.E. = 1.30, n = 32. The soil OC degradation that may have occurred through the Holocene ranges from 35% at sites of the present Aridisols and Vertisols to 22% for the sites of the Mollisols and Alfisols. Eq. (1) shows that today, MAST rises of 1 to 3 °C would produce further OCp degradation from today's levels of 1% to 13% in Aridisols and Vertisols and 12% to 25% in the Mollisols and Alfisols respectively. It also shows that if the MAST drop of 6 °C predicted for the Pleistocene occurred, many of the Aridisols and Vertisols likely would have been Mollisols or Alfisols during the Pleistocene. A temperature rise of 1 °C in a century would likely move the Mollisol–Aridisol boundary from its present 2300 m elevation to an elevation of about 2900 m. A temperature rise of 3 °C in a century would likely move the Mollisol–Aridisol boundary from its present 2300 m elevation to elevations of the highest elevations in Nevada and to the middle of Idaho. Increasing the temperature by 3 °C will likely also increase the area affected by severe desertification in the southern Great Basin north by about 20%.     

水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀现状分析简

针对全国水土保持区划中确定的22个具有水源涵养功能的基本功能区,利用第1次全国水利普查获取的水力侵蚀数据,分析这些区域的水力侵蚀现状.结果表明：1）水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀以轻中度侵蚀为主,超过80％,强烈、极强烈、剧烈面积分布较少,与全国基本状况相似;2）与第2次全国土壤侵蚀遥感调查成果相比,水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀整体上有所好转,水力侵蚀总面积减少3.75％,轻中度侵蚀面积大幅减少,减幅超过20％;3）水源涵养基本功能区局部地区水力侵蚀形势严峻,极强烈和剧烈侵蚀面积虽然不大,但是与第2次遥感调查成果相比,面积均有所增加,相对增幅较大,说明局部地区存在水力侵蚀恶化的现象.     

毛乌素沙地农田土壤水分动态特征研究

毛乌素沙地农业种植以春玉米为主,水资源短缺是制约当地农业发展的主要因素,研究农田土壤水分动态对指导当地农业生产具有重要意义。本研究以原位试验为主,通过对地下水、土壤含水率、土水势、灌溉降雨、蒸腾蒸发等数据的监测和分析,对毛乌素沙地春玉米生长过程中的土壤水分动态特征进行研究。结果表明:地下水与土壤水之间存在明显的水力联系,Pearson相关性分析发现,各深度土壤含水率与地下水埋深之间均呈显著相关,其中40~60 cm深处相关性最大,相关系数大于0.8;地下水位的下降降低了土壤含水率稳定层的位置,削弱了上下层土壤之间的水力联系,不利于土壤水分的保持;玉米需水量增加和地下水位下降均会导致土壤含水率在垂向剖面上的不规律变化增强。通过对土壤含水率和土水势监测数据的分析发现,在玉米从苗期至蜡熟期的生长过程中,土壤水分动态经历了弱—强—弱的变化过程,并且20 cm深土层是春玉米的主要吸水层,30~40 cm是相对干燥层,由于田间灌溉在春玉米发生水分胁迫时进行,因此可利用30 cm和40 cm深土层含水率判断玉米是否需要灌溉。受春玉米生理作用影响,当10 cm深处土水势值下降到低于-0.18 bar时会出现根系提水现象。本研究结果可以为毛乌素沙地地区的农田水分利用及水资源管理提供重要的理论依据和参考信息。     

Soil degradation: I. Basic processes

This paper examines soil and land degradation. It describes basic processes and factors responsible for degradation, illustrates the cause-effect relationships and differentiates between natural and man-induced regressive effects. The ‘critical limit’ concept is described in terms of properties beyond which the soil will not support an economically-viable agriculture. This paper is not an exhaustive literature review but emphasizes the scientific principles involved and highlights natural against man-induced processes. Important natural processes are: laterization, hard-setting, fragipan and clay pan formation, and geologic erosion. In comparison, man-induced processes consist of: soil compaction, accelerated erosion, desertification, salt accumulation and leaching and acidification. One of the principal constraints is the problem of data reliability. A reliable database and precise criteria are definitely lacking and hinder the assessment of the extent, type and degree of soil degradation and establishing the cause-effect scenario. Improving our database is, therefore, of a high priority if we are to adopt land use policy for sustainable soil management and long-range resource management. Also outlined, are vital research and development strategies. Judicious resource management policy should emphasize managing prime agricultural land to produce to its maximum potential so that there is no need to cultivate marginal and easily-degraded fragile ecosystems. A strict code of conduct is needed for utilizing marginal/fragile lands. Methods of restoring the productivity of degraded lands must be researched so as to minimize the need to clear and develop new lands.     

自然侵蚀量和容许土壤流失量与水土流失治理标准

在总结分析国内有关自然侵蚀量、容许土壤流失量研究成果的基础上,探讨自然侵蚀量与容许土壤流失量的关系,讨论制订水土流失治理标准的思路。认为水土流失治理标准的确定有3个参考值：1）标准值,即一定条件下的容许土壤流失量,是水土流失治理至少要达到的目标,且随着对不同土地利用类型的功能需求与可实施的最佳水土保持措施、以及所在水土流失类型区的侵蚀危害与治理约束条件的不同而不同;2）理想值,即正常自然侵蚀状态下的土壤流失量;3）极端值,即土壤流失量为0,不发生水土流失。水土流失治理应是先控制到现时生态环境与社会经济条件下的容许土壤流失量范围内,逐步达到自然正常侵蚀量或制止水土流失的发生;还应引入环境伦理、环境美学及景观设计等理念,最终实现土地的可持续利用、区域生态系统的健康稳定及人与自然的和谐友好发展。     

近十年土壤侵蚀与水土保持研究进展与展望

在当今生态文明背景下,土壤侵蚀与水土保持研究迎来了新的发展机遇和挑战。本文首先采用文献计量学方法,定量分析了近10年来国内外土壤侵蚀与水土保持学科发展现状。在此基础上,结合社会需求的变化,阐明了学科发展需求与存在问题。最后,提出了本学科研究的重点领域与方向:水文过程与侵蚀产沙机理,土壤侵蚀过程及其定量模拟,全球变化下土壤侵蚀演变及其灾变机理,社会经济系统—水土流失的互馈过程,以生态功能提升为主的土壤侵蚀防治,以及土壤侵蚀研究新技术与新方法等。     

黄骅市土壤保持价值年内动态特征

掌握不同生态系统类型土壤侵蚀和土壤保持量的年内动态变化,对于区域水土保持重点及时序安排具有积极的指导作用。本研究在GIS支持下,运用通用土壤流失方程(USLE)对河北省黄骅市不同生态系统年内土壤侵蚀与保持量进行计算,并利用市场价值法、机会成本法对各生态系统类型年内各月的土壤保持价值进行测算,研究黄骅市土壤保持价值年内动态特征。研究表明,黄骅市全年各月土壤保持价值分配不均,年内动态特征与土壤保持量的季节动态变化规律一致,8月达到最大峰值,1—3月、10月、12月价值均为零,5—8月呈增加趋势,5—9月土壤保持价值占全年土壤保持价值的82.47%。从各生态系统类型来看,草地8月的单位面积土壤保持价值最大,为128.87元·hm?2;水域9月的单位价值最小,为11.23元·hm?2。从土壤保持价值构成来看,年内各土壤保持功能单位面积贡献价值大小排序为:减少土壤养肥流失价值减少淤泥淤积价值减少废弃土地价值。研究区各生态系统类型的土壤保持价值具有明显随季节变化的规律,在雨季受暴雨等短期大量降水的影响,土壤潜在的侵蚀量增大,而生态系统的土壤保持功能和价值在此过程得以发挥作用。