Soil and Water Assessment Tool Soil Loss Simulation at the Sub‐Basin Scale in the Alt Penedès–Anoia Vineyard Region (Ne Spain) in the 2000s

This paper evaluates soil loss due to water erosion in an area of 32,362 ha with a predominant land use of vineyards (Alt Penedès–Anoia region, Catalonia, Spain). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used incorporating daily climatic data for the period 2000–2010 and also detailed soil and land use maps. Particular attention was given to the universal soil loss equation cover and management factor (C factor) of vineyards, with a minimum value of 0·15 being determined for this crop. The model was calibrated using daily flow data for the year 2010, which yielded satisfactory results. Even so, significant differences were obtained on days with high‐intensity rainfall events, when the model overestimated runoff and peak discharge. In these vineyards, the simulated average soil losses per sub‐basin ranged between 0·13 and 9·73 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, with maximum values of between 26·32 and 42·60 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ registered in fine‐loamy soils developed on unconsolidated Tertiary marls. Other findings were related to problems associated with SWAT calibration under Mediterranean conditions characterised by major climate variability and high‐intensity rainfall events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Effects of conservation agriculture on runoff,soil loss and crop yield under rainfed conditions in Tigray,Northern Ethiopia

The aim of conservation agriculture (CA) is to improve soil quality and crop yield whilst reducing runoff and topsoil erosion. An experiment was carried out in a rainfed field using a permanent raised bed planting system for 3 yr (2005–2007) in Adigudem, northern Ethiopia in order to evaluate the effect of CA on runoff, soil loss and crop yield. CA practices were introduced in fields with Vertisols in a randomized complete block design on permanent 5 × 19 m plots. Three treatments were evaluated: (1) conventional tillage (CT) with a minimum of three tillage operations and removal of crop residues, (2) terwah (TER) that was similar to CT except that contour furrows were included at 1.5 m intervals, and (3) derdero+ (DER+), which consists of permanent raised beds with a furrow and bed system, retention of 30% of standing crop residues and zero tillage on the top of the bed. All ploughing as well as the maintenance of the furrows of the permanent raised beds was done using a local ard plough called maresha. Results from monitoring over 3 yr showed that soil loss and runoff were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CT followed by TER and DER+. Average soil losses of 5.2, 20.1 and 24.2 t/ha were recorded from DER+, TER and CT, respectively. Runoff was 46.3, 76.3 and 98.1 mm from DER+, TER and CT, respectively. Grain yield was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in DER+ under teff in 2006, probably due to the high sensitivity of teff to weeds. The yield of wheat in 2007 was significantly higher in DER+ followed by TER. The terwah system is recommended as a first measure for wider adoption to reduce runoff and soil loss and to increase crop yield. The long‐term goal is to achieve a derdero+ system, i.e. a permanent raised bed planting system along with the application of crop residues.     

红壤坡地新开发果园土壤有机碳迁移对不同管理措施的响应

为探究在南方红壤区不同管理措施对于新开发果园土壤有机碳迁移的影响,以典型红壤坡地柑橘园(建园2年)为研究对象,监测评估自然降雨背景下清耕(CB)、稻草全覆盖(CS)、萝卜花生轮作(CRP)、三叶草条带覆盖(CCS)、三叶草全覆盖(CC)和苔藓覆盖(CT)6种管理措施对开发初期果园水土流失和土壤有机碳迁移的影响。结果表明:(1)6种管理措施CB、CS、CRP、CCS、CC和CT的径流量分别为7.88,4.45,4.64,3.24,3.25,4.70 m³,与CB相比,CS、CRP、CCS、CC和CT措施下截流效益分别为43.51%,41.10%,58.94%,58.82%,40.38%,产沙量分别为71.35,21.27,31.03,14.24,14.18,35.05 kg,产沙量与CB相比分别减少70.18%,56.51%,80.04%,80.13%,50.87%;(2)泥沙有机碳流失强度分别为CB(20.75 g/m²),CS(4.78 g/m²),CRP(8.68 g/m²),CCS(3.52 g/m²),CC(3.38 g/m²),CT(9.94 g/m²),相比于对照组CB分别减少76.94%,58.16%,83.01%,83.71%,52.11%;(3)泥沙有机碳和DOC流失强度均与径流量呈显著正相关关系(R²分别为0.412和0.419)。地面管理措施主要通过调控地表径流的产生来影响红壤坡地新开发果园土壤有机碳的迁移。综合来看,三叶草条带覆盖和全覆盖在抑制土壤侵蚀和土壤有机碳迁移损失方面效果较明显。研究结果可为南方红壤区新开发果园水土流失和土壤有机碳迁移损失的防控提供科学依据。     

Effect of rainfall intensity and slope steepness on the development of soil erosion in the Southern Cis-Ural region (A model experiment)

The effect of rainfall intensity on the erosion of residual calcareous agrogray soils and clay-illuvial agrochernozems in the Southern Cis-Ural region on slopes of different inclination and vegetation type has been studied by simulating with a small-size sprinkler. It has been shown that soil loss linearly depends on rainfall intensity (2, 4, and 6 mm/min) and slope inclination (3° and 7°). When the rainfall intensity and duration, and the slope inclination increase, soil loss by erosion from agrogray soils increases higher than from agrochernozems. On the plowland with a slope of 3°, runoff begins 12, 10, and 5 min, on the average, after the beginning of rains at these intensities. When the slope increases to 7°, runoff begins earlier by 7, 6, and 4 min, respectively. After the beginning of runoff and with its increase by 1 mm, the soil loss from slopes of 3° and 7° reaches 4.2 and 25.7 t/ha on agrogray soils and 1.4 and 4.7 t/ha on agrochernozems, respectively. Fallow soils have higher erosion resistance, and the soil loss little depends on the slope gradient: it gradually increases to 0.3–1.0 t/ha per 1 mm of runoff with increasing rainfall intensity and duration. The content of physical clay in eroded material is higher than in the original soils. Fine fractions prevail in this material, which increases their humus content. The increase in rainfall intensity and duration to 4 and 6 mm/min results in the entrapment of coarse silt and sand by runoff.     

中国亚热带不同种植制度下的土壤侵蚀

In order to optimise land use systems, to prevent erosion-induced degradation and to restore the degraded red soils in subtropical China, five cropping systems and four agroforestry systems were conducted in red soils with a slope of 7° from 1993 to 1995. The results showed that erosion risk period occurred from April to June, and the annual runoff and the losses of soil and nutrients with sediment were alarming for two conventional farming systems, whereas they were negligible for the farming systems with ridge tillage. Enrichment ratios of the lost soils from erosion were more than 1.20 for all nutrients with much higher values for hydrolysable N and organic matter. Compared with the control, the alley cropping systems also distinctly decreased runoff by 30% or 50%. However, the coverage of soil surface varied with alley cropping systems for the competition of nutrients and soil water, which made a profound difference in runoff. The cropping systems of sweet potato intercropped with soybean, the alley cropping systems and the measures of mulching and ridge tillage were the alternatives for red soil reclamation so as to prevent erosion-induced degradation.     

氮磷配合对土壤氮素径流流失的影响

大田试验研究结果表明 :增施N、P均能增加作物的产量和减少水土流失 ;当N、P用量分别达到 5 5 .2kgN/hm2 和 90kgP2 O5/hm2 时 ,泥沙有机质和全氮流失最少 ,流失量分别为 2 0 89和 1 75kg/km2 ;当N、P用量分别为 5 5 .2kgN/hm2 和 4 5kgP2 O5/hm2 时 ,土壤矿质氮流失最小 ,其流失量仅为 2 7.9kg/km2 ;作物对土壤氮素的吸收 ,可减少土壤氮素的流失 .     

重庆南平镇岩溶槽谷区不同土地利用类型地表水土流失

研究岩溶区水土流失特征有助于更好地开展岩溶地区水土保持,防止石漠化。通过在岩溶区不同土地利用类型布设9个径流场,利用2008-01－2010-08野外雨季的监测资料,得到岩溶区地表水土流失特征。结果表明：速效钾在土壤中易被淋失,磷富集度平均值最低,全氮、水解氮、有机质富集度的平均含量居中。从土地利用类型来看,富集度表现明显的是坡耕地（自然坡耕地强于移土培肥坡耕地）,其次是林地,金银花地和草地富集度最低。根据相关系数可知淤泥养分含量与降雨强度呈极显著相关关系,淤泥养分含量与降雨量成正相关,但是相关性差。淤泥养分流失总量是通过泥沙量与淤泥养分含量来共同体现的。土壤侵蚀模数从大到小的顺序依次为自然坡耕地>移土培肥坡耕地>草地>金银花地 >林地。岩溶区并不是每场降雨都要产生径流,主要是大雨尤其是暴雨才生产径流。岩溶区水土流失径流系数平均值在2.31%～14.72%。该研究有助于更好地理解岩溶区水土流失特征,为治理岩溶区水土流失提供科学依据。     

Soil erosion on alfisols in Western Nigeria: I. Effects of slope,crop rotation and residue management

The effect of slope, crop rotation and residue management on runoff and soil loss was investigated using field runoff plots of 25 m × 4 m on natural slopes of 1, 5, 10 and 15% on an Alfisol on the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research site near Ibadan, Nigeria. The soil and crop management treatments consisted of conventionnally plowed bare fallow, maize-maize (conventionally plowed and mulched), maize-maize (conventionally plowed), maize-cowpeas (zero-tillage), and cowpeas-maize (conventionally plowed). The effect of two contour lengths of 12.5 and 37.5 m was also investigated for the maize-cowpeas rotation.Soil erosion under slopes of 5, 10 and 15% is severe for these soils and if not controlled can limit crop growth.Mulching and no-till treatments had negligible runoff and soil loss. During 1973 the annual runoff losses from the 15% slope were 36, 2 and 2% of the total annual rainfall for the bare-fallow, mulched and no-till treatments, respectively. Annual soil losses during 1973 from the 15% slope were 230 t/ha from bare-fallow, 0.0 t/ha from maize-maize (mulched), 41 t/ha from maize-maize (conventional plowing), 0.1 t/ha from maize-cowpeas (no-till) and 43 t/ha from cowpeas-maize (plowed). Significant soil erosion was associated with only a few extremely intense storms. The soil loss during a single rainstorm increased exponentially with an increase in slope gradient. There was no definite relationship between contour length and runoff or soil loss.     

Evaluation and mapping of soil erosion susceptibility: an example from Kenya

Abstract. The erosion susceptibility of the Erosion Research Farm at Kabete Campus was mapped using a qualitative parametric method. A grid soil survey of the 4 ha farm was combined with a map of slope gradients, slope segments being delineated by breaks in slope. Rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility were also measured. Areas with the greatest erosion susceptibility according to this method were those occupying convex slope positions and slopes of more than 30%. Field observations and soil loss measurements generally supported the erosion susceptibility rating map produced by this method. The soil and erosion susceptibility maps were useful for planning erosion control measures and for selecting suitable sites for runoff plot experiments.     

Evidence for adaptation of riverine sediment microbial communities to diuron mineralization: incidence of runoff and soil erosion

Purpose  

Surface runoff and erosion are major drivers of pesticide transport from soils to rivers draining vineyard watersheds. A recent study showed that applications of diuron on vineyards and diuron dispersal could lead to microbial adaptation to diuron biodegradation from treated soils to the receiving hydrosystem. Given the limited knowledge on microbial adaptation to pesticide degradation in aquatic environments, we conducted a microcosm study designed to assess the impact of runoff and erosion processes on the adaptation of riverine-sediment microbial communities to diuron mineralization.     

模拟雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特地区坡耕地养分流失的影响

喀斯特坡面水土地下漏失直接观测难度大,其土壤养分地下漏失的研究仍处于空白,而雨强和地下孔(裂)隙度(以下简称地下裂隙)对其土壤养分流失影响作用尚不清楚。该文以喀斯特坡耕地为研究对象,通过模拟其地表微地貌及地下裂隙构造特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验研究雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特坡面氮磷钾养分流失的影响。结果表明:雨强对地表产流产沙影响显著(P0.05),其产流产沙量均随雨强增大而增加,且地表产流产沙临界雨强在30~50 mm/h之间;雨强对地表径流各养分输出负荷、地下径流全氮(TN)输出负荷及径流TN总负荷影响亦显著(P0.05)。地下裂隙度对地下径流TN输出负荷影响显著(P0.05),而总体上对其产流产沙、地表径流泥沙各养分输出负荷及总负荷影响不明显。喀斯特坡面TN、全磷(TP)输出负荷总体以径流为主,而全钾(TK)输出负荷则以泥沙为主。雨强是喀斯特坡面土壤养分流失的重要影响因子,地下裂隙度对其养分流失影响不大,但地下径流是喀斯特坡面主要的养分流失方式。研究结果可为喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的机理揭示及源头控制提供基本参数和科学依据。     

黄土高原土壤养分的损失

The soil nutrient losses due to excessive soil loss on Loess Plateau were studied by means of runoff plots and systematical determination of soil nutrients both in sediments and runoff.The results show that the amounts of nutrient losses depended on the amounts of ersoion sediments.Along with sediment,11-197kg nitrogen/hectare and 9-174kg phosphorus/hectare were lost,accounting for 92.46-99.47 percent of the total amount of nitrogen loss and 99.85-99.99 percent of the total amount of phosphorus loss respectively.The nutrient losses,very small in runoff,were mainly attributed to erosion of a few rainstorms during a year.The nutrient level in sediment was mostly higher than that in the original soil.Planting grass evidently redued the losses of soil nutrients.The N level was lower in runoff than in rainfall so that the N loss from runoff could be made up by rainfall.Fertilizer application to crops raised the nutrient level in runoff.     

坡耕地不同水土保持措施下的养分平衡和土壤肥力变化

在贵州省罗甸县坡耕地上布置长期定位试验 ,研究几种水土保持措施对作物产量和土壤肥力变化的影响。9年的测试结果表明 ,在旱坡耕地上 ,水土流失是造成坡地地力下降、养分损失 ,的主要原因。未采用水土保持措施的坡地种植 ,因水土流失产生的全氮、全磷、有效钾损失 ,分别占总养分消耗量的 5 3.0 % ,6 7.6 %和 19.0 % ,相当于施入土壤的氮素化肥 ,施入的有机和无机磷素 ,有机质的损失与施入的有机肥中有机质含量相当 ,土壤全氮、有机质和有效钾含量趋于下降 ,全磷维持在较低的水平。采取水土保持措施后 ,这些土壤养分可维持平衡或在土壤中逐步积累 ,试验中的植物篱水保处理 ,9年玉米产量平均增产 8.6 % ,并趋于逐年上升。长期的试验证明 ,采用适宜的水土保持措施可提高地力 ,增加产量 ,实现坡耕地的可持续利用     

Erosion rates and nutrient losses affected by composted cattle manure application in vineyard soils of NE Spain

Land preparation for mechanisation in vineyards of the Anoia–Alt Penedès region, NE Spain, has required major soil movements, which has enormous environmental implications not only due to changes in the landscape morphology but also due to soil degradation. The resulting cultivated soils are very poor in organic matter and highly susceptible to erosion, which reduces the possibilities of water intake as most of the rain is lost as runoff. In order to improve soil conditions, the application of organic wastes has been generalised in the area, not only before plantation but also every 3–4 years at rates of 30–50 Mg ha^− 1 mixed in the upper 30 cm.These organic materials are important sources of nutrients (N and P) and other elements, which could reduce further fertilisation cost. However, due to the high susceptibility to sealing of these soils, erosion rates are relatively high, so a higher nutrient concentration on the soil surface increases non-point pollution sources due to runoff.The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of applied composted cattle manure on infiltration, runoff and soil losses and on nutrients transported by runoff in vineyards of the Alt Penedès–Anoia region, NE Spain. In the two plots selected for the analysis, composted cattle manure had been applied in alternate rows 1 year previous to the study. In each plot soil surface samples (0–25 cm) were taken and compared to those of plots without manure application. The study was carried out at laboratory scale using simulated rainfall. Infiltration rates were calculated from the difference between rainfall intensity and runoff rates, and the sediment and total nitrogen and phosphorus were measured for each simulation. In addition, the influence of compost was investigated in the field under natural rainfall conditions by analysing the nutrient concentration in runoff samples collected in the field (in the same plots) after seven rainfall events, which amount different total precipitation and had different erosive character.Compost application increases infiltration rates by up to 26% and also increases the time when runoff starts. Sediment concentration in runoff was lower in treated (13.4 on average mg L^− 1) than in untreated soils (ranging from 16.8 to 23.4 mg L^− 1). However, the higher nutrient concentration in soils produces a higher mobilisation of N (7–17 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 20–26 mg L^− 1 in treated soils) and P (6–7 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 13–19 mg L^− 1 in treated soils). A major part of the P mobilised was attached to soil particles (about 90% on average) and only 10% was dissolved. Under natural conditions, higher nutrient concentrations were always recorded in treated vs. untreated soils in both plots, and the total amount of N and P mobilised by runoff was higher in treated soils, although without significant differences. Nutrient concentrations in runoff depend on rainfall erosivity but the average value in treated soils was twice that in untreated soils for both plots.     

元谋干热河谷优势乡土草群落水土保持效益研究

通过在金沙江元谋干热河谷不同坡度径流小区内人工构建优势乡土草群落,研究了自然降雨对不同坡度径流小区产流量和泥沙量的影响。结果表明:不同径流小区产流量和土壤侵蚀模数与降雨量呈正相关,与植被盖度呈负相关;种植处理与对照CK差异显著,且小区坡度越大越显著;降雨利用率随坡度增加而减少,而且乡土草植被群落盖度越大小区降雨利用率越高。通过构建乡土草群落能有效地降低水土流失,增加降雨利用率,且随着坡度增大,水土流失治理效果越明显。     

Effects of vetiver grass (Vetiveria nigritana) strips, vetiver grass mulch and an organomineral fertilizer on soil, water and nutrient losses and maize (Zea mays, L) yields

Soil erosion remains a serious problem on most agricultural fields especially in the humid tropics. Experiments were conducted between 2003 and 2005 to test the efficiency and efficacy of using vetiver grass strip (VGS), vetiver grass mulch (VGM) and an agronomic practice of using an organomineral fertilizer (OMF) capable of improving soil structure and a control, as treatments, on soil and water conservation and improvement of maize yields. The treatments, in three replicates, were laid out in a randomized complete block design on 7% runoff plots on an Alfisol in the sub humid region of Southern Nigeria. Soil physical conditions were significantly best under VGM plots and least under VGS plots. Nevertheless, runoff and soil loss were generally in the increasing order of VGS, VGM and OMF. Although mean runoff and soil loss on VGS plots were 36.6% and 28% of the value of the control plot in 2003, when 2 tonnes/ha of vetiver grass mulch was applied to the control plot in 2004, these values were increased to 61.5% and 48.4%, respectively indicating a significant reduction of runoff and soil loss on the mulched plots. Vetiver grass mulch (VGM) at 6 tonnes/ha was more effective than VGS plots in reducing runoff than soil loss. Whereas mean runoff for VGM, VGS and OMF plots were 28.67, 38.44 and 42.44 mm, respectively, the corresponding mean soil losses at 6 tonnes/ha were 980.5 kg/ha, 389 kg/ha and 1251 kg/ha, respectively. Mean soil losses were 629 kg/ha and 591.5 kg/ha higher on VGM than VGS plots at 4 tonnes/ha and 6 tonnes/ha, respectively. Mean No₃-N levels of runoff water on the VGS plots were 40.4% and 65.6% of the levels of the OMF and the control plots, respectively over 2003 and 2004. Nutrient loads of eroded sediments were highest for OMF plots and least for VGS plots. Carbon, Nitrogen and P contents of eroded sediments were 22–23.5%, 12–35.9%, and 20.6–37.6% lower on VGS plots than other treatments.

The significant beneficial effect of OMF in producing the highest yields was dwarfed by the potential danger of water pollution by nutrient loads in the absence of a soil erosion control measure. Although the differences were not significant, grain yields on VGM plots were 4% and 47.4% higher than on VGS plots when 4 and 6 tonnes/ha of grass mulch were applied.     

黄丘三副区坡耕地保水保土农牧结合种植模式研究

本文通过对坡耕地粮食作物种植方式的改进研究,探索了适应该地区生态条件的新的种植模式。试验结果表明,新的种植模式与对照相比,生物产量、等价产量和蛋白质产量均显著或极显著高;能量产投比率提高1.9～2.9倍;年光能利用率、积温生产率以及降水生产率分别提高15％～55％;年径流量减少122～526m~3/ha,年侵蚀量减少42～69t/ha,养分流失率减少20％～90％;土壤有机质、全氮和10～0.25mm粒径的水稳性团粒含量分别提高37.4％～49.5％、11.7％～21.0％和51.1％～62.0％,土壤养分呈增加趋势,肥力明显提高。     

Soil erosion in river basins of Georgia

The area of cultivated lands in western and eastern Georgia comprises 28–40 and 29–33% of the total catchment areas, respectively. Eroded arable soils in Georgia occupy 205700 ha, i.e. 30.5% of the total plowland area, including 110500 ha (16.4%) of slightly eroded soils, 74400 ha (11%) of moderately eroded soils, and 20800 ha (3.1%) of strongly eroded soils. The maximum denudation rate in catchments of western Georgia reaches 1.0 mm/yr. The minimum denudation (0.01 mm/yr.) is typical of river catchments in southern Georgia. The mean annual soil loss from plowed fields in western Georgia reaches 17.4 t/ha and exceeds the soil loss tolerance by nearly four times. In eastern Georgia, it is equal to 10.46 t/ha and exceeds the soil loss tolerance by 2.5 times. In southern Georgia, the mean annual soil loss from plowed fields is as low as 3.08 t per ha, i.e., much lower than the soil loss tolerance.     

EFFECT OF SOIL BUNDS ON RUNOFF,SOIL AND NUTRIENT LOSSES,AND CROP YIELD IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA

The effects of soil bunds on runoff, losses of soil and nutrients, and crop yield are rarely documented in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. A field experiment was set up consisting of three treatments: (i) barley‐cultivated land protected with graded soil bunds (Sb); (ii) fallow land (F); and (iii) barley‐cultivated land without soil bund (Bc). For 3 years (2007–2009), the effect of soil bunds on runoff, losses of soil and nutrients, and crop productivity was studied. Daily runoff and soil and nutrient losses were measured for each treatment using standard procedures while barley yield was recorded from the cultivated plots. The results showed that Sb brought about significant reduction in runoff and soil losses. Plots with Sb reduced the average annual runoff by 28 per cent and the average annual soil loss by 47 per cent. Consequently, Sb reduced losses of soil nutrients and organic carbon. However, the absolute losses were still high. This implies the need for supplementing Sb with biological and agronomic land management measures to further control soil erosion. Despite these positive impacts on soil quality, Sb do not increase crop yield. Calculated on a per‐hectare basis, Sb even reduce crop yield by about 7 per cent as compared with control plots, which is entirely explained by the reduction of the cultivable area by 8·6 per cent due to the soil bunds. Suitable measures are needed to compensate the yield losses caused by the construction of soil bunds, which would convince farmers to construct these land management measures that have long‐term beneficial effects on erosion control. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.