近60年湘江流域水沙特性及其对人类活动的响应

湘江流域人类活动对湘江水沙变化具有显著影响。利用M-K次序法、Pettitt非参数检验法和双累积曲线法分析湘江干支流1953-2014年的年径流量、汛期径流量和非汛期径流量与输沙量的关系,并分析水土保持和水库建设等人类活动与水沙演变的关系。结果表明:1)湘江干支流水文站的年径流量、汛期径流量与输沙量的相关性强,且1990年后湘潭站径流量-输沙量的相关系数为0.83,而非汛期相关性较弱。1990年前,干流站点径流量和输沙量处于波动状态,1990年后干流站点径流量总体呈增加趋势,但输沙量呈减小趋势,且老埠头站的输沙量发生微幅突变。除个别站点之外,支流站点的径流量和输沙量发生突变的年份与变化规律均一致。2)水土保持以及水库建设对湘江流域的拦沙作用是输沙量减少的主要原因。相比支流,水土保持对湘江干流流域的输沙量减少影响更显著,水库建设与湘江干支流输沙量减少均密切相关。3)根据湘江流域输沙量突变点可划分A(1960-1987年)、B(1988-1996年)、C(1997-2013年)3个时期,在不考虑温度变化的影响下,以A时期1960-1987年为基准期,利用累积量斜率变化率比较法可知,相比基准期A时期,B、C时期水土保持和水库拦沙等人类活动对输沙量的减少的贡献率为88.58%和94.01%,人类活动为输沙量减小的主要因素。     

Impact of afforestation on hydrological response and sediment production in a small Calabrian catchment

Extensive afforestation using Pinus and Eucalyptus has taken place in Calabria since the early 1960's to control expansion of calanchi and biancane. In 1978 three small catchments were established near Crotone to monitor the effect of afforestation on hydrological response and sediment yield. In 1992, rainfall simulation experiments were carried out on plots in these catchments to determine more precisely the effect of tree and ground vegetation on surface runoff and erosional response. Most experiments were carried out in a logged catchment with slopes ranging from 20 to 30° and aspects from SW to NE. Results showed complex runoff generation and sediment production, reflecting the effect of microclimate and subtle variations in vegetation on infiltration characteristics. On south-facing slopes with little ground vegetation runoff generation was rapid with runoff coefficients from 27 to 37% and peak sediment concentrations reaching 83.7 g · 1⁻¹. On north-facing slopes with good tree cover, little grass, but continuous leaf litter, runoff coefficients reached 21%, but peak sediment concentration was only 3.6 g · 1⁻¹, while on recently logged north-facing slopes with dense grass cover the highest runoff coefficient was only 5.5% runoff coefficient, and there was virtually no sediment production. Implications of results for forest management and soil conservation are discussed.     

林火前后坡面覆盖类型对产流产沙影响的模拟试验

通过室内模拟降雨试验,设置3种降雨强度(30,60,90 mm/h)和3种地表覆盖类型(裸土坡面、1 cm马尾松枯落物覆盖、1 cm马尾松灰烬覆盖),研究林火发生前后不同地表覆盖下的坡面产流产沙过程,明确枯落物和植物灰烬覆盖的减流减沙效益。结果表明:(1)相比裸坡,枯落物和灰烬覆盖下的坡面初始产流时间分别延长33%~80%和51%~200%,灰烬覆盖对延缓产流的效果更为明显;(2)相比裸坡,枯落物覆盖的减流效果稳定在12%~36%,而灰烬覆盖在中小雨强的减流效果高于70%,在90 mm/h雨强时减流效果降低至7%;(3)裸土坡面产流呈现先快速升高后稳定的趋势,而枯落物和灰烬覆盖坡面产流效果呈现"阶梯"形上升趋势;(4)枯落物覆盖能够减小径流携沙量和总产沙量,在3种雨强下减沙效益均高于85%,且高于同雨强下灰烬覆盖的减沙效益。枯落物覆盖的减流减沙效果在不同雨强下表现较为稳定,而灰烬覆盖的减流减沙效果受降雨强度的影响显著,且枯落物覆盖的减沙效益在3种雨强下均优于灰烬覆盖,说明在林火发生后地表覆盖改变是引起土壤侵蚀增加的重要因素之一。     

甘肃天水市对比小流域暴雨洪水侵蚀产沙特性

 为分析黄土丘三区水土保持综合治理对小流域典型暴雨产汇流特性的影响,依据桥子东、西沟对比小流域暴雨洪水泥沙观测资料,结合实地调查对比分析雨、洪、沙特性。结果表明:在降雨差异很小的情况下,其水沙特性差异明显,桥子东沟较西沟洪峰削减率达66.9%,单位面积减洪量1万3336m3/km2,减沙量8534t/km2,2流域的流量和含沙量过程变化趋势基本一致,但西沟变率均大于东沟,且西沟流域侵蚀模数是东沟的3.5倍。桥子东沟流域各项水土保持措施发挥了显著的蓄洪拦沙作用,减洪效益59.9%,减沙效益79.5%;桥子西沟的林草措施减洪效益为6.9%,减沙效益8.4%。     

不同处理下油松枯落物减流减沙效应试验研究

森林枯落物对坡面土壤侵蚀过程发挥着重要的调控作用,但其控制效应仍待明确。采用室内大型土槽及人工模拟降雨试验探讨油松枯落物的不同铺设方式对坡面产流产沙的影响,试验在4种雨强(30,60,90,120mm/h)和油松枯落物的3种铺设方式(裸坡对照、枯落物直接铺设和枯落物隔网铺设)下进行,设置枯落物隔网铺设方式来研究枯落物降低雨滴动能减少击溅侵蚀作用,设置枯落物直接铺设方式来研究枯落物增大地表粗糙率阻滞拦截作用。结果表明:(1)枯落物存在使坡面初始产流时间延长2.3～5.5倍,且枯落物隔网铺设较直接铺设初始产流时间更长。(2)2种枯落物覆盖坡面与裸土坡面相比,枯落物减小坡面径流流速47.9%～62.3%,雨强越小,枯落物减弱径流流速作用越明显。(3)枯落物显著增加入渗并减小径流,在雨强较小时作用更加明显。(4)枯落物可减少径流泥沙75%以上,直接铺设减沙更加明显,这主要是由于枯落物增大地表糙度减小流速。研究结果为植被坡面土壤侵蚀模型建立提供一定理论基础,为面向水土流失防控的植被构建提供一定科学依据。     

Zum Einfluß organischer Bodenbedeckung auf den lateralen Transport von Isoproturon auf der Bodenoberfläche

On the Effect of Organic Surface Cover on Lateral Transport of Isoproturon on Soil Surface The losses of the herbicide isoproturon with the surface runoff and the sediment loss have been measured by means of rainfall simulations on microplots (0.5 × 1 m²) with different mulch materials and increasing soil cover percentages (wheat straw vs. rape leafs). Soil cover by straw showed no significant effect on the runoff discharge, but the total loss of isoproturon increased between 22 and 37%. Soil cover by rape leafs diminished the runoff by between 13 and 61%, the reduction of isoproturon loss was in the same range. It was shown, that the different influences of different mulch materials on runoff and soil loss can lead to different pesticide losses. Therefore, the only giving of “mulch” without specification does not describe such experiments sufficiently.     

Changing sediment yield as an indicator of improved soil management practices in southern Brazil

Catchment-level soil and water conservation programmes have been widely employed in Brazil. An important component of these programmes is the implementation of water and sediment monitoring projects to evaluate the impact of changes in soil management on water resources. In general, results from monitoring projects have been inconclusive, due to a series of difficulties associated with data collection and limited timeframes. This study presents results from a hydrosedimentological monitoring project undertaken in a small (1.19 km²) rural catchment in Southern Brazil before and after the introduction of conservation tillage practices implemented by the RS-RURAL — Program Against Rural Poverty. These practices, including use of winter cover crops and minimum tillage tobacco cultivation, were gradually adopted by local farmers. Data on precipitation, runoff volume, maximum flow and sediment yield were assembled for representative storm events occurring between May 2002 and March 2006, and analyzed to identify changes in the storm runoff and storm-period sediment response of the study catchment. The results provide evidence of statistically significant reductions in storm runoff, maximum flow rate and sediment yield after implementation of the conservation practices. Sediment sources were also investigated using the fingerprinting technique and this work demonstrated a statistically significant reduction over the study period in the proportion of the sediment contributed by fields (62% to 54%) and unmetalled roads (36% to 24%). This reduction was offset by an increased contribution of sediment from channel sources (2% to 22%). The increased proportion of sediment mobilized from the channel is in part a function of the reduced contribution from the two other sources, but it also reflects the reduction in sediment inputs to the channel from the fields and unmetalled roads, which results in an increase in the energy available for channel scour. Results emphasize the complexity of the relationship between sediment yield, the effects of climactic variability, and changes in land use and management.     

草被地上和地下部分拦蓄径流和减少泥沙的效益分析

研究草被地上和地下部分拦蓄径流和减少泥沙效益对科学评价草被防止土壤侵蚀的作用有重要科学意义。采用模拟降雨试验，分析了草被地上和地下部分拦蓄径流和减少泥沙的效益。结果表明，草被与森林植被一样，能有效防止土壤侵蚀。当草地地面覆盖达90％时，草被拦蓄径流效益达90％以上，而基本上无侵蚀发生。草被地上部分（茎枝＋枯落物）拦蓄径流效益为23．7％，其中茎枝部分拦蓄径流效益为9．0％和枯落物层拦蓄径流效益为14．7％，减少泥沙效益为44．6％；草被地下部分土壤体拦蓄径流效益为72．7％，拦蓄泥沙效益为55．4％。     

Simulated rainfall evaluation of revegetation/mulch erosion control in the Lake Tahoe Basin—1: method assessment

Revegetation of road cuts and fills is intended to stabilize those drastically disturbed areas so that sediment is not transported to adjacent waterways. Sediment has resulted in water quality degradation, an extremely critical issue in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Many revegetation efforts in this semiarid, subalpine environment have resulted in low levels of plant cover, thus failing to meet project goals. Further, no adequate physical method of assessing project effectiveness has been developed, relative to runoff or sediment movement. This paper describes the use of a portable rainfall simulator (RS) to conduct a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of a variety of erosion‐control treatments and treatment effects on hydrologic parameters and erosion. The particular goal of this paper is to determine whether the RS method can measure revegetation treatment effects on infiltration and erosion. The RS‐plot studies were used to determine slope, cover (mulch and vegetation) and surface roughness effects on infiltration, runoff and erosion rates at several roadcuts across the basin. A rainfall rate of ≈60 mm h⁻¹, approximating the 100‐yr, 15‐min design storm, was applied over replicated 0·64 m² plots in each treatment type and over bare‐soil plots for comparison. Simulated rainfall had a mean drop size of ≈2·1 mm and approximately 70% of ‘natural’ kinetic energy. Measured parameters included time to runoff, infiltration, runoff/infiltration rate, sediment discharge rate and average sediment concentration as well as analysis of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and dissolved phosphorus (TDP) from filtered (0·45 μm) runoff samples. Runoff rates, sediment concentrations and yields were greater from volcanic soils as compared to that from granitic soils for nearly all cover conditions. For example, bare soil sediment yields from volcanic soils ranged from 2–12 as compared to 0·3–3 g m⁻² mm⁻¹ for granitic soils. Pine‐needle mulch cover treatments substantially reduced sediment yields from all plots. Plot microtopography or roughness and cross‐slope had no effect on sediment concentrations in runoff or sediment yield. RS measurements showed discernible differences in runoff, infiltration, and sediment yields between treatments. Runoff nutrient concentrations were not distinguishable from that in the rainwater used. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄土区森林植被对流域径流和输沙的影响

 为进一步探讨森林植被对流域尺度径流和输沙的影响,给黄土区植被建设提供理论依据,通过对黄土区山西省吉县蔡家川嵌套流域的聚类分析,选取地形地貌特征相似的森林流域和无林流域,对其雨季径流和输沙进行分析。结果表明:森林植被可以大幅度地延缓产流时间、减少小流域的暴雨洪峰流量;随着森林植被覆盖率的增加,流域雨季径流量、径流深和径流系数减少,无林流域比森林流域的雨季径流深和径流系数高520倍,少林流域比多林流域的雨季径流深和径流系数高2.7～2.9倍;少林流域暴雨径流输沙量是多林流域的36倍,且前者暴雨径流输沙过程线的变化比后者剧烈得多。由于森林植被对流域径流影响的复杂性和尺度依赖性,森林在区域（或大流域）尺度的水文功能评价仍有待进一步深入研究。     

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.     

金沙江流域水沙变化及其驱动机制

为了探究金沙江流域控制水文站屏山站水沙序列的趋势及突变特性,量化不同驱动因素对水沙变化的贡献。基于金沙江流域1954—2016年径流和输沙数据,从长时期及场次事件两个角度揭示了水沙关系的动态变化特征。结果表明：(1) 63年间,径流量年均变化速率为-1.16×10⁸m³/a;输沙量年均变化速率为-2.0×10⁶t/a; 1998年长江流域发生特大洪水,水沙序列在该年发生突变;(2)水沙关系的特征参数a值在1998年前后由上升改为下降趋势,退耕等坡面水保措施在1998年后发挥了重要作用;b值始终下降,河道影响因素始终发挥减沙作用;在场次降雨尺度上,流域径流-悬移质泥沙环路(C-Q环路)以顺时针形环路为主,表明坡面泥沙物源充足,是影响流域产沙的重要因素;(3)流域内降水、温度及NDVI与径流和输沙之间有明显的相关性,人类活动与降水因素对径流量的贡献比为-1∶2,而输沙量主要受人类活动影响,对应的贡献比为-6∶1。综上,金沙江流域63年间的径流输沙受多种因素综合影响,径流量的变化主要由于降水的变化,输沙量受人类活动影响更大。     

草本植被覆盖对坡面降雨径流侵蚀影响的试验研究

通过野外人工模拟降雨试验,研究了草本植被覆盖对坡面降雨径流侵蚀的影响,并从径流侵蚀功率和降雨侵蚀力两个方面对比分析了草本植被对坡面侵蚀动力的调控效果,结果表明草本植被覆盖深刻影响降雨侵蚀动力,并最终对坡面径流侵蚀量产生较大的影响。植被覆盖度为0%～60%时,产流产沙量随植被覆盖度的增加迅速降低,植被覆盖度>80%时,覆盖度的增加不能引起产流、产沙量的大幅度下降,植被水沙调控作用趋于稳定,确定本研究的临界植被覆盖度为60%～80%;以径流深和洪峰流量模数表示的坡面径流侵蚀功率以及降雨侵蚀力等侵蚀动力指标均与侵蚀产沙量呈正相关关系,但径流侵蚀功率与产沙量具有更强的相关性,说明径流侵蚀功率能更好地模拟侵蚀动力;以径流侵蚀功率/侵蚀量表示植被覆盖度对侵蚀结果的影响,反映了临界植被覆盖度的存在,可以作为评价植被侵蚀动力调控效应的一个指标。     

1951—2014年洞庭湖水沙阶段性演变特征及驱动因素分析

基于洞庭湖1951-2014年实测径流量和输沙量数据,采用Mann-Kendall检验、滑动t检验和有序聚类分析等多种统计方法分析洞庭湖水沙演变特征,并以回归曲线拟合及归-化曲线对降水量、径流量和输沙量之间的相互关系进行分析,以期确定影响洞庭湖水沙变化的驱动因素.结果表明:(1)入出湖径流量、输沙量的突变年份有差异,入湖径流量、出湖径流量为1971年,入湖输沙量为1985年,出湖输沙量为1970年;(2)洞庭湖入湖径流量具有以分段衰减为特征的演变过程,1972-1977年表现最明显;(3)入湖输沙量呈现分段衰减的阶段性演变特征,2004-2014年间多年平均输沙量减幅最大,衰减率为75.34％;(4)入湖、出湖径流量在1951-1971年和1978-1985年主要受降水量变化驱动,1972-1977年和1986-2014年主要受沙滩子自然裁弯、葛洲坝水电站、五强溪水库、三峡工程等人类活动影响;(5)1951-1971年入湖径流量的多寡对入湖输沙量产生一定影响,1972-2014年影响输沙量减少的主要因素是水利枢纽工程.因此,洞庭湖流域水沙过程的不同阶段其主导驱动因素有所差异.其中,入湖径流1972-1977,20042014年2个阶段及出湖径流1976-1985,2004-2014年2个阶段以水利枢纽工程驱动为主,其余2个以降水量变化驱动为主.     

黄丘一区小流域洪水输沙特性研究

<正> 长期的土壤侵蚀,把黄丘一区地表切割成千沟万壑的形态,坡陡流急,干沟沟底比降1％～3％,支毛沟比降更大。一遇暴雨洪水,当汇集坡面来水来沙后,沟岸侧蚀、沟底下切、沟头前进严重,形成沟道网络的高含沙水流,其含沙量500～1000kg/m~3,最高可达1700kg/m~3。由于含沙量大,水流容重和粘滞性增加,紊动减弱,成为非牛顿二相流,具有流变性质。本文根据绥德水保站及有关站(所)的实测资料和研究成果,对黄丘一区小流域洪水输沙特性作一分析。     

模拟降雨条件下不同覆被减流减沙效益与侵蚀影响因子

[目的]研究不同坡度和降雨强度条件下,不同覆被的减流减沙效果,定量分析各侵蚀影响因子的权重。[方法]采用室内人工模拟降雨的方法。[结果](1)与裸地相比,枯落物、砾石和黑麦草均具有良好的减流减沙效果,枯落物的减流效果最好,减流效益最大为79.7%,平均减流效益46.1%。其次为黑麦草,最大减流效益68.9%。第三为砾石,最大减流效益68.0%。(2)黑麦草的减流效果存在临界盖度,其值在60%左右,当盖度大于60%后其减流效益不再增加。(3)减沙效益随着盖度的增加而增加,枯落物、砾石和草地最大减沙效益分别为98.8%,64.6%和88.1%。(4)经过灰色关联定量分析得出选取的8个影响因子与径流均有较高的关联性,关联度都在0.622 3以上。[结论]不同试验条件和不同覆被对坡面产流产沙具有明显影响,降雨强度和降雨量是对泥沙量影响较大的因素,降雨强度、降雨量、覆被盖度和坡度是对径流量影响较大的4个因子,影响因子与径流和泥沙的关联度和关联序因土壤种类不同而存在差异。     

覆沙坡面径流冲刷试验研究

通过室内模拟冷冻和放水冲刷试验,采用2个放水流量(1,2L/min)、2个土壤处理(未冻坡面,冻结坡面)和4个覆沙厚度(0,1,2,3cm)研究不同处理对覆沙黄土坡面产流产沙的影响。结果表明:(1)相同流量条件下,覆沙坡面初始产流时间延长,随着覆沙厚度的增加,延长效果越明显,而冻融作用使坡面初始产流时间缩短;不同处理坡面的产流产沙峰值均增大,并且产流量与产沙量的峰现时间具有不同步性。(2)不同流量条件下,不同处理坡面总产流量是对照坡面的1.02~1.28倍,冻结坡面和冻结-覆沙坡面的总产流量与对照坡面有显著差异(p0.05),坡面总产沙量是对照坡面的1.97~10.94倍,冻结坡面、对照-覆沙坡面和冻结-覆沙坡面的总产沙量与对照坡面有显著差异(p0.05)。(3)不同流量条件下,相同处理坡面产流强度随产流时间变化趋势大致相同,裸坡坡面产沙强度随着产流时间的变化趋势较为平稳,而覆沙坡面产沙强度波动程度较大,覆沙是影响坡面产沙过程的主要因素;相同流量条件下,不同处理坡面产流强度大致分为"快速上升-相对稳定"和"相对稳定"两种变化趋势。(4)相同流量条件下,裸坡坡面的产流强度受冻融作用的影响较大,冻融和覆沙处理对产沙强度的影响均较大,冻融作用在裸坡条件下对产沙过程的影响大于覆沙坡面,覆沙坡面在土壤未冻结的情况下对产沙过程的影响大于在土壤冻结的情况。     

Estimation of Runoff,Peak Discharge and Sediment Load at the Event Scale in a Medium‐Size Mediterranean Watershed Using the Annagnps Model

In this paper, the Annualized Agricultural Non‐Point Source (AnnAGNPS) model has been used to estimate runoff, peak discharge and sediment load at the event scale in a Mediterranean watershed. The study area is the Carapelle torrent, Southern Italy (area = 506 km²), where continuous rainfall, streamflow and sediment load data are available. Nineteen flood events have been registered in the period 2007–2009 and were used for the application of the model. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model at the event scale, in a medium‐size watershed, given the specific conditions of the semi‐arid environments. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to assign the correct parameterization: the mean normalized output variation of the most meaningful input parameters pointed out the influence of the curve number on runoff, peak discharge and sediment load predictions (values greater than 1); the MN Manning's roughness coefficient and K, C and P factors of the universal soil loss equation showed a moderate influence on sediment load simulations (values between 0·5 and 1). The selection of the Soil Conservation Service synthetic storm types has been based on the observed storm events analysis to improve the peak discharge simulations. The model prediction has proved to be good for runoff (R² = 0·74, NSE = 0·75, W = 0·92) and peak discharge (R² = 0·85, NSE = 0·70, W = 0·94), and satisfactory for sediment yield (R² = 0·70, NSE = 0·63, W = 0·91). The relative error is lower for high events; this result is quite interesting in semi‐arid environments, where most of the annual sediment yield is concentrated in a few, severe events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The impact of water harvesting on soil properties in the island of Fuerteventura, Spain

Abstract. In the extremely arid island of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain), a traditional water harvesting practice has evolved in slightly sloping areas, which receive runoff water from time to time. The system is particularly effective in the rehabilitation of saline–sodic soils where the improved fertility allows certain crops to be grown, which would not be possible without water harvesting. The influence of the water harvesting on soil fertility was investigated by comparing the properties of the cultivated soils receiving periodic runoff with those of natural control soils that did not receive runoff. The saline–sodic characteristics of the four uncultivated soils were absent from the four cultivated soils which, on average, contained only one quarter of the exchangeable sodium and more than twice the exchangeable calcium content. The clay and silt content of all four of the cultivated soils had been substantially enhanced relative to the control soils, by sediment contained in the runoff.     

Arkansas Discovery Farms: documenting water quality benefits of on-farm conservation management and empowering farmers

Arkansas Discovery Farms (ADFs) are private farms that collaborate with on-farm research, verification, and demonstration of farming's impact on the environment. We have nine ADFs representing livestock (broiler poultry and pasture grazed beef and sheep) and row crop agriculture (corn, cotton, rice, soybean, and wheat), where we collect water use and water quality data as a function of conservation management, using autosamplers equipped with edge-of-field H-flumes or weir flow structures, which measure and collect surface runoff. On the poultry farms, we are monitoring nutrient and sediment runoff originating immediately near poultry houses due to concerns with spillage of litter during bird removal and house clean out, as well as dust from tunnel ventilation. On a nearby farm we are assessing the impact of rotational grazing on water quality, soil organic matter, and soil health metrics. On the row crop farms we are assessing the impacts of conservation tillage and cover crops on soybean–corn rotations and cotton on nutrient and sediment runoff and the benefits of water harvesting and reuse of water conservation and quality. The information in this paper while preliminary, demonstrates how a state-wide on-farm demonstration program operates. Elevated nutrient and sediment runoff from around poultry production areas are decreased three-fold by directing runoff into ponds or through grassed waterways. While conservation tillage and cover crops do decrease nutrient and sediment runoff, no significant difference between conventional and conservation operations is yet to be realized. Importantly, ADF empowers farmers to proactively address environmental concerns. This paper discusses the development, guidance, principals, and goals of ADF and contrasts this with other farm monitoring projects, where the sources of nutrient impairment are the subject of ongoing litigation. Monitoring in divisive and transparent situations presents unique challenges with data ownership and release of findings, which can hinder productive outcomes of such monitoring.