A GIS based approach to modelling the effects of land-use change on soil erosion in New Zealand

Abstract. The problem of soil erosion is particularly evident in New Zealand, given the combination of coarse-textured soils, steep relief, high rainfall, and intensification of agriculture. A study was undertaken to assess the effects of land use change on soil erosion and sediment transport for the Ngongotaha catchment in New Zealand's North Island, using a GIS based decision support and modelling system. Model simulations considered the effect of increased catchment area under deer farming and forestry on the amount of sediment delivered to the catchment outlet, averaged over a period of six years. The simulations predicted that sediment loss from land under deer farming was considerably greater than from land under other livestock or forestry. Further model simulations testing best management practices demonstrated that sediment yield could be halved if deer farming was restricted to slopes under 20%.     

Variable-timing,fixed-rate application of cattle biogas effluent to rice using a leaf color chart: microcosm experiments in Vietnam

ABSTRACT

Livestock production plays a leading role in agricultural land-use change. Producing biogas from livestock waste and subsequently using the biogas effluent as fertilizer for crops is a promising option to solve environmental problems resulting from expanding livestock production. However, it is difficult to promptly and accurately measure the nitrogen (N) concentration of effluent for farmers in developing countries, making precise N management difficult. The objectives of the current study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of variable-timing, fixed-rate application of cattle biogas effluent using a leaf color chart (LCC) for rice (Oryza sativa L.) and (2) to determine the optimum LCC threshold for grain yield. We conducted two microcosm experiments in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam in 2018 using eight treatments of N-fertilizer application. In the Zero treatment, we applied no N. In the Estd treatment, we split-applied N as effluent (E) at fixed rate and timing as the standard method. In E2.75, E3.00, E3.25, E3.50, and E3.75, we applied effluent whenever the LCC value went below 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, and 3.75, respectively. In U3.25, we applied N as urea (U) whenever the LCC value fell below 3.25. The total effluent-N application rate ranged from 90 to 210 kg N ha^?1 season^?1. Rice growth was normal but there was a substantial yield gap between the two microcosm experiments due to the seasonal difference in solar radiation. Rice yield tended to increase with increasing LCC threshold. There was a positive linear relationship between LCC and chlorophyll content (SPAD) values (R ² = 0.73–0.79). Grain yield was well explained (R ² = 0.70–0.89) by the seasonal mean LCC or SPAD value. Plant total N uptake increased with increasing LCC threshold, but the three calculated indices of N use efficiency (NUE) – apparent N recovery, agronomic NUE, and internal NUE – were not always improved with a higher LCC threshold. Our results showed that the tested variable-timing, fixed-rate strategy for the application of cattle biogas effluent was feasible and the optimum LCC threshold for grain production was 3.75 under the current microcosm conditions.     

Systematic landscape restoration using integer programming

In some agricultural regions, reservation of remnant natural lands will not maintain the natural biodiversity and large-scale ecological restoration is required. Geographic planning for restoration is essential to obtain the maximum ecological benefit from the limited resources available for landscape restoration. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept that implements principles of systematic conservation planning, such as adequacy, representativeness, efficiency and flexibility, within an integer programming framework to identify geographic priorities for landscape restoration in a small catchment in South Australia. Integer programming ensures maximally efficient solutions that meet conservation targets in the form of minimum proportions (30%) and minimum areas (15 ha) of each environment type. However, the optimum solution identifies a system of scattered sites with an inadequate and impractical landscape structure. We propose a system of impedance surfaces that prioritise the spatial location of restoration towards improving landscape structure. Different options for systematic landscape restoration are assessed and the costs of spatial prioritisation of areas is found to be either optimal or very near optimal regardless of the impedances used. Thus, the cost of spatial prioritisation of sites for restoration in the landscape is negligible. We suggest the proposed methodology fits within a broader plan for landscape restoration and natural resource management.     

The impact of clonality on an endangered tree (Elaeocarpus williamsianus) in a fragmented rainforest

The occurrence and distribution of clonality in the endangered rainforest tree Elaeocarpus williamsianus (Elaeocarpaceae) was investigated using SSR and RAPD analyses for 170 apparent individual trees found across seven sites. The results obtained with the two molecular techniques were in complete agreement in showing that single clones are present in most of the E. williamsianus sites with two genets occurring at the largest and most adequately protected site. In addition, seed production, viability and germinability were determined for four of these populations. Fruit were produced in all four populations tested although sterile fruit were very common. Only two E. williamsianus trees representing different genets within the same site produced viable seed. The overall genetic diversity within E. williamsianus is much lower than expected and thus the potential for sexual reproduction has been significantly diminished. It is concluded that habitat fragmentation removed an existing balance between vegetative and sexual reproduction in this species. Such findings have added urgency to the management of this species which could include a reintroduction program incorporating the collation of all clones within selected sites.     

北京城市园林树木碳贮量与固碳量研究

为了解北京城市园林树木碳库的贮量及其固碳效果,在1995年和2000年北京城市园林绿化普查资料的基础上,结合遥感影像,对北京城市园林树木碳贮量进行计算。结果表明:2002年北京城市园林树木总碳贮量约为58.88万t,单位建成区面积碳贮量为7.70t/hm2;近年来北京园林树木碳贮量正逐年增加,2002年新增碳贮量达0.46万t。     

Displacement imaging in porous media using the line scan NMR technique

Displacement imaging is a recent, powerful NMR method with which distributions of displacements can be acquired of e.g. fluids within a porous medium. Both motion parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction may be observed within a time window of a few milliseconds to several seconds. By combining displacement imaging with the line scan technique, one-dimensionally resolved measurements with a high temporal resolution ( < 1 min) of the spatial dependency of motion can be obtained. Here we present displacement images of flow through two simple model systems for soil: an unconsolidated glass bead water system and a sintered glass bead filter. It is demonstrated that the combination of displacement imaging and spatial resolution along a line is important to access both bulk displacement and local displacements in relation to the local porosity.     

北京地区冬小麦冻害预报系统初探

采用运筹学决策树方法，通过归纳冬小麦各生育阶段各种因素的综合影响，建立了冬小麦冻害预报系统。系统分为品种、播种、冬前条件、越冬条件、早春条件5个层次，并以冬4、麦自身抗寒力（品种，生长状况等）和环境因素（土壤，气象条件，田间管理等）为指标，判断预测麦苗抗寒力、越冬冻伤情况及冻害程度，预测结果均以5个等级描述，系统按照预测的冻害级别给出不同时段冻害预防的补救措施和建议，具有较高的应用价值。     

太湖地区不同土壤-森林生态系统中林木生长对微量元素的反应及反馈效应

Vector analysis technique and ecological sequential comparison methods were adopted to study tree growth response to the micronutrients,B,Mo,Cu,Zn,Fe,and Mn,in soils derived from various parent materials in the forest area of Tailhu Lake region in southeast China,The results showed that the dry weight of individual current-year needle of Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata) grown on the soil derived from granite parent rock was increased by 8% and 13% in comparison with that grown on the soils derived from sandstone and ash-tuff parent rock,respectively.And such dry weight of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) grown on the soil derived from sandstone parent rock was increased by 21% in comparison with that on the soil derived from ash-tuff parent rock.One of the reasons for those results was that micronutrients content in the soil derived from ash-tuff parent rock were not sufficient to meet the requirement of the growth of Chinese fir and loblolly pine ,i.e.,micronutrients in soil were deficient and/or induced defiient.The amounts of Cu,Zn,Fe,and Mn uptake by Chinses fir and loblolly pine were in agreement with the contents of available micronutrients in soil respectively,except for B and Mo.Meanwhile,there might exist and “antagonism“ between the uptake of B versus Mo by trees,although more studies are needed to confirm it .Regression analysis indicated that amount of a soil available micronutrient was correlated to the type of parent material and its total amount in the forest floor, except for B.The F test identified that the correlation of each equation reached the significant level to different extents,respectively,The t test confirmed that amount of available forms was mainly depended on the type of parent material for Mo,Cu,Zn and Mn but on the forest floor for ,Fe,There was a feedback effect of forest stand on the amount of soil available micronutrients.The ability of accumulating available micronutrients in soil was better by the sawtooth oak(Quercus acutissima) stand than by the Chinese fir stand (except for B).The ability of accumulating available Zn,Fe,Mn and Mo in soil was better by the Chinese fir stand than by the loblolly pine stand ,while as for available B and Cu,by the latter was better than by the former,When discussing the efect of forest stand on the amount of soil available micronutrients,not only the amount of micronutrient in the forest floor and the parent materials but also the amount of micronutrient taken up by current-year needles have to be considered.     

Soil organic matter and related physical properties in a Mediterranean wheat-based rotation trial

Under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions, limited moisture is the main constraint to rainfed cropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and food and forage legumes. With increasing land-use pressure, moisture-conserving fallowing is being replaced by continuous cropping, which is considered an unsustainable practice. Thus, a long-term trial with durum wheat (T. turgidum var. durum) was established in 1983 at Tel Hadya, Aleppo, Syria (mean annual rainfall 330 mm) to assess alternative rotation options to fallow and continuous cropping. Nitrogen (N) and grazing/residue management were secondary factors. Soil aggregation, infiltration, hydraulic conductivity, and total soil organic matter and component fractions (fulvic and humic acids and polysaccharides) were determined at the end of 12 years. Some rotations, e.g., medic (Medicago sativa) and vetch (Vicia faba), significantly increased soil organic matter (12.5–13.8 g kg⁻¹ versus 10.9–11 g kg⁻¹ for continuous wheat and wheat/fallow). All measurements, or indices, indicated parallel trends with increasing organic matter, e.g., coefficients of macro-structure, micro-aggregation, and water-stable aggregates, and decreasing dispersion. Similarly, legume rotations had higher infiltration rates (16.2–21.8 cm h⁻¹ versus 13.9–14.4 cm h⁻¹ with continuous wheat and wheat/fallow) and hydraulic conductivity rates (8.7–12.4 cm h⁻¹ versus 6.2–7.4 cm h⁻¹ with continuous wheat and wheat/fallow). We conclude that cereal/legume rotations, in addition to being biologically and economically attractive, also enhance soil quality and thus promote soil use sustainability in fragile semi-arid areas as in the Mediterranean zone.     

Assessment of soil organic matter mineralization under various management practices

ABSTRACT

Mineralization is the main organic matter conversion process, which leads not only to preservation of organic matter in the soil but also to its sequestration. Soil organic matter has equal value as mineral part if we want to improve soil quality or increase the yield. Because of intensive farming, irresponsible use of mineral fertilizers and natural factors, soil organic matter is decreasing. To counteract this process, different soil-friendly management practices and techniques, such as shallow tillage, no-tillage or direct drilling and application of additional organic matter are used. The objective of the present study was to assess the changes in the intensity of soil organic matter mineralization as influenced by primary soil tillage of different intensity in combination with organic matter incorporation. Long-term studies showed that land management practices differentiated the soil into two layers: upper (0–10?cm) layer containing more moisture and nutrients and lower (10–20?cm) layer comprising less moisture and nutrients. The conditions of aeration in the arable soil layer did not change under the effect of ploughing. In this soil, the rate of mineralization was lower than that in the ploughless tillage treatment. The most active mineralization of soil organic matter in the ploughless tillage treatment occurred in the autumn period, when high level of rainfall promoted the loss of nutrients from the topsoil layer.