Soil Erosion and Management Strategies

2019 ◽  
pp. 73-122
Author(s):  
Shakeel Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Mehraj U. Din Dar ◽  
Ram Swaroop Meena
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Management Strategies

scholarly journals Calibration, Validation and Performance Evaluation of Swat Model for Sediment Yield Modelling in Megech Reservoir Catchment, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 21-31
Author(s):  
Abebe Tarko Assfaw
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Hydrological Modeling ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Performance Standard ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Intensive agricultural practice in Ethiopian highlands results in increasing rates of soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation. The estimation of sediment yield and prediction of the spatial distribution of soil erosion on the upper Megech reservoir catchment enables the local governments and policymakers to maximize the design span life of the Megech reservoir through implementing appropriate soil conservation practices. For this study, the sediment yield was estimated and analyzed through hydrological modeling (SWAT). The simulated outputs of the model show that the mean annual surface runoff was 282 mm and the mean annual streamflow was 153 m3/s. Similarly, 12.33 t/ha mean annual total sediment load gets into the Megech reservoir. The model performance standard used to evaluate the model result indicates that the model was superior in performing the trend of runoff and sediment yield in both calibration and validation periods. Finally, the most erosion vulnerable sub-basins that could have a significant impact on the sediment yield of the reservoir were identified. Based on this, sub-basin 7, 25, 27, 18 and 29 were found to be the most erosion sensitive areas that could have a significant contribution to the increment of sediment yield in the Megech reservoir. Considering the land use, soil type, slope, and relief of erosion vulnerable sub-basins cut off drains, fallow land, contour ploughing, Fanya juu terraces, soil bunds combined with trenches and trees could be the possible management strategies to reduce the sediment yield in the catchment.

scholarly journals ESTIMATE THE ANNUAL SOIL LOSS IN KUMMATTIPATTI NADI WATERSHED USING RUSLE MODEL THROUGH GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-82
Author(s):  
Suraj Shaikh ◽  
Masilamani Palanisamy ◽  
Abdul Rahaman Sheik Mohideen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Rainfall Erosivity ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Factor C ◽  
Conservation And Management

Soil erosion and soil loss is one of the common problems threatening the environment. This degrading phenomenon declines the soil fertility and significantly affects the agricultural activity. As a consequence, the productivity of soil is affected unquestionably. In this reason, there is a basic need to take up conservation and management measures which can be applied to check further soil erosion. Even though, soil erosion is a mass process spread cross the watershed, it is not economically viable to implement conservation techniques to the entire watershed. However, a method is a pre-requisite to identify the most vulnerable areas and quantify the soil erosion. In this study, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) has been accepted to estimate soil erosion in the Kummattipatti Nadi watershed part of the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. This model has several parameters including runoff-rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodability Factor (K), topographic factor (LS), cropping management factor (C), and support practice factor (P). All these layers are prepared through geographical information system (GIS) by using various data sources and data preparation methods. The results of the study shows that the annual average soil loss within the watershed is about 6 t/ha/yr (metric ton per hectare per year). Higher soil erosion is observed in the land use classes of gullied wasteland, open scrub forest and degraded plantation. The soil erosion risk is extremely higher on the steep slopes and adjoining foothills. The proper conservation and management strategies has to be implement in this watershed for the development.

Runoff and sediment yield of tilled and spontaneous grass-covered olive groves grown on sloping land

Soil Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 542 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Palese ◽  
J. Ringersma ◽  
J. E. M. Baartman ◽  
P. Peters ◽  
C. Xiloyannis
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Total Runoff ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Olive Groves

Soil erosion in olive groves is a widespread phenomenon in the Mediterranean Basin. Many studies have investigated the effects of tillage and herbaceous ground cover (spontaneous or seeded) in their effectiveness to reduce soil erosion in a wide range of Mediterranean sites under different pedoclimatic and topographic conditions. The present study was performed in Ferrandina, southern Italy: a small drip-type rainfall simulator was used on square microplots (0.25 × 0.25 m) to evaluate the propensity to erosion of a steep rain-fed olive grove (mean slope ~10%) with a sandy loam soil by measuring runoff and sediment load under extreme rain events. Two types of soil management were compared: (1) spontaneous grasses as ground cover (GC) providing a maximum ground cover close to 100%; and (2) tillage (T). In the tillage treatment, a further distinction was made between runoff and sediment produced 1 day (T1) and 10 days (T2) after tillage in order to assess the temporal evolution of tillage effects. The results show that GC reduced surface runoff to approximately one-third and soil losses to zero compared with T1. T2 microplots, tested 10 days after tillage, produced only one-tenth the sediment compared with T1 microplots that were subjected to rainfall simulations 1 day after tillage. Total runoff between the two tilled microplots was similar, although runoff on T1 microplots increased steadily over time whereas runoff on T2 microplots remained stable over the duration of simulations. Such findings may be useful to direct and strengthen the policy towards measures to prevent further soil degradation, as clearly requested by the European Union via the cross-compliance concept. A further economic recognition to the olive growers for the achievable environmental benefits could convince them to a shift towards alternative soil management strategies.

scholarly journals Soil Erosion Assessment Using the RUSLE Model and Geospatial Techniques (Remote Sensing and GIS) in South-Central Niger (Maradi Region)

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 3511
Author(s):  
Mohamed Adou Sidi Almouctar ◽  
Yiping Wu ◽  
Fubo Zhao ◽  
Jacqueline Fifame Dossou
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Rainfall Erosivity ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
South Central ◽  
Input Variables

A systematic method, incorporating the revised universal soil loss equation model (RUSLE), remote sensing, and the geographic information system (GIS), was used to estimate soil erosion potential and potential area in the Maradi region of south-central Niger. The spatial trend of seasonal soil erosion was obtained by integrating remote sensing environmental variables into a grid-based GIS method. RUSLE is the most commonly used method for estimating soil erosion, and its input variables, such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and conservation practices, vary greatly over space. These factors were calculated to determine their influence on average soil erosion in the region. An estimated potential mean annual soil loss of 472.4 t/ac/year, based on RUSLE, was determined for the study area. The potential erosion rates varied from 14.8 to 944.9 t/ac/year. The most eroded areas were identified in central and west-southern areas, with erosion rates ranging from 237.1 to 944.9 t/ac/year. The spatial erosion maps can serve as a useful reference for deriving land planning and management strategies and provide the opportunity to develop a decision plan for soil erosion prevention and control in south-central Niger.

scholarly journals Water Erosion Monitoring and Prediction in Response to the Effects of Climate Change Using RUSLE and SWAT Equations: Case of R’Dom Watershed in Morocco

Land ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Abdennabi Alitane ◽  
Ali Essahlaoui ◽  
Mohammed El Hafyani ◽  
Abdellah El Hmaidi ◽  
Anas El Ouali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Mediterranean Ecosystems ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Rainfall Prediction ◽  
Soil Erosion Rate

Soil erosion is an increasingly issue worldwide, due to several factors including climate variations and humans’ activities, especially in Mediterranean ecosystems. Therefore, the aim of this paper is: (i) to quantify and to predict soil erosion rate for the baseline period (2000–2013) and a future period (2014–2027), using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in the R’Dom watershed in Morocco, based on the opportunities of Remote Sensing (RS) techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) geospatial tools. (ii) we based on classical statistical downscaling model (SDSM) for rainfall prediction. Due to the lack of field data, the model results are validated by expert knowledge. As a result of this study, it is found that both agricultural lands and bare lands are most affected by soil erosion. Moreover, it is showed that soil erosion in the watershed was dominated by very low and low erosion. Although the area of very low erosion and low erosion continued to decrease. Hence, we hereby envisage that our contribution will provide a more complete understanding of the soil degradation in this study area and the results of this research could be a crucial reference in soil erosion studies and also may serve as a valuable guidance for watershed management strategies.

scholarly journals SOIL ERODIBILITY AND SOIL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO EROSION BY WATER IN SHONKOLA MOUNTAINOUS AREA OF SORO DISTRICT, ETHIOPIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kibemo Detamo Aga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
Farm Unit ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Clay Percentage

Although the problem of soil erosion is common in all countries, it is one of the more persisting hazards in developing countries like Ethiopia which is a country located in tropic where there is higher precipitation and is vulnerable to almost all forms of environmental degradation which is also resulted from poor resource conservation practices. The main objective of this study is to determine soil erodibility and susceptibility to soil erosion in Shonkola mountainous area, Soro district. To determine soil erodibility and susceptibility to soil erosion, the percentage of primary soil separates (silt, very fine sand, and clay); percentage of organic matter; soil structure classes; and soil permeability were estimated. Soil samples were collected from 56 locations at an average depth of 15 cm to employ soil texture nomograph. Thus, soil erodibility of Shonkola area is determined and mapped to envisage the area that is highly susceptible for soil erosion. The soil erodibility value ranges from 0.01426 to 0.04001. It was found that the soil erodibility increases as organic content decreases, soil texture becomes finer and less permeable, and structure becomes poor. Prediction of soil erodibility and susceptibility to soil erosion is of great importance for soil erosion quantification, using GIS. The farm-unit level identification of soil types and existing specific problems are crucial in planning and implementation of any soil management strategies.

The effect of livestock grazing on surface runoff and soil erosion from sloping pasture lands in the Ethiopian highlands

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Mwendera ◽  
M. A. Mohamed Saleem ◽  
A. Dibabe
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
System Productivity ◽  
Different Parts

Summary. Effects of livestock grazing on surface runoff and soil erosion at varying slopes were studied in pasture lands within Ginchi watershed, Ethiopia. The results showed that livestock grazing in the watershed followed distinct seasonal and spatial patterns. During the rainy season, grazing pressure was greatest on the upper slopes (>5% slope) while the pressure shifted to the lower slopes during part of the dry season. Seasonal grazing pressure in different parts of the watershed was further complicated by the fact that during the rainy season and immediately after the rains, grazing was limited to individually designated pasture lands while during most part of the dry season, the entire watershed became a common grazing resource for livestock of watershed residents as well as those farmers outside the watershed. It was observed that, on pastures above 4.2% slope, there is the risk of erosion rates exceeding the estimated soil loss tolerable limit under the current grazing pressures (heavy grazing), while slopes exceeding 5.8% are likely to suffer soil erosion under moderate grazing pressure at the current level of biomass productivity. Since livestock are mobile, farmers tend to take advantage of this attribute by seasonally moving the livestock to different parts of the watershed. This study has demonstrated the need for better understanding of the resource use patterns beyond the individual farmlands, most preferably at watershed level, so that on-site and off-site effects of seasonal concentration of livestock can be incorporated into developing feed production and management strategies for improving the system productivity and environmental protection.

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