Examining the Effectiveness of Catch Crops as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Surface Soil and Water Losses as an Environmental Regional Concern

AbstractThe main goal of this research was to conduct a biophysical, economic, social, and perception-based approach to foresee the solutions that could be used to mitigate the soil loss problem cost-effectively in “La Ribera del Xúquer” district (Valencia Region, Spain). To achieve these goals, a farmer perception survey was carried out, and an assessment of the biophysical impact of catch crops on soil organic matter, bulk density, steady-state infiltration rate (double-ring infiltrometer) and runoff generation, and soil erosion (rainfall simulation experiments) was carried out in 2016. For the biophysical approach, two paired plots, i.e., catch crops vs. glyphosate herbicide treatment (in advance, control plot), were selected under clementine citrus production. The results show that soil organic matter increased from 1.14 to 1.63%, and bulk density decreased from 1.47 to 1.27 g cm−3 after 10 years of treatments using catch crops. They also facilitated higher infiltration rates from 16.7 to 171 mm h−1 and a delay in runoff generation from 149 to 654 s for control and catch crop plots. Both runoff rates (from 50.6 to 3.1%) and soil erosion (from 3.9 to 0.04 Mg ha−1 h−1) were reduced once the catch crops were deployed in the field. After surveying (2018–2019), farmers stated the use of catch crops as a speck of dirt and a cause of possible loss of reputation when used. Moreover, farmers (N = 73) would accept the catch crops as an effective nature-based alternative only if a subsidy of 131.17€ ha−1 would be paid. The survey results also demonstrated that the farmers' community would see catch crop more as a benefit for the planet's health and society. Few constraints, such as ageing of the farmers’ population, lack of education and negative perception for other management factors, are the critical detrimental factors for adopting catch crops as a nature-based solution to reduce soil and water losses. There is a need for an effective agrarian extension service to change the fate of the current agriculture and achieve sustainability by adopting new management strategies in contemporary agricultural practices.

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Regional Farmers’ Perception and Societal Issues in Vineyards Affected by High Erosion Rates

Land ◽

10.3390/land10020205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 205 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Artemi Cerdà ◽

Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Social Impact ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Research Approach ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Infiltration Capacity ◽

Catch Crops ◽

Wine Production

We explore the current situation in a viticultural region in Eastern Spain from a holistic and multifaceted research approach, which allowed us to understand the biophysical conditions, economic cost, social impact, and perception of the farmers’ community to the use of catch crops. A survey of the perception of the farmers, and an assessment of the biophysical impact of catch crops (CC) and tillage (C = Control plot) on soil organic matter, bulk density, infiltration capacity (single ring infiltrometer), and runoff generation and soil erosion (rainfall simulation experiments) was carried out. Two representative fields as study sites were selected in Les Alcusses valley, within Els Alforins wine production region. The results show that the use of CC increased soil organic matter, favored higher infiltration rates and runoff generation was delayed. Moreover, runoff rates and soil erosion were lowered. The perception of the farmers was mainly against the use of catch crops due to their view as it being ‘dirty’, their cost, and the loss of their reputation and respect by other farmers. Our survey proves that the farmers would accept the catch crops if a subsidy of 76.56 € ha−1 on average would be paid. Farmers see the use of a catch crop more as a benefit for the health of the Planet than for themselves. To achieve land degradation neutrality, education and dissemination programs should be developed to teach and inform the farmers of their key role in the proper management of vineyards.

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Impact of Farmland Abandonment on Water Resources and Soil Conservation in Citrus Plantations in Eastern Spain

Water ◽

10.3390/w11040824 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 824 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Artemi Cerdà ◽

Oren Ackermann ◽

Enric Terol ◽

Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Land Abandonment ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Farmland Abandonment ◽

Water Losses ◽

Erosion Rates ◽

Soil Losses ◽

Soil And Water

Due to the reduction in the prices of oranges on the market and social changes such as the ageing of the population, traditional orange plantation abandonment in the Mediterranean is taking place. Previous research on land abandonment impact on soil and water resources has focused on rainfed agriculture abandonment, but there is no research on irrigated land abandonment. In the Valencia Region—the largest producer of oranges in Europe—abandonment is resulting in a quick vegetation recovery and changes in soil properties, and then in water erosion. Therefore, we performed rainfall simulation experiments (0.28 m2; 38.8 mm h−1) to determine the soil losses in naveline orange plantations with different ages of abandonment (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years of abandonment) which will allow for an understanding of the temporal changes in soil and water losses after abandonment. Moreover, these results were also compared with an active plantation (0). The results show that the soils of the active orange plantations have higher runoff discharges and higher erosion rates due to the use of herbicides than the plots after abandonment. Once the soil is abandoned for one year, the plant recovery reaches 33% of the cover and the erosion rate drops one order of magnitude. This is related to the delay in the runoff generation and the increase in infiltration rates. After 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years, the soil reduced bulk density, increase in organic matter, plant cover, and soil erosion rates were found negligible. We conclude that the abandonment of orange plantations reduces soil and water losses and can serve as a nature-based solution to restore the soil services, goods, and resources. The reduction in the soil losses was exponential (from 607.4 g m−2 in the active plot to 7.1 g m−2 in the 10-year abandoned one) but the water losses were linear (from 77.2 in active plantations till 12.8% in the 10-year abandoned ones).

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Assessing the Impact of No-Till on Water Related Soil Functions and the Role of Farmer Networks in Knowledge Exchange and Implementation.

10.46289/hg13as49 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Kamilla Skaalsveen

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Water Purification ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

No Tillage ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Soil And Water

No-tillage is a non-inversion farming practice that is becoming more widely used in farming and often considered to enhance soil functions, by increasing soil organic matter levels and thereby improving soil structure. Knowledge about the effects of different management practices on separate soil functions is important to understand potential trade-offs between them. Studies have shown that no-tillage affects soil functions of water purification and water retention and can reduce erosion rates and inputs from agriculture to water bodies, however evidence from north western European countries is still limited. Alongside this gap in evidence about the physical impacts of no-tillage, knowledge about how farmers share knowledge about no-tillage, a knowledge intensive practice, and the role of farmer networks is still growing. This paper presents results from interdisciplinary (PhD) research which measured the effect of no-tillage on water related soil functions in a UK case study and analysed the distribution of no-tillage knowledge through farmer networks. The field-scale monitoring compares two neighbouring farms (one using conventional ploughing and the other no-tillage) with similar soil and topographic characteristics to assess spatial and temporal changes in soil and water variables. The 2-year monitoring included nutrient analysis of surface and sub-surface soil samples, bulk density, soil moisture, infiltration capacity, surface runoff and analysis of Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous (DRP), Total Phosphorous (TP) and Suspended Solids (SS) in downstream waters. Farmers’ networks were mapped using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to reveal the nature and extent of their knowledge exchange about no-tillage. This was complemented by semi-structured interviews with farmers to understand their reasons for implementing no-tillage. This paper presents findings from both aspects of this research. The soil and water data show varying impacts of no-tillage on soil functions and water quality with different soil types and climate. The no-tillage fields had higher bulk density and soil organic matter content and thereby increasing the soil moisture levels, but the free-draining porous limestone was providing greater benefits under no-tillage in this study compared with the limerich loamy soil with high silt and clay content. The SNA suggests that farmers’ networks expanded with the conversion to no-tillage and that their main influencers were other more experienced no-tillage farmers. In this respect I question the role of external organisations in supporting no-tillage adoption. The research offers a significant new contribution to the field as it assesses the effects of no-tillage on water purification and retention functions of the soil, and at the same time contributes to understanding the dynamics of farmer networks and the link to implementation.

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Is Ridge Cultivation Sustainable? A Case Study from the Haean Catchment, South Korea

Applied and Environmental Soil Science ◽

10.1155/2013/679467 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Marianne Ruidisch ◽

Sebastian Arnhold ◽

Bernd Huwe ◽

Christina Bogner

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

South Korea ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Plastic Mulching ◽

Sandy Material ◽

Soil And Water

Non-sustainable agricultural practices can alter the quality of soil and water. A sustainable soil management requires detailed understanding of how tillage affects soil quality, erosion, and leaching processes. Agricultural soils in the Haean catchment (South Korea) are susceptible to erosion by water during the monsoon. For years, erosion-induced losses have been compensated by spreading allochthonous sandy material on the fields. These anthropogenically modified soils are used for vegetable production, and crops are cultivated in ridges using plastic mulches. To evaluate whether the current practice of ridge cultivation is sustainable with regard to soil quality and soil and water conservation, we (i) analysed soil properties of topsoils and (ii) carried out dye tracer experiments. Our results show that the sandy topsoils have a very low soil organic matter content and a poor structure and lack soil burrowers. The artificial layering induced by spreading sandy material supported lateral downhill water flow. Ridge tillage and plastic mulching strongly increased surface runoff and soil erosion. We conclude that for this region a comprehensive management plan, which aims at long-term sustainable agriculture by protecting topsoils, increasing soil organic matter, and minimizing runoff and soil erosion, is mandatory for the future.

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Calculation of organic matter and nutrients stored in soils under contrasting management regimes

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss95-075 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 529-538 ◽

Cited By ~ 796

Author(s):

B. H. Ellert ◽

J. R. Bettany

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Unit Area ◽

Soil Mass ◽

Organic C ◽

The Masses ◽

Induced Changes ◽

Gray Luvisol

Assessments of management-induced changes in soil organic matter depend on the methods used to calculate the quantities of organic C and N stored in soils. Chemical analyses in the laboratory indicate the concentrations of elements in soils, but the thickness and bulk density of the soil layers in the field must be considered to estimate the quantities of elements per unit area. Conventional methods that calculate organic matter storage as the product of concentration, bulk density and thickness do not fully account for variations in soil mass. Comparisons between the quantities of organic C, N, P and S in Gray Luvisol soils under native aspen forest and various cropping systems were hampered by differences in the mass of soil under consideration. The influence of these differences was eliminated by calculating the masses of C, N, P and S in an "equivalent soil mass" (i.e. the mass of soil in a standard or reference surface layer). Reassessment of previously published data also indicated that estimates of organic matter storage depended on soil mass. Appraisals of organic matter depletion or accumulation usually were different for comparisons among element masses in an equivalent soil mass than for comparisons among element masses in genetic horizons or in fixed sampling depths. Unless soil erosion or deposition had altered the mass of topsoil per unit area, comparisons among unequal soil masses were unjustified and erroneous. For management-induced changes in soil organic matter and nutrient storage to be assessed reliably, the masses of soil being compared must be equivalent. Key words: Soil carbon, soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, soil sulfur, carbon cycle, carbon storage, bulk density effects, Gray Luvisol, soil erosion

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Vicia sativa Roth. Can Reduce Soil and Water Losses in Recently Planted Vineyards (Vitis vinifera L.)

Earth Systems and Environment ◽

10.1007/s41748-020-00191-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 827-842

Author(s):

Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽

Enric Terol ◽

Gaspar Mora ◽

Antonio Giménez-Morera ◽

Artemi Cerdà

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Vicia Sativa ◽

Water Losses ◽

Soil Erosion Control ◽

Soil Losses ◽

Soil And Water

AbstractElevated soil loss and runoff rates can reduce soil fertility; therefore, soil erosion control strategies must be implemented at the hillslope and watershed scale when plantations are established and the soil is bare. In this research, we propose the use of the Vicia sativa Roth. to reduce the soil losses during the first year to control the peak of soil erosion after the plantation in tilled vineyards. To test its efficiency, rainfall simulation experiments were carried out with field surveys in The Casa Pago Gran, in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. Our results demonstrate that soil properties (organic matter and soil bulk density) and soil erosion (soil loss, runoff and sediment concentration) were significantly different between the control plot (tilled) and with cover crops along with August 2016, 2017 and 2018 measurement periods, but not during January 2016, coinciding with the initial survey before the vetch sown. Runoff initiation was delayed in 3.7 times after 3 years (from 190 till 709 s). The runoff discharge was reduced by the Vicia sativa from 32.87 till 13.68%, the sediment concentration went down from 18.54 till 3.81 gr l−1 and the soil erosion from 3.36 to 0.29 Mg ha−1 year−1. An increase in soil bulk density was registered but did not affect the runoff generation either the soil losses, that was reduced by the plant cover. We conclude that it is necessary to include soil erosion control measures such as the use of Vicia sativa to reduce soil erosion processes during the first stages of the vineyard plantations due to the soil quality improvements and the reduction in soil and water losses.

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Use of barley straw residues to avoid high erosion and runoff rates on persimmon plantations in Eastern Spain under low frequency–high magnitude simulated rainfall events

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr15092 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 154 ◽

Cited By ~ 137

Author(s):

Artemi Cerdà ◽

Óscar González-Pelayo ◽

Antonio Giménez-Morera ◽

Antonio Jordán ◽

Paulo Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Frequency ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Barley Straw ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Water Losses ◽

Rainfall Events ◽

Erosion Rates ◽

Set Up ◽

Reduced Water ◽

Soil And Water

Soil and water losses due to agricultural mismanagement are high and non-sustainable in many orchards. An experiment was set up with rainfall simulation at 78 mm h–1 over 1 hour on 20 paired plots of 2 m2 (bare and straw covered) in new persimmon plantations in Eastern Spain. Effects of straw cover on the control of soil and water losses were assessed. An addition of 60% straw cover (75 g m–2) resulted in delayed ponding and runoff generation and consequently reduced water losses from 60% to 13% of total rainfall. The straw cover reduced raindrop impact and thus sediment detachment from 1014 to 47 g plot–1 h–1. The erosion rate was reduced from 5.1 to 0.2 Mg ha–1 h–1. The straw mulch was found to be extremely efficient in reducing soil erosion rates.

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A Rainfall Simulator Laboratory Approach to Determine the Impact of Ash Depth on Runoff Generation and Soil Losses

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019030071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Artemi Cerdà ◽

Xavier Úbeda ◽

Gaspar Mora-Navarro ◽

Enric Terol ◽

Antonio Giménez-Morera

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Water Losses ◽

Total Soil ◽

Key Factor ◽

Runoff Losses ◽

Runoff Discharge ◽

The Impact

Ash cover the forest fire affected soil for some weeks or months and act as a key factor to determine the soil and water losses. Ash depth is researched here to determine how affect the soil detachment and the runoff generation. Seventy rainfall simulation experiments on paired 0.50 m2 plots (five plots with 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15- and 30-mm ash depth), and repeated one week later) under thunderstorms of 48 mmh-1 for one hour were carried out under laboratory conditions. In the first experiment, after the bed of ash was applied, the results show that ash depth determines the runoff rates as they reduce the discharge from 23.1% to 13.9%. The sediment concentration increased from 23.8 till 38.3 g L−1, and the total soil erosion from 22.9 till 27.6 Mg ha−1 y−1. In the second experiment after the bed of ash was applied, the results show that runoff discharge was higher and moved from 43.2% till 55.33%. The sediment concentration increased from 13.8 till 18.9 g L−1 and the total soil erosion slightly increased from 33.9 till 47.6 Mg ha−1 y−1. This research confirms that the fresh ash beds contribute to reduce the runoff losses and as deeper is the ash bed lower is the runoff discharge. However, the ash bed also acts as a source of sediments and as deep is the ash bed the runoff sediment concentration is higher. The soil erosion increased with the depth of the ash bed. After the simulated thunderstorms, the soils shown a reduction in their capacity to hold water due to the crust formation and runoff was enhanced. Sediment concentration is reduced due to the ash compaction and the final soil erosion rates increased as a consequence of the larger runoff discharge. This research demonstrates the highly dynamic response of the ash after the fire due to the wetting and drying processes after the thunderstorms.

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REDUCTION OF SOIL EROSION AND SOIL CARBON AND NUTRIENT LOSSES BY "REDUCED TILLAGE" CULTIVATION IN ARABLE LAND

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Agriculture ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-agr:1531 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 62 ◽

Author(s):

Lucien Carlier ◽

Mariana Vlahova ◽

Ioan Rotar

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Aggregates ◽

Arable Land ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Water Losses ◽

Erosion Rates ◽

Water Holding

Soil erosion can be considered, with different level of severity, an EU-wide problem. Erosion is a natural geological phenomenon resulting from the removal of soil particles by water or wind, transporting them elsewhere. However some human activities can dramatically increase erosion rates. Soil organic matter assures the binding and buffering capacity of the soil, an essential determinant of erosion resistance and soil fertility. Crops grown without tillage, use water more efficiently, the water-holding capacity of the soil increases, and water losses from runoff and evaporation are reduced. In addition, soil organic matter and populations of beneficial insects are maintained, soil and nutrients are less likely to be lost from the field and less time and labour is required to prepare the field for planting. Greater water-stability of surface soil aggregates, higher microbial activity and earthworm populations and higher total carbon can be found In general, the greatest advantages of reduced tillage are realized on soils prone to erosion and drought, but significant advantages are only seen after more than 10 years of application.

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