Small-scale observation on the effects of the burrowing activities of mole crickets on soil erosion and hydrologic processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 261 ◽  
pp. 136-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongchuan Li ◽  
Ming’an Shao ◽  
Yuhua Jia ◽  
Xiaoxu Jia ◽  
Laiming Huang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydrologic Processes ◽  
Mole Crickets

Erosion and sediment transport models with reference to the needs of small scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahsan Raza ◽  
Thomas Gaiser ◽  
Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman ◽  
Hella Ahrends
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Erosion Prediction ◽  
Dynamic Components ◽  
Output Information

<p>Information on field scale soil erosion and related sedimentation process is very important for natural resource management and sustainable farming. Plenty of models are available for study of these processes but only a few are suitable for dynamic small scale soil erosion assessments. The available models vary greatly in terms of their input requirements, analysis capabilities, process [t1] complexities, spatial and temporal scale of their intended use, practicality, the manner they represent the processes, and the type of output information they provide. The study aims in examining, theoretically, 51 models classified as physical, conceptual, and empirical based on their representation of the processes of soil erosion. The literature review shows that there is no specific model available for soil erosion prediction under agroforestry systems.   It is further suggested that models like EPIC, PERFECT, GUEST, EPM, TCRP, SLEMSA, APSIM, RillGrow, and CREAMS can be potentially used for soil erosion assessment at plot/field scale at daily time steps. Most of these models are capable to simulate the soil erosion process at small scale; further model development is needed regarding their limitations with respect to components interaction i.e., rainfall intensity, overland flow, crop cover, and their difficulties in upscaling. The research suggested that SIMPLACE network can provide modules with LintulBiomass, HillFlow, Runoff to develop new dynamic components to simulate overland flow and soil erosion incorporating improved upscaling capabilities</p>

Wildfire Impacts on Soil-Erosion and Hydrology in Wet Mediterranean Forest, Portugal

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Shakesby ◽  
CDA Coelho ◽  
AD Ferreira ◽  
JP Terry ◽  
RPD Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The Agueda Basin, north-central Portugal is comparatively wet (rainfall, 1600-1800 mm/yr) with frequent, relatively large storms in autumn and winter yet the summer drought is sufficiently long and consistent for frequent forest wildfires. This paper discusses wildfire impacts in such a wet Mediterranean environment on soil hydrophobicity, infiltration capacity, overland flow coefficients, soil loss, rainsplash detachment and small-scale ground level changes for Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus pinaster forest: (1) 0-2 years after fire ('new' burn); (2) 3-4 years after fire ('old' burn); and (3) 'mature' (or long unburnt) sites. For 'new' burn sites, rainsplash detachment rates are an order of magnitude and soil losses two orders of magnitude higher than for 'old' burn sites and both are two orders of magnitude higher than for 'mature' sites. Soils are hydrophobic in all three categories of sites, but infiltration capacities are lower at 'new' burn and 'old' burn than at 'mature' sites. Overland flow coefficients on long unburnt sites were low while on burnt sites they were high and tended to be higher for summer and autumn than for winter and spring, implying enhanced hydrophobicity under summer drought conditions, causing decreased infiltration capacity and increased overland flow. The distinctiveness of fire effects on soil erosion and hydrology in this wet Mediterranean environment and implications for post-fire management are discussed.

Natural terrace formation through vegetative barriers on hillside farms in Honduras

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Walle ◽  
Brian G. Sims
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Fertility Restoration ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
South Central ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
And Control ◽  
Soil Accumulation

AbstractThe effects of contour live barriers of vetiver and pennisetum on soil erosion were studied on four small farms in south central Honduras. Paired plots were installed and soil erosion measured by changes in the soil surface level of transects 0.3 and 6.0 m up the slope from the barrier. After three years, transects 0.3 m above the barriers significantly retained eroded soil compared with control transects. Soil accumulation by barriers ranged from 2.6 to 11.2 cm, and natural terrace formation (the difference between the barrier and corresponding control transect) ranged from 5.2 to 13.8 cm. No difference was detected between barrier and control for the transects 6.0 m above the barrier. Deposition in front of the barriers and reduction in surface rilling were apparent to farmers. Erosion from up slope on the barrier plots and from both transects in the control sections was not obvious. Direct measurement and farmer observation of sediment deposition by live barriers will help evaluate farmer-identified species for future use. The deposition helps farmers become aware of sheet erosion before the effects of soil degradation on crop yields become grossly apparent and soil fertility restoration becomes too costly for small-scale farmers.

scholarly journals Kinerja dan Perspektif Usahatani Konservasi Alley Cropping di Indonesia

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Sri Hery Susilowati ◽  
Gelar Satya Budhi ◽  
I Wayan Rusastra
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Soil Erosion Rate ◽  
Conservation Technology ◽  
Limited Degree ◽  
Unit Output

Alley cropping as a soil conservation technology owning certain advantages over terracing, particularly in that : a) costs are lower, b) soil productivity can be maintained, and c) it may be applied on all soil conditions. A disadvantage of alley cropping relates to the time taken for soil erosion control to become effective. However, over the longer time period, soil conversation control through alley cropping technology is more economical than that for terracing. The reviewed studies indicate that flemingia congesta is the most effective soil erosion controlling leguminous shrub,of those studied. Alley cropping is effective in maintaining land productivity. The synergic effect of soil productivity increase and soil erosion rate reduction. In some research,alley cropping systems have been shown to significantaly reduce farming costs per unit output,due to a decrease in manday (labour) use and other input reductions. In implementing alley cropping, land-holding status is one determining fector in farmers' willingness to apply the technology. That is why efforts to disseminate soil cinversation technology have often used some incentive in terms of land ownership rights for farmers. It is worthwhile to develop these incentives further, so that there is a legal certainty on cultivated land. Although alley cropping technology has currently been applied and adopted by farmers to a limited degree, there are still four main assues obstructing farmers' adoption of the tecnolog: a) small scale land-holding; b) limited capital ; c) production input availability; and d) lack of technology information

Newly-amended biochar particles decrease erodibility and improve hydraulic soil properties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Seitz ◽  
Sandra Teuber ◽  
Christian Geissler ◽  
Philipp Goebes ◽  
Thomas Scholten
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Soil Water Retention

<p>Biochar is charcoal obtained by thermal decomposition of biomass through pyrolysis. The amendment of biochar changes chemical, but also physical properties of soils such as aggregation and texture. Thus, it is assumed that it can also affect soil erosion and erosion-related processes like the movement of water within the soil. In this study, we investigated how biochar particles change erodibility by rain splash instantly after application, as well as the initial movement of soil water.</p><p>Therefore, we conducted a small-scale laboratory experiment with two sieved substrates and using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)-char and Pyrochar. Soil erodibility was determined with Tübingen splash cups under simulated rainfall, soil hydraulic conductivity was calculated from texture and bulk soil density, and soil water retention was measured using the negative and the excess pressure methods.</p><p>Results showed that the addition of biochar significantly reduced initial soil erosion in coarse sand and silt loam immediately after biochar application. Furthermore, biochar particles were not preferentially removed from the substrate surface. Increasing biochar particle sizes partly showed decreasing erodibility of substrates. Moreover, biochar amendment led to improved hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention regarding soil erosion control, with increasing application rates. It became clear that these effects are already detectable in a very early stage, and without long-term incorporation of biochar into soils. We could further show that different biochar types have varying impacts on investigated parameters due to their chemical properties and sizes, and future research should include varying biochars produced with different production methods.</p><p>In conclusion, this study showed that biochar amendments have the potential to reduce soil erosion by water from a very early stage. This mechanism adds a further ecosystem service to the list of useful impacts of biochar application on agriculture.</p>

scholarly journals How Do Newly-Amended Biochar Particles Affect Erodibility and Soil Water Movement?—A Small-Scale Experimental Approach

Soil Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Seitz ◽  
Sandra Teuber ◽  
Christian Geißler ◽  
Philipp Goebes ◽  
Thomas Scholten
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Biochar Amendment

Biochar amendment changes chemical and physical properties of soils and influences soil biota. It is, thus, assumed that it can also affect soil erosion and erosion-related processes. In this study, we investigated how biochar particles instantly change erodibility by rain splash and the initial movement of soil water in a small-scale experiment. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)-char and Pyrochar were admixed to two soil substrates. Soil erodibility was determined with Tübingen splash cups under simulated rainfall, soil hydraulic conductivity was calculated from texture and bulk soil density, and soil water retention was measured using the negative and the excess pressure methods. Results showed that the addition of biochar significantly reduced initial soil erosion in coarse sand and silt loam immediately after biochar application. Furthermore, biochar particles were not preferentially removed from the substrate surface, but increasing biochar particle sizes partly showed decreasing erodibility of substrates. Moreover, biochar amendment led to improved hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention, regarding soil erosion control. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that biochar amendments reduce soil degradation by water erosion. Furthermore, this effect is detectable in a very early stage, and without long-term incorporation of biochar into soils.

Soil Erosion in Mesic Forests: How do Biological Soil Crusts affect sediment transport and surface runoff?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Gall ◽  
Martin Nebel ◽  
Dietmar Quandt ◽  
Michael Sauer ◽  
Thomas Scholten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Biological Soil Crusts ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Sediment Discharge ◽  
Soil Crusts ◽  
Disturbed Areas

<p>Soil erosion under forests occurs if forest layers get disturbed. Disturbances may arise from treefall, forest road works, skid trails or deforestation. In these disturbed areas, both an intact canopy and forest floor cover are missing, so that forest soils lack protection against water erosion. To counteract these negative effects a quick restoration of soil surface covers by vegetation is important. In particular, biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are able to quickly colonize gaps in higher vegetation and they are known to reduce soil erodibility. So far, the focus of biocrust research has been in drylands, whereas biocrusts have proven to be an important factor in mesic environments, especially as a pioneer vegetation in disturbed areas.</p><p>In this study, the natural succession of biocrusts in skid trails was observed on four different underlying substrates in a temperate European forest ecosystem (Schönbuch Nature Park in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany) and their influence on surface runoff, sediment discharge and nutrient relocation was investigated. Therefore, 144 micro-scale runoff plots (ROPs, 40 x 40 cm) were established with four replicates in the wheel tracks as well as in the center tracks and two replicates on undisturbed forest soil. In order to initiate splash and interrill erosion, four rainfall simulations were carried out from spring to winter with a constant intensity of 45 mm h<sup>-1</sup>. With the purpose to compare these small-scale erosion rates with a larger scale, additional turbidity sensors were installed in the catchment area. The biocrust succession was determined by regular vegetation surveys with a classification of mainly mosses and liverworts up to the species level. Additionally, DNA samples of the upper soil layer were collected to conduct DNA extractions specify other potential biocrust organisms such as lichens, cyanobacteria, fungi and algae.</p><p>First results show that surface runoff and sediment discharge are higher in the wheel track than in the center track and that both parameters are reduced with a higher developmental stage of soil surface cover. The vegetation survey demonstrates a quick development of moss-dominated biocrusts from April to October with up to ten different species in one ROP. Depending on the location of the skid trail, a quick development of the higher vegetation was observed as well. Lab work on nutrient relocation and DNA analysis is still in progress and further results will be presented at the EGU 2020.</p>

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen losses due to soil erosion and cropping in a sloping terrace landscape

Soil Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Zhang ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
F. C. Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Uncultivated Land ◽  
Cultivated Soils

Effects of soil erosion and cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks need to be addressed to better understand the processes of SOC loss following the conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture. The aims of the present study were to: (1) understand the mechanism of SOC and total nitrogen (TN) losses in a small-scale agricultural landscape with sloping terraces; and (2) quantitatively assess vertical changes in SOC and TN of soil profiles at specific landscape positions and the lateral distribution of SOC and TN in areas with different soil erosion and deposition rates. Soil samples from cultivated land were collected at 5-m intervals along toposequences in different parts of hilly areas of the Sichuan Basin, China; uncultivated land was used as a reference for 137Cs, SOC and TN. The profile shape of SOC and total N depth distribution was markedly different between cultivated and uncultivated soils, with differences in descriptive coefficients of 2.1–3.4- and 2.0–3.2-fold for a, 1.2–2.2- and 1.0–1.8-fold for b, respectively, in the equation y = –aln(x) + b, where y is the depth SOC or TN concentration and x is the depth from the soil surface. SOC and TN concentrations in the surface soil horizon were significantly higher on uncultivated land (17.5 g kg–1) than on cultivated land (7.06–9.81 g kg–1). In particular, the 0–5 cm surface layer of uncultivated soils had 1.3-, 1.7-, and 2.3-fold higher SOC concentrations than that of the depositional, weak erosional and strong erosional areas, respectively, in cultivated soils. However, there were no significant differences in SOC and TN concentrations in subsoil layers between cultivated and uncultivated lands, suggesting that cropping is one of the factors causing SOC and N losses. SOC and TN inventories exhibited an increasing trend from the upper to toe proportions of the cultivated toposequences. In all the cultivated soils, SOC and TN concentrations of the surface soil horizon and inventories of SOC and TN were closely associated with 137Cs inventories (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively), suggesting that soil erosion has an important impact on SOC and TN dynamics in the cultivated landscape. The results of this study suggest that soil erosion and cropping result in SOC and N losses, and that soil erosion contributes to marked variations in SOC and N distribution along the slope transect within individual sloping terraces, as well as in the entire landscape.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document