scholarly journals Spatial distribution of water erosion risk in a watershed with eucalyptus and Atlantic Forest

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junior Cesar Avanzi ◽  
Marx Leandro Naves Silva ◽  
Nilton Curi ◽  
Lloyd Darrell Norton ◽  
Samuel Beskow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance

The process of water erosion occurs in watersheds throughout the world and it is strongly affected by anthropogenic influences. Thus, the knowledge of these processes is extremely necessary for planning of conservation efforts. This study was performed in an experimental forested watershed in order to predict the average potential annual soil loss by water erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and a Geographic Information System (GIS), and then compared with soil loss tolerance. All the USLE factors were generated in a distributed approach employing a GIS tool. The layers were multiplied in the GIS framework in order to predict soil erosion rates. Results showed that the average soil loss was 6.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Relative to soil loss tolerance, 83% of the area had an erosion rate lesser than the tolerable value. According to soil loss classes, 49% of the watershed had erosion less than 2.5 Mg ha-1 yr-1. However, about 8.7% of the watershed had erosion rates greater than 15 Mg ha-1 yr-1, being mainly related to Plinthosol soil class and roads, thus requiring special attention for the improvement of sustainable management practices for such areas. Eucalyptus cultivation was found to have soil loss greater than Atlantic Forest. Thus, an effort should be made to bring the erosion rates closer to the native forest. Implementation of the USLE model in a GIS framework was found to be a simple and useful tool for predicting the spatial variation of soil erosion risk and identifying critical areas for conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Evaluating of the spatial heterogeneity of soil loss tolerance and its effects on erosion risk in the carbonate areas of southern China

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Li ◽  
Xiao Yong Bai ◽  
Shi Jie Wang ◽  
Luo Yi Qin ◽  
Yi Chao Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Carbonate Rock ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Clastic Rock ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Soil loss tolerance (T value) is one of the criteria in determining the necessity of erosion control measures and ecological restoration strategy. However, the validity of this criterion in subtropical karst regions is strongly disputed. In this study, T value is calculated based on soil formation rate by using a digital distribution map of carbonate rock assemblage types. Results indicated a spatial heterogeneity and diversity in soil loss tolerance. Instead of only one criterion, a minimum of three criteria should be considered when investigating the carbonate areas of southern China because the one region, one T value concept may not be applicable to this region. T value is proportionate to the amount of argillaceous material, which determines the surface soil thickness of the formations in homogenous carbonate rock areas. Homogenous carbonate rock, carbonate rock intercalated with clastic rock areas and carbonate/clastic rock alternation areas have T values of 20, 50 and 100 t/(km2 a), and they are extremely, severely and moderately sensitive to soil erosion. Karst rocky desertification (KRD) is defined as extreme soil erosion and reflects the risks of erosion. Thus, the relationship between T value and erosion risk is determined using KRD as a parameter. The existence of KRD land is unrelated to the T value, although this parameter indicates erosion sensitivity. Erosion risk is strongly dependent on the relationship between real soil loss (RL) and T value rather than on either erosion intensity or the T value itself. If RL > > T, then the erosion risk is high despite of a low RL. Conversely, if T > > RL, then the soil is safe although RL is high. Overall, these findings may clarify the heterogeneity of T value and its effect on erosion risk in a karst environment.

scholarly journals Estimates of soil losses by the erosion potential method in tropical latosols

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Henrique Expedito Lense ◽  
Taya Cristo Parreiras ◽  
Rodrigo Santos Moreira ◽  
Junior Cesar Avanzi ◽  
Ronaldo Luiz Mincato
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Potential Method ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Tolerance Limits ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance ◽  
Coffee Cultivation ◽  
Soil Losses

ABSTRACT Water erosion is one of the main problems faced in coffee cultivation, as it promotes environmental degradation and crop yield decrease. Erosion estimates support the planning of conservation management practices and allowing determining the rates of soil losses. Thus, the objective of this paper was to estimate the soil loss by water erosion using the Erosion Potential Method in a sub-basin predominantly covered by coffee cultivation and then to compare the results with the Soil Loss Tolerance limits. The study area is the Coroado Stream Sub-basin, located at Alfenas Municipality, south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sub-basin presented an Erosion Coefficient of 0.272, indicating a predominance of low-intensity erosion. The total soil loss estimate was 1,772.01 Mg year-1 with an estimated average of 1.74 Mg ha-1 year-1. Soil Loss Tolerance limits range from 4.75 to 7.26 Mg ha-1 year-1 and, according to the Erosion Potential Method, only 1.0% of the sub-basin presented losses above the limits. The areas with the highest slopes and bare soil concentrated the highest losses rates and should be prioritized in the adoption of mitigation measures. The Erosion Potential Method estimated soil losses in tropical edaphoclimatic conditions in a fast, efficiently and at low cost, supporting the adoption of conservation management practices.

scholarly journals Soil erosion by snow gliding – a first quantification attempt in a subalpine area in Switzerland

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 3763-3775 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Meusburger ◽  
G. Leitinger ◽  
L. Mabit ◽  
M. H. Mueller ◽  
A. Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Snow Gliding

Abstract. Snow processes might be one important driver of soil erosion in Alpine grasslands and thus the unknown variable when erosion modelling is attempted. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of snow gliding as a soil erosion agent for four different land use/land cover types in a subalpine area in Switzerland. We used three different approaches to estimate soil erosion rates: sediment yield measurements in snow glide depositions, the fallout radionuclide 137Cs and modelling with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). RUSLE permits the evaluation of soil loss by water erosion, the 137Cs method integrates soil loss due to all erosion agents involved, and the measurement of snow glide deposition sediment yield can be directly related to snow-glide-induced erosion. Further, cumulative snow glide distance was measured for the sites in the winter of 2009/2010 and modelled for the surrounding area and long-term average winter precipitation (1959–2010) with the spatial snow glide model (SSGM). Measured snow glide distance confirmed the presence of snow gliding and ranged from 2 to 189 cm, with lower values on the north-facing slopes. We observed a reduction of snow glide distance with increasing surface roughness of the vegetation, which is an important information with respect to conservation planning and expected and ongoing land use changes in the Alps. Snow glide erosion estimated from the snow glide depositions was highly variable with values ranging from 0.03 to 22.9 t ha−1 yr−1 in the winter of 2012/2013. For sites affected by snow glide deposition, a mean erosion rate of 8.4 t ha−1 yr−1 was found. The difference in long-term erosion rates determined with RUSLE and 137Cs confirms the constant influence of snow-glide-induced erosion, since a large difference (lower proportion of water erosion compared to total net erosion) was observed for sites with high snow glide rates and vice versa. Moreover, the difference between RUSLE and 137Cs erosion rates was related to the measured snow glide distance (R2 = 0.64; p < 0.005) and to the snow deposition sediment yields (R2 = 0.39; p = 0.13). The SSGM reproduced the relative difference of the measured snow glide values under different land uses and land cover types. The resulting map highlighted the relevance of snow gliding for large parts of the investigated area. Based on these results, we conclude that snow gliding appears to be a crucial and non-negligible process impacting soil erosion patterns and magnitude in subalpine areas with similar topographic and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Analysis of Ownership Data from Consolidated Land Threatened by Water Erosion in the Vlára Basin, Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Alexandra Pagáč Mokrá ◽  
Jakub Pagáč ◽  
Zlatica Muchová ◽  
František Petrovič
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
Land Fragmentation ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Water erosion is a phenomenon that significantly damages agricultural land. The current land fragmentation in Slovakia and the complete ambiguity of who owns it leads to a lack of responsibility to care for the land in its current condition, which could affect its sustainability in the future. The reason so much soil has eroded is obvious when looking at current land management, with large fields, a lack of windbreaks between them, and no barriers to prevent soil runoff. Land consolidation might be the solution. This paper seeks to evaluate redistributed land and, based on modeling by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) method, to assess the degree of soil erosion risk. Ownership data provided information on how many owners and what amount of area to consider, while taking into account new conditions regarding water erosion. The results indicate that 2488 plots of 1607 owners which represent 12% of the model area are still endangered by water erosion, even after the completion of the land consolidation project. The results also presented a way of evaluating the territory and aims to trigger a discussion regarding an unambiguous definition of responsibility in the relationship between owner and user.

scholarly journals Uso de Técnicas de Geoprocessamento para Estudo da Erosão Hídrica Laminar em Bacia Hidrográfica do Sudoeste do Paraná.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
Julio Caetano Tomazoni ◽  
Ana Paula Vansan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Universal Equation ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Loss Estimate

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a erosão hídrica laminar do solo, por meio da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solos Revisada (RUSLE) na bacia hidrográfica do rio São José, localizada no município de Francisco Beltrão (PR).  A perda de solo média anual (A) foi determinada através da RUSLE para os anos 2000, 2005, 2009, 2015 e 2017 utilizando-se técnicas de geoprocessamento com o auxílio do software ArcGis 10.0. O fator erosividade da chuva (R) foi determinado utilizando-se dados pluviométricos correspondentes ao período de 1974 a 2016. O fator erodibilidade do solo (K) foi obtido através da análise de amostras de solo coletadas in loco. O fator topográfico (LS) foi estimado por meio dos dados altimétricos e hidrográficos da bacia. Os fatores de uso e manejo do solo (C) e de práticas conservacionistas do solo (P) foram determinados por meio da caracterização multitemporal do uso e ocupação do solo, através de imagens de satélite. O potencial natural de erosão (PNE) foi determinado pela multiplicação dos fatores R, K e LS.A estimativa de perda de solo (A) foi determinada pela multiplicação do PNE pelos fatores C e P.  Use of Geoprocessing Techniques to Study Laminar Water Erosion in Watershed of Southwest Paraná A B S T R A C TThe objective of this work is evaluate the soil erosion by the Universal Equation of Soil Losses Revised (RUSLE) in the São José river basin, located in the municipality of Francisco Beltrão (PR). The average annual soil loss (A) was determined through RUSLE for the years 2000, 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2017 using geoprocessing techniques with ArcGis 10.0 software. Rainfallerosivity (R) was determined using rainfall data from 1974 to 2016, being determined at 11521.26 11521,26 MJ.mm.ha-1.h-1.year-1. The soil erodibility factor (K) was obtained through the analysis of soil samples collected on the spot (0,03018 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm, 0,02771 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm e 0,02342 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm). The topographic factor (LS) was estimated by the altimetric and hydrographic data of the basin. Soil use and management (C) and soil conservation (P) were determined through multitemporal characterization of land use and occupation, using satellite images. The natural erosion potential (NEP) was determined by multiplying the R, K and LS factors, with more than half of the total area of the watershed with very strong PNE. The soil loss estimate (A) was determined by multiplying the NEP by factors C and P with predominance of the class called low (0 to 10 t/ha/year) denoting the reduction of erosion rates through factors C and P, helping to protect the soil from the erosion process.Key words: Soil Erosion; Watershed, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Geoprocessing, Software.

scholarly journals Evaluating the spatial heterogeneity of soil loss tolerance and its effects on erosion risk in the carbonate areas of South China

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Li ◽  
Xiaoyong Bai ◽  
Shijie Wang ◽  
Luoyi Qin ◽  
Yichao Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
South China ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Carbonate Rock ◽  
Soil Thickness ◽  
Clastic Rock ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Soil loss tolerance (T value) is the ultimate criterion to determine the necessity of erosion control measures and ecological restoration strategy. However, the validity of this criterion in subtropical karst regions is strongly disputed. In this study, T value is computed based on soil formation rate by using a digital distribution map of carbonate rock assemblage types. Results indicated spatial heterogeneity and diversity in such values; moreover, a minimum of three criteria should be considered instead of only one criterion when investigating the carbonate areas of South China given that the “one region, one T value” concept may not apply to this region. T value is proportionate to the amount of argillaceous material in formations that determine surface soil thickness in homogenous carbonate rock areas; such values are 20 and 50 t/(km2 · a) in carbonate rock intercalated with clastic rock areas and 100 t/(km2 · a) in carbonate/clastic rock alternation areas. These three areas are each extremely, severely, and moderately sensitive to soil erosion. This erosion is extreme in karst rocky desertification (KRD) land and reflects the degree of erosion risk. Thus, the relationship between T value and erosion risk is determined with KRD as a parameter. The existence of KRD land is unrelated to T value, although this parameter indicates erosion sensitivity. In fact, erosion risk is strongly dependent on the relationship between real soil loss (RL) and T value rather than on either erosion intensity or the T value itself. If RL >> T, then erosion risk is high despite a low RL. Conversely, if T >> RL, the soil is safe although RL is high. Overall, these findings may clarify T value heterogeneity and its effect on erosion risk in a karst eco-environment; hence, innovative technological assessment solutions need not be invented.

scholarly journals Establishing soil loss tolerance: an overview

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costanza Di Stefano ◽  
Vito Ferro
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Site Effects ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Temporal Scale ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance

Soil loss tolerance is a criterion for establishing if a soil is potentially subjected to erosion risk, productivity loss and if a river presents downstream over-sedimentation or other off-site effects are present at basin scale. At first this paper reviews the concept of tolerable soil loss and summarises the available definitions and the knowledge on the recommended values and evaluating criteria. Then a threshold soil loss value, at the annual temporal scale, established for limiting riling was used for defining the classical soil loss tolerance. Finally, some research needs on tolerable soil loss are listed.

Soil erosion in Austria – National calculations using regional data delivering local results for the ÖPUL programme

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmar Schmaltz ◽  
Georg Dersch ◽  
Christine Weinberger ◽  
Carmen Krammer ◽  
Peter Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Environmentally Responsible ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Local Results ◽  
Erosion Hotspots

&lt;p&gt;Empirical models, such as the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) are in use since the 1950s to estimate the mean annual soil loss for single agricultural fields or spatially-distributed for larger areas (municipalities, regions or states). A particular focus on the computation of the RUSLE lies in the calculation of the respective factors on which the equation is built on and represent the erosivity of rainfall events, the erodibility of soils, the topography and land management. However, the RUSLE is highly susceptible to large errors in the prediction of the erosion rates of single agricultural parcels, due to the high variability of these factors in large areas (e.g. on national scale).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, we present a parcel-sharp erosion map for the entire territory of Austria. We discuss frequent error sources of the factor computations and their consequences for the representativeness of erosion maps at nation-scale. Based on our results we discuss furthermore regional erosion hotspots and evaluate nationally funded management practices for soil erosion reduction as they are defined in the Austrian programme for an environmentally responsible agriculture (&amp;#214;PUL).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since our approach depicts a novelty for Austria, we further describe opportunities for analysis of our results and highlight potential sources of errors, as well as regional and legal discrepancies of the distribution of national funds for soil conservation.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Estimation of soil erosion considering soil loss tolerance in karst area

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Cao ◽  
Shijie Wang ◽  
Xiaoyong Bai ◽  
Huiwen Li ◽  
Cheng Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Clastic Rock ◽  
Clastic Rocks ◽  
Soil Loss Tolerance ◽  
Loss Tolerance

Abstract. The prediction of soil erosion is critical to regional ecological assessment and sustainable development. However, due to the geological background of the karst area, the soil holding capacity is very limited, so it is necessary to consider the allowable loss of soil. Here we took thermodynamic dissolution model of carbonate rocks and the lithological characteristics to estimate soil loss tolerance, and corrected and quantitatively evaluated the soil erosion. Major findings are as follows: (1) The soil loss tolerance of homogenous carbonate rocks is 31.10 t · ha · yr−1, carbonate rock intercalated with clastic rocks is 120.81 t · ha · yr−1, carbonate/clastic rock alternations is 282.55 t · h · yr−1, and clastic rock is 500 t · ha · yr−1. (2) After the correction of the soil loss tolerance, the average annual amount of soil loss in the study area is 3.08 t · ha · yr−1, which is 41.12 % of the model. The predicted value of soil erosion is nearly the same as the observed value after modification. (3) It is necessary to reconsider the risk assessment model of soil erosion applicable to karst areas. This paper proposes an idea to estimate soil erosion based on the allowable loss of soil, which is more scientifically and accurately to reflect the soil erosion status of the study area compared with the traditional way. This study provides a corresponding reference for the formulation of soil and water conservation policies in China and the world's karst regions.

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