scholarly journals Combined Cultivation Pattern Reduces Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss from Sloping Farmland on Red Soil in Southwestern China

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1071
Author(s):  
Yan-Ting Mao ◽  
Wei Hu ◽  
Henry Wai Chau ◽  
Bao-Kun Lei ◽  
Hong-Jie Di ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Transport ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Red Soil ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Sediment Runoff ◽  
Total N ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Runoff Sediment ◽  
Sloping Farmland

Crops are usually planted on sloping land in mountainous areas due to limited suitable land area. This results in serious soil erosion and loss of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to land degradation and water eutrophication. It is important to adopt appropriate cultivation practices to change this situation. However, few long-term in situ measurements are available to assess the magnitude of effects of combined cultivation patterns on soil erosion and nutrient loss from sloping farmland with red soil, as well to quantify N and P losses through runoff and sediment transport. A field trial with the cash crop (CC) Nicotiana tabacum was carried out under natural rainfall conditions on sloping farmland with red soil in Yunnan, China during 2014–2017. Four cultivation patterns were applied. They included NVF (No fertilizer application + Vertical ridge + Film covered), OVF (Optimizing fertilizer application + Vertical ridge + Film covered), OHF (Optimizing fertilizer application + Horizontal ridge + Film covered), and OHFR (Optimizing fertilizer application + Horizontal ridge + Film removed). The first two treatments belonged to the vertical ridge (VR) group, and the remaining treatments belonged to the horizontal ridge (HR) group. Results indicated the HR group performed significantly better than the VR group, especially the OHFR treatment, in terms of the HR group producing average runoff (177.12–182.27 mm), sediment loss (2673.33–3309.17 kg·ha−1), and nutrient loss of total nitrogen (TN) (7.58–7.93 kg·ha−1), total phosphorus (TP) (1.00–1.09 kg·ha−1) through runoff, TN (3.53–4.72 kg·ha−1), TP (2.59–2.76 kg·ha−1) through sediment. TN was lost mainly through runoff transport, while TP was lost mainly through sediment transport. On average, the HR group decreased runoff, sediment, total N and P loss by 39% to 73% relative to the OVF treatment, whereas NVF treatment increased 3% to 30% of those (p < 0.05). Under four cultivation patterns, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) was the dominant form, which accounted for 71–77% of TN. The average percentage of NO3−-N/TN was about 45–52%, much higher than NH4+-N/TN of around 8–10% in runoff. Total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) made up about 48–59% of TP in runoff. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that sediment, runoff, and soil pH were the three key factors controlling nutrient loss. In conclusion, OHFR is recommended because it consistently outperformed other patterns in terms of reducing runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses.

scholarly journals Investigating Behavior of Six Methods for Sediment Transport Capacity Estimation of Spatial-Temporal Soil Erosion

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3054
Author(s):  
Linh Nguyen Van ◽  
Xuan-Hien Le ◽  
Giang V. Nguyen ◽  
Minho Yeon ◽  
Sungho Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Transport ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Sediment Runoff ◽  
Additional Parameter ◽  
Transport Capacity ◽  
Stream Power ◽  
Sediment Transport Capacity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Depth Analysis

Estimation of sediment transport capacity (STC) plays a crucial role in simulating soil erosion using any physics-based models. In this research, we aim to investigate the pros and cons of six popular STC methods (namely, Shear velocity, Kilinc-Richardson (KR), Effective stream power, Slope and unit discharge, Englund-Hansen (EH), and Unit stream power) for soil erosion/deposition simulation at watershed scales. An in-depth analysis was performed using the selected STC methods integrated into the Grid Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis model for investigating the changes in morphology at spatial-temporal scales at the Cheoncheon watershed, South Korea, over three storm events. Conclusions were drawn as follows. (1) Due to the ability of the KR and EH methods to include an additional parameter (i.e., erodibility coefficient), they outperformed others by producing more accurate simulation results of sediment concentration predictions. The KR method also proved to be superior to the EH method when it showed a more suitable for sediment concentration simulations with a wide range of sediment size and forcing magnitude. (2) We further selected 2 STC methods among the 6 methods to deeply explore the spatial distribution of erosion/deposition. The overall results were more agreeable. For instance, the phenomenon of erosion mainly occurred upstream of watersheds with steep slopes and unbalanced initial sediment concentrations, whereas deposition typically appeared at locations with flat terrain (or along the mainstream). The EH method demonstrated the influence of topography (e.g., gradient slope) on accretionary erosion/deposition results more significantly than the KR method. The obtained results contribute a new understanding of rainfall-sediment-runoff processes and provide fundamental plans for soil conservation in watersheds.

scholarly journals Effect of Forest Management Operations on Aggregate-Associated SOC Dynamics Using a 137Cs Tracing Method

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 859
Author(s):  
Geng Guo ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Xi Zhu ◽  
Yanyin Xu ◽  
Qiao Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Forest Conversion ◽  
Mountain Areas

Although forest conversions have long been a focus in carbon (C) research, the relationship between soil erosion and the dynamic change of soil organic carbon (SOC) has not been well-quantified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of converting CBF (coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests) to economic forests, including CF (chestnut forest), HF (hawthorn forest), and AF (apple forest), on the soil structure and nutrient loss in the Huaibei Rocky Mountain Areas, China. A 137Cs tracer method was used to provide soil erosion data in order to quantify the loss of aggregate-associated SOC. The results showed that forest management operations caused macro-aggregates to decrease by 1.69% in CF, 4.52% in AF, and 3.87% in HF. Therefore, the stability of aggregates was reduced. The SOC contents in each aggregate size decreased significantly after forest conversion, with the largest decreases occurring in AF. We quantified the loss of 0.15, 0.38, and 0.31 Mg hm−2 of aggregate-associated SOC after conversion from CBF to CF, AF, and HF, respectively. These results suggest that forest management operations have a negative impact on soil quality and fertility. CF has better vegetation coverage and less human interference, making it more prominent among the three economic forests species. Therefore, when developing forest management operations, judicious selection of tree varieties and appropriate management practices are extremely critical. In addition, measures should be taken to increase surface cover to reduce soil erosion and achieve sustainable development of economic forests.

scholarly journals Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1991
Author(s):  
Silvia Stanchi ◽  
Odoardo Zecca ◽  
Csilla Hudek ◽  
Emanuele Pintaldi ◽  
Davide Viglietti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Soil Ecosystem Services ◽  
Erosion Mitigation ◽  
Management Approaches

We studied the effects of three soil management approaches (permanent grassing, chemical weeding, and buffer strips), and the additional impact of tractor passage on soil erosion in a sloping vineyard located in the inner part of Aosta Valley (N-W Italian Alps). The vineyard rows were equipped with a sediment collection system with channels and barrel tanks. A total of 12 events with sediment production were observed across 6 years, and the collected sediments were weighted and analyzed. Average erosion rates ranged from negligible (mainly in grassed rows) to 1.1 t ha−1 per event (after weeding). The most erosive event occurred in July 2015, with a total rainfall of 32.2 mm, of which 20.1 were recorded in 1 h. Despite the limited number of erosive events observed, and the low measured erosion rates, permanent grassing reduced soil erosion considerably with respect to weeding; buffering had a comparable effect to grassing. The tractor passage, independent of the soil management approaches adopted, visibly accelerated the erosion process. The collected sediments were highly enriched in organic C, total N, and fine size fractions, indicating a potential loss of fertility over time. Despite the measured erosion rates being low over the experiment’s duration, more severe events are well documented in the recent past, and the number of intense storms is likely to increase due to climate change. Thus, the potential effects of erosion in the medium and long term need to be limited to a minimum rate of soil loss. Our experiment helped to compare soil losses by erosion under different soil management practices, including permanent grassing, i.e., a nature-based erosion mitigation measure. The results of the research can provide useful indications for planners and practitioners in similar regions, for sustainable, cross-sectoral soil management, and the enhancement of soil ecosystem services.

scholarly journals N Management of European Grasslands: Can the Exchange of Gaseous N Species Be Influenced at the Operational Level?

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 652-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Calanca ◽  
A. Neftel ◽  
J. Fuhrer
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Total N ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Grassland Ecosystems ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
N Management

Grassland ecosystems can be regarded as biochemical reactors in which large amounts of organic nitrogen (N) are converted into inorganic N, and vice versa. If managed in a sustainable manner, grasslands should operate in a quasi steady state, characterized by an almost perfect balance between total N input and output. As a consequence, the exchange of gaseous N species (NH3, NO, NO2, N2O, and N2) between grasslands and the atmosphere is very small compared to the total N turnover. In this study, the effects of two management options (mowing and fertilization) on production and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) from a grass/clover crop were examined on the basis of observations and model results referring to an experiment carried out on the Swiss Plateau in late summer of 2000. It was found that production and emission of N2O induced by mowing were of the same order of magnitude as those brought about by fertilization, suggesting a possible transfer of N from clover to the soil after defoliation. Emissions were strongly modulated by precipitation on time scales ranging from 1 day to 1 week. This indicates that effective control of N2O emissions through management on a day-to-day basis requires reliable medium-range weather forecasts. Model calculations were not able to reproduce essential characteristics of the emissions. The model slightly overestimated the background emissions, but severely underestimated the emission peaks following fertilizer application, and largely failed to reproduce emission induced by mowing. Shortfalls in the model used for this study were found in relation to the description of soil-water fluxes, soil organic matter, and the physiology of clover.

RESTORING PRODUCTIVITY TO AN ARTIFICIALLY ERODED DARK BROWN CHERNOZEMIC SOIL UNDER DRYLAND CONDITIONS

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. DORMAAR ◽  
C. W. LINDWALL ◽  
G. C. KOZUB
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Sweet Clover ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Structure Characteristics

A field was artificially eroded by levelling in 1957 and then continuously cropped to barley for 7 yr. Subsequently, a wheat-fallow experiment was conducted from 1965 to 1979 to determine the effects of four fertilizer treatments and green manure (yellow sweet clover) on restoring the productivity to soil that had been "eroded" to various depths. After 22 yr and 14 crops, the productivity of the land from which soil was removed has been improved but not fully restored. Although green manuring with yellow sweet clover improved soil structure, wheat yields were not improved because of competition for soil moisture and poorer in-crop weed control in this part of the rotation. The addition of 45 kg N plus 90 kg P2O5 per hectare in each crop year to sites from which 8–10, 10–20, or 46 + cm of soil had been removed resulted in yield increases of 18, 46, and 70%, respectively, over the unfertilized check of each treatment; the average yields were 104, 91, and 70%, respectively, of the undisturbed, unfertilized (check) treatment. On "erosion" treatments where only 8–10 cm of soil were removed, 45 kg N plus 22 kg P2O5 per hectare were sufficient to restore the productivity. Precipitation apparently had a greater effect than fertilizer application on wheat yields. The loss of organic matter and associated soil structure characteristics seemed to be critical factors contributing to yield losses associated with soil erosion. These results show that it is more practical to use management practices that prevent soil erosion than to adopt the practices required to restore eroded soil. Key words: Soil erosion, topsoil loss, water-stable aggregates, soil organic matter, green manure, precipitation

Soil Type Modifies the Impacts of Warming and Snow Exclusion on Carbon and Nutrient Losses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Juice ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Alexandra M. Kosiba ◽  
Carl E. Waite ◽  
Gary J. Hawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The varied and wide-reaching impacts of climate change are occurring across heterogeneous landscapes. Despite the known importance of soils in mediating biogeochemical nutrient cycling, there is little experimental evidence of how soil characteristics may shape ecosystem response to climate change. Our objective was to clarify how soil characteristics modify the impact of climate changes on carbon and nutrient leaching losses in temperate forests. We therefore conducted a field-based mesocosm experiment with replicated warming and snow exclusion treatments on two soils in large (2.4 m diameter), in-field forest sapling mesocosms. We found that nutrient loss responses to warming and snow exclusion treatments frequently varied substantially by soil type. Indeed, in some cases, soil type nullified the impact of a climate treatment. For example, warming and snow exclusion increased nitrogen (N) losses on fine soils by up to four times versus controls, but these treatments had no impact on coarse soils. Generally, the coarse textured soil, with its lower soil-water holding capacity, had higher nutrient losses (e.g., 12-17 times more total N loss from coarse than fine soils), except in the case of phosphate, which had consistently higher losses (23-58%) from the finer textured soil. Furthermore, the mitigation of nutrient loss by increasing tree biomass varied by soil type and nutrient. Our results suggest that potentially large biogeochemical responses to climate change are strongly mediated by soil characteristics, providing further evidence of the need to consider soil properties in Earth system models for improving nutrient cycling and climate projections.

scholarly journals Nutrient Management Programs, Nitrogen Fertilizer Practices, and Groundwater Quality in Nebraska’s Central Platte Valley (U.S.), 1989–1998

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 750-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Daberkow ◽  
Harold Taylor ◽  
Noel Gollehon ◽  
Milt Moravek
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Management Program ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
Total N ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Irrigation Water Use ◽  
Farmer Behavior

Given the societal concern about groundwater pollution from agricultural sources, public programs have been proposed or implemented to change farmer behavior with respect to nutrient use and management. However, few of these programs designed to change farmer behavior have been evaluated due to the lack of detailed data over an appropriate time frame. The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) in Nebraska has identified an intensively cultivated, irrigated area with average groundwater nitrate-nitrogen (N) levels about double the EPA’s safe drinking water standard. The CPNRD implemented a joint education and regulatory N management program in the mid-1980s to reduce groundwater N. This analysis reports N use and management, yield, and groundwater nitrate trends in the CPNRD for nearly 3000 continuous-corn fields from 1989 to 1998, where producers faced limits on the timing of N fertilizer application but no limits on amounts. Groundwater nitrate levels showed modest improvement over the 10 years of this analysis, falling from the 1989–1993 average of 18.9 to 18.1 mg/l during 1994–1998. The availability of N in excess of crop needs was clearly documented by the CPNRD data and was related to optimistic yield goals, irrigation water use above expected levels, and lack of adherence to commercial fertilizer application guidelines. Over the 10-year period of this analysis, producers reported harvesting an annual average of 9729 kg/ha, 1569 kg/ha (14%) below the average yield goal. During 1989�1998, producers reported annually applying an average of 162.5 kg/ha of commercial N fertilizer, 15.7 kg/ha (10%) above the guideline level. Including the N contribution from irrigation water, the potential N contribution to the environment (total N available less estimated crop use) was estimated at 71.7 kg/ha. This is an estimate of the nitrates available for denitrification, volatilization, runoff, future soil N, and leaching to groundwater. On average, between 1989–1993 and 1994–1998, producers more closely followed CPNRD N fertilizer recommendations and increased their use of postemerge N applications � an indication of improved synchrony between N availability and crop uptake.

scholarly journals Identifying Human-Induced Spatial Differences of Soil Erosion Change in a Hilly Red Soil Region of Southern China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3103
Author(s):  
Dong Huang ◽  
Xiaohuan Yang ◽  
Hongyan Cai ◽  
Zuolin Xiao ◽  
Dongrui Han
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Red Soil ◽  
Jiangxi Province ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Gravity Center ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Spatial Differences

Soil erosion (SE) processes are closely related to natural conditions and human activities, posing a threat to environment and society. Identifying the human impact on regional SE changes is increasingly essential for pertinent SE management. Jiangxi province is studied here as a representative area of hilly-red-soil regions within southern China. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the changing trend of SE within Jiangxi and identify human impacts on regional SE change from the perspective of spatial differences, through a new approach based on a gravity-center model. Our results showed that SE status presented an overall amelioration from 1990 to 2015, while the average soil erosion modulus (SEM) declined from 864 to 281 Mg/(km2·a). Compared to the situation under human and natural impacts, human-induced spatial differences of SE change demonstrated that the western and northwest regions showed stronger negative effects; the southern region shifted towards negative effects; the northeast region presented a much weaker negative effect. Our results indicated that 4 cities with strong negative effects need more attention in further SE management suited to their local conditions and development, and also suggested that the approach based on a gravity-center has potential for identifying the human impact on regional SE change from the perspective of spatial patterns.

scholarly journals Modeling the dynamics of soil erosion and size-selective sediment transport over nonuniform topography in flume-scale experiments

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. P. Heng ◽  
G. C. Sander ◽  
A. Armstrong ◽  
J. N. Quinton ◽  
J. H. Chandler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Transport ◽  
Soil Erosion
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