scholarly journals Changes in Soil’s Chemical and Biochemical Properties Induced by Road Geometry in the Hyrcanian Temperate Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1805
Author(s):  
Saeid Rahbarisisakht ◽  
Mohammad Hadi Moayeri ◽  
Elyas Hayati ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi ◽  
Sebastian Kepfer-Rojas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Forest Roads ◽  
Forest Road ◽  
Road Geometry

Forest roads play an important role in providing access to forest resources. However, they can significantly impact the adjacent soil and vegetation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of road geometry (RG) on the chemical and biochemical properties of adjacent soils to assist in environmentally friendly forest road planning in mountainous areas. Litter layer, canopy cover, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, total nitrogen (TN), the activity of dehydrogenase (DHA), and urease (UA) enzymes at a 0–20 cm soil depth were measured by sampling at various distances from the road edge to 100 m into the forest interior. The measurements were done for three road geometries (RG), namely straight, curved, and bent roads, to ensure data heterogeneity and to reflect the main geometric features of the forest roads. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the effects of RG on the measured variables were statistically significant. Spearman’s correlation test clearly showed a strong positive correlation between environmental conditions, SOC, TN, DHA, and UA for given RGs. Based on piecewise linear regression analysis, the down slope direction of the straight and the inside direction of bent roads accounted for the lowest and highest ranges of ecological effects, respectively. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the environmental effects brought about by road geometry, which can be important for forest road managers when applying the best management practices.

scholarly journals Performance Assessment of Erosion Remediation Measures and Proposal of The Best Management Practices for Erosion Control in Sebeya Catchment, Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Majoro ◽  
Umaru Garba Wali ◽  
Omar Munyaneza ◽  
François-Xavier Naramabuye ◽  
Concilie Mukamwambali
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Remediation Measures ◽  
Soil Erosion Control

Soil erosion is an environmental concern that affects agriculture, wildlife and water bodies. Soil erosion can be avoided by maintaining a protective cover on the soil to create a barrier to the erosive agent or by modifying the landscape to control runoff amounts and rates. This research is focused on Sebeya catchment located in the Western Province of Rwanda. Sebeya catchment is one of the most affected areas by soil erosion hazards causing loss of crops due to the destruction of agricultural plots or riverbanks, river sedimentation and damages to the existing water treatment and hydropower plants in the downstream part of the river. The aims of this research were to assess the performance of erosion remediation measures and to propose the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for erosion control in Sebeya catchment. Using literature review, site visits, questionnaire and interviews, various erosion control measures were analyzed in terms of performance and suitability. Land slope and soil depth maps were generated using ArcGIS software. The interview results indicated that among the 22 existing soil erosion control measures, about 4.57% of farmers confirmed their existence while 95.43% expressed the need of their implementation in Sebeya catchment. Furthermore, economic constraints were found to be the main limitative factors against the implementation of soil erosion control measures in Sebeya catchment. Also, the majority of farmers suggest trainings and mobilization of a specialized technical team to assist them in implementing soil conservation measures and to generalize the application of fertilizers in the whole catchment. Finally, soil erosion control measures including agro-forestry, terraces, mulching, tree planting, contour bunds, vegetative measures for slopes and buffer zones, check dams, riverbanks stabilization were proposed and recommended to be implemented in Sebeya catchment. Keywords: Erosion control measures, Sebeya catchment, Rwanda

scholarly journals (78) Establishment and Growth of Begonias in the Landscape as Affected by Root Ball Condition at Transplant

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1015B-1015
Author(s):  
Sloane M. Scheiber ◽  
Richard C. Beeson ◽  
Sudeep Vyapari
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Biomass Growth ◽  
Growth Indices ◽  
Woody Ornamentals ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Landscape Establishment ◽  
Field Plots

Root ball slicing is often recommended for root-bound woody ornamentals to promote new root development during establishment in the landscape. It is a common practice among gardeners, but not necessarily landscapers, to disrupt root-bound annuals during transplant. However, little if any evidence exists for such practices. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of root ball condition of annual bedding plants on landscape establishment and growth. Begoniasemperflorens were transplanted from 0.72-L (#1) containers into field plots in an open-sided clear polyethylene covered shelter and managed with Best Management Practices. Three root ball conditions were evaluated: non root-bound (6-week-old plants), root-bound (10-week-old plants), and root-bound with the bottom 1 cm of the root ball removed. Shoot and root dry masses and growth indices were collected weekly for 12 weeks and evaluated relative to root ball condition by linear regression analysis. Nonroot-bound plants had significantly greater biomass, growth indices, height, and root dry weights than the other treatments tested. No significant differences were found between root-bound and manipulated root-bound plants for any parameter examined. The data indicate that the practice of disrupting root-bound plants has no benefit on establishment or growth of annual bedding plants in the landscape.

Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus under recycled water irrigation

Soil Research ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sakadevan ◽  
B. L. Maheshwari ◽  
H. J. Bavor
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Land Application ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Water Treatments

Land application of recycled water is currently practised in many countries as an alternative to discharge directly into inland and coastal waters. In this field study, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability in pasture plots that received recycled water was compared with that of plots which received single applications of superphosphate fertiliser (SSP). The treatments included recycled water applied continuously, recycled water applied alternately with fresh water, single application of SSP at the beginning of the experiment, and a non-amended control. Results from the study showed that the amount of N and P removed by pasture was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in plots that received both recycled water treatments than in the SSP-treated plot and the control. The amount of N (as nitrate and ammonium) leached below 1.0 m soil depth was significantly greater (P < 0.01) for the continuous recycled water treatment than the other treatments or the control. Nitrate was the dominant (>80%) form of N leached from all 4 treatments. In contrast to the findings for N, a greater proportion of applied P (47.9%) was leached below 1.0 m soil depth from the SSP-treated plots than from plots that received recycled water continuously (26.0%), alternately with fresh water (13.3%), and the control. Results from the study may be useful for developing best management practices for recycled water irrigation of pasture.

Sediment delivery in managed forests: a review

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Croke ◽  
P B Hairsine
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Stream Water Quality ◽  
Sediment Delivery ◽  
Forest Road

The opening or removal of forest canopies during harvesting or land clearing results in a predictable sequence of responses, the descriptions of which appear remarkably similar around the world. Such activities are now widely acknowledged to have adverse impacts upon water quality and in-stream ecology. Sediment delivery, therefore, encapsulates the dominant process by which water resources are impacted and the process that can be best managed to limit off-site impacts. This paper is a review of current processes, and perceptions, of sediment delivery in managed forests. We outline the major components of sediment and runoff delivery as they relate specifically to timber harvesting activities. Whilst much existing research has focused upon soil loss as the major component of timber harvesting impacts, this review highlights both the need for, and benefits from, a conceptual advance in our thinking of sediment delivery. We advocate that by managing runoff delivery pathways and the resultant pattern of hydrological connectivity, we can limit the potential adverse effects of forest harvesting on in-stream water quality. Specific attention is given here to the interaction of the forest road and track network with both sediment and runoff delivery. The result is a comprehensive account of how best to manage timber harvesting for both on-site sustainability and off-site water resource protection.Key words: timber harvesting, sediment delivery, road network, connectivity, best management practices (BMPs).

Predicting Forest Road Surface Erosion and Storm Runoff from High-Elevation Sites

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny McFero Grace III
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Storm Runoff ◽  
Surface Erosion ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Forest Roads ◽  
Forest Road ◽  
The Road

Abstract. Forest roads are a concern in management because they represent areas of elevated risks associated with soil erosion and storm runoff connectivity to stream systems. Storm runoff emanating from forest roads and their connectivity to downslope resources can be influenced by a myriad of factors, including storm characteristics, management practices, and the interaction of management practices and successive storm events. Mitigating sediment export and ensuring that storm runoff has negligible impacts on downstream resources requires a more complete understanding of forest road erosion and sediment delivery dynamics. Progress in the area of road and stream connectivity issues hinges on reliable prediction tools to inform broader-scale modeling of watershed-scale effects of forest roads and management practices. In this study, the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was evaluated based on the results from 156 runoff-generating storm events during a continuous five-year study of nine high-elevation road sections in the Appalachian Mountains. The model adequately predicted sediment yield from the road sections with an overall Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (E) of 0.76, Willmott refined index of agreement (dr) of 0.56, percent error of 5%, and average storm difference (ASD) of 1.2 kg. In contrast, WEPP predictions of storm runoff were not as good, and the poor agreement was attributed to an inability to determine the source area for runoff from some of the larger runoff events. In general, the WEPP model for these high-elevation sites adequately described the sediment yield for the road sections. Keywords: Forest roads, Long-term simulation, Runoff, Sediment, Water Erosion Modeling, WEPP.

SOIL AGGREGATION AND ORGANIC CARBON AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN LEVELS IN THE MAIZE–WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANGEETA LENKA ◽  
A. K. SINGH ◽  
N. K. LENKA
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Aggregation ◽  
Multiple Regression Equation ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
Water And Nitrogen Interaction ◽  
Organic Source

SUMMARYBest management practices in agriculture have the potential to sequester carbon and improve soil aggregation. Hence, in the present investigation, different levels of irrigation and nitrogen (inorganic and organic) were used in the maize–wheat cropping system to study their effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and aggregation. The treatments consisted of three levels of water regimes (namely W1, W2 and W3 referring to limited, medium and maximum irrigation) and five nitrogen levels (T1, 0% N; T2, 75% N; T3, 100% N; T4, 150% N; T5, 100% N from organic source), with three replications taken in a split plot design. Positive and significant correlation between SOC and mean weight diameter (MWD) was observed, implying that increasing SOC improved soil structure and increased the MWD. The quantification of water and nitrogen interaction on SOC was done by developing a multiple regression equation, which, when validated with SOC of the subsequent year, resulted in significant correlation. Irrigation and N was found to have a significant effect on soil aggregation and organic carbon build-up. Two N treatments (T4: 150% N and T5: 100% N from organic source) improved soil aggregation (macro-aggregates) and SOC when accompanied with W3 water regime (maximum amount of irrigation). Across N treatments, the W3 regime registered significantly higher SOC by more than 30% over control in the 0–15-cm soil depth.

scholarly journals  Reducing erosion from forest roads and skid trails by management practices

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 165-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Akbarimehr ◽  
R. Naghdi
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Water Diversion ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Forest Roads ◽  
Forest Road ◽  
The Impact

A road network in forest lands provides easy access to forest resources for extraction, regeneration, protection and recreation activities. Erosion from forest roads and skid trails is a major concern in forest management due to the capability to cause adverse environmental effects. The objective of this paper is to introduce two methods for reducing erosion on forest roads and skid trails: water diversion and vegetation cover. Factors affecting erosion on forest roads and skid trails are climate, quality of forest road surfacing material, traffic, slope and vegetation cover. There are several management practices to mitigate the impact of logging and forest road and skid trail construction on stream water quality. Sediments delivered to streams from roads and skid trails lead to a number of dramatic effects on water quality and aquatic life. These management practices were found to be effective in controlling and reducing the runoff volume and soil erosion. Therefore, management and maintenance of forest roads and skid trails are essential elements to mitigate erosion. &nbsp;

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