scholarly journals Splash Erosion on Terraces, Does It Make a Difference If the Terracing Is Done before or after a Fire?

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
María Fernández-Raga ◽  
Martinho A. S. Martins ◽  
Elena Marcos Porras ◽  
Roberto Fraile ◽  
Jan Jacob Keizer

Terraces are a common Mediterranean feature influencing soils, slopes and subsurface hydrology; however, little is known about their impact on erosion processes, especially in humid regions. The purpose of this study was to assess how terracing after a fire affected erosion processes such as splash erosion. For 8 months, the study monitored splash erosion in three terraced plots, one plot under pre-fire conditions and the other two under post-fire conditions. Assessment of the impact of the terracing treatment in such plots was carried out by the installation of two different splash erosion quantitative systems: cups and funnels. An analysis of the splash data obtained in 17 rainfall events and meteorological data collected during each one of those periods was then performed. A significant positive correlation between the amount of rainfall and the splash erosion was observed. The two splash sampling systems show a high degree of concordance; however, the funnel-type model seems to be the most appropriate when it comes to preventing loss of splashed soil samples. The post-fire treatment with terracing leads to a smaller stability of surface soil aggregates, causing higher splash erosion rates. Sampling using the funnel system collects three times the amount of splashed soil than that collected by the cup system, although both systems correlate appropriately with the meteorological parameters.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dante Föllmi ◽  
Jantiene Baartman ◽  
João Pedro Nunes ◽  
Akli Benali

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>Wildfires have become an increasing threat for Mediterranean ecosystems, due to increasing climate change induced wildfire activity and changing land management practices. Apart from the initial risk, fire can alter the soil in various ways depending on different fire severities and thus post-fire erosion processes are an important component in assessing wildfires’ negative effects. Recent post-fire erosion (modelling) studies often focus on a short time window and lack the attention for sediment dynamics at larger spatial scales. Yet, these large spatial and temporal scales are fundamental for a better understanding of catchment sediment dynamics and long-term destructive effects of multiple fires on post-fire erosion processes. In this study the landscape evolution model LAPSUS was used to simulate erosion and deposition in the 404 km<sup>2</sup> Águeda catchment in northern-central Portugal over a 41 year (1979-2020) timespan. To include variation in fire severity and its impact on the soil four burnt severity classes, represented by the difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), were parameterized. Although model calibration was difficult due to lack of spatial and temporal measured data, the results show that average post-fire net erosion rates were significantly higher in the wildfire scenarios (5.95 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>) compared to those of a non-wildfire scenario (0.58 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>). Furthermore, erosion values increased with a higher level of burnt severity and multiple fires increased the overall sediment build-up in the catchment, fostering an increase in background sediment yield. Simulated erosion patterns showed great spatial variability with large deposition and erosion rates inside streams. Due to this variability, it was difficult to identify land uses that were most sensitive for post-fire erosion, because some land-uses were located in more erosion-sensitive areas (e.g. streams, gullies) or were more affected by high burnt severity levels than others. Despite these limitations, LAPSUS performed well on addressing spatial sediment processes and has the ability to contribute to pre-fire management strategies. For instance, the percentage soil loss map (i.e. comparison of erosion and soil depth maps) could identify locations at risk.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Gholami ◽  
Kazimierz Banasik ◽  
Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi ◽  
Abdulvahed Khaledi Darvishan ◽  
Leszek Hejduk

Abstract Mulches have extraordinary potential in reducing surface runoff, increasing infiltration of water into the soil and decreasing soil erosion. The straw mulches as a biological material, has the ability to be a significant physical barrier against the impact of raindrops and reduce the detachment of soil aggregates. The present study is an attempt to determine the efficiency of straw mulch as conservation treatment in changes in the splash erosion, time-to-runoff, runoff coefficient, infiltration coefficient, time-to-drainage, drainage coefficient, sediment concentration and soil loss. The laboratory experiments have been conducted for sandy-loam soil taken from deforested area, about 15 km of Warsaw west, Poland under lab conditions with simulated rainfall intensities of 60 and 120 mmh–1, in 4 soil moistures of 12, 25, 33 and 40% and the slope of 9%. Compared with bare treatments, results of straw mulch application showed the significant conservation effects on splash erosion, runoff coefficient, sediment concentration and soil loss and significant enhancement effects on infiltration and drainage. The results of Spearman-Rho correlation showed the significant (p < 0.05) correlation with r = –0.873, 0.873, 0.878 and 0.764 between rainfall intensity and drainage coefficient, downstream splash, sediment concentration and soil loss and with r = –0.976, 0.927 and –0.927 between initial soil moisture content and time-to-runoff, runoff coefficient and infiltration coefficient, respectively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9740
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kipkemboi Kogo ◽  
Lalit Kumar ◽  
Richard Koech

This study examined the impact of land use/cover changes on soil erosion in western Kenya in the years 1995 and 2017. The study used the GIS-based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) modelling approach and remote sensing assessment. The results showed that the average soil loss through sheet, rill and inter-rill soil erosion processes was 0.3 t/ha/y and 0.5 t/ha/y, in the years 1995 and 2017, respectively. Of the total soil loss, farms contributed more than 50%, both in 1995 and 2017 followed by grass/shrub (7.9% in 1995 and 11.9% in 2017), forest (16% in 1995 and 11.4% in 2017), and the least in built-up areas. The highest soil erosion rates were observed in farms cleared from forests (0.84 tons/ha) followed by those converted from grass/shrub areas (0.52 tons/ha). The rate of soil erosion was observed to increase with slope due to high velocity and erosivity of the runoff. Areas with high erodibility in the region are found primarily in slopes of more than 30 degrees, especially in Mt. Elgon, Chereng’anyi hills and Elgeyo escarpments. This study forms the first multi-temporal assessment to explore the extent of soil erosion and seeks to provide a useful knowledge base to support decision-makers in developing strategies to mitigate soil erosion for sustainable crop production.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Stammberger ◽  
Benjamin Jacobs ◽  
Michael Krautblatter

&lt;p&gt;High-intensity precipitation events and the resulting extreme discharges in mountain torrents are immensely dangerous and destructive hazards that can put lives in danger and cause expensive damages to infrastructure. There is a high probability that further changes in climate will favour the genesis and therefore increase the frequency of such extreme events. Nevertheless, there is a pronounced desire to experience breathtaking mountainous landscapes, especially when easy accessible. An example is the H&amp;#246;llental gorge (between 1032 and 1062 m&amp;#160;a.s.l., Wetterstein mountains, Germany), a key touristic attraction in the region with up to 100k visitors per year. Especially for such highly frequented places, the knowledge and comprehension of possible risks from hydrological and geomorphic hazards is crucial. With this in mind, we are reconstructing and discussing possible modelling approaches of a recent event of a hyperconcentrated flow through the gorge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In June 2020 a local extreme precipitation event between 50 and 60 mm/h caused a rapid accumulation of the surface runoff due to the steep slopes of the H&amp;#246;llental (inclination of &amp;#248; 110%). Secondary sediment storages were mobilized and transported to the main channel where a hyperconcentrated flow developed at the beginning of the gorge. Depending on the percentage of transported sediment in the flow, temporary transitions to a debris flow were possible. Throughout the ravine, massive forces reshaped the rock walls and the channel bed by particle erosion, shearing and relocation of boulders up to 20 m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study we present a comparison of two terrestrial laser scan campaigns, the first two weeks prior to the event and the second just five days after. We were able to accurately calculate the morphological changes along the sides of the channel and obtained a unique data set for bedrock erosion rates due to the impact of a hyperconcentrated flow. We mapped the flow height throughout the whole gorge by identifying the visible transition of undisturbed to roughened rock surfaces. DEM difference calculation upstream allows to determine the erosion and deposition heights as well as the corresponding volumes. Additionally, electrical resistivity tomographies reveal the thickness of (still) available sediment upstream.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here we discuss possible numerical and analytical modelling approaches and analyse preliminary results. We aim at coupling the observed erosion rates to calculated velocities of a model that integrates the complex topography as well as the rheological parameters of the flow. A calibration of the model will be achieved with the mapped flow height in the gorge. Due to the complexity of the gorge, a frequently used numerical simulation as well as a analytical open-channel flow model will be analyzed and compared.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study presents a unique dataset of effective erosion rates with records collected pre- and post-event. The results contribute to strongly improve the understanding of the flow dynamics in hyperconcentrated flows and give unparalleled information about erosion processes in narrow bedrock channels.&lt;/p&gt;


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4735-4750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlin Zhao ◽  
Kristof Van Oost ◽  
Longqian Chen ◽  
Gerard Govers

Abstract. Despite a multitude of studies, overall erosion rates as well as the contribution of different erosion processes on Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) remain uncertain, which hampers a correct assessment of the impact of soil erosion on carbon and nutrient cycling as well as on crop productivity. In this paper we used a novel approach, based on field evidence, to reassess erosion rates on the CLP before and after conservation measures were implemented (1950 vs. 2005). We found that current average topsoil erosion rates are 3 to 9 times lower than earlier estimates suggested. Under 2005 conditions, more sediment was produced by non-topsoil erosion (gully erosion (0.23 ± 0.28 Gt yr−1) and landsliding (0.28 ± 0.23 Gt yr−1) combined) than by topsoil erosion (ca. 0.30 ± 0.08 Gt yr−1). Overall, these erosion processes mobilized ca. 4.77 ± 1.96 Tg yr−1 of soil organic carbon (SOC): the latter number sets the maximum magnitude of the erosion-induced carbon sink, which is ca. 4 times lower than one other recent estimate suggests. The programs implemented from the 1950s onwards reduced topsoil erosion from 0.51 ± 0.13 to 0.30 ± 0.08 Gt yr−1 while SOC mobilization was reduced from 7.63 ± 3.52 to 4.77 ± 1.96 Tg C yr−1. Conservation efforts and reservoir construction have disrupted the equilibrium that previously existed between sediment and SOC mobilization on the one hand and sediment and SOC export to the Bohai sea on the other hand: nowadays, most eroded sediments and carbon are stored on land. Despite the fact that average topsoil losses on the CLP are still relatively high, a major increase in agricultural productivity has occurred since 1980. Fertilizer application rates nowadays more than compensate for the nutrient losses by (topsoil) erosion: this was likely not the case before the dramatic rise of fertilizer use that started around 1980. Hence, erosion is currently not a direct threat to agricultural productivity on the CLP but the long-term effects of erosion on soil quality remain important.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 12947-12985 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pereira ◽  
A. Gimeìnez-Morera ◽  
A. Novara ◽  
S. Keesstra ◽  
A. Jordán ◽  
...  

Abstract. Road and railway infrastructure increased in the Mediterranean region during the last three decades. This included the building of embankments, which are assumed to be a~large source of sediments and runoff. However, little is known about soil erosion rates, the factors that control them, and the processes that contribute to detachment, transport and deposition of sediments from road and railway embankments. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the impacts of road and railway embankments as a source of sediment and water, and compare them to other land use types (citrus plantations and shrublands) representative of the Cànyoles watershed to evaluate the importance of road embankments as a~source of water and sediment under high magnitude low frequency rainfall events. Sixty rainfall experiments (1 m2 plots; 60 min duration; 78 mm h−1 rainfall intensity) were carried out on these land use types: 20 on two railway embankments (10 + 10), 20 on two road embankments (10 + 10), and 10 on citrus and 10 on shrubland. Road and railway embankments were characterized by bare soils with low organic matter and high bulk density. Erosion processes were more active in road, railway and citrus plots, and null in the shrublands. The non-sustainable soil erosion rates of 3 Mg ha−1 y−1 measured on the road embankments were due to the efficient runoff connectivity plus low infiltration rates within the plot as the runoff took less than one minute to reach the runoff outlet. Road and railway embankments are both an active source of sediments and runoff, and soil erosion control strategies must be applied. The citrus plantations also act as a~source of water and sediments (1.5 Mg ha−1 y−1), while shrublands are sediment sinks, as no overland flow was observed due to the high infiltration rates.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive B. Beggs ◽  
Eldad J. Avital

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by variations in air temperature and humidity. However, the impact that these environmental parameters have on survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been fully characterised. Therefore an analytical study was undertaken using published data to develop a psychrometric model to predict the biological decay rate of the virus in aerosols. This revealed that it is possible to predict with a high degree of accuracy (R2 = 0.718, p<0.001) the biological decay constant for SARS-CoV-2 using a regression model with enthalpy, vapour pressure and specific volume as predictors. Applying this to historical meteorological data from London, Paris and Milan over the pandemic period, produced results which indicate that the average half-life of the virus in aerosols was in the region 13-21 times longer in March 2020, when the outbreak was accelerating, than it was in August 2020 when epidemic in Europe was at its nadir. As such, this suggests that changes in virus survivability due the variations in the psychrometric qualities of the air might influence the transmission of COVID-19.


2019 ◽  
pp. 21-38
Author(s):  
Alexander N. Deryugin ◽  
Ilya A. Sokolov

The paper analyzes the impact of the “model budget” on the problems of intergovernmental relations in the Russian Federation: a high proportion of expenditure obligations of regional and local budgets and a high degree of interregional inequality in fiscal capacity and socio-economic development. It was concluded that the planned broader use of the “model budget” will not solve the problem of unfunded mandates and will lead first to a significant reduction in incentives for regional authorities to develop the territorial revenue base, and then to economic slowdown in the country. As an alternative approach to improving intergovernmental relations, options are being considered for adjusting the parameters of the equalization transfers distribution formula, the procedure for determining their total volume and calculating the budget expenditure index. In solving the problem of unfunded mandates, an equally important role is given to the procedure for preparing a financial and economic rationale for draft laws.


Author(s):  
Mihail Zver'kov

To the article the results of the theoretical and experimental researches are given on questions of estimates of the dynamic rate effect of raindrop impact on soil. The aim of this work was to analyze the current methods to determine the rate of artificial rain pressure on the soil for the assessment of splash erosion. There are the developed author’s method for calculation the pressure of artificial rain on the soil and the assessment of splash erosion. The study aims to the justification of evaluation methods and the obtaining of quantitative characteristics, prevention and elimination of accelerated (anthropogenic) erosion, the creation and the realization of the required erosion control measures. The paper considers the question of determining the pressure of artificial rain on the soil. At the moment of raindrops impact, there is the tension in the soil, which is called vertical effective pressure. It is noted that the impact of rain drops in the soil there are stresses called vertical effective pressure. The equation for calculation of vertical effective pressure is proposed in this study using the known spectrum of raindrops. Effective pressure was 1.4 Pa for the artificial rain by sprinkler machine «Fregat» and 5.9 Pa for long distance sprinkler DD-30. The article deals with a block diagram of the sequence for determining the effective pressure of rain drops on the soil. This diagram was created by the author’s method of calculation of the effective pressure of rain drops on the soil. The need for an integrated approach to the description of the artificial rain impact on the soil is noted. Various parameters characterizing drop erosion are considered. There are data about the mass of splashed soil in the irrigation of various irrigation machinery and installations. For example, the rate (mass) of splashed soil was 0.28…0.78 t/ha under irrigation sprinkler apparatus RACO 4260–55/701C in the conditions of the Ryazan region. The method allows examining the environmental impact of sprinkler techniques for analyzes of the pressure, caused by raindrops, on the soil. It can also be useful in determining the irrigation rate before the runoff for different types of sprinkler equipment and soil conditions.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Coy ◽  
A.V. Shuravilin ◽  
O.A. Zakharova

Приведены результаты исследований по изучению влияния промышленной технологии возделывания картофеля на развитие, урожайность и качество продукции. Выявлена положительная реакция растений на подкормку K2SO4 в период посадки. Корреляционно-регрессионный анализ урожайности и качества клубней выявил высокую степень достоверности результатов опыта. Содержание нитратов и тяжелых металлов в клубнях было ниже допустимых величин.The results of studies on the impact of industrial technology of potato cultivation on growth, yield and quality of products. There was a positive response of plants to fertilizer K2SO4 in the period of planting. Correlation and regression analysis of yield and quality of tubers revealed a high degree of reliability of the results of experience. The contents of nitrates and heavy metals in tubers was below the permissible values.


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