scholarly journals Identification and Mapping of Soil Erosion Processes Using the Visual Interpretation of LiDAR Imagery

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Đomlija ◽  
Bernat Gazibara ◽  
Arbanas ◽  
Mihalić Arbanas
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Gully Erosion ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Direct Identification ◽  
Preliminary Step ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Sheet Erosion

Soil erosion processes are a type of geological hazard. They cause soil loss and sediment production, landscape dissection, and economic damage, which can, in the long term, result in land abandonment. Thus, identification of soil erosion processes is necessary for sustainable land management in an area. This study presents the potential of visual interpretation of high resolution LiDAR (light detection and ranging) imagery for direct and unambiguous identification and mapping of soil erosion processes, which was tested in the study area of the Vinodol Valley (64.57 km2), in Croatia. Eight LiDAR images were derived from the 1 m airborne LiDAR DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and were used to identify and map gully erosion, sheet erosion, and the combined effect of rill and sheet erosion, with the ultimate purpose to create a historical erosion inventory. The two-step procedure in a visual interpretation of LiDAR imagery was performed: preliminary and detailed. In the preliminary step, possibilities and limitations for unambiguous identification of the soil erosion processes were determined for representative portions of the study area, and the exclusive criteria for the accurate and precise manual delineation of different types of erosion phenomena were established. In the detailed step, the findings from the preliminary step were used to map the soil erosion phenomena in the entire studied area. Results determined the highest potential for direct identification and mapping of the gully erosion phenomena. A total of 236 gullies were identified and precisely delineated, although most of them were previously unknown, due to the lack of previous investigations on soil erosion processes in the study area. On the other hand, the used method was proven to be inapplicable for direct identification and accurate mapping of the sheet erosion. Sheet erosion, however, could have been indirectly identified on certain LiDAR imagery, based on recognition of colluvial deposits accumulated at the foot of the eroded slopes. Furthermore, the findings of this study present which of the used LiDAR imagery, and what features of the imagery used, are most effective for identification and mapping of different types of erosion processes.

Quantitative assessment of gully erosion dynamics using a GIS implementation of Sidorchuks' DYNGUL model in Southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
adel omran ◽  
Dietrich Schroeder ◽  
Christian Sommer ◽  
Volker Hochschild ◽  
Aleksey Sidorchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Side Wall ◽  
Mass Conservation ◽  
Gully Erosion ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Erosion Model ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

<p>Soil erosion is considered as one of the main threats affecting both rural and urban areas in many different parts all over the world. Therefore, increasing attention has been attributed to soil erosion in the last decades. This can also be documented by an increasing number of studies targeting soil erosion assessment using qualitative and quantitative models. However, gully erosion phenomena have been widely neglected in erosion modelling due to the nature and complexity of the related processes and hence, it is also more difficult to simulate, predict and to visualize its effects. Sidorchuk (1999) established a Fortran based dynamic erosion model called DYNGUL to describe the first quick stage of gully development, coinciding with the main changes in gully morphology; like changes in volume, area and elevation of the longitudinal profile. The DYNGUL model is based on the solution of the equations of mass conservation and gully bed deformation. The model of straight slope stability was used to predict gully side wall inclination and of the finite morphology of the gully. The objective of this contribution is to establish a GIS tool for a quantitative gully erosion assessment and to predict gully evolution over time. The tool will help: i) to cope with or mitigate gully erosion processes and ii) to plan measures to stabilize the landscape affected by gully erosion. Therefore, we developed a Python-based tool that can be applied in a GIS environment. The model was tested its performance and the sensitivity of physical parameters with data from a gully in the Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The results of the gully erosion model showed that their sensitivity to lithological and hydrological factors is rather high.</p>

SOiLUTION SYSTEM: innovative solutions for soil erosion risk mitigation and better management of vineyards in hills and mountain landscapes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Tarolli ◽  
Eugenio Straffelini ◽  
Chiara Maria Mattiello ◽  
Aldo Lorenzoni
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Steep Slope ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Erosion Processes

<p>Cultivating in high-steep slope hilly and mountainous landscapes, requires a great effort in terms of economic and human resources, especially if the territory is particularly complex from a geomorphological point of view and historically affected by landslides such as the Italian peninsula. This fragility is also combined with two other factors. The first is linked to agricultural mechanization, which causes soil compaction and a consequent alteration of its draining capacity. The second is related to climate change, responsible for an increase of extreme rainfall events characterized by intense, shorter and localized precipitations. The combination of these elements makes agricultural terraced landscapes at risk and prestigious vineyards, particularly important for historical, cultural, landscaping and economic reasons, increasingly sensitive to soil erosion processes.</p><p>In response to these problems, the project SOiLUTION SYSTEM is proposed (www.soilutionsystem.com),  aiming to identify an integrated system of environmentally and economically sustainable interventions able to reduce the risk of erosion and improve soil management in the terraced area of Soave (Veneto region), one of the two Italian GHIAS-FAO site. Indeed, in such terraced areas, the hydrogeological risk is high due to the steep-slope where heroic vineyards are cultivated. The project is also focused on multidisciplinary, capable of combining expertise from the academic world, farmers and other stakeholders, in order to promote a sustainable production approach to ensure greater soil resilience, as well as to protect biodiversity.</p><p>In the first phase, several terraced study areas historically threatened by erosion have been selected. Within them were organized topographic surveys using a low-cost commercial drone in combination with an RTK-GPS for the 3D reconstruction of the terrain using the Structure-From-Motion photogrammetric technique. The point cloud obtained was subsequently processed, filtered and interpolated in order to create high-resolution digital terrain models (DTM) with cells of resolution less than 50cm. Based on the obtained data, some geomorphological indicators were calculated to identify areas potentially susceptible to erosion. In order then to understand the processes that take place at a larger scale than the single areas detected by drone, geomorphological analyses were also performed on a 1m DTM elaborated from airborne LIDAR data, granted by the Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea (MATTM).</p><p>The goals of the project are 1) to provide innovative survey techniques using low-cost commercial drone to better understand erosion processes in vineyards; 2) to install innovative tools for the monitoring of surface runoff in the field; 3) to test new mechanization prototypes with low impact on the soil and able to work on steep slopes; 4) to provide an innovative technique for the consolidation of dry stone walls; 5) to introduce the “conservative agriculture” for improving soil management; 6) to analyze the role of native herbaceous species as grass cover in erosion reduction; 7) to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed management model in considering biodiversity conservation purposes.</p>

Données LiDAR aériennes: pertinence de l'interprétation visuelle pour la foresterie

2017 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-133
Author(s):  
Matthew Parkan
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Interactive 3D ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Airborne Lidar Data ◽  
Stem Position

Airborne LiDAR data: relevance of visual interpretation for forestry Airborne LiDAR surveys are particularly well adapted to map, study and manage large forest extents. Products derived from this technology are increasingly used by managers to establish a general diagnosis of the condition of forests. Less common is the use of these products to conduct detailed analyses on small areas; for example creating detailed reference maps like inventories or timber marking to support field operations. In this context, the use of direct visual interpretation is interesting, because it is much easier to implement than automatic algorithms and allows a quick and reliable identification of zonal (e.g. forest edge, deciduous/persistent ratio), structural (stratification) and point (e.g. tree/stem position and height) features. This article examines three important points which determine the relevance of visual interpretation: acquisition parameters, interactive representation and identification of forest characteristics. It is shown that the use of thematic color maps within interactive 3D point cloud and/or cross-sections makes it possible to establish (for all strata) detailed and accurate maps of a parcel at the individual tree scale.

scholarly journals Analyzing Regional Geographic Challenges: The Resilience of Chinese Vineyards to Land Degradation Using a Societal and Biophysical Approach

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Yang Yu ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Irreversible Damage ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Scientific Hypothesis ◽  
Vineyard Soil

Land degradation, especially soil erosion, is a societal issue that affects vineyards worldwide, but there are no current investigations that inform specifically about soil erosion rates in Chinese vineyards. In this review, we analyze this problem and the need to avoid irreversible damage to soil and their use from a regional point of view. Information about soil erosion in vineyards has often failed to reach farmers, and we can affirm that to this time, soil erosion in Chinese vineyards has been more of a scientific hypothesis than an agronomic or environmental concern. Two hypotheses can be presented to justify this review: (i) there are no official and scientific investigations on vineyard soil erosion in China as the main topic, and it may be understood that stakeholders do not care about this or (ii) there is a significant lack of information and motivation among farmers, policymakers and wineries concerning the consequences of soil erosion. Therefore, this review proposes a plan to study vineyard soil erosion processes for the first time in China and develop a structured scientific proposal considering different techniques and strategies. To achieve these goals, we present a plan considering previous research on other viticultural regions. We hypothesize that the results of a project from a regional geographic point of view would provide the necessary scientific support to facilitate deriving guidelines for sustainable vineyard development in China. We concluded that after completing this review, we cannot affirm why vine plantations have not received the same attention as other crops or land uses.

scholarly journals Soil Erosion Estimates in Arid Region: A Case Study of the Koutine Catchment, Southeastern Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6763
Author(s):  
Mongi Ben Zaied ◽  
Seifeddine Jomaa ◽  
Mohamed Ouessar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Soil Losses

Soil erosion remains one of the principal environmental problems in arid regions. This study aims to assess and quantify the variability of soil erosion in the Koutine catchment using the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. The Koutine catchment is located in an arid area in southeastern Tunisia and is characterized by an annual mean precipitation of less than 200 mm. The model was used to examine the influence of topography, extreme rainstorm intensity and soil texture on soil loss. The data used for model validation were obtained from field measurements by monitoring deposited sediment in settlement basins of 25 cisterns (a traditional water harvesting and storage technique) over 4 years, from 2015 to 2018. Results showed that slope is the most controlling factor of soil loss. The average annual soil loss in monitoring sites varies between 0.01 and 12.5 t/ha/y. The storm events inducing the largest soil losses occurred in the upstream part of the Koutine catchment with a maximum value of 7.3 t/ha per event. Soil erosion is highly affected by initial and preceding soil conditions. The RUSLE model reasonably reproduced (R2 = 0.81) the spatiotemporal variability of measured soil losses in the study catchment during the observation period. This study revealed the importance of using the cisterns in the data-scarce dry areas as a substitute for the classic soil erosion monitoring fields. Besides, combining modeling of outputs and field measurements could improve our physical understanding of soil erosion processes and their controlling factors in an arid catchment. The study results are beneficial for decision-makers to evaluate the existing soil conservation and water management plans, which can be further adjusted using appropriate soil erosion mitigation options based on scientific evidence.

THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF SOIL EROSION: MECHANISM, PATTERNS OF EXPRESSION AND PREDICTION

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriy Demidov ◽  
Oleg Makarov
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Physical Basis ◽  
Soil Science ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Erosion Mechanism ◽  
The Past ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Wide Range

The monograph summarizes the information over the past 20 years on the currently widely used. The textbook is intended for students of higher educational institutions, studying in the specialty of soil science, as well as specializing in erosion and soil protection. The textbook describes the physical basis and mechanism of erosion processes, based on some sections of hydraulics, hydrology, hydro-and aeromechanics, knowledge of which is necessary to understand the mechanism of water, wind and irrigation soil erosion. The main mathematical models and principles of forecasting the values of soil losses as a result of erosion processes are considered. The textbook will be useful not only for students and postgraduates studying in the specialty of soil science, but also for geographers, ecologists and a wide range of specialists interested in the problems of soil cover conservation and environmental protection.

Straw mulch impact on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in the maize field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Dugan ◽  
Leon Josip Telak ◽  
Iva Hrelja ◽  
Ivica Kisić ◽  
Igor Bogunović
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Maize Field ◽  
Sediment Loss ◽  
Initial Soil

<p><strong>Straw mulch impact on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in the maize field</strong></p><p>Ivan Dugan*, Leon Josip Telak, Iva Hrelja, Ivica Kisic, Igor Bogunovic</p><p>University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of General Agronomy, Zagreb, Croatia</p><p>(*correspondence to Ivan Dugan: [email protected])</p><p>Soil erosion by water is the most important cause of land degradation. Previous studies reveal high soil loss in conventionally managed croplands, with recorded soil losses high as 30 t ha<sup>-1</sup> under wide row cover crop like maize (Kisic et al., 2017; Bogunovic et al., 2018). Therefore, it is necessary to test environmentally-friendly soil conservation practices to mitigate soil erosion. This research aims to define the impacts of mulch and bare soil on soil water erosion in the maize (Zea mays L.) field in Blagorodovac, Croatia (45°33’N; 17°01’E; 132 m a.s.l.). For this research, two treatments on conventionally tilled silty clay loam Stagnosols were established, one was straw mulch (2 t ha<sup>-1</sup>), while other was bare soil. For purpose of research, ten rainfall simulations and ten sampling points were conducted per each treatment. Simulations were carried out with a rainfall simulator, simulating a rainfall at an intensity of 58 mm h<sup>-1</sup>, for 30 min, over 0.785 m<sup>2</sup> plots, to determine runoff and sediment loss. Soil core samples and undisturbed samples were taken in the close vicinity of each plot. The results showed that straw mulch mitigated water runoff (by 192%), sediment loss (by 288%), and sediment concentration (by 560%) in addition to bare treatment. The bare treatment showed a 55% lower infiltration rate. Ponding time was higher (p < 0.05) on mulched plots (102 sec), compared to bare (35 sec), despite the fact that bulk density, water-stable aggregates, water holding capacity, and mean weight diameter did not show any difference (p > 0.05) between treatments. The study results indicate that straw mulch mitigates soil water erosion, because it immediately reduces runoff, and enhances infiltration. On the other side, soil water erosion on bare soil under simulated rainstorms could be high as 5.07 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, when extrapolated, reached as high as 5.07 t ha<sup>-1 </sup>in this study. The conventional tillage, without residue cover, was proven as unsustainable agro-technical practice in the study area.</p><p><strong>Key words: straw mulch, </strong>rainfall simulation, soil water erosion</p><p><strong>Acknowledgment</strong></p><p>This work was supported by Croatian Science Foundation through the project "Soil erosion and degradation in Croatia" (UIP-2017-05-7834) (SEDCRO).</p><p><strong>Literature</strong></p><p>Bogunovic, I., Pereira, P., Kisic, I., Sajko, K., Sraka, M. (2018). Tillage management impacts on soil compaction, erosion and crop yield in Stagnosols (Croatia). Catena, 160, 376-384.</p><p>Kisic, I., Bogunovic, I., Birkás, M., Jurisic, A., Spalevic, V. (2017). The role of tillage and crops on a soil loss of an arable Stagnic Luvisol. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 63(3), 403-413.</p>

scholarly journals An approach to reduce mapping errors in the production of landslide inventory maps

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2111-2126 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Santangelo ◽  
I. Marchesini ◽  
F. Bucci ◽  
M. Cardinali ◽  
F. Fiorucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mapping Method ◽  
Landslide Inventory ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Positional Error ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
Digital Database ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Landslide Mapping ◽  
Transfer Method

Abstract. Landslide inventory maps (LIMs) show where landslides have occurred in an area, and provide information useful to different types of landslide studies, including susceptibility and hazard modelling and validation, risk assessment, erosion analyses, and to evaluate relationships between landslides and geological settings. Despite recent technological advancements, visual interpretation of aerial photographs (API) remains the most common method to prepare LIMs. In this work, we present a new semi-automatic procedure that makes use of GIS technology for the digitization of landslide data obtained through API. To test the procedure, and to compare it to a consolidated landslide mapping method, we prepared two LIMs starting from the same set of landslide API data, which were digitized (a) manually adopting a consolidated visual transfer method, and (b) adopting our new semi-automatic procedure. Results indicate that the new semi-automatic procedure (a) increases the interpreter's overall efficiency by a factor of 2, (b) reduces significantly the subjectivity introduced by the visual (manual) transfer of the landslide information to the digital database, resulting in more accurate LIMs. With the new procedure, the landslide positional error decreases with increasing landslide size, following a power-law. We expect that our work will help adopt standards for transferring landslide information from the aerial photographs to a digital landslide map, contributing to the production of accurate landslide maps.

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