Erosion effects on soil carbon and nutrient distribution: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maire Holz ◽  
Jürgen Augustin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Enrichment Ratio ◽  
Nutrient Distribution ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Fine Soil ◽  
N Enrichment

<p>Soil erosion has for a long time been considered as a process causing soil organic matter (SOM) loss, however, recent studies pointed out that erosion may increase soil carbon sequestration because only 10-30% of eroded topsoil material is transported into water bodies while the remaining 70-90% are transported in depositional settings. Soil erosion leads to variation in topsoil thickness and soil characteristics and leads to two different main types of erosion states develop along hillslope: the eroding and the depositional landform position. Disruption of aggregates and the transport of soil during erosion, likely leads to SOM loss in the eroding slope. In contrast, after deposition, the eroded material can be protected if it is incorporated into soil aggregates or sorbed to mineral surfaces, leading to an increase in SOM in the depositional landform position.</p><p>So far, there has been no study evaluating literature results on the effect of erosion on carbon and nutrient distribution in soils. We therefore reviewed the literature for the influence of erosion on carbon/nutrient contents and stocks in erosion affected landscapes. While 32 studies reported results on the enrichment of eroding sediments in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), 39 studies reported results on carbon/nutrient contents and stocks in erosion affected landscapes.</p><p>The average C enrichment ratio (sediment C/soil C) was 1.56 while N enrichment ratio was 1.54 and P-enrichment ratio was 1.77. This indicates that the fine soil fractions, that carbon and nutrients are mostly associated to, were preferentially moved during soil erosion. High element contents in the original soils, resulted in relatively low enrichment ratios which may allow the conclusion that in low C- and nutrient soils, a relatively high portion of the elements are stored in the fine soil fraction. C and N enrichment ratios showed a significant positive relation (R<sup>2</sup>=0.61), pointing to the strong ecological link of both elements.</p><p>Carbon and nutrient contents were comparable for all landscape positons (upslope, backslope, footslope, depositional). This indicates that carbon and nutrients, lost during an erosion event, are replenished relatively fast in the eroded slopes. In contrast, erosion induced C, N and P stocks increased from the upper towards the depositional soil site, resulting in a 1.6, a 1.4 and 2.2 time increase in C, N and P stocks for the depositional site, compared to the upslope position.</p><p>In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicates that carbon and nutrients are preferentially moved during soil erosion which might lead to loss in soil fertility and crop productivity after erosion events. However, similar C and nutrient contents along hillslopes indicate that elements are replenished relatively fast in eroded soils after the occurrence of an erosion event. Increased soil stocks toward the depositional site can therefore be explained by increased soil depths in lower hillslope positions. Changes in soil depth, rather than changes in C and nutrient contents are therefore more likely to explain soil fertility losses in eroding slopes compared to depositional sites.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Sediment Enrichment Ratio and Nutrient Leached by Runoff and Soil Erosion on Cacao Plantation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Oteng Haridjaja
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Enrichment Ratio ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Soil Sediment ◽  
Cacao Plantation

Soil consevation management system is an activity for diminishing sediment enrichment ratio and nutrient leacheds by water run off and soil erosion processes. The research was aimed to study sediment enrichment ratio and nutrient leached by run off and soil erosion on cacao plantations. Arachis pintoi with strips parallel contour and multiple strip cropping of upland rice or soybean (Glycine max) were planted to improve soil physical characterictic on cacao plantation as a main plant. The expriment were conducted with treatments as 10-15% and 40-45% slopes, 5-7 months and 25-27 months cacao ages (as main plants). As sub plots are T1 as a monoculture which to be cleaning under the plant canopy, T2 as a multiple strip cropping of upland rice or soybean, T3 as a combination of T2 and A. Pintoi strip. The results showed that  total N, P2O5, and K2O and organic-C contents in water run off and soil sediments indicated that T3 >T2 >T1 treatment, with the contents of each nutrient: T3 (total N 0.18%; 24.87 mg 100 g-1 P2O5: K2O 15.16 mg 100 g-1), T1 (total N 0.16%, 22.39 mg 100g-1 P2O5, K2O 11.50 mg 100g-1).  The total N, P2O5, K2O and organic-C soil contents < accumulation nutrient contents of total water run off and soil sediment transport. All of treathments have sediment enrichment ratios > 1.

Montane plant environments in the Fynbos Biome

Bothalia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Rainfall Gradient ◽  
Fine Soil ◽  
Rock Cover

Environmental data collected at 507 plots on 22 transects, and soil analytical data from 81 of these plots, have been used to describe the plant environments of the mountains in the Fynbos Biome. Two major regional gradients are recognized: a west-east gradient and a coast-interior gradient. Of particular consequence for fynbos-environment studies is the increase in the proportion of fine soil particles from west to east. At least some aspects of soil fertility also increase towards the east. The edaphic changes are paralleled by climatic changes: chiefly a decrease in the severity of summer drought towards the east. On the coast-interior gradient a major non-climatic variable in the gradient is rock cover. High rock cover is a feature of the interior ranges. Soils with organic horizons or with E horizons are a feature on the coastal mountains, but are generally lacking on the interior mountains. The other environmental gradients recognized occur on individual transects and all include edaphic variables. The rockiness-soil depth gradient, on which an increase in rockiness is associated with a decrease in soil depth and usually a decrease in clay content, tends to occur in three situations. Firstly, it is associated with local topographic variation; the shallow, rocky soils being a feature of the steeper slopes. Secondly, it is associated with the aspect gradient; the hot, dry northern aspects having shallow, rocky, less developed soils. Thirdly, it tends to be associated with the altitude-rainfall gradient: shallower soils being found at higher altitudes. It is also at higher altitudes that higher rainfall is found. Variation in oxidizable carbon is chiefly accounted for by the altitude-rainfall gradient. Whereas at a biome-wide level, aspects of soil fertility are related to soil texture, it appears that on individual transects fertility is linked to amounts of plant remains in the soil and to rainfall. Apart from these gradients, which are found on the Table Mountain quartzites, other sources of environmental variation are due to the differences between geological types. The non-quartzitic soils are generally deeper and finer-textured. It is suggested that the nutrient-poor/nutrient-rich distinction must be used with care; at least in the mountains the distinction should not automatically be substituted for the quartzitic/non-quartzitic distinction.

scholarly journals The Effect of Climate-Smart Agriculture on Soil Fertility, Crop Yield, and Soil Carbon in Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4515
Author(s):  
Meron Tadesse ◽  
Belay Simane ◽  
Wuletawu Abera ◽  
Lulseged Tamene ◽  
Gebermedihin Ambaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Southern Ethiopia

It is critical to develop technologies that simultaneously improve agricultural production, offset impacts of climate change, and ensure food security in a changing climate. Within this context, considerable attention has been given to climate-smart agricultural practices (CSA). This study was conducted to investigate the effects of integrating different CSA practices on crop production, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration after being practiced continuously for up to 10 years. The CSA practices include use of soil and water conservation (SWC) structures combined with biological measures, hedgerow planting, crop residue management, grazing management, crop rotation, and perennial crop-based agroforestry systems. The landscapes with CSA interventions were compared to farmers’ business-as-usual practices (i.e., control). Wheat (Triticum sp.) yield was quantified from 245 households. The results demonstrated that yield was 30–45% higher under CSA practices than the control (p < 0.05). The total carbon stored at a soil depth of 1 m was three- to seven-fold higher under CSA landscapes than the control. CSA interventions slightly increased the soil pH and exhibited 2.2–2.6 and 1.7–2.7 times more total nitrogen and plant-available phosphorus content, respectively, than the control. The time series Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) revealed higher soil moisture content under CSA. The findings illustrated the substantial opportunity of integrating CSA practices to build climate change resilience of resource-poor farmers through improving crop yield, reducing nutrient depletion, and mitigating GHG emissions through soil carbon sequestration.

scholarly journals Soil Carbon Regulating Ecosystem Services in the State of South Carolina, USA

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Elena A. Mikhailova ◽  
Hamdi A. Zurqani ◽  
Christopher J. Post ◽  
Mark A. Schlautman ◽  
Gregory C. Post ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
The State ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Low Country ◽  
Pee Dee

Sustainable management of soil carbon (C) at the state level requires valuation of soil C regulating ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (ED). The objective of this study was to assess the value of regulating ES from soil organic carbon (SOC), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), and total soil carbon (TSC) stocks, based on the concept of the avoided social cost of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the state of South Carolina (SC) in the United States of America (U.S.A.) by soil order, soil depth (0–200 cm), region and county using information from the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) database. The total estimated monetary mid-point value for TSC in the state of South Carolina was $124.36B (i.e., $124.36 billion U.S. dollars, where B = billion = 109), $107.14B for SOC, and $17.22B for SIC. Soil orders with the highest midpoint value for SOC were: Ultisols ($64.35B), Histosols ($11.22B), and Inceptisols ($10.31B). Soil orders with the highest midpoint value for SIC were: Inceptisols ($5.91B), Entisols ($5.53B), and Alfisols ($5.0B). Soil orders with the highest midpoint value for TSC were: Ultisols ($64.35B), Inceptisols ($16.22B), and Entisols ($14.65B). The regions with the highest midpoint SOC values were: Pee Dee ($34.24B), Low Country ($32.17B), and Midlands ($29.24B). The regions with the highest midpoint SIC values were: Low Country ($5.69B), Midlands ($5.55B), and Pee Dee ($4.67B). The regions with the highest midpoint TSC values were: Low Country ($37.86B), Pee Dee ($36.91B), and Midlands ($34.79B). The counties with the highest midpoint SOC values were Colleton ($5.44B), Horry ($5.37B), and Berkeley ($4.12B). The counties with the highest midpoint SIC values were Charleston ($1.46B), Georgetown ($852.81M, where M = million = 106), and Horry ($843.18M). The counties with the highest midpoint TSC values were Horry ($6.22B), Colleton ($6.02B), and Georgetown ($4.87B). Administrative areas (e.g., counties, regions) combined with pedodiversity concepts can provide useful information to design cost-efficient policies to manage soil carbon regulating ES at the state level.

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 The Role of Trees and Pastures in Organic Agriculture

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Heckman
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Row Crops ◽  
Tree Crops ◽  
Organic Farm

<p>Environmental concerns associated with annual row crop grain production – including soil erosion, soil carbon loss, intensive use of chemicals and petroleum, limited arable land, among others – could be addressed by converting conventional livestock production to an organic pasture based system. The inclusion of tree crops would further enhance the opportunity for feeding pasture- raised livestock by providing shelter and alternative feed sources. Biodiversity is an essential aspect of an organic farm plan. The idea of including tree crops and other perennials into the vision of an organic farm as a “living system” is very much compatible with the goals and philosophy of organic farming. Before modern no-till farming systems were developed, tree crops and pasture systems were found to provide similar benefits for controlling soil erosion and conserving soil carbon. For example, J. Russell Smith’s <em>Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture</em> (Smith, 1950) and pioneered tree crop agriculture as the alternative to annual row crops for protecting soils from erosion while producing livestock feed such as acorns, nuts, and fodder. A survey of Mid-Atlantic USA soils under pasture found 60% higher soil organic matter content than cultivated fields. Because United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (USDA-NOP) standards require dairy cattle consume pasture forage and limited grain (7 C.F.R. pt. 206), organic milk contains higher concentrations of omega-3 and fewer omega-6 fatty acids than conventional milk. Organic standards also state “the producer must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new [fence posts] installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock.” Black locust (<em>Robinia pseudoacacia</em>) is a fast growing renewable alternative to treated lumber with many attributes compatible with organic farming. This versatile tree fixes nitrogen (N), provides flowers for honey bees and other pollinators, and produces a highly durable dense wood ideal for fence posts useable for up to 50 year.</p>

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