scholarly journals Local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on fen contiguity

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1837-1848 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. van Loon ◽  
P. P. Schot ◽  
M. F. P. Bierkens ◽  
J. Griffioen ◽  
M. J. Wassen
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Drainage Ditches ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Regional Impact ◽  
Fen Restoration ◽  
Groundwater Supply ◽  
Restoration Strategies ◽  
Intensively Managed

Abstract. Knowledge of the hydrological mechanisms behind habitat fragmentation of fen plant communities in intensively managed regions like The Netherlands is essential to improve currently utilized fen restoration and conservation strategies. In this study, we analysed the local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on the groundwater supply of fens. For this purpose, we developed fine-scale groundwater flow models and collected empirical data to analyse (1) the differences in groundwater supply between an anthropogenically drained fen and a poorly drained fen in The Netherlands, and (2) the local and regional effects of the elimination of drainage ditches on the groundwater supply of fens. Our results consistently indicated the presence of recently infiltrated precipitation on top of upwelling groundwater across the anthropogenically drained fen, and a mixing gradient of recently infiltrated precipitation and upwelling groundwater across the poorly drained fen. Furthermore, our results showed that the elimination of drainage ditches from the anthropogenically drained fen increased the area and the flux of groundwater supply of both the anthropogenically drained fen and the poorly drained fen. We conclude that anthropogenic drainage not only causes a lowering of groundwater tables, but also (1) enhances the infiltration of local precipitation across fens while simultaneously preventing upwelling groundwater from entering the fen root zone, and (2) reduces the groundwater supply of adjacent fens by intercepting groundwater that is potentially directed to downstream regions. These insights support the need to reconsider the current priorities in hydrological fen restoration strategies.

scholarly journals Local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on fen contiguity

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 4379-4409
Author(s):  
A. H. van Loon ◽  
P. P. Schot ◽  
M. Bierkens ◽  
J. Griffioen ◽  
M. J. Wassen
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Drainage Ditches ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Regional Impact ◽  
Fen Restoration ◽  
Groundwater Supply ◽  
Restoration Strategies ◽  
Intensively Managed

Abstract. Knowledge of the hydrological mechanisms behind habitat fragmentation of fen plant communities in intensively managed regions like The Netherlands is essential to improve currently utilized fen restoration and conservation strategies. In this study, we analysed the local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on the groundwater supply of fens. For this purpose, we developed fine-scale groundwater flow models and collected empirical data to analyse (1) the differences in groundwater supply between an anthropogenically drained fen and a poorly drained fen in The Netherlands, and (2) the local and regional effects of the elimination of drainage ditches on the groundwater supply of fens. Our results consistently indicated the presence of recently infiltrated precipitation on top of upwelling groundwater across the anthropogenically drained fen, and a mixing gradient of recently infiltrated precipitation and upwelling groundwater across the poorly drained fen. Furthermore, our results showed that the elimination of drainage ditches from the anthropogenically drained fen increased the area and the flux of groundwater supply of both the anthropogenically drained fen and the poorly drained fen. We conclude that anthropogenic drainage not only causes a lowering of groundwater tables, but also (1) enhances the infiltration of local precipitation across fens while simultaneously preventing upwelling groundwater from entering the fen root zone, and (2) reduces the groundwater supply of adjacent fens by intercepting groundwater that is potentially directed to downstream regions. These insights support the need to reconsider the current priorities in hydrological fen restoration strategies.

scholarly journals Nutrient Availability for Lactuca sativa Cultivated in an Amended Peatland: An Ionic Exchange Study

Nitrogen ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-42
Author(s):  
Jacynthe Dessureault-Rompré ◽  
Alexis Gloutney ◽  
Jean Caron
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Lactuca Sativa ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Ionic Exchange ◽  
Vegetable Crops

Few conservation strategies have been applied to cultivated peatland. This field study over one growth cycle of Lactuca sativa examined the effect of plant-based, high-C/N-ratio amendments in a real farming situation on peatland. Plant Root Simulator (PRS®) probes were used directly in the field to assess the impacts of incorporating Miscanthus x giganteus straw and Salix miyabeana chips on nutrient availability for lettuce. The results showed that lettuce yield decreased by 35% in the miscanthus straw treatment and by 14% in the willow chip treatment. In addition, the nitrogen flux rate was severely reduced during crop growth (75% reduction) and the plant N uptake index was much lower in the amended treatments than in the control. The phosphorus supply rate was also significantly lower (24% reduction) in the willow treatment. The influence of sampling zone was significant as well, with most macro-nutrients being depleted in the root zone and most micro-nutrients being mobilized. Additional work is needed to optimize the proposed conservation strategy and investigate the effects of consecutive years of soil amendment on different vegetable crops and in different types of cultivated peatlands to confirm and generalize the findings of this study. Future field studies should also explore the long-term carbon dynamics under plant-based, high-C/N-ratio amendments to determine if they can offset annual C losses.

scholarly journals Automatic Irrigation System using Wireless Control

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-2) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif ◽  
Preetharan Ravindran ◽  
Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin ◽  
Nor Saradatul Akmar Zulkifli
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Sprinkler System ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Drainage Ditches ◽  
Wireless Control ◽  
The Cost

Traditional methods of irrigation and fertilizing is very time consuming for farmers. Over-irrigation as well as leaching of fertilizers below the root zone, erosion, and transport of soil and chemical particles to the drainage ditches can increase energy and water consumption in farming. A single systems combining irrigation and fertilizing will greatly reduce the cost and time needed in farming. There are two types of fertilizers available for home gardener – granular and water-soluble fertilizers. Generally, granular fertilizers release nutrient gradually but can last longer than water-soluble fertilizers. This project will provide an automated system for irrigation and fertilizing for plantation using Arduino as the microcontroller. This system will include a mobile application to control the amount of water during the irrigation and fertilizing processes. The microcontroller communicates with the mobile application via internet using the Wi-Fi modulator. Then, the microcontroller processes the information and operates the irrigation and fertilizing pumps which supplies water and fertilizer through the sprinkler system in the field. Any feedback will be sent to the user through the mobile application.

scholarly journals On the validity of modeling concepts for the simulation of groundwater flow in lowland peat areas – case study at the Zegveld experimental field

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 3017-3031
Author(s):  
P. Trambauer ◽  
J. Nonner ◽  
J. Heijkers ◽  
S. Uhlenbrook
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Darcy’S Law ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Darcy's Law ◽  
Layer Model ◽  
Peat Soils ◽  
Slug Tests ◽  
Flow Models

Abstract. The groundwater flow models currently used in the western part of The Netherlands and in other similar peaty areas are thought to be a too simplified representation of the hydrological reality. One of the reasons is that, due to the schematization of the subsoil, its heterogeneity cannot be represented adequately. Moreover, the applicability of Darcy's law in these types of soils has been questioned, but this law forms the basis of most groundwater flow models. With the purpose of assessing the typical heterogeneity of the subsoil and to verify the applicability of Darcy's law, geo-hydrological fieldwork was completed at an experimental field within a research area in the western part of The Netherlands. The assessments were carried out for the so-called Complex Confining Layer (CCL), which is the Holocene peaty to clayey layer overlying Pleistocene sandy deposits. Borehole drilling through the CCL with a hand auger was completed and revealed the typical heterogeneous character of this layer, showing a dominance of muddy, humified peat which is alternated with fresher peat and clay. Slug tests were carried out to study the applicability of Darcy's law, given that previous studies suggested its non-validity for humified peat soils due to a variable horizontal hydraulic conductivity Kh with head differences. For higher humification degrees, the experiments indeed suggested a variable Kh, but this appeared to be the result of the inappropriate use of steady-state formulae for transient experiments in peaty environments. The muddy peat sampled has a rather plastic nature, and the high compressibility of this material leads to transient behavior. However, using transient formulae, the slug tests conducted for different initial groundwater heads showed that there was hardly any evidence of a variation of the hydraulic conductivity with the applied head differences. Therefore, Darcy's law can be used for typical peat soils present in The Netherlands. The heterogeneity of the subsoil and the apparent applicability of Darcy's law were taken into account for the detailed heterogeneous model that was prepared for the research area. A MODFLOW model consisting of 13 layers in which 4 layers represent the heterogeneous CCL was set up for an average year, assuming steady-state conditions; and for the winter of 2009 to 2010, adopting transient conditions. The transient model was extended to simulate for longer periods with the objective of visualizing the flow paths through the CCL. The results from these models were compared with a 10 layer model, whereby the CCL is represented by a single layer assuming homogeneity. From the comparison of the two model types, the conclusion could be drawn that a single layer schematization of the CCL produces flowpath patterns which are not the same but still quite similar to a 4 layer representation of the CCL. However, the single layer schematization results in a considerable underestimation of the flow velocity, and subsequently a longer travel time, through the CCL. Therefore, a single layer model of the CCL seems quite appropriate to represent the general flow behavior of the shallow groundwater system, but would be inappropriate for transport modeling through the CCL.

Linking habitat suitability and seed dispersal models in order to analyse the effectiveness of hydrological fen restoration strategies

2011 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 1025-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. van Loon ◽  
H. Soomers ◽  
P.P. Schot ◽  
M.F.P. Bierkens ◽  
J. Griffioen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Fen Restoration ◽  
Restoration Strategies

scholarly journals Quantification of the impact of hydrology on agricultural production as a result of too dry, too wet or too saline conditions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. D. Hack-ten Broeke ◽  
J. G. Kroes ◽  
R. P. Bartholomeus ◽  
J. C. van Dam ◽  
A. J. W. de Wit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Soil Units ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. For calculating the effects of hydrological measures on agricultural production in the Netherlands a new comprehensive and climate proof method is being developed: WaterVision Agriculture (in Dutch: Waterwijzer Landbouw). End users have asked for a method that considers current and future climate, that can quantify the differences between years and also the effects of extreme weather events. Furthermore they would like a method that considers current farm management and that can distinguish three different causes of crop yield reduction: drought, saline conditions or too wet conditions causing oxygen shortage in the root zone. WaterVision Agriculture is based on the hydrological simulation model SWAP and the crop growth model WOFOST. SWAP simulates water transport in the unsaturated zone using meteorological data, boundary conditions (like groundwater level or drainage) and soil parameters. WOFOST simulates crop growth as a function of meteorological conditions and crop parameters. Using the combination of these process-based models we have derived a meta-model, i.e. a set of easily applicable simplified relations for assessing crop growth as a function of soil type and groundwater level. These relations are based on multiple model runs for at least 72 soil units and the possible groundwater regimes in the Netherlands. So far, we parameterized the model for the crops silage maize and grassland. For the assessment, the soil characteristics (soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity) are very important input parameters for all soil layers of these 72 soil units. These 72 soil units cover all soils in the Netherlands. This paper describes (i) the setup and examples of application of the process-based model SWAP-WOFOST, (ii) the development of the simplified relations based on this model and (iii) how WaterVision Agriculture can be used by farmers, regional government, water boards and others to assess crop yield reduction as a function of groundwater characteristics or as a function of the salt concentration in the root zone for the various soil types.

scholarly journals DETERMINANTS OF GROUNDWATER RETENTION IN WELLS: A CASE OF KEIYO NORTH DISTRICT, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Rutto Kiptum ◽  
Catherine Chebet Sang
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Random Factor ◽  
Biophysical Factors ◽  
Groundwater Supply ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Continuous degradation of biophysical factors and over utilisation of available water through unsustainable consumptive means, tend to threaten the existence of groundwater supply. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of human activities and biophysical factors on groundwater retention in wells in Keiyo North District, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain primary data. Systematic simple random sampling technique was applied in the study. Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used for data analysis. The results of the study showed that biophysical factors had significant influence on groundwater level and/or retention capacity during dry season and no association during rainy season. Altitude and land use were insignificant in influencing groundwater retention during both dry and wet seasons. The logit model showed that nearness to the forest, swamp, river had high probability to influence groundwater retention in the wells. However, the random factor in the regression model showed significant difference in influencing groundwater retention, which explains more on the impact of other parameters that were beyond the scope of this study such as soil characteristics and climate on water retention capability. The findings of this study will inform policy and decision makers as they develop sustainable conservation strategies that will ensure continuous groundwater supply.

scholarly journals Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of coastal flood damage estimates in the west of the Netherlands

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1045-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. de Moel ◽  
N. E. M. Asselman ◽  
J. C. J. H. Aerts
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
The West ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Flood Simulations ◽  
Inflowing Water ◽  
Damage Estimates

Abstract. Uncertainty analyses of flood damage assessments generally require a large amount of model evaluations. This is often hampered by the high computational costs necessary to calculate flood extents and depths using 2-dimensional flow models. In this paper we developed a new approach to estimate flood inundation depths that can be incorporated in a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. This allows estimation of the uncertainty in flood damage estimates and the determination of which parameters contribute the most to this uncertainty. The approach is applied on three breach locations on the west coast of the Netherlands. In total, uncertainties in 12 input parameters were considered in this study, related to the storm surge, breach growth and the damage calculation. We show that the uncertainty in flood damage estimates is substantial, with the bounds of the 95% confidence range being more than four times smaller or larger than the median. The most influential parameter is uncertainty in depth-damage curves, but five other parameters also contribute substantially. The contribution of uncertainty in parameters related to the damage calculation is about equal to the contribution of parameters related to the volume of the inflowing water. Given the emphasis of most risk assessments on the estimation of the hazard, this implies that the damage calculation aspect deserves more attention in flood risk research efforts. Given the large uncertainties found in this study, it is recommended to always perform multiple calculations in flood simulations and damage assessments to capture the full range of model outcomes.

Fate of the herbicide sulfometuron methyl (Oust®) and effects on invertebrates in drainages of an intensively managed plantation

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2497-2504 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Michael ◽  
D P Batzer ◽  
J B Fischer ◽  
H L Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Drainage Ditches ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Water Beetles ◽  
Sulfometuron Methyl ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Faunal Communities ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Rain Events

The off-site movement and impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems of sulfometuron methyl applied as the herbicide Oust® to catchments in short-rotation plantations in the coastal plain of South Carolina were studied. Sulfometuron methyl was applied at the rate of 0.053 kg active ingredient·ha–1 to 5.4- and 5.9-ha catchments (C5 and C6, respectively). Off-site movement of sulfometuron methyl in drainage ditches was observed between application on 14 March 2001 and 14 June 2001 for the first five flow-producing rain events on C5 and the first four events on C6. The maximum observed concentrations (24 µg·L–1 on C5 and 23 µg·L–1 on C6) occurred during the first storm. Subsequent maximum concentrations for flow-producing storms were 10.0, 5.0, 0.5, and 0.1 µg·L–1 on C5 and 15.1, 6.7, and 0.5 µg·L–1 on C6. Pulsed inputs of sulfometuron methyl to stormflow were ephemeral and the maximum concentration for each storm event lasted 15 min or less. The faunal communities observed in these drainage ditches were dominated by a diversity of invertebrates typical of wetland habitats, such as midges, mosquitoes, water beetles, physid snails, and water fleas. Negative effects of sulfometuron methyl treatment on these communities in treated watersheds were not observed.

Can we predict the distribution of heathland butterflies with heathland bird data?

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-349
Author(s):  
Luc De Bruyn ◽  
Henk Sierdsema ◽  
Hans Van Dyck ◽  
Chris van Swaay ◽  
Glenn Vermeersch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Focal Region ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Model Sets ◽  
Combined Models ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Better Than

AbstractNational or regional conservation strategies are usually based on available species distribution maps. However, very few taxonomic groups achieve a full coverage of the focal region. Distribution data of well-mapped taxonomic groups could help predict the distribution of less well-mapped groups and thus fill gaps in distribution maps. Here, we predict the distribution of five heathland butterflies in Flanders (north Belgium) using typical heathland bird distribution data as predictor variables. We compare predictions with those using only biotope or a combination of both biotope and bird data as variables. In addition, we test the transferability of 'bird', biotope and combined models to the Netherlands, an ecologically similar region. Transferability was tested in three separate sandy regions in the Netherlands at different distances from the region in which the models were built. For each of the five heathland butterflies, we applied logistic regressions on ten random model sets and tested the models on ten random evaluation sets within Flanders. We used the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) plots to estimate model accuracy. Overall, bird models performed significantly better than biotope models but were not significantly different from the combined models in Flanders. In the Netherlands, the transferred biotope and the combined models performed better than the transferred 'bird models'. We conclude that on a local scale, birds can, to some extent, serve as proxies for biotope quality, but that biotope models are more robust when transferred to another region.

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