Land Degradation and Soil Conservation on the Moldavian Plateau, Romania

2015 ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ion Ionita
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation

scholarly journals Effects of land use changes and conservation measures on land degradation under a Mediterranean climate

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Mohawesh ◽  
A. Taimeh ◽  
F. Ziadat
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
Stone Walls ◽  
Effects Of Land Use ◽  
Soil Conservation Measures

Abstract. Land degradation resulting from improper land use and management is a major cause of declined productivity in the arid environment. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a sequence of land use changes, soil conservation measures, and the time since their implementation on the degradation of selected soil properties. The climate for the selected 105 km2 watershed varies from semi-arid sub-tropical to Mediterranean sub-humid. Land use changes were detected using aerial photographs acquired in 1953, 1978, and 2008. A total of 218 samples were collected from 40 sites in three different rainfall zones to represent different land use changes and different lengths of time since the construction of stone walls. Analyses of variance were used to test the differences between the sequences of land use changes (interchangeable sequences of forest, orchards, field crops, and range), the time since the implementation of soil conservation measures, and rainfall on the thickness of the A-horizon, soil organic carbon content, and texture. Soil organic carbon reacts actively with different combinations and sequences of land use changes. The time since stone walls were constructed showed significant impacts on soil organic carbon and the thickness of the surface horizon. The effects of changing the land use and whether the changes were associated with the construction of stone walls, varied according to the annual rainfall. The results help in understanding the effects of land use changes on land degradation processes and carbon sequestration potential and in formulating sound soil conservation plans.

Soil Conservation and Control of Land-Degradation

2021 ◽  
pp. 445-474
Author(s):  
P. K. Ramachandran Nair ◽  
B. Mohan Kumar ◽  
Vimala D. Nair
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals Effects of land use changes and soil conservation intervention on soil properties as indicators for land degradation under a Mediterranean climate

Solid Earth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 857-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Mohawesh ◽  
A. Taimeh ◽  
F. Ziadat
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Stone Walls ◽  
Effects Of Land Use ◽  
Soil Conservation Measures

Abstract. Land degradation resulting from improper land use and management is a major cause of declined productivity in the arid environment. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a sequence of land use changes, soil conservation measures, and the time since their implementation on the degradation of selected soil properties. The climate for the selected 105 km2 watershed varies from semi-arid sub-tropical to Mediterranean sub-humid. Land use changes were detected using aerial photographs acquired in 1953, 1978, and 2008. A total of 218 samples were collected from 40 sites in three different rainfall zones to represent different land use changes and variable lengths of time since the construction of stone walls. Analyses of variance were used to test the differences between the sequences of land use changes (interchangeable sequences of forest, orchards, field crops, and range), the time since the implementation of soil conservation measures, rainfall on the thickness of the A-horizon, soil organic carbon content, and texture. Soil organic carbon reacts actively with different combinations and sequences of land use changes. The time since stone walls were constructed showed significant impacts on soil organic carbon and the thickness of the surface horizon. The effects of changing the land use and whether the changes were associated with the construction of stone walls varied according to the annual rainfall. The changes in soil properties could be used as indicators of land degradation and to assess the impact of soil conservation programs. The results help in understanding the effects of land use changes on land degradation processes and carbon sequestration potential and in formulating sound soil conservation plans.

Land degradation and soil conservation in the Barlad Plateau, Romania: a case study from Racova catchment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Niacsu ◽  
Ion Ionita ◽  
Claudia Samoila ◽  
Georgel Grigoras ◽  
Ana-Maria Belebea-Apostu
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Environmental Threat ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Landslide Distribution ◽  
Soil Conservation Measures

<p>Land degradation by soil erosion, gullying, landslides and reservoir sedimentation is a major environmental threat in the Barlad Plateau of Romania. This paper reviews both land degradation and the development of soil conservation measures in a representative 32,908 ha catchment. Previous studies focused on larger regional areas and provided insufficient detailed information about land degradation and land improvements. Results estimated the mean value of soil loses at 22.7 t ha-1 y-1 based mostly on the USLE. Gully erosion is very limited in extent (covering 3% of the catchment area), but has considerable impacts in terms of sediment production and triggering or reactivating landslides. The 1:5,000 scale landslide distribution map shows that 56% of Racova Catchment is covered by landslides, in any shape or age. Most of them are shallow seated and inactive landslides. Traditional agriculture in the Barlad Plateau focused on ‘up-and-down slope’ farming on small plots. Soil conservation measures were actively undertaken over a 20-year period (1970-1989). However, more recent legislation (No. 18/1991 Agricultural Real Estate Act) includes two provisions that discourage maintaining and extending soil conservation practises. Hence, the former contour farming system has been abandoned in favour of the traditional, degradational farming methods. The mean annual sedimentation rate in reservoirs is moderate at 2.7 cm y-1 in the upper Racova Catchment and almost double that rate in Puscasi Reservoir at the catchment outlet. Consequently, land degradation remains a serious problem in the study area and effective soil conservation is urgently needed.</p>

scholarly journals Land Degradation and Soil Conservation Measures in the Moldavian Plateau, Eastern Romania: A Case Study from the Racova Catchment

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 2877
Author(s):  
Lilian Niacsu ◽  
Ion Ionita ◽  
Claudia Samoila ◽  
Georgel Grigoras ◽  
Ana Maria Blebea-Apostu
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Delivery Ratio ◽  
Sediment Delivery ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil Conservation Measures

Land degradation by soil erosion, gullying and landslides and reservoir sedimentation is a major environmental threat in the Moldavian Plateau of eastern Romania. The widespread development of these processes in the last two centuries was favored mainly by traditional agriculture focused on ‘up-and-down slope’ farming on small plots. However, soil conservation measures were actively undertaken between 1970 and 1989. More recent legislation (No. 18/1991 Agricultural Real Estate Act) includes two provisions that discourage maintaining and extending soil conservation practices. Hence, the former contour farming system has been abandoned in favor of the traditional, inadequate farming methods. Thus, this paper reviews the impact of land degradation and soil conservation measures in a representative 32,908 ha catchment located in the Central Moldavian Plateau. Based on field measurements, the results show that the estimated mean long-term (1973–2017) sedimentation rate reaches 4.7 cm y−1 in the Puscasi Reservoir at the catchment outlet, resulting in an associated sediment delivery ratio of 0.28. The initial area of the Puscasi Reservoir at normal retention level has decreased by 32% and the water storage capacity has decreased by 39%. Consequently, land degradation remains a serious problem in the study area and effective soil conservation is urgently needed.

Land ethics — who needs them?

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
B. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
Land Ethics ◽  
Environmental Educators ◽  
Rural Production ◽  
Ecological Basis

AbstractLand degradation through erosion and salinity is Australia's most urgent environmental problem.Despite the extent and rate of land deterioration, it is not a political issue and has no lobby. Solution to the problem lies in education, incentives and regulations, each in their appropriate role.Basically Australia needs a fundamental change in attitude toward the land based on land ethics. Fifteen specific concepts are recommended for teaching in schools to encourage a sustainable ecological basis for rural production.The author challenges environmental educators to recognize and pursue the need for land ethics as the cornerstone of Australia's soil conservation campaign and points out that, without a fundamental change of heart leading to greater respect and humility toward the land, neither laws or finances will reverse the present deteriorating situation on the land.

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