How grass contributes to controlling hillslope erosion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengzhong Pan ◽  
Lan Ma
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Set Up

<p>The aim of this study was to investigate how the spatial distribution of grass influenced run-off and erosion from a hillslope with loess and cinnamon soils in the rocky area of Northern China. We set up a trial to test the two soils with different treatments, including bare soil (BS), grass strips on the upper (UGS) and lower (DGS) parts of the slope, grass cover over the entire slope (GS), and a grass carpet on the lower part of the slope (GC), under simulated rainfall conditions. The results showed that the run-off coefficients for the loess and cinnamon soils decreased by between 4% and 20% and by between 2% and 37%, respectively, when covered with grass. Grass spatial distribution had little effect on the run-off, but more effect on erosion than vegetation coverage degree. The most effective location of grass cover for decreasing hillslope erosion was at the foot, and the high efficiency was mainly due to controlling of rill formation and sediment deposition. The soil loss from GS, DGS, and GC on the loess and cinnamon soils was between 77% and 93% less and 55% and 80% less, respectively, compared with the loss from BS. However, the soil characteristics had little effect on soil erosion for well-vegetated slopes. The results highlight the importance of vegetation re-establishment at the foot of hillslope in controlling soil erosion.</p>

scholarly journals Identification of Dominant Factors Affecting Soil Erosion and Water Yield within Ecological Red Line Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangbo Gao ◽  
Yuan Jiang ◽  
Huan Wang ◽  
Liyuan Zuo
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Land Use Type ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
Red Line

Soil conservation and water retention are important metrics for designating key ecological functional areas and ecological red line (ERL) areas. However, research on the quantitative identification of dominant environmental factors in different ecological red line areas remains relatively inadequate, which is unfavorable for the zone-based management of ecological functional areas. This paper presents a case study of Beijing’s ERL areas. In order to objectively reflect the ecological characteristics of ERL areas in Beijing, which is mainly dominated by mountainous areas, the application of remote sensing data at a high resolution is important for the improvement of model calculation and spatial heterogeneity. Based on multi-source remote sensing data, meteorological and soil observations as well as soil erosion and water yield were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model. Combining the influencing factors, including slope, precipitation, land use type, vegetation coverage, geomorphological type, and elevation, a quantitative attribution analysis was performed on soil erosion and water yield in Beijing’s ERL areas using the geographical detector. The power of each influencing factor and their interaction factors in explaining the spatial distribution of soil erosion or water yield varied significantly among different ERL areas. Vegetation coverage was the dominant factor affecting soil erosion in Beijing’s ERL areas, explaining greater than 30% of its spatial heterogeneity. Land use type could explain the spatial heterogeneity of water yield more than 60%. In addition, the combination of vegetation coverage and slope was found to significantly enhance the spatial distribution of soil erosion (>55% in various ERL areas). The superposition of land use type and slope explained greater than 70% of the spatial distribution for water yield in ERL areas. The geographical detector results indicated that the high soil erosion risk areas and high water yield areas varied significantly among different ERL areas. Thus, in efforts to enhance ERL protection, focus should be placed on the spatial heterogeneity of soil erosion and water yield in different ERL areas.

scholarly journals Effects of Tillage Methods and Vegetation Coverage on Reducing Runoff and Soil Erosion

2020 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 04039
Author(s):  
Ma Changchen ◽  
Wang Ran ◽  
Li Qingyuan ◽  
Lu Fangchun
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Runoff Depth ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Tillage Methods ◽  
Runoff Plot

To study the characteristics of runoff and soil erosion of natural rainfall conditions, five standard runoff plots were set up in our experiment, and different tillage methods and vegetation coverage types were set up. The 58-month monthly precipitation data and 44-month runoff plot observation data from 2013 to 2017 were analysed. The results show that: 1) The monthly precipitation fluctuates significantly, ranging from 13mm to 683.5mm. The precipitation is unevenly distributed over the year. The largest average monthly precipitation is in June and the smallest is in January. Rainfall is mainly concentrated in the spring and summer. The precipitation from March to June accounts for 58.0% of the annual rainfall. 2) There is a positive correlation between runoff depth and precipitation in each runoff plot (R2= 0. 5101~0. 6676, Sig.<0.01); 3) There is also a positive correlation between soil loss and precipitation (R2=0. 424~0. 558, Sig.<0.01); 4) The amount of soil loss and the runoff depth increase with increasing rainfall. The runoff plot without any vegetation cover or farming measures increase the most. While the one with horizontal steps and shrubs, or a combination of arbor and grass increase the slowest, indicating that they have the best effect of reducing runoff and soil loss.

scholarly journals The Impact of Soil Erosion on the Spatial Distribution of Soil Characteristics and Potentially Toxic Element Contents in a Sloping Vineyard in Tállya, Ne Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Samdandorj Manaljav ◽  
Andrea Farsang ◽  
Károly Barta ◽  
Zalán Tobak ◽  
Szabolcs Juhász ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Coarse Fraction ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Potentially Toxic Element ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Soil erosion is a main problem in sloping vineyards, which can dramatically affect soil quality and fertility. The present study aimed to evaluate the spatial patterns of selected physico-chemical soil characteristics and the soil’s potentially toxic element (PTE) contents in the context of erosion. The study was conducted in a 0.4 ha vineyard plot on a steep slope in Tállya, part of the wine-growing region of Tokaj-Hegyalja (Hungary). A total of 20 topsoil samples (0-10 cm) were collected and analysed for PTEs (B, Co, Ba, Sr, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Cu), soil pH (deionized water and KCl solution), particle-size distribution, soil organic matter (SOM), (nitrate+nitrite)-N, P2O5, and carbonate content. Among the selected PTEs, only Cu (125±27 mg/kg) exceeds the Hungarian standards set for soils and sediments (75 mg/kg) due to the long-term use of Cu-based pesticides in the vineyard. Examined PTEs are negatively correlated with the sand content of the topsoil, except for Mn, while the significant positive relationship with the clay content shows the role of clay in retaining PTEs in soil. SOM seems to play a minor role in binding PTEs, as Cu is the only element for which a significant correlation with the SOM content can be detected. The spatial distribution maps prepared by inverse distance weighting (IDW) and lognormal kriging (LK) methods show higher PTE contents at the summit and the shoulder of the hillslope and lower contents at the backslope and the footslope zones. The low slope gradients (0-5 degree) and the high contents of the coarse fraction (> 35%) likely protect the soil at the summit and the hillslope’s shoulder from excessive erosion-induced losses. While the reraising PTE contents at the toeslope are likely due to the deposition of fine soil particles (silt and clay). The highest SOM contents at the summit and the toeslope areas, and increased contents of the coarse fraction at the backslope, confirm the effects of soil erosion on the spatial distribution patterns of main soil quality indicators. Overall, the LK outperformed the IDW method in predicting the soil parameters in unsampled areas.

Identification of Dominant Factors Affecting Soil Erosion and Water Yield within Key Ecological Functional Areas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangbo Gao ◽  
Yuan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Land Use Type ◽  
Functional Areas

&lt;p&gt;Soil conservation and water retention are important metrics for designating key ecological functional areas. However, research on the quantitative identification of dominant environmental factors in different ecological functional areas remains relatively inadequate, which is unfavorable for zone-based management of key ecological functional areas. This paper presents a case study of Beijing&amp;#8217;s key ecological functional areas. In order to objectively reflect the ecological characteristics of key ecological functional areas in Beijing which is mainly dominated by mountainous areas, the application of remote sensing data about high resolution is important for the improvement of model calculation and spatial heterogeneity. Based on multi-source remote sensing data, meteorological and soil observations, soil erosion and water yield were calculated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. Combining the influencing factors, including slope, precipitation, land use type, vegetation coverage, geomorphological type and elevation, a quantitative attribution analysis was performed on soil erosion and water yield in Beijing&amp;#8217;s key ecological functional areas using the geographical detector. The power of each influencing factor and their interaction factors in explaining the spatial distribution of soil erosion or water yield varied significantly among different key ecological function areas. Vegetation coverage was the dominant factor affecting soil erosion in Beijing&amp;#8217;s key ecological function areas, explaining greater than 30% of its spatial heterogeneity. Land use type can explain the spatial heterogeneity of water yield more than 60%. In addition, the combination of vegetation coverage and slope was found to significantly enhance the spatial distribution of soil erosion (&gt;55% in various key ecological functional areas). The superposition of land use type and slope explained greater than 70% of the spatial distribution for water yield in key ecological functional areas. The geographical detector results indicated that the high soil erosion risk areas and high water yield areas varied significantly among different ecological functional areas. Thus, in efforts to enhance key ecological functional areas protection, focus should be placed on the spatial heterogeneity of soil erosion and water yield in different ecological functional areas.&lt;/p&gt;

Growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) grown in the marginal upland area of Sta. Rita, Samar as influenced by different planting densities and mulching materials

2017 ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Zenaida Gonzaga ◽  
Warren Obeda ◽  
Ana Linda Gorme ◽  
Jessie Rom ◽  
Oscar Abrantes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bare Soil ◽  
Abelmoschus Esculentus ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Rice Hull ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Lady’S Finger ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Set Up ◽  
A Minor

Okra or Lady’s finger, botanically known as Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, is a tropical and sub-tropical indigenous vegetable crop commonly grown for its fibrous, slimy, and nutritious fruits and consumed by all classes of population. It has also several medicinal and economic values. Despite its many uses and potential value, its importance is under estimated, under-utilized, and considered a minor crop and little attention was paid to its improvement. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different planting densities and mulching materials on the growth and yield of okra grown in slightly sloping area in the marginal uplands in Sta. Rita, Samar, Philippines. A split-plot experiment was set up with planting density as main plot and the different mulching materials as the sub-plot which were: unmulched or bare soil, rice straw, rice hull, hagonoy and plastic mulch. Planting density did not significantly affect the growth and yield of okra. Regardless ofthe mulching materials used, mulched plants were taller and yielded higher compared to unmulched plants. Moreover, the use of plastic mulch resulted to the highest total fruit yield. The results indicate the potential of mulching in increasing yield and thus profitability of okra production under marginal upland conditions.

scholarly journals Topographic Position, Land Use and Soil Management Effects on Soil Organic Carbon (Vineyard Region of Niš, Serbia)

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
Snežana Jakšić ◽  
Jordana Ninkov ◽  
Stanko Milić ◽  
Jovica Vasin ◽  
Milorad Živanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Surface Layer ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Topographic Position

Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) is the result of a combination of various factors related to both the natural environment and anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was to examine (i) the state of SOC in topsoil and subsoil of vineyards compared to the nearest forest, (ii) the influence of soil management on SOC, (iii) the variation in SOC content with topographic position, (iv) the intensity of soil erosion in order to estimate the leaching of SOC from upper to lower topographic positions, and (v) the significance of SOC for the reduction of soil’s susceptibility to compaction. The study area was the vineyard region of Niš, which represents a medium-sized vineyard region in Serbia. About 32% of the total land area is affected, to some degree, by soil erosion. However, according to the mean annual soil loss rate, the total area is classified as having tolerable erosion risk. Land use was shown to be an important factor that controls SOC content. The vineyards contained less SOC than forest land. The SOC content was affected by topographic position. The interactive effect of topographic position and land use on SOC was significant. The SOC of forest land was significantly higher at the upper position than at the middle and lower positions. Spatial distribution of organic carbon in vineyards was not influenced by altitude, but occurred as a consequence of different soil management practices. The deep tillage at 60–80 cm, along with application of organic amendments, showed the potential to preserve SOC in the subsoil and prevent carbon loss from the surface layer. Penetrometric resistance values indicated optimum soil compaction in the surface layer of the soil, while low permeability was observed in deeper layers. Increases in SOC content reduce soil compaction and thus the risk of erosion and landslides. Knowledge of soil carbon distribution as a function of topographic position, land use and soil management is important for sustainable production and climate change mitigation.

scholarly journals Effect of Forest Management Operations on Aggregate-Associated SOC Dynamics Using a 137Cs Tracing Method

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 859
Author(s):  
Geng Guo ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Xi Zhu ◽  
Yanyin Xu ◽  
Qiao Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Forest Conversion ◽  
Mountain Areas

Although forest conversions have long been a focus in carbon (C) research, the relationship between soil erosion and the dynamic change of soil organic carbon (SOC) has not been well-quantified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of converting CBF (coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests) to economic forests, including CF (chestnut forest), HF (hawthorn forest), and AF (apple forest), on the soil structure and nutrient loss in the Huaibei Rocky Mountain Areas, China. A 137Cs tracer method was used to provide soil erosion data in order to quantify the loss of aggregate-associated SOC. The results showed that forest management operations caused macro-aggregates to decrease by 1.69% in CF, 4.52% in AF, and 3.87% in HF. Therefore, the stability of aggregates was reduced. The SOC contents in each aggregate size decreased significantly after forest conversion, with the largest decreases occurring in AF. We quantified the loss of 0.15, 0.38, and 0.31 Mg hm−2 of aggregate-associated SOC after conversion from CBF to CF, AF, and HF, respectively. These results suggest that forest management operations have a negative impact on soil quality and fertility. CF has better vegetation coverage and less human interference, making it more prominent among the three economic forests species. Therefore, when developing forest management operations, judicious selection of tree varieties and appropriate management practices are extremely critical. In addition, measures should be taken to increase surface cover to reduce soil erosion and achieve sustainable development of economic forests.

scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Molecules Involved in Differentiation, Maturation, and Survival of Dopaminergic Neurons in Health and Parkinson’s Disease: Physiological Aspects and Clinical Implications

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 754
Author(s):  
Giulia Gaggi ◽  
Andrea Di Credico ◽  
Pascal Izzicupo ◽  
Giovanni Iannetti ◽  
Angela Di Baldassarre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Set Up

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific and progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and dopamine, causing motor dysfunctions and impaired movements. Unfortunately, available therapies can partially treat the motor symptoms, but they have no effect on non-motor features. In addition, the therapeutic effect reduces gradually, and the prolonged use of drugs leads to a significative increase in the number of adverse events. For these reasons, an alternative approach that allows the replacement or the improved survival of DA neurons is very appealing for the treatment of PD patients and recently the first human clinical trials for DA neurons replacement have been set up. Here, we review the role of chemical and biological molecules that are involved in the development, survival and differentiation of DA neurons. In particular, we review the chemical small molecules used to differentiate different type of stem cells into DA neurons with high efficiency; the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs both in DA neurons development/survival as far as in the pathogenesis of PD; and, finally, we dissect the potential role of exosomes carrying biological molecules as treatment of PD.

scholarly journals Sustainable Ventilation Strategies for a Medium-Sized Space with Regional Effect

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4651
Author(s):  
Ming-Lun Alan Fong
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Co2 Emission ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Regional Effect ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Ventilation Strategies ◽  
Set Up

The analysis of ventilation strategies is fundamentally affected by regional climate conditions and local cost databases, in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emission and cost-effective analysis. A systematic approach is covered in this paper to estimate a local economic and environmental impact on a medium-sized space located in two regions during supply-and-installation and operation phases. Three ventilation strategies, including mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV) and stratum ventilation (SV) were applied to medium-sized air-conditioned space with this approach. The trend of the results for three ventilation systems in the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis is SV < DV < MV. The result of CO2 emission and regional LCC shows that SV is the lowest one in both regional studies. In comparison with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during 20 Service years, the case analysis demonstrates that the percentage differences in LCC analysis of MV, DV & SV in Guangdong are less than 20.5%, 19.4% and 18.82% respectively. Their CO2 emission of MV, DV and SV in Guangdong are more than HKSAR in 10.69%, 11.22% and 12.05%, respectively. The present study could provide information about regional effects in the LCA and LCC analysis of three ventilation strategies emissions, and thereby help set up models for decision-making on high efficiency and cost-effective ventilation strategy plans.

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