Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Bai, Haifeng Cui
Summary: This study conducted a 3-year field experiment in China and proposed an improved soil loss prediction model IRUSLE, which takes into account the interaction between rainfall distribution and vegetation index. The IRUSLE model can achieve more effective simulation results than the conventional RULSE model, laying a theoretical foundation for soil loss prediction.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jia Chen, Zhongwu Li, Haibing Xiao, Ke Ning, Chongjun Tang
Summary: The study found that bare land has the greatest impact on soil erosion, while cropland and grassland have the smallest impact. When vegetation coverage exceeds 60%, soil erosion tends to stabilize. Land use with multiple vegetation layers or contact cover can reduce runoff and sediment values.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xuantian Li, Fengbao Zhang, Qing He, Mingyi Yang
Summary: Scale effects exist in the whole process of soil erosion, and vegetation cover can reduce the degree of soil erosion at different scales. However, there is limited research on the reduction effect of vegetation on soil erosion at a specific point on the plot. This study analyzed the relationship between vegetation and sheet erosion at a representatively abandoned farmland slope using a modified 7Be tracing model. The results showed that plants played a role in intercepting 22.6% of total 7Be on the slope, and the reduction of erosion for plants varies with scale dependency.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ming-Hsi Lee, Huan-Hsuan Lin, Shih-Hao Jien
Summary: Soil degradation in tropical and subtropical areas is a significant concern. By applying wood biochar and rice husk biochar in mudstone soil in southern Taiwan, this study found that biochar application can increase vegetation growth rate, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil quality.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nigussie Haregeweyn, Atsushi Tsunekawa, Mitsuru Tsubo, Ayele Almaw Fenta, Kindiye Ebabu, Matthias Vanmaercke, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Mulatu Liyew Berihun, Eddy J. Langendoen, Zerihun Nigussie, Tadesual Asamin Setargie, Benedict Nzioki Maurice, Taye Minichil, Asres Elias, Jian Sun, Jean Poesen
Summary: Sustainable land management (SLM) is essential for reducing land degradation and desertification, but there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on its spatial distribution, prospects, and challenges. We analyzed data from a global SLM database, academic research papers, and found that dissemination and research on SLM were better in dry subhumid countries with medium scores on the Human Development Index (HDI), while humid countries with low HDI values had lower dissemination and research. Cropland and water erosion were the main focus areas, while other land use types and SLM purposes received less attention. The limited evidence-based SLM dissemination in countries with high soil erosion rates and low HDI scores can be addressed through integrating existing scientific research and SLM databases using the proposed Research Evidence for SLM framework. However, detailed country-specific studies are needed to develop appropriate evidence-based SLM dissemination strategies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pietro Menezes Sanchez Macedo, Paulo Tarso Sanches Oliveira, Mauro Antonio Homem Antunes, Valdemir Lucio Durigon, Elaine Cristina Cardoso Fidalgo, Daniel Fonseca de Carvalho
Summary: This study introduces a new method for calculating the C-factor in RUSLE which takes into account the impact of low-reflectance vegetation cover areas on erosion reduction due to seasonal rainfall. Two coefficients, Cr2 and C-PC, were proposed to represent the C-factor, with Cr2 used in non-seasonal rainfall areas and C-PC calculated for areas affected by seasonality. The results showed that both Cr2 and C-PC factors provide more accurate soil loss estimates compared to the traditional Cr factor.
INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ping Li, Emma J. Sayer, Zhou Jia, Yuntao Wu, Meifeng Deng, Xin Wang, Chao Liu, Bin Wang, Yang Wang, Yongfei Bai, Lingli Liu
Summary: The study reveals that deepened winter snow can alleviate soil C loss due to land-use practices by promoting above-ground biomass growth. Vegetation structure and increased above-ground biomass contribute to reducing soil C loss.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yang Yu, Ruipeng Zhu, Daoming Ma, Dianjun Liu, Yao Liu, Zhiqiang Gao, Mengqi Yin, Erick R. Bandala, Jesus Rodrigo-Comino
Summary: This research conducted a long-term analysis of surface runoff and soil loss on Pisha sandstone hillslopes from the Loess Plateau, China under different land use and precipitation regimes. The results showed that precipitation regimes and land use types had significant impacts on surface runoff and soil loss, with heavy storms and bare land leading to the highest levels. Therefore, the selection of land use and vegetation should be considered carefully depending on precipitation regimes in order to control soil erosion effectively.
Article
Environmental Studies
Valentina Santarsiero, Antonio Lanorte, Gabriele Nole, Giuseppe Cillis, Biagio Tucci, Beniamino Murgante
Summary: Land abandonment is a complex process driven by various human and natural factors. The use of multidisciplinary methodologies is crucial in studying its effects. Environmental and social problems, such as soil erosion and degradation, can be assessed and predicted using GIS, remote sensing, and image analysis techniques. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is commonly used to estimate soil erosion. This study developed a model using remote sensing and GIS tools to assess the adverse effects of soil erosion in abandoned arable lands by analyzing the C and A factors of the RUSLE equation.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chengshu Wang, Guanghui Zhang, Pingzong Zhu, Shiqi Chen, Yuanqiang Wan
Summary: Soil function assessment is important for mitigating soil degradation and achieving sustainable use of soil resources. This study investigated the spatial variation of soil functions with land use type and slope position in a small agricultural watershed. The results showed significant variations in soil properties and functions between different land use types and slope positions. Soil erosion was found to be the dominant process affecting soil functions by altering soil properties. Measures promoting nutrient accumulation and controlling soil erosion should be implemented to enhance soil functions. These findings are valuable for designing soil and water conservation measures in agricultural watersheds to enhance ecological services.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hamza Negis, Cevdet S. Eker, Vildan Erci, Ilknur Gumus
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different land use types on soil quality in the Konya-Karapinar region and established a minimum dataset for the soil quality index (SQI). The results showed that there were significant improvements in soil quality compared to the wind erosion affected area, but the improvements were more limited in grazing land and forested land. It is recommended to allocate more land for horticulture in erosion protection areas.
Article
Soil Science
Pooja P. Preetha, Ashraf Z. Al-Hamdan
Summary: Soil erosion poses a threat to water quality as it can impact sediments and nutrients over the long term. Researchers have developed a remote sensing model to predict the crop and cover management factor (C-factor) for soil erosion risk assessment. By analyzing dynamic variables related to vegetation, soil, and topography, the model demonstrates the potential to estimate C-factor and monitor watershed erosion.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chongjun Tang, Yu Liu, Zhongwu Li, Liping Guo, Aizhen Xu, Jiading Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the regulation effect of vegetation cover pattern on runoff and soil erosion in a humid environment, finding that vegetation cover plays a crucial role in response to rainfall, particularly in mitigating soil loss. The relationship between vegetation coverage and runoff volume weakens as rainfall depth increases.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Parbati Pandey, Anup Gurung
Summary: Soil erosion has significant impacts on land productivity, water resources, and the entire watershed. In an agrarian region like Jhimruk, known as the rice bowl of Nepal, the loss of top soil can have severe consequences for land productivity. Therefore, it is important to identify areas at risk of degradation and assess erosion potential to plan effective mitigation measures. This study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate soil loss in the Jhimruk watershed, Lumbini Province, Nepal.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ciro Apollonio, Andrea Petroselli, Flavia Tauro, Manuela Cecconi, Chiara Biscarini, Claudio Zarotti, Salvatore Grimaldi
Summary: The study investigates the impact of perennial herbaceous plants on runoff generation and soil erosion during rainfall events. It found that MC1 plants are effective in reducing soil erosion, with the best results seen at vegetation heights of 30-70 cm, leading to significant reductions in soil loss and runoff coefficient.