The effect of furrow length on rain and irrigation-induced erosion on a vertisol in Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 833 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Carroll ◽  
M Halpin ◽  
K Bell ◽  
J Mollison
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Canopy Closure ◽  
Surface Cover ◽  
Soil Movement ◽  
Runoff Rate ◽  
Peak Runoff ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

Runoff and sediment movement were measured from irrigated furrows of different lengths on a Vertisol in central Queensland. Two farm properties (Denaro's and Roberts') were used to compare a short furrow length (SFL) and a long furrow length (LFL). At Denaro's farm, furrows were 241 and 482 m long, and at Roberts' farm they were 151 and 298 m long, with gradients of 1.0% and 1.3% respectively. Runoff and soil loss were measured from six furrows. At Denaro's farm, soil movement off the farm was measured at a taildrain outlet. Sediment concentration from both rainfall and irrigation declined when cultivation had ceased, soil in the furrows had consolidated and when the cotton canopy provided surface cover. Total soil loss from rainfall and irrigation was approximately 4-5 t ha-1. Rainstorms caused most of the seasonal soil loss, typically 3-4 t ha-1. The critical soil erosion period was between pre-plant irrigation and canopy closure. Soil surface cover, peak runoff rate and furrow length explained 97% of variance in soil loss caused by rainfall. Furrow length was not significant in the soil loss model for irrigation (r2 0.59).

A study of soil erosion on vertisols of the eastern Darling Downs, Queensland .I. Effects of surface conditions on soil movement within Contour Bay catchments

Soil Research ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Freebairn ◽  
GH Wockner
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Stream Power ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
Surface Cover ◽  
Soil Movement ◽  
Natural Rainfall ◽  
Runoff Rate ◽  
Peak Runoff

Effects of soil surface conditions on runoff and soil loss were studied on two major cracking clay soils of the Darling Downs, Queensland. Techniques used to measure soil loss between field contour bays under natural rainfall are described, and the results from 10 contour bay catchments (66 plot years) are presented. Soil movement was separated into rill, interrill, suspended sediment and channel deposition. Two slope lengths were considered (60 and 35 m), and interrill erosion appeared to be the major source of soil loss. Runoff and sediment concentration were both inversely related to surface cover and total soil movement was greatly reduced by surface cover. In an annual winter-wheat, summer-fallow system, removal of stubble resulted in soil movement of 29-62 t ha-1 year-1. Retention of stubble (stubble mulching) reduced soil movement to less than 5 t ha-1 year-1. Greater than 75% of the variance in soil movement from single events was explained by surface cover and peak runoff rate. Surface cover is a measure of the surface area protected from soil detachment and entrainment. Peak runoff rate describes the amount of energy or stream power available for detachment and entrainment.

scholarly journals Effects of time-controlled grazing on runoff and sediment loss

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gholamreza Sanjari ◽  
Bofu Yu ◽  
Hossein Ghadiri ◽  
Cyril A. A. Ciesiolka ◽  
Calvin W. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Surface Cover ◽  
East Region ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Sediment Loss

The time-controlled rotational grazing (TC grazing) has become popular in Australia and elsewhere in the world to provide graziers and ranchers with improved productivity over traditional practices. However, this grazing system, which involves short periods of intensive grazing, has raised concerns about sustainability and environmental impacts on water and soil resources, and ecosystem health generally. A runoff experiment at the catchment scale was established on the grazing property ‘Currajong’ in the south-east region of Queensland, Australia, to investigate the effects of continuous and TC grazing on runoff and sediment generation from 2001 to 2006. Sediment loss was reduced significantly under TC grazing compared with continuous grazing irrespective of the size of runoff events. This effect was more pronounced in the catchments with soils of gentler slopes and greater depths. The reduction in soil erosion was achieved despite the fact that the increase in ground cover under TC grazing had little effect on runoff coefficient or runoff depth. Decrease in runoff in relation to the increase in surface cover only occurred for small events, whereas for large rainfall events, runoff generated irrespective of the level of ground cover. This study showed that ground cover is a key driver in reducing sediment concentration, resulting in a significantly lower sediment loss under TC grazing. In the study area a minimum of 70% of surface cover as a threshold appeared to be needed to efficiently protect the soil surface from erosive forces of rain and runoff and to control soil erosion. The results also indicate that TC grazing has a superior capability to produce and maintain a higher level of ground cover (up to 90%) than continuous grazing (up to 65%). The long rest periods in TC grazing are seen as the major contributor to soil and pasture recovery after intensive defoliations by grazing animals, leading to an increase in above-ground organic material and thus surface cover over time.

scholarly journals The Use of Various Rainfall Simulators in the Determination of the Driving Forces of Changes in Sediment Concentration and Clay Enrichment

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2856
Author(s):  
Judit Alexandra Szabó ◽  
Csaba Centeri ◽  
Boglárka Keller ◽  
István Gábor Hatvani ◽  
Zoltán Szalai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Surface States ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Driving Factors ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions

Soil erosion is a complex, destructive process that endangers food security in many parts of the world; thus, its investigation is a key issue. While the measurement of interrill erosion is a necessity, the methods used to carry it out vary greatly, and the comparison of the results is often difficult. The present study aimed to examine the results of two rainfall simulators, testing their sensitivity to different environmental conditions. Plot-scale nozzle type rainfall simulation experiments were conducted on the same regosol under both field and laboratory conditions to compare the dominant driving factors of runoff and soil loss. In the course of the experiments, high-intensity rainfall, various slope gradients, and different soil surface states (moisture content, roughness, and crust state) were chosen as the response parameters, and their driving factors were sought. In terms of the overall erosion process, the runoff, and soil loss properties, we found an agreement between the simulators. However, in the field (a 6 m2 plot), the sediment concentration was related to the soil conditions and therefore its hydrological properties, whereas in the laboratory (a 0.5 m2 plot), slope steepness and rainfall intensity were the main driving factors. This, in turn, indicates that the design of a rainfall simulator may affect the results of the research it is intended for, even if the differences occasioned by various designs may be of a low order.

scholarly journals Understory Limits Surface Runoff and Soil Loss in Teak Tree Plantations of Northern Lao PDR

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Layheang Song ◽  
Laurie Boithias ◽  
Oloth Sengtaheuanghoung ◽  
Chantha Oeurng ◽  
Christian Valentin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Runoff Coefficient ◽  
Teak Tree ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

Many mountainous regions of the humid tropics experience serious soil erosion following rapid changes in land use. In northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), the replacement of traditional crops by tree plantations, such as teak trees, has led to a dramatic increase in floods and soil loss and to the degradation of basic soil ecosystem services such as water filtration by soil, fertility maintenance, etc. In this study, we hypothesized that conserving understory under teak trees would protect soil, limit surface runoff, and help reduce soil erosion. Using 1 m2 microplots installed in four teak tree plantations in northern Lao PDR over the rainy season of 2017, this study aimed to: (1) assess the effects on surface runoff and soil loss of four understory management practices, namely teak with no understory (TNU; control treatment), teak with low density of understory (TLU), teak with high density of understory (THU), and teak with broom grass, Thysanolaena latifolia (TBG); (2) suggest soil erosion mitigation management practices; and (3) identify a field visual indicator allowing a rapid appraisal of soil erosion intensity. We monitored surface runoff and soil loss, and measured teak tree and understory characteristics (height and percentage of cover) and soil surface features. We estimated the relationships among these variables through statistics and regression analyses. THU and TBG had the smallest runoff coefficient (23% for both) and soil loss (465 and 381 g·m−2, respectively). The runoff coefficient and soil loss in TLU were 35% and 1115 g·m−2, respectively. TNU had the highest runoff coefficient and soil loss (60%, 5455 g·m−2) associated to the highest crusting rate (82%). Hence, the soil loss in TBG was 14-times less than in TNU and teak tree plantation owners could divide soil loss by 14 by keeping understory, such as broom grass, within teak tree plantations. Indeed, a high runoff coefficient and soil loss in TNU was explained by the kinetic energy of rain drops falling from the broad leaves of the tall teak trees down to bare soil, devoid of plant residues, thus leading to severe soil surface crusting and soil detachment. The areal percentage of pedestal features was a reliable indicator of soil erosion intensity. Overall, promoting understory, such as broom grass, in teak tree plantations would: (1) limit surface runoff and improve soil infiltrability, thus increase soil water stock available for both root absorption and groundwater recharge; and (2) mitigate soil loss while favoring soil fertility conservation.

scholarly journals The impact of standard preparation practice on the runoff and soil erosion rates under laboratory conditions

Solid Earth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1293-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulvahed Khaledi Darvishan ◽  
Vafa Homayounfar ◽  
Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Soil Preparation ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The use of laboratory methods in soil erosion studies, rainfall simulation experiments, Gerlach troughs, and other measurements such as ring infiltrometer has been recently considered more and more because of many advantages in controlling rainfall properties and high accuracy of sampling and measurements. However, different stages of soil removal, transfer, preparation and placement in laboratory plots cause significant changes in soil structure and, subsequently, the results of runoff, sediment concentration and soil loss. Knowing the rate of changes in sediment concentration and soil loss variables with respect to the soil preparation for laboratory studies is therefore inevitable to generalize the laboratory results to field conditions. However, there has been little attention given to evaluate the effects of soil preparation on sediment variables. The present study was therefore conducted to compare sediment concentration and soil loss in natural and prepared soil. To achieve the study purposes, 18 field 1 ×  1 m plots were adopted in an 18 % gradient slope with sandy–clay–loam soil in the Kojour watershed, northern Iran. A portable rainfall simulator was then used to simulate rainfall events using one or two nozzles of BEX: 3/8 S24W for various rainfall intensities with a constant height of 3 m above the soil surface. Three rainfall intensities of 40, 60 and 80 mm h−1 were simulated on both prepared and natural soil treatments with three replications. The sediment concentration and soil loss at five 3 min intervals after time to runoff were then measured. The results showed the significant increasing effects of soil preparation (p ≤ 0.01) on the average sediment concentration and soil loss. The increasing rates of runoff coefficient, sediment concentration and soil loss due to the study soil preparation method for laboratory soil erosion plots were 179, 183 and 1050 % (2.79, 2.83 and 11.50 times), respectively.

Effect of fallowing practices on runoff and soil erosion in south-eastern Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 628 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Rough Surface ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
North Central ◽  
Central Victoria ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Chemical Fallow ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

The effect on runoff and soil loss of four methods of preparation of fallow was investigated at each of three sites in north-central Victoria. There was a chemical fallow treatment (uncultivated) and three scarified treatments (smooth, medium and rough cultivation). When the results from the three sites were combined, there was 10.7 mm runoff from the uncultivated treatment, 5.1 mm from the smooth, 0.8 mm from the medium and 0.3 mm from the rough scarified treatments. Soil loss from the uncultivated treatment was 103 g/m2 compared with 87 g/m2 from the smooth, 22 g/m2 from the medium and 13 g/m2 from the rough treatment. The concentration of sediment in the runoff was negatively correlated (R2 = -0.56 to -0.98) with runoff. It ranged from 1.21% (w/w) for the uncultivated to 5.06% (w/w) for the rough scarified treatment. The results show that a regimen of minimum scarification to produce a rough surface, and then use of herbicides to control weeds, reduces soil loss compared with either an uncultivated or a smoothly cultivated soil surface.

Effectiveness of hydrated lime and artificial zeolite amendments and sedum (Sedum sediforme) plant cover in controlling soil erosion from an acid soil

Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henintsoa Andry ◽  
Tahei Yamamoto ◽  
Mitsuhiro Inoue
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Hydrated Lime ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Surface Cover ◽  
Rain Splash

There are over 350 different species of sedum (Sedum spp.) and most of them can tolerate harsh conditions including very cold to hot temperatures, drought, and poor and stony soil. Sedum plants are used in rock gardens and edging flower beds, and for greening the tops of buildings, cottages, and thatched roofs. However, little is known about the effectiveness of sedum as vegetation cover in protecting soil erosion from a road embankment made of acid soil. Acid soil is believed to be vulnerable to soil erosion and is not suitable for plant growth. Liming treatment is required first before revegetation to alleviate the soil acidity; however, lime incorporation may affect the soil physical properties and, consequently, runoff and sediment generation. A rainfall simulation study was conducted to test the effectiveness of hydrated lime and artificial zeolite as amendments and Sedum sediforme (Rupestria group) as vegetation cover in controlling soil erosion from an acid soil taken from mountain cuts in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, where it is used for road embankment. The soil was treated with 0.5% lime and 10% zeolite. Two rainfall intensities of 30 and 60 mm/h were tested for 2 and 1 h, respectively, on sedum-growing soil plots measuring 0.50 by 0.30 by 0.05 m. Three levels of vegetation cover (bare soil, 25%, 75%) of sedum plant of 5-month growth under 2-day irrigation intervals were tested. The incorporation of hydrated lime and artificial zeolite amendments improved wet aggregate stability, which contributed to significant decrease in surface runoff, sediment concentration, and total soil loss by rain splash from the bare soil. Zeolite was more effective in promoting plant growth than the lime treatment; as a result the decrease in sediment generation and soil loss by rain splash, compared with the control, was larger with zeolite than with lime. Under both intensities of simulated rain, the sediment concentration and total soil loss by rain splash decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing surface cover. The correlation between cumulative soil loss (CSL) and cumulative surface runoff was linear and significant (P < 0.001) and the slope coefficient decreased with increasing surface cover. This suggests that the sediment carrying capacity or the erosivity of the surface runoff was constant and it decreased with increasing surface cover. The sedum cover reduced the CSL up to 72 and 79% under 30 and 60 mm/h rainfall intensities, respectively. The mean weight diameter of the soil sediment transported by runoff and soil loss by rain splash were significantly increased, and therefore, the silt and clay proportion of the crust material formed on the soil surface decreased up to 6 and 16% under 25 and 75% vegetation cover, respectively. These results demonstrate that hydrated lime and artificial zeolite could be used as amendments and sedum plant as vegetation covers in controlling soil erosion from an acid soil.

ASSESSMENT OF SOIL EROSION IN VINH LINH, QUANG TRI USING RMMF MODEL (REVISED MORGAN - MORGAN - FINNEY)

2013 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyễn Quang Việt ◽  
Trương Đình Trọng ◽  
Hồ Thị Nga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Particle ◽  
Transport Capacity ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
Particle Detachment ◽  
Sediment Transport Capacity ◽  
Northern District ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

Vinh Linh, the northern district of Quang Tri province is characterized by a diversified topography with a large variety of elevations, high rainfall, and decreasing land cover due to forest exploiting for cultivation land. Thus, there is a high risk of erosion, soil fertility washout. With the support of GIS technology, the authors used the rMMF model to measure soil erosion. The input data of model including 15 coefficients related to topography, soil properties, climate and land cover. The simulations of rMMF include estimates of rainfall energy, runoff, soil particle detachment by raindrop, soil particle detachment by runoff, sediment transport capacity of runoff and soil loss. The result showed that amount of soil loss in year is estimated to vary between 0 kg/m2 minimum and 149 kg/m2 maximum and is divided into 4-classes of erosion. Light class almost covers the region researched (75.9% of total area), while moderate class occupies 8.1% of total area, strong classes only hold small area (16% of total area). Therefore, protection of the forest floor in sloping areas is one of the most effective methods to reduce soil erosion.

scholarly journals The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. on soil loss prevention from cutslopes of a forest road

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Parsakhoo ◽  
M. Lotfalian ◽  
A. Kavian ◽  
S.A. Hosseini ◽  
M. Demir
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Forest Roads ◽  
Northern Forest ◽  
Forest Road ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
The City ◽  
Runoff And Sedimentation

The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Bridon on runoff generation and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads were investigated. The study was conducted at the northern forest of Iran, about 30 km south of the city of Sari. Runoff and sedimentation after each rainfall simulation and chemical and physical soil properties were measured in 14 plots with an area of 0.48 m<sup>2</sup>. The obtained results indicate that the vegetation dominated by Philonotis marchica exhibited the higher runoff coefficient and soil loss, with averages of 27.25% and 92.40&nbsp;g&middot;m<sup>&ndash;2</sup>&middot;h<sup>&ndash;1</sup>(gram per square meter per hour), respectively, in comparison to Rubus hyrcanus. For Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. the sediment concentration increased quickly at the beginning of rainfall simulations and after 10&ndash;12 min there was a fast decrease in sediment concentration. The peak of sediment concentration was for the Rubus hyrcanus L. in the 13<sup>th</sup>&ndash;15<sup>th</sup> min In conclusion, Rubus hyrcanus L. prevented or decreased the risk of runoff and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads in our study area. &nbsp;

A comparison of effects of one-pass and conventional potato hilling on water runoff and soil erosion under simulated rainfall

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zisheng Xing ◽  
Lien Chow ◽  
Herb W. Rees ◽  
Fanrui Meng ◽  
John Monteith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Sigmoid Function ◽  
Simulated Rainfall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

Xing, Z., Chow, L., Rees, H. W., Meng, F., Monteith, J. and Stevens, L. 2011. A comparison of effects of one-pass and conventional potato hilling on water runoff and soil erosion under simulated rainfall. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 279–290. Hilling plays an important role in potato production, but is found to be inducing soil loss. An artificial rainfall simulation system was used to evaluate the differences between one-pass hilling (OPH, hilling performed when planting, or shortly after planting) and conventional hilling (CH, hilling performed approximately 35–45 d after planting) as well as their combination with a cover crop (ryegrass; _R) on runoff and soil loss. A three-replicate randomized block experimental design with constant rainfall intensity (120 mm h−1) was used in this study. No significant differences in runoff were found between different hilling methods. The soil losses, however, showed significant differences both among treatments, among canopy cover classes, and among their interaction terms (all P<0.001). The mean soil loss for CH was significantly higher than that for OPH, by 40%, and the mean soil loss for CH_R was higher than that for OPH_R by 57%. On average, the CH treatments (CH and CH_R) induced greater soil loss than the OPH treatments (OPH and OPH_R) by 47%. Further, the effects can vary with different canopy cover percentages. The OPH treatments (OPH and OPH_R) induced more soil loss than CH treatments (CH and CH_R), by 4.4 to 12.8%, in the <30% canopy cover group, while soil loss in the CH treatments was greater than that in OPH treatments for both the 30–70% and >70% canopy cover groups by 21–94%. Irrespective of treatment, soil loss before canopy forming was 2.4 to 8.9 times higher than the soil loss for the partial to full canopy period. With a cover crop, the CH and OPH treatments can reduce soil loss by 37–55%. One-pass hilling initiated runoff earlier than CH. The water runoff and soil loss with respect to the elapsed time since initialization of water runoff and soil loss could be modeled by a three-parameter Sigmoid function with r 2≥0.94. The information generated from this study could be used in landscape modeling to study the impacts of potato production on soil and stream water quality.

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