scholarly journals Spatial Variabilities of Runoff Erosion and Different Underlying Surfaces in the Xihe River Basin

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Wang ◽  
Zhihong Yao ◽  
Wanqing Liu ◽  
Xizhi Lv ◽  
Mengdie Ma
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Alluvial Soil ◽  
Underlying Surface ◽  
Spatial Gradient ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
The Loess Plateau

Runoff erosion capacity has significant effects on the spatial distribution of soil erosion and soil losses. But few studies have been conducted to evaluate these effects in the Loess Plateau. In this study, an adjusted SWAT model was used to simulate the hydrological process of the Xihe River basin from 1993 to 2012. The spatial variabilities between runoff erosion capacity and underlying surface factors were analyzed by combining spatial gradient analysis and GWR (Geographically Weighted Regression) analysis. The results show that the spatial distribution of runoff erosion capacity in the studying area has the following characteristics: strong in the north, weak in the south, strong in the west, and weak in the east. Topographic factors are the dominant factors of runoff erosion in the upper reaches of the basin. Runoff erosion capacity becomes stronger with the increase of altitude and gradient. In the middle reaches area, the land with low vegetation coverage, as well as arable land, show strong runoff erosion ability. In the downstream areas, the runoff erosion capacity is weak because of better underlying surface conditions. Compared with topographic and vegetation factors, soil factors have less impact on runoff erosion. The red clay and mountain soil in this region have stronger runoff erosion capacities compared with other types of soils, with average runoff modulus of 1.79 × 10−3 m3/s·km2 and 1.68 × 10−3 m3/s·km2, respectively, and runoff erosion power of 0.48 × 10−4 m4/s·km2 and 0.34 × 10−4 m4/s·km2, respectively. The runoff erosion capacity of the alluvial soil is weak, with an average runoff modulus of 0.96 × 10−3 m3/s·km2 and average erosion power of 0.198 × 10−4 m4/s·km2. This study illustrates the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of hydraulic erosion in the Xihe River Basin from the perspective of energy. It contributes to the purposeful utilization of water and soil resources in the Xihe River Basin and provides a theoretical support for controlling the soil erosion in the Hilly-gully region of the Loess Plateau.

scholarly journals Vegetation Restoration Alleviated the Soil Surface Organic Carbon Redistribution in the Hillslope Scale on the Loess Plateau, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipeng Liang ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Tonggang Zha ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Loess Slope ◽  
Carbon Redistribution

The redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in response to soil erosion along the loess slope, China, plays an important role in understanding the mechanisms that underlie SOC’s spatial distribution and turnover. Consequently, SOC redistribution is key to understanding the global carbon cycle. Vegetation restoration has been identified as an effective method to alleviate soil erosion on the Loess Plateau; however, little research has addressed vegetation restoration’s effect on the SOC redistribution processes, particularly SOC’s spatial distribution and stability. This study quantified the SOC stock and pool distribution on slopes along geomorphic gradients in naturally regenerating forests (NF) and an artificial black locust plantation (BP) and used a corn field as a control (CK). The following results were obtained: 1) vegetation restoration, particularly NF, slowed the migration of SOC and reduced the heterogeneity of its distribution effectively. The topsoil SOC ratios of the sedimentary area to the stable area were 109%, 143%, and 210% for NF, BP, and CK, respectively; 2) during migration, vegetation restoration decreased the loss of labile organic carbon by alleviating the loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). The DOC/SOC in the BP and NF increased significantly and was 13.14 and 17.57 times higher, respectively, than that in the CK (p < 0.05), while the EOC/SOC in the BP and NF was slightly higher than that in the CK. A relevant schematic diagram of SOC cycle patterns and redistribution along the loess slope was drawn under vegetation restoration. The results suggest that vegetation restoration in the loess slope, NF in particular, is an effective means to alleviate the redistribution and spatial heterogeneity of SOC and reduce soil erosion.

scholarly journals Changes in Runoff and Sediment Load and Potential Causes in the Malian River Basin on the Loess Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 443
Author(s):  
Min Du ◽  
Xingmin Mu ◽  
Guangju Zhao ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
Wenyi Sun
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Sediment Load ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Sediment Loads ◽  
Average Annual Runoff ◽  
Soil And Water

The loessial tableland is a unique landform type on the Loess Plateau in China. Long-term soil erosion has led to the retreat of gullies and the rapid reduction of fertile arable land, which has further decreased agricultural production. In this study, we chose the Malian River basin to analyze the temporal and spatial variation of its runoff and sediment load, as well as the potential causes. The annual runoff and sediment load at six hydrological stations in the study area were collected for the period between 1960 and 2016. The Mann−Kendall and Pettitt tests were respectively applied to detect temporal variations and abrupt changes in the runoff and sediment loads. The results showed that an abrupt change in the runoff and sediment loads occurred in 2003. The average annual runoff in the Malian River was 4.42 × 108 m3 yr−1 from 1960 to 2002, and decreased to 3.32 × 108 m3 yr−1 in 2003–2016. The average annual sediment load was 1.27 × 108 t yr−1 in 1960–2002, and decreased to 0.65 × 108 t yr−1 in 2003–2016. The spatial patterns in the sediment load suggested that the Hongde sub-basin contributed a higher sediment count to the Malian River, which may require additional attention for soil and water conservation in the future. Anthropogenic activities significantly affected runoff and sediment load reduction according to the double-mass curve method, accounting for 90.7% and 78.7%, respectively, whereas rainfall changes were 9.3% and 21.3%, respectively. As such, the present study analyzed the loessial tableland runoff and sediment load characteristics of the Malian River basin for soil and water erosion management.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Gully Land Consolidation Project on Soil Erosion and Crop Production on a Typical Watershed in the Loess Plateau

Land ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoliang Han ◽  
Peiyi Lv ◽  
Sen Zhao ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Shiyu Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Land Consolidation Project

The Gully Land Consolidation Project (GLCP) was launched to create more arable land by excavating soil from the slopes on both sides of gullies, combined with simultaneous comprehensive gully prevention and control measures. The purpose of the GLCP is to increase crop production and reduce soil erosion to achieve ecological and agricultural sustainability. In this study, we assess the effects of the GLCP on soil erosion and crop production by studying the BaoChengGou Watershed in the Loess Plateau, primarily by means of high spatial-resolution satellite images (taken by the GF-1 and ZY-3 satellites) combined with the InVEST model and field investigations. Sloping cropland, sparse forestland, and natural grassland are the main land use types in the study area. After implementing the GLCP, consolidated land in the cropland increased by 7.35%, an increase that has come largely at the expense of grassland and forestland. The GLCP has markedly reduced soil erosion in the BaoChengGou Watershed, especially in the sense that soil erosion intensity was also reduced significantly in the project region on the whole, despite intensifying in certain places, such as excavated slopes; furthermore, it has improved crop yields in the study area by 10.9%. Comprehensive measurement shows the GLCP to be scientific, reasonable, and clearly efficacious. This study presents findings regarding the positive significance of the GLCP in promoting ecological and agricultural sustainability in the Loess Plateau.

Vegetation restoration alleviated the soil surface organic carbon redistribution in the hillslope scale on the Loess Plateau, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipeng Liang ◽  
Tonggang Zha ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Loess Slope ◽  
Carbon Redistribution

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong> </p><p>Redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in response to soil erosion along slopes plays an important role in understanding the mechanisms of SOC’s spatial distribution and turnover. Consequently, SOC redistribution has been considered in many conceptual or mathematical models of soil carbon stability and storage. Vegetation restoration has been identified as an effective method to alleviate soil erosion on the Loess Plateau, however, little research has addressed vegetation restoration’s effect on the SOC redistribution processes, particularly SOC’s spatial distribution and stability. This study quantified the SOC stock and pool distribution on slopes along geomorphic gradients in naturally regenerating forests (NF) and an artificial black locust plantation (BP), and used a corn field as a control (CK). The following results were as follows: (1) Vegetation restoration, particularly NF, slowed the migration of SOC and reduced the heterogeneity of its distribution effectively. The topsoil SOC ratios of the sedimentary area to the stable area were 109%, 143%, and 210% for NF, the BP and CK, respectively; (2) Vegetation restoration decreased the loss of labile organic carbon by alleviating the loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). The DOC/SOC in the BP and NF increased significantly, and were 13.14 and 17.57 times higher, respectively, than in the CK (p < 0.05), while the EOC/SOC in the BP and NF was slightly higher than in the CK. (3) A relevant schematic diagram of SOC cycle patterns and redistribution along the Loess slope was drawn under vegetation restoration. These results suggest that vegetation restoration in the Loess slope effectively alleviated the redistribution and spatial heterogeneity of SOC through reducing soil erosion. Thus, the effects of vegetation restoration on SOC redistribution should be pay more attention in regional carbon storage estimation, especially in the Loess gully regions.</p><p>Keywords: Vegetation Restoration, Soil Organic Carbon Redistribution, Loess Slope, Soil Erosion, Soil Organic Carbon Stability</p>

Spatial Distribution and Key Prevention Areas of Ephemeral Gully under the 'Grain for Green Project' in Loess Plateau, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Zhong ◽  
Chunmei Wang ◽  
Guowei Pang ◽  
Qinke Yang ◽  
Zitian Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Grain For Green ◽  
Ephemeral Gully ◽  
Grain For Green Project

<p>Soil erosion is an important threat in the high-quality development of the Loess Plateau of China, and Ephemeral Gully (EG) erosion is an important erosion type. Answering the distribution characteristics of EG at the regional scale is an important basis for EG control. The regional distribution of EG and the areas that still at high risk of EG development after the 'Grain for Green Project' since more than 20 years ago remain poorly understood. This study aimed to solve the above problems by using visual interpretation based on sub-meter Google Earth images in 137 systematically selected small watersheds in the Loess Plateau. The EG density, length, land use of the hillslope where each EG existed, and other parameters were obtained and analyzed using the GIS method. The spatial distribution of EG density, average length, and spatial correlation in the Loess Plateau was explored. The current EG distribution and key prevention areas in the Loess Plateau were identified. The results showed that: (1) EGs were found in 46 surveyed watersheds accounting for 33.6% of the total watershed number, with an EG density average value of 3.41km/km<sup>2</sup> and maximum value of 21.92 km/km<sup>2</sup>. The average number of EG was 60.32/km<sup>2</sup>. EG length was mainly distributed in 20 ~ 60 m, with an average length of 63.31 m; The critical slope length of EGs was mainly 40 ~ 60 m, with an average 56.20 m. (2) The watersheds with EGs were mainly located in the north-central, the west, and northwest of the Loess Plateau. EG erosion is extremely strong in loess hilly and gully region, and moderate in loess plateau gully region.(3) 38.3% of EG was distributed in cropland; 35.3% distributed in grassland; 22.8% distributed in forest land. After the 'Grain for Green Project', the EGs that were still distributed on cropland were a more important threat to soil erosion and need better prevention efforts. EGs located on cropland were still widely distributed in many areas of Loess Plateau, such as the northwest of Yan 'an City in the middle and upper reaches of Beiluo River, Suide and Luliang in the lower reaches of Wuding River, at the junction of Dingxi and Huining and in Qingyang area. This research would help in a more reasonable distribution of erosion control practices in the Loess Plateau.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of Vegetation Restoration on Soil Erosion on the Loess Plateau: A Case Study in the Ansai Watershed

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6266
Author(s):  
Hui Wei ◽  
Wenwu Zhao ◽  
Han Wang
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Erosion Environment

Large-scale vegetation restoration greatly changed the soil erosion environment in the Loess Plateau since the implementation of the “Grain for Green Project” (GGP) in 1999. Evaluating the effects of vegetation restoration on soil erosion is significant to local soil and water conservation and vegetation construction. Taking the Ansai Watershed as the case area, this study calculated the soil erosion modulus from 2000 to 2015 under the initial and current scenarios of vegetation restoration, using the Chinese Soil Loess Equation (CSLE), based on rainfall and soil data, remote sensing images and socio-economic data. The effect of vegetation restoration on soil erosion was evaluated by comparing the average annual soil erosion modulus under two scenarios among 16 years. The results showed: (1) vegetation restoration significantly changed the local land use, characterized by the conversion of farmland to grassland, arboreal land, and shrub land. From 2000 to 2015, the area of arboreal land, shrub land, and grassland increased from 19.46 km2, 19.43 km2, and 719.49 km2 to 99.26 km2, 75.97 km2, and 1084.24 km2; while the farmland area decreased from 547.90 km2 to 34.35 km2; (2) the average annual soil erosion modulus from 2000 to 2015 under the initial and current scenarios of vegetation restoration was 114.44 t/(hm²·a) and 78.42 t/(hm²·a), respectively, with an average annual reduction of 4.81 × 106 t of soil erosion amount thanks to the vegetation restoration; (3) the dominant soil erosion intensity changed from “severe and light erosion” to “moderate and light erosion”, vegetation restoration greatly improved the soil erosion environment in the study area; (4) areas with increased erosion and decreased erosion were alternately distributed, accounting for 48% and 52% of the total land area, and mainly distributed in the northwest and southeast of the watershed, respectively. Irrational land use changes in local areas (such as the conversion of farmland and grassland into construction land, etc.) and the ineffective implementation of vegetation restoration are the main reasons leading to the existence of areas with increased erosion.

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