Nitrate leaching from a free-draining volcanic soil irrigated with municipal sewage effluent in New Zealand

Land application of municipal sewage effluent is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as a means of disposal, treatment, nutrient recycling, irrigation to meet plants' water requirements, and groundwater recharge. Nitrate leaching from a volcanic soil (Typic Udivitrand) was investigated under a Pinus radiata plantation near Rotorua, New Zealand, which had received, on average, 0, 29, and 88 mm per week of tertiary-treated municipal sewage effluent for the previous 4 years. Four replicates of undisturbed soil monolith lysimeters (200 mm diameter×200 mm depth) from surface soil from each treatment were used to study the influence of the three different rates of effluent application on N leaching. A rapid emergence of nitrate–N occurred in the drainage samples, and indicated that approximately up to half of soil nitrate was readily leached beyond the topsoil. Nitrate–N concentrations in the drainage water increased substantially with effluent application rate, almost reaching the World Health Organisation recommended limits (approximately 10 g m⁻³) in plots receiving effluent at the highest rate. Given that nitrate leaching from the soils may threaten the viability of the land treatment system, due to large N loads being observed in streams which drain irrigated catchments during winter periods, possible strategies for minimising nitrate leaching losses under effluent irrigation may need to be considered.     

A socio-economic analysis of rice production systems in the uplands of northern Vietnam

Production of upland rice under shifting cultivation system is an important economic activity in the mountainous areas of northern Vietnam. A comparative study of two districts with differential market access and population pressure was conducted to highlight the effect of these variables on upland rice systems in northern Vietnam. Farmers in the district with a greater population pressure have a shorter cropping and a shorter fallowing cycle than in the district with lower population pressure. Farmers reported a high incidence of food shortage in both districts. Income from livestock and wages are important for food purchases, especially in the district with a better access to market. Even in these upland districts, access to lowland fields is a critical determinant of food security.     

Agricultural activities affecting the functions and values of Ramsar wetland sites of Greece

Agricultural activities in the agroecosystems neighbouring wetland ecosystems are considered a major threat to the latter in all Mediterranean countries. This threat was investigated in thirteen internationally important wetland sites (Ramsar sites) of Greece. The effects of ten activities commonly practised in the surrounding agroecosystems on four wetland functions and four wetland values were evaluated. The functions were: nutrient removal/transformation, sediment/toxicant retention, flood flow alteration, and ground water discharge. The values were: biodiversity, fishing, hunting, and recreation. It was found that the Adamus' Wetland Evaluation Technique is useful even in the little studied Ramsar sites of Greece. Irrigation is the most decisive activity negatively influencing all functions and values, followed by cropland expansion and overgrazing. Coastal lagoons are the least affected by agricultural activities. It is concluded that in Greece the sustainability of wetland ecosystems depends to a significant degree on the sustainability of agroecosystems. The reverse is also true because wetlands provide irrigation water, crop pollinators, some frost protection, and predators of crop pests. The two ecosystem types are functionally closely linked. Therefore, a national policy for the sustainable development of the soil, water, and genetic resources of Greece must integratively consider both these ecosystems types.     

Occurrence of phytophagous insects on wild Vigna sp. and cultivated cowpea: comparing the relative importance of host-plant resistance and millet intercropping

The effects of host-plant resistance on cowpea phytophagous insects and their natural enemies under pure and mixed crop conditions was evaluated at Minjibir, Kano State, Nigeria, in 1992–1994 crop seasons. Cowpea Vigna unguiculata cv ‘IT86D-715' (susceptible to insect pests) and a wild Vigna line Vigna vexillata ‘TVnu 72' (resistant to most insect species) were planted alone and in mixtures with millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in plots of 25×25 m.Mixed cropping had limited effect on major insects and natural enemies. Colonies of Aphis craccivora were significantly smaller and there were more adults of Maruca vitrata in crop mixtures than in monocultures. However, flower and raceme infestation by larval M. vitrata, Megalurothrips sjostedti, and Sericothrips sp. were similar in crop mixtures and monocultures. Empoasca sp. populations and seedling infestation by beanfly Ophiomyia phaseoli were also similar in mixtures and monocultures as well as pod damage by M. vitrata and populations of Clavigralla tomentosicollis. Parasitization rates of M. vitrata, C. tomentosicollis and O. phaseoli and predator–prey ratios of spiders and Orius sp. were similar across cropping systems. Host-plant resistance in TVnu 72 drastically reduced insect populations and damage. Grain yield per hill was high in cowpea IT86D-715 and was not affected by intercropping with millet. Grain yield of TVnu 72 was poor and reflected the low yield potential of this accession.Host-plant resistance is an effective means of controlling insect pest damage in cowpea and there is no evidence that high levels of resistance reduced natural biological control.     

Soil phosphorus extractability and uptake in a Cirsio-Molinietum fen-meadow and an adjacent Holcus lanatus pasture on the culm measures, north Devon, UK

The seasonal pattern of extractable soil P and soil solution P was determined for topsoil samples taken from a Cirsio-Molinietum fen-meadow community, and also for an adjacent agriculturally improved pasture in Devon, UK. Phosphorus concentration was investigated using three methods during 1993; Olsen's reagent (sodium bicarbonate) for soil P, centrifuging and polymeric suction cups for soil solution P. Solutions were extracted at two-weekly intervals during the spring and at monthly intervals during the summer. Phosphorus removed from both sites by centrifuging was in the range 5–30 μg dm⁻³ soil, in comparison with 1–6 mg kg⁻¹ for Olsen P. Olsen P on the Cirsio-Molinietum was significantly lower than on the improved pasture in mid-March and mid-June. The concentration of P in soil solution removed by suction cups was below the level of detection (<2 μg dm⁻³) on the Cirsio-Molinietum. Suction cup P on the improved pasture peaked in April and May at 16–19 μg dm⁻³ soil. Herbage yield and P concentration were measured throughout the growing season. Above-ground standing crop was greater on the Cirsio-Molinietum than the improved pasture at the beginning of the grazing season, because of the large litter component on the former. Total P content of this material was only 1.81 kg P ha⁻¹ on the Cirsio-Molinietum, in comparison with 5.58 kg P ha⁻¹ on the improved pasture. Phosphorus concentration of plant material obtained by repeated defoliation was approximately 1.0 mg P g⁻¹ DM on the Cirsio-Molinietum, whereas a clear seasonal trend, peaking at 3.5 mg P g⁻¹ DM, was observed on the improved pasture. Phosphorus concentration of litter, grass and sedge from ungrazed plots on the Cirsio-Molinietum indicated distinct seasonal variations for the grass, with no seasonal pattern for the sedge component.     

Yield loss in conventional and natural rice farming systems

Compared to modern, conventional agriculture, alternative agricultural production systems may rely on biologically different mechanisms (syndromes) to attain similar production goals. Yield loss to rice in conventional and natural farming rice paddies in Japan was evaluated by simulated injury (leaf-clipping) and monitoring plants damaged by insect herbivores. Rice grown under natural farming practices was more tolerant of simulated injury and injury from Oulema oryzae than rice grown under conventional practices. Natural farming rice retained proportionately more tillers and had a higher proportion of mature seeds than conventionally grown rice. In conventional paddies, the simulated injury may have made the rice plants more susceptible to plant pathogens than their non-injured counterparts, resulting in higher disease attack and proportionately greater yield loss. These results suggest that, pests may affect yield loss independently in natural farming, but in conventional paddies, multiple pest injury may interact synergistically, compounding yield loss.     

水土流失的危害及水土保持的作用研究

土石山区是我国西南地区常见的地理形态,但是由于其独特的地理构造特点等多种因素的影响经常会出现水土流失,给本地区的生态环境造成严重危害,也严重的影响到本地区的经济发展和社会进步。本文着重阐述了我国西南地区土石山区的水土流失造成的危害,产生危害的原因以及水土保持的重要作用和意义。     

水土保持工作中存在的问题及对策

我国一直以来就是一个水土流失大国,治水保土工作一直备受重视。当前在我国经济快速发展,环境问题日益突出的情况下,合理开发和保护水资源,充分做好水土保持工作已经是各级政府部门和社会各界面临的一个重要课题。     

Attitudes to conservation and water consumption

Sydney's water supply is under great pressure as the demand continues to rise. Demand mitigation strategies have had some success, but domestic consumption remains high. This paper discusses the attitudes of households to their water consumption in a search for ways in which domestic demand for water may be reduced. Evidence on attitudes of households in different kinds of housing was obtained using a telephone interview survey supplemented by information derived from focus groups drawn from households in the same areas. The information was collected in a period when strong water use restrictions were in place and major arguments were being mounted in favour of water pricing as a way of moderating demand. The paper argues that the complexity of the forces shaping demand needs to be understood in the context of the socio-demographic composition of households in different kinds of dwellings, as well as the cultural, behavioural and institutional aspects of consumption, if public policy is to be successful in reducing consumption and/or providing alternative domestic supplies of potable water.     

山西省输电线路工程水土保持措施研究

本文分析了输电线工程水土流失的特点,结合山西省区域地形地貌及气候特点,提出输电线路工程中防治水土流失的一些措施,为山西省输电线路工程建设水土保持工作的进行提供科学依据。     

大青山中高山地带阴坡水土保持效益的研究

本文对大青山高土地带阴坡三种不同水土保持林与农地，撩荒地比较，将枯落物持水性、土壤含水量及土壤性质、分散度、导水率进行了分析，阐明了大青山中高山地带阴坡三种不同林分有极强的哟水性、可拦蓄大量的径流；林地土壤含水量高、结构良好、渗透降水能力强，土本难以破坏。可有交地防治山地水土流失的发生。     

Modelling the effect of support practices (P-factor) on the reduction of soil erosion by water at European scale

The USLE/RUSLE support practice factor (P-factor) is rarely taken into account in soil erosion risk modelling at sub-continental scale, as it is difficult to estimate for large areas. This study attempts to model the P-factor in the European Union. For this, it considers the latest policy developments in the Common Agricultural Policy, and applies the rules set by Member States for contour farming over a certain slope. The impact of stone walls and grass margins is also modelled using the more than 226,000 observations from the Land use/cover area frame statistical survey (LUCAS) carried out in 2012 in the European Union.The mean P-factor considering contour farming, stone walls and grass margins in the European Union is estimated at 0.9702. The support practices accounted for in the P-factor reduce the risk of soil erosion by 3%, with grass margins having the largest impact (57% of the total erosion risk reduction) followed by stone walls (38%). Contour farming contributes very little to the P-factor given its limited application; it is only used as a support practice in eight countries and only on very steep slopes. Support practices have the highest impact in Malta, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, The Netherlands and United Kingdom where they reduce soil erosion risk by at least 5%. The P-factor modelling tool can potentially be used by policy makers to run soil-erosion risk scenarios for a wider application of contour farming in areas with slope gradients less than 10%, maintaining stone walls and increasing the number of grass margins under the forthcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.     

Soil loss and conservation in the black soil region of Northeast China: a retrospective study

The black soil region in Northeast China is an important region for cereal grain production in the country. However, several decades of overexploitation and unsustainable land use practices have caused substantial loss of soil and soil productivity. The dominant soil erosion processes in the black soil region are water, wind and meltwater erosion, of which water erosion on the slope farmland is the major contributor to soil erosion. According to landforms and characteristics of soil and water loss, the black soil region of Northeast China can be classified as the rolling hill area, the low mountain–hill ravine area, and the farming-pastoral area. As a result, land use strategies, including the Three Defense Lines control pattern, the Pyramid Style control pattern, and the control pattern of Minimum Exploiture and Maximal Protection, are proposed for the three respective areas. Moreover, conservation tillage and participatory management are the promising measures that have not been widely implemented in the black soil region until now.     

利用秀丽线虫开展毒性鉴别评价技术研究

水体与沉积物毒性鉴别评价(TIE)技术是近些年来环境科学领域广泛应用的技术。秀丽线虫是目前广泛应用于环境毒物评价与毒理学研究的模式动物。在综述中,总结了利用秀丽线虫进行工业废水毒物鉴别与毒性评价的研究进展,并分析了秀丽线虫应用于TIE技术的优势以及局限性。在此基础上,对秀丽线虫在TIE技术中的进一步应用提出了相应的建议。     

Review of the remediation strategies for soil water repellency

Many regions of the world are predicted to experience water scarcity due to more frequent and more severe droughts and increased water demands. Water use efficiency by plants can be negatively affected by soil water repellency (SWR). It is timely to review existing techniques to remedy SWR. Ideally remediation addresses the origins of a problem. However, the fundamental mechanisms of how and why SWR develops are still poorly understood. In this review it was hypothesized that SWR occurs where the balance of input-decomposition of organic matter is impaired, due to either increased input or decreased decomposition rates of hydrophobic substances. Direct and indirect strategies to remedy SWR were distinguished. While direct remediation aims at abolishing the causes of SWR, indirect strategies seek to manage sites with SWR by treating its symptoms. The 12 reviewed strategies include applying surfactants, clay, slow-release fertilizers, lime, and fungicides, bioremediation of SWR through stimulating earthworms, choosing adapted vegetation, irrigation, cultivation, soil aeration and compaction. Some of the techniques have been applied successfully only in laboratory experiments. Our review highlights that it is not straightforward to cure SWR based on easily measurable and site-specific soil and vegetation properties, and that long-term, large-scale field experiments are required to improve the understanding of the evolution of SWR as cornerstone to develop cost-effective and efficient remediation strategies. We also identified current research gaps around the diagnosis and prevention of SWR.     

浅谈我国及内蒙古自治区城市水环境污染对策现状和水资源保护利用

本文在阐述我国及内蒙古自治区的城市水环境污染现状的基础上， 分析了存在的原因， 并提出了相关的水环境污染防治、水资源保护利用对策。     

蟒蛇河水源保护区畜禽养殖污染分析及对策

在对盐城市盐都区畜禽养殖业污染源调查的基础上,介绍了蟒蛇河水源保护区内畜禽养殖业的现状,分析了畜禽养殖对环境的危害以及污染环境的原因,提出防治畜禽养殖污染的对策。     

Runoff and sediment losses from 27 upland catchments in Southeast Asia: Impact of rapid land use changes and conservation practices

Rapid changes in upland farming systems in Southeast Asia generated predominantly by increased population pressure and ‘market forces’ have resulted in widespread land degradation that has been well documented at the plot scale. Yet, the links between agricultural activities in the uplands and downstream off-site effects remain largely unknown because of the difficulties in transferring results from plots to a larger scale. Many authors have thus pointed out the need for long-term catchment studies. The objective of this paper is to summarize the results obtained by the Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC) over the last 5 years from 27 catchments in five countries (Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). The purpose of the study was to assess the impacts of cultivation practices on annual runoff and erosion rates. Initial surveys in each catchment included topography, soils and land use. Monitoring included climatic, hydrologic and erosion (total sediment yield including bed load and suspended sediment load) data, land use and crop yields, and farmers’ income. In addition, new land management options were introduced through consultations with farmers and evaluated in terms of runoff and erosion. These included tree plantations, fruit trees, improved fallow with legumes, maize intercropped with legumes, planted fodder, native grass strips and agro-ecological practices (direct sowing and mulch-based conservation agriculture). Regressions analyses showed that runoff during the rainy season, and normalized runoff flow coefficient based on erosive rainfall during the rainy season (rainfall with intensity exceeding 25 mm h⁻¹) increase with the percentage of the catchment covered by maize. Both variables decrease with increasing soil depth, standard deviation of catchment slope (that reflects terrain roughness), and the percentages of the catchment covered by fallow (regular and improved), tree plantations and planted fodder. The best predictors of sediment yield were the surface percentages of maize, Job's tears, cassava and footpaths. The main conclusions generated from this study were: (i) soil erosion is predominantly influenced by land use rather than environmental characteristics not only at the plot scale but also at the catchment scale; (ii) slash-and-burn shifting cultivation with sufficiently long rotations (1 year of cultivation, 8 years of fallow) is too often unjustly blamed for degradation; (iii) in its place, continuous cropping of maize and cassava promotes high rates of soil erosion at the catchment scale; (iv) conservation technologies are efficient in reducing runoff and total sediment yield at the catchment scale; (v) the adoption of improved soil management technologies by upland farmers is not a function of the degree of intensification of their farming system and/or of their incomes. The results suggest that if expansion of maize and cassava into already degraded upland systems were to occur due to increased demand for biofuels, there is a risk of higher runoff and sediment generation. A failure to adopt appropriate land use management strategies will result in further rapid resource degradation with negative impacts to downstream communities.     

关于区域地质调查中水土流失定量研究的初步探讨

根据水库自成封闭系统，自分水岭至水库内，被洪水或其它地质营力所搬运的泥砂沉积封存于水库内的基本原理．提出定量研究水土流失的基本方法。并以江西田坂街幅1：5万区域地质调查为例，按照这一思路和方法进行了定量研究。结果表明，不同岩类区与不同时期的泥沙流失量是不同的，与全新统比较．前震旦纪浅变质岩区水土保持较好，侵蚀速率下降；而白垩纪红层区则达中度侵蚀，并呈恶化趋势。