Soil erosion induced by land use changes as determined by plough marks and field evidence in the Aksum area (Ethiopia)

The aim of the research presented here was to analyse soil erosion in response to changes in agricultural and soil conservation practices throughout history. The Aksum area (Tigray, northern Ethiopia) presents favourable conditions for the development of a long-term approach for assessing soil conservation techniques that have been applied for centuries (i.e., since the Aksumite kingdom, 400 BC to 800 AD). These techniques have been maintained until the present day, and parts of the terraced systems of the area are still in use. During the 1970s, social and political events led to a remarkable change in land use patterns, and large arable areas were converted into grazing land, resulting in a significant increase in soil loss. The rates of soil erosion were evaluated based on analyses of the deep scratches (plough marks) left on stones in the soil by the maresha, the ard plough pulled by oxen used in agricultural practices of the area, and the patinas, varnishes and weathering rinds exposed by soil loss after the abandonment of the fields. The study results show average rates of soil erosion of 2.8 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ and 65.8 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for the soil conservation conditions under traditional agriculture (long-term observations) and accelerated erosion after abandonment (short-term observations), respectively. A comparison using recently calibrated erosion evaluation techniques conducted to support the field measurements revealed a close correlation between the calculated and recorded data.     

The new assessment of soil loss by water erosion in Europe. Panagos P. et al., 2015 Environmental Science & Policy 54, 438–447—A response

We respond to an article by Panagos et al.—‘The new assessment of soil loss by water erosion in Europe’ in Environ. Sci. Policy, 2015, 54, 438–447. It is aimed at helping policy makers make better decisions. The assessment uses a Geographical Information Systems approach based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. RUSLE is based on data gained from plot experiments. The authors assume RUSLE is the only way to assess erosion and ignore critiques of erosion models and other ways of assessing erosion. A different way of assessing water erosion, based on collecting information on extent, frequency and rates, mainly from farmers’ fields but also grazed uplands, has been carried out over recent decades in Britain. The two ways of assessing erosion, one largely theoretical, the other based on reality, evolved in response to particular situations. However, they should relate well to each other. We show that the model is inappropriate to assess soil loss by water erosion in Britain, not only for agricultural land but also for uncultivated land. Predicted high rates of erosion do not relate well to where erosion actually occurs and are too high, and the model takes no account of the spatial extent of erosion on the ground. In other words, the model does not reflect reality. Policy decisions should not be taken based on such a model. Erosion must be assessed in a better way with a large field-based element.     

Is the Swedish environmental technology sector ‘green’?

The Environmental technology (ET) sector delivers environmentally preferably products. Little is known about whether companies in the ET sector set environmental objectives relating to their own production processes. This paper presents results from an online survey on environmental work in enterprises listed by the Swedish Environmental Technology Council (Swentec). The survey found that depending on the specific subsector, only between 21% and 45% of companies provide information about their environmental work on their website. This paper proposes environmental aspects of production and products as bases for corporate greening and for defining ‘green’ and ‘green-green’ business and identifies three main motivations for the companies within ET sector to operate as ‘green-green’ businesses: ‘competitive advantage’, ‘environmental responsibility’ and ‘environmental leadership’.     

大城市郊区典型区域农户作物种植选择行为及其影响因素对比研究——基于沈阳市苏家屯区238户农户的调查研究

研究从农户作物种植选择行为角度出发,以马斯洛需求层次理论为基础,通过构建社会经济及政策变化对农户种植选择行为影响机理分析框架和理论模型,基于沈阳市苏家屯区238户农户调查数据,采用统计分析法和Logistic回归分析,研究结果表明:工业化、城市化进程的加快促进了大城市郊区非农就业机会的增多和对农产品需求的增加,导致农户作物种植业选择行为出现了明显的"非粮化"和"非农化"趋势,不同区域农户作物选择行为存在明显的差异,在空间上形成近郊区以种植粮食作物为主→远郊区兼种粮食作物和经济作物为主→纯农村区以种植经济作物为主的"反杜能圈"式的种植模式特征。在此研究基础上,从外部环境包括城市扩展、经济结构、市场价格变化、政策制度安排和内部环境包括个人特征、家庭特征、资源禀赋等7类因素13个因子对产生差异的影响机理进行分析,结果显示不同区域、不同因子的作用方向、影响程度与显著性表现均有所不同。根据以上的研究结果,政府应该从鼓励农户发展休闲农业、合理引导农户把握市场和培养新型农民等方面入手,优化农业结构调整,促进农村土地合理利用,提高土地利用效率,实现农村土地资源的持续利用。     

东北典型黑土区坡沟侵蚀耦合关系

东北黑土区是中国重要的商品粮基地,但是严重的水土流失给其粮食产量带来了严峻考验。论文在遥感和GIS支持下,选择黑龙江省乌裕尔河和讷谟尔河两流域包含的东北典型黑土区作为研究区,以USLE模型和SPOT 5影像为基础,分别获取了2005年研究区的坡面侵蚀量和侵蚀沟分布数据,据此分析了典型黑土区坡面侵蚀和沟蚀之间在不同等级、 坡度、 坡向等方面的耦合关系。研究发现微度侵蚀和轻度侵蚀是坡面侵蚀主要区域,沟蚀发展程度比较剧烈;坡度小于5°时,坡度是沟蚀产生的制约因素,当大于5°时,坡度已经不是侵蚀沟形成过程中的主要控制因素;阳坡坡面侵蚀量高于阴坡的坡面侵蚀量,坡向在东北典型黑土区不是影响沟蚀发育的首要因子;侵蚀强度在2 500 t/(km²·a)以下的地区,随着坡面侵蚀量的增大侵蚀沟密度增大,而当大于2 500 t/(km²·a)以后,侵蚀沟密度比较稳定。     

基于土地利用与植被恢复情景的土壤侵蚀演变特征

基于土地利用与植被恢复情景,使用USLE和土壤风蚀方程对坝上地区水蚀和风蚀强度进行估算。结果表明:(1)2015年坝上地区风蚀、水蚀和总侵蚀强度均值分别为8.83±5.15 t·ha^-1·a^-1、4.37±6.62 t·ha^-1·a^-1和13.22±8.18 t·ha^-1·a^-1;风蚀占总侵蚀67%,水蚀占33%。(2)土地利用调整情景下,风蚀、水蚀和总侵蚀强度分别减少4.9%～9.9%、2.9%～8.3%和4.3%～9.3%;土地利用+植被恢复情景下,风蚀、水蚀和总侵蚀强度则分别减少6.3%～13.8%、5.2%～16.2%和5.9%～14.3%。(3)土地调整面积与风蚀强度减少率呈对数关系,与水蚀强度减少率呈指数关系,与总侵蚀强度减少率呈线性关系(P<0.01)。本文结果可以为土壤侵蚀方程计算及区域土壤侵蚀防治提供数据参考。     

黄土丘陵小流域沟坡水热条件及其生态修复初探

在黄土丘陵沟壑区,沟坡是小流域尺度上水土流失最为活跃的部分,对其水热条件的了解是进行综合治理的基础。论文以黄土丘陵区甘肃定西安家沟小流域为例,观测了沟坡不同地形部位和植被类型土壤水分季节动态和剖面变化特征,同时观测了光照、大气湿度、温度和风速等小气候条件,并探讨了沟坡生态修复方式。结论与建议如下。①历次取样中,0～100cm平均土壤水分均以沟道灌木林地最高,沟坡中的阳坡和阴坡的草地和灌木林地次之,梁峁坡农地最低,且6种类型样地间有显著差异(P<0.01);对于相同的植被类型来说,阳坡的林草植被土壤水分均要小于阴坡,但没有显著差异(P>0.05);而在同一坡向,草地的土壤水分要显著高于灌木林地(P<0.01);和梁峁坡农地的土壤水分季节变化特征相比,沟坡植被土壤水分的季节变化不明显。②对于梁峁坡农地和阴坡的灌木林地来说,土壤水分在剖面内随着深度变化平缓,而其它4种类型样地土壤水分在剖面内随着深度呈增加的趋势。对于这6种类型样地,土壤水分剖面差异格局与0～100cm平均含水量相似;且随着深度的增加,6种类型样地间土壤水分的差异性增大。③对于梁峁坡和沟坡来说,4～5月份风速均是观测期内最大的,但沟坡风速要小于梁峁坡坡面;在观测期内,高湿期出现在5月,且沟坡大气相对湿度高于梁峁坡;和     

基于GIS和RUSLE的三峡库区小流域土壤侵蚀量估算研究

本研究以三峡库区菱角塘小流域为研究对象,在GIS技术的支持下,通过遥感技术和野外调查进行信息采集,对修正的通用土壤流失方程(RUSLE)各因子进行量化分析,从而对三峡库区菱角塘小流域土壤侵蚀量进行定量评价,并对土壤侵蚀强度进行分级;在此基础上分析不同坡度和土地利用类型的土壤侵蚀空间分布特征。结果表明,菱角塘小流域年土壤侵蚀量为208.32t/a,土壤侵蚀模数为1 987.75t/(km2·a),属于轻度侵蚀。28.62%的区域为中度、强度或极强度侵蚀,但是其侵蚀量却占总侵蚀量的82.36%,是预防和加强水土流失治理的重点区域。土壤侵蚀主要发生在坡度为15°~35°的区域,其中15°~25°的坡度土壤侵蚀属于中度侵蚀;坡耕地侵蚀最为严重,15°~25°的坡耕地侵蚀量占总侵蚀量的57.15%,表明坡耕地是该小流域水土流失的主要策源地。同时用137 Cs核素示踪技术测定的坡耕地和林地土壤侵蚀模数证实了RUSLE模型具有较高的准确性和可靠性,该模型在库区地块尺度具有一定的推广价值。     

Development of plant communities on set-aside in England

A survey of land taken out of production from the early 1990s onwards under the European Union's set-aside policy in England was carried out in 2008, to record plant communities in set-aside of different ages, effects of distance from the field edge, sowing and soil type. Communities were classified using the Countryside Vegetation System (CVS), Ellenberg indicators and Grime CSR strategy. Species richness declined with distance from the field boundary. Annuals declined with age of set-aside. In older set-aside, perennials dominated, 40-50% of species were grasses, and grasses covered over 70% of the area. Sown areas had a higher proportion of grass species and a lower proportion of wind-dispersed species. Perennial forbs increased over time in naturally regenerated swards but decreased on sown swards. Annuals and grasses were more prevalent on light soils, with more bare ground on heavy soils. Most transects fell into CVS aggregate classes ‘tall grassland/herb’ and ‘fertile grassland’. Ellenberg fertility values decreased initially but then stabilised. Competitor scores increased, and ruderal scores declined, with age. In general, the rate of change declined with age. Although few sites had plant communities of significant conservation interest, the value of set-aside is likely to be primarily to maintain botanical diversity in intensively farmed areas, as well as providing food and habitat for fauna.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区土壤侵蚀遥感定量与信息系统研究——以陕西米脂县为例

本文在调查了米脂县土壤侵蚀现状和土地利用现状的基础上,对目前由于不合理的土地利用结构和耕作方式而造成人为加速侵蚀的问题作了分析,并认为土壤侵蚀是制约黄土高原丘陵沟壑区农业经济发展的根本原因。构成黄土高原丘陵沟壑区的基本地貌组合单元是小流域,它几乎包括了该区域的所有土地类型、地貌要素以及土壤侵蚀类型。因此以小流域为侵蚀系统的研究边界,分别对峁边线以上的面蚀、细沟侵蚀区和峁边线以下的沟蚀、重力侵蚀区进行土壤侵蚀的遥感定量分析,建立相应的侵蚀定量模型。在此基础上,探讨了为土壤侵蚀动态监测、水土保持和土地资源合理利用决策服务的土壤侵蚀信息系统的设计思想。该系统以小流域为基本设计单元,侵蚀定量模型为专业接口,重点考虑了系统的地学分析和专业数学模型的建立与应用功能。     

黄土高原坡耕地沟蚀土壤质量评价

黄土高原坡耕地沟蚀广泛而严重。科学评价沟蚀土壤质量是侵蚀环境下土壤保育和利用的重要基础。论文以沟间土壤为对照,分析了坡耕地沟蚀对土壤质量单因子的影响并建立了沟蚀土壤质量综合评价模型。利用加权和法对黄土高原坡耕地不同沟蚀深度下土壤质量进行综合评价。结果表明:①沟蚀对坡耕地不同土壤质量因子的影响有较大差异。沟蚀导致土壤硬化,pH值增加,而土壤团聚体和养分含量(除全磷)随着沟蚀深度增加表现出明显的层次性,近似呈"W"型变化规律。②沟蚀深度对土壤质量的影响可以用幂函数y=0.866 8 x ^-0.142(R²=0.877)较好地拟合。微度侵蚀(<5 cm)、中度侵蚀(5~30 cm)和重度侵蚀(30~50 cm)的土壤质量指数较沟间土壤分别降低了10.6%、27.9%和36.5%。沟蚀深度5 cm和30 cm是土壤质量显著下降的两个关键点。③反映沟蚀土壤质量的指标可以归为肥力因子、质地因子和结构因子三类。土壤有机质、水稳性团聚体、土壤比表面积和容重4项指标能够很好地反映土壤质量状况,可作为坡耕地沟蚀土壤质量的表征指标。     

Assessing soil chemical and physical property responses to deforestation and subsequent cultivation in smallholders farming system in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia land degradation in the forms of soil erosion and declining soil fertility are serious challenges to agricultural productivity and economic growth. Despite the general recognition of the threat from land degradation on agricultural productivity, few studies have been made to quantify the extent, rate and process of soil fertility depletion under various land use systems and management practices in the country. In this study we assessed soil chemical and physical property responses to deforestation and subsequent cultivation along a chronosequence of closely located farmlands of different ages (7, 10, 26, 34 and 53 years) since conversion from a tropical dry Afromontane natural forest in Ethiopia. These properties were compared with soil properties under an adjacent natural forest. The changes were used as indicators to evaluate the sustainability of the farm management. All the soils in the study were Mollic Andosols/Humic Haplustands. Soil bulk density (g cm⁻³) in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers increased significantly while percent pore space decreased significantly in a continuum with increasing cultivation period. Soil C and total N contents (g kg⁻¹) in the 0–10 cm soil layer declined significantly and exponentially with increasing years under cultivation. However, in the 10–20 cm soil layer both soil C and total N on the farmlands were significantly higher until after 34 years of continuous cultivation compared to the same soil layer under the natural forest. Consequently, the soil C stock (g m⁻²) of the upper 0.20 m mineral soil was not significantly lower on the farmlands until after 26 years of continuous cultivation compared to the natural forest soil. Available P and K (mg kg⁻¹) in the 0–10 cm layer were higher in the soils of the farmlands throughout the 53 years of continuous cultivation compared to the soil under the natural forest. Exchangeable Ca, CEC and base saturation in the 0–10 cm soil layer declined more or less throughout the cultivation period while in the 10–20 cm soil layer they followed the patterns of soil C of that depth. Generally, the magnitudes and rates of degradation of the soil properties following conversion and subsequent cultivation were lower than expected for a low input tropical farming system as the one investigated. Nevertheless, almost all soil quality attributes showed overall declining trends in the long perspective. This continuous decline, albeit slowly, in soil quality with increasing cultivation period indicated that the present land management is not sustainable. Therefore, improved management is imperative to sustain the soil quality and maintain long-term productivity of the farmlands.     

Developing interactive land use scenarios on the Loess Plateau in China,presenting risk analyses and economic impacts

This study aimed to present a risk analysis of the effects of different land use scenarios on reducing soil and water losses, using a physically based hydrological and soil erosion model. We quantified the effect of various land use scenarios on the expected rate of discharge and sediment loss during a single rain event in a small agricultural watershed on the Loess Plateau in China, using the geometric mean and stochastic distributions of measured field saturated conductivity (K_s) values. Land use scenarios were based upon physical, economic and agricultural interests, and effects on farmers’ incomes were evaluated using empirically derived equations. A physically based hydrological and soil erosion model was used to quantify the effects of land use on discharge and soil loss. Using geometric mean values of K_s as the model input resulted in higher values for runoff coefficients and total soil loss compared with the use of stochastic K_s values. The use of stochastic K_s-distributions resulted in a range of model outcomes reflecting the effect of spatial heterogeneity on simulated discharge and soil loss. The conservation-driven scenario was most effective in reducing water and sediment losses by runoff and erosion, followed by the soil-driven scenario and the agriculture-driven land use scenario. Only the agriculture-driven scenario resulted in a small increase in household income, while a serious loss of income is predicted for the other scenarios. The use of variability of parameters and a Monte Carlo analyses allows statistical analyses and comparison of computed results for alternative land use scenarios, and leads to a more balanced judgement.     

黄土高原坡耕地沟蚀土壤质量评价

黄土高原坡耕地沟蚀广泛而严重。科学评价沟蚀土壤质量是侵蚀环境下土壤保育和利用的重要基础。论文以沟间土壤为对照,分析了坡耕地沟蚀对土壤质量单因子的影响并建立了沟蚀土壤质量综合评价模型。利用加权和法对黄土高原坡耕地不同沟蚀深度下土壤质量进行综合评价。结果表明：①沟蚀对坡耕地不同土壤质量因子的影响有较大差异。沟蚀导致土壤硬化,pH值增加,而土壤团聚体和养分含量（除全磷）随着沟蚀深度增加表现出明显的层次性,近似呈＂W＂型变化规律。②沟蚀深度对土壤质量的影响可以用幂函数y=0.866 8 x-0.142（R2=0.877）较好地拟合。微度侵蚀（〈5 cm）、中度侵蚀（5～30 cm）和重度侵蚀（30～50 cm）的土壤质量指数较沟间土壤分别降低了10.6%、27.9%和36.5%。沟蚀深度5 cm和30 cm是土壤质量显著下降的两个关键点。③反映沟蚀土壤质量的指标可以归为肥力因子、质地因子和结构因子三类。土壤有机质、水稳性团聚体、土壤比表面积和容重4项指标能够很好地反映土壤质量状况,可作为坡耕地沟蚀土壤质量的表征指标。     

黄淮海平原农区不同类型农户的土地利用方式选择及其环境影响——以河北省曲周县为例

以农户调查为基础,采用农户分类和方差分析等方法,对农户土地利用方式选择行为及其环境影响进行对比分析。受其兼业性、收入水平、文化素质和生产规模影响,不同类型的农户在地块尺度的土地利用方式选择存在差异:纯农业户、低收入农户的土地利用方式选择具有多元化的特征,兼业户、高收入农户、文化水平高的农户往往选择经济效益高、耗时少的土地利用方式。不同类型农户由于其土地利用方式及其肥料投入、水资源利用和秸秆处理等的不同,对土地质量和环境变化产生不同的影响。     

基于USLE的东江流域土壤侵蚀量估算

基于通用土壤流失方程(USLE),运用遥感和地理信息技术,对东江流域年均土壤侵蚀量进行估算。结果表明:东江流域年均土壤侵蚀总量为16.2×108t,土壤侵蚀模数为18.73t/(hm2.a),侵蚀强度属轻度。占流域面积94.62%的区域土壤侵蚀强度在中度以下,对流域土壤侵蚀量的贡献率为9.94%,而占流域面积仅5.38%的中度以上侵蚀区域对流域土壤侵蚀量的贡献率达90.06%。流域土壤侵蚀空间差异性大,分析土壤侵蚀与土地利用类型和坡度之间的关系表明:裸地和灌草地为区内主要侵蚀地带,土壤侵蚀模数随着坡度的递增呈先增加后减小的趋势,5°~25°为区内主要土壤侵蚀坡度段。通过以上研究分析以期为构建东江流域水生态功能分区指标体系提供科学依据。     

The role of plant leaf attributes in linking land use to ecosystem function in temperate grassy vegetation

We tested predictions of the relative changes in plant leaf traits in response to land uses in Australian eucalypt grassy ecosystems. Predictions were determined from responses observed in European landscapes in relation to disturbances associated with agricultural land uses. We measured specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) across five land uses: reference sites (closest to pre-European state), native pastures (unfertilized), fertilized pastures, sown pastures (cultivated and fertilized) and enriched grassland (previously fertilized, no longer grazed). Leaves were expected to have higher SLA and lower LMDC at sites with increasing fertility and/or disturbance.The predictions were confirmed, with SLA increasing progressively in land uses associated with (1) grazing; (2) grazing and fertilization; (3) grazing, fertilization and cultivation. Values for LDMC were closely (but inversely) correlated with those of SLA. For both traits, there were relationships with available soil phosphorus but not with soil total nitrogen. The positive correlation of SLA with phosphorus was not evident above 30 mg kg⁻¹, the recommended level of phosphorus for improved pastures.Results confirm patterns of leaf-trait response to disturbance that reflect fundamental constraints to plant survival in habitats with different levels of resources and disturbances. A conservative strategy for low productivity undisturbed habitats is associated with low SLA and high dry matter content in contrast to fertile disturbed habitats which select for high SLA and low dry matter content. The changes in leaf traits across land uses resulted from species substitution rather than variation within species across sites, and most notably the replacement of native by annual exotic species as land use intensifies.Recommended fertilization rates for pasture production convert the ground layer to plants with soft, digestible leaves, that are responsive to fertilizer and desirable for livestock production. However, fertilization also drastically reduces the diversity of native plants and annual plants tend to dominate. The trade-off associated with high production includes increased vulnerability to soil erosion, due to reduced plant cover and low persistence of cover. If alternative ecosystem values such as erosion control, water quality, salinity control and biodiversity persistence are required, incentives may be needed to offset the loss of production that can be gained from fertilizer application.     

闽南地区自然资源开发利用初探

福建省闽南地区处于南亚热带,为全省纬度最低的一个区。本区自然资源丰富,气候条件优越,是我国东南沿海自然资源尚需深度开发的区域。本区资源开发利用过程中,存在着水土流失严重、生态环境日趋恶化的状况。为了探索本区自然资源的合理利用途径,通过近两年来的调查研究,我们提出了四方面的合理利用途径,对于闽南经济开放区的国土整治和资源开发,具有十分重要的意义。     

Is climate-smart conservation feasible in Europe? Spatial relations of protected areas,soil carbon,and land values

The expectations on protected areas to deliver not only biodiversity conservation but also to provide an array of different ecosystem services rise. Sequestration and storage of carbon are promising services that protected areas may provide. This study integrates spatially explicit data on terrestrial Natura 2000 sites, soil organic carbon, and agricultural land values to estimate the potential for climate-smart conservation planning in the European Union. The objectives of this study are to analyse spatial relations between protected areas soil carbon content, and land values on the European Union's land area as well as to locate and quantify the proportion of land with high carbon and low economic value within and outside protected areas. We apply a unique interdisciplinary framework with methods ranging from analyses based on geographical information systems, agricultural economics to statistics. Findings indicate that there is a significant overlap between Natura 2000 sites and regions with high carbon content across Europe. Statistical analyses show that carbon-rich regions have significantly lower land values than other areas. Our results suggest that biodiversity protection and mitigation of climate change through conservation of soil carbon could be simultaneously achieved in Europe's protected areas and beyond. We conclude that there is a notable potential for climate-smart conservation in Europe that needs further investigation.