Applicability of Montreal Process Criterion 4 — soil and water conservation — to rangeland sustainability

SUMMARY

Criterion 4 of the Montreal Process addresses the conservation of soil and water resources as a way to assess the sustainability of a nation's forests. For the most part, the indicators under this criterion are relevant to rangelands. The area and percent of rangeland with significant soil erosion apply equally well to both biomes. Percent of streams with flow rates and timing outside its range of historical variation is also equally important, although a measure of proper functioning and condition may provide a better measure of the indicator. The area and percent of rangeland with diminished soil productive capability because of a loss of reduced organic matter or changed physical characteristics can be useful indicators locally and regionally.     

The role of social learning for soil conservation: the case of Amba Zuria land management,Ethiopia

Social learning plays key roles in sustainable natural resource management; however, studies on its role show mixed results. Even though most current studies highlight positive outcomes, there are also negative effects of social learning with respect to natural resource management. This paper explores the influence of social learning outcomes on the adoption of soil conservation practices in Amba Zuria, Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, group discussions and in workshops. The interviews were transcribed and analysed with the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti. In addition, a review of pertinent documents and literature complements the analysis. We found that social learning results in positive outcomes in interactions among the actors, broader understanding on soil conservation, trust and mutual understanding, and the creation of opportunities to apply both indigenous and scientific knowledge. These outcomes, in turn, foster the adoption of stone terraces to conserve soils. No such positive results were found for farmers who were not involved in the learning process and who did not adopt stone terraces. The non-adoption can partly be explained by their exclusion from sharing the positive outcomes of social learning. The study also shows limitations related to the short duration of the learning platforms, insufficient representation of women and irregular patterns of learning schedules. Hence, Ethiopian soil conservation strategies should put emphasis on social learning in order to strengthen the collective processes of soil conservation measures.     

Assessment of land degradation and its impact on crop production in the Dry Zone of Myanmar

Land degradation in terms of soil degradation is a major environmental issue posing threat to sustainable livelihood in the semi-arid region of Central Myanmar. However, the studies on soil degradation status and its impacts in this region are very scanty. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of land degradation on crop production both in terms of area and yield in the Dry Zone of Myanmar. Remote sensing and geographic information system-based modelling was utilized to assess and map soil erosion rates. Household survey was conducted to understand the causes of land degradation and its impacts on crop productivity and livelihoods. It has been found out that the current rate of soil erosion ranged from 0 to 114 t ha^–1 yr^–1, and that the average rate of soil erosion increased from 14.2 to 54.6 t ha^–1 yr^–1 over a period from 2000 to 2012. The major types of land degradation were physical and chemical soil degradation. Farmers identified topographic condition, soil types, improper crop management practices and climatic factors as the main causes of soil erosion. The observed crop yields of monsoon rice, groundnut, sesame and cotton in the highly degraded area were 3–12 times lower compared with the yields of these crops grown in less degraded area. Livelihoods of the farmers in the high-degraded area were affected by crop yield reduction, increased cultivation cost and increased uncultivable land area. The impact of land degradation on crop production was dependent on the severity of degradation. This suggests that advanced conservation measures are immediately required and the supportive policy strategies need to be implemented to educate farmers and to strengthen extension services for sustainable land management in the Dry Zone of Myanmar.     

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。     

气固两相流下球阀磨损特性研究

旋塞球阀是钻柱内防喷系统中的关键设备,在气固两相流下球阀易受磨损而失效,并造成严重的井喷事故。为此,将计算流体动力学理论与冲蚀磨损理论相结合,运用FLUENT软件对球阀壁面在气固两相流下的磨损分布情况进行研究,并进一步分析了球阀结构参数对于球阀壁面磨损的影响规律。结果表明:当气固两相流流经球阀时,固体颗粒会与气流分离,并在壁面上产生三处磨损集中区;随着球阀开度的减小,球阀壁面磨损量会急剧增大,且阀球内通道壁面上的磨损集中区由块状逐步转化为带状,而球阀出口处的磨损集中区则会逐渐向下移动;球阀流道直径的减小也会使得壁面磨损量增加,但磨损集中区的分布基本不变。研究结果可为进一步优化球阀流道结构以减轻其壁面磨损提供理论依据。     

高速气固两相流作用下的煤化工管材冲蚀磨损行为研究

为解决煤化工业中节流阀突扩口高速气固两相流对管壁材质的冲蚀磨损问题,利用基于激波管原理驱动的气固两相流冲蚀实验装置,试验研究冲击角度、温度对煤化工管材(10#、AISI304)的冲蚀磨损规律。研究结果表明:10#、AISI304管材的冲蚀率将随着冲击角度的增加而先增大后减小;室温下,10#、AISI 304钢的最大冲蚀率均出现在15°~30°区间;随着温度的升高,10#的最大冲蚀率出现在30°~45°区间,AISI304最大冲蚀率出现在30°。10#在30°,45°冲击角度下冲蚀磨损率会随温度上升显著上升,在15°冲击角度下冲蚀磨损率反而会随温度上升而下降。AISI 304在15°,30°,45°冲击角度下,冲蚀磨损率均会随温度上升而上升;在特定条件下,10#管材的冲蚀性能将优于AISI304。     

坡度和植被盖度对河岸坡面侵蚀产沙特征的影响

坡度和植被盖度是影响坡面土壤侵蚀的重要因子,探讨坡面土壤侵蚀产沙对坡度和植被盖度的响应,对坡面土壤侵蚀产沙的预测和调控具有重要意义。研究基于野外模拟径流冲刷试验,分析了不同坡度（5°、10°、15°、20°）和植被盖度（0、15%、30%）条件下坡面径流系数、泥沙量、时段径流含沙量和侵蚀泥沙粒径组成的变化过程,并运用双因素方差分析和相对贡献指数阐明黄河下游河岸坡面侵蚀产沙特征对坡度和植被盖度交互作用的响应。结果表明：不同植被盖度下坡面径流系数随冲刷历时增加而增加,在冲刷历时前5 min增幅较快,之后增幅变慢并趋于平缓;坡面径流含沙量随冲刷历时呈逐渐下降趋势,随后趋于平缓。坡度小于15°时,不同植被盖度之间的径流系数和时段径流含沙量差异较为明显,坡度大于15°后差异减小。侵蚀产生的泥沙量随冲刷历时和坡度的增加而增加;在同一坡度上,植被覆盖越低,侵蚀产生泥沙量越大。侵蚀泥沙的主要富集粒级中,Dx(10)以粉粒为主,Dx(50)以粗粉粒和极细砂粒为主,Dx(90)以极细砂粒和细砂粒为主。双因素方差分析表明,坡度对河岸坡面侵蚀产生的径流系数、产沙量和径流含沙量均有极显著影响（P<0.001）,植被盖度对产沙量和径流系数有极显著影响（P<0.001）,而坡度和植被盖度的交互作用仅对径流系数有显著影响（P<0.01）,同时相对贡献指数表明,在坡度和植被盖度对坡面侵蚀产沙的交互作用中,植被盖度的作用随坡度的增加逐渐减弱,而坡度的作用逐渐增强,并成为影响坡面水土流失的主导因素。     

基于RS和GIS的西藏察雅县土壤侵蚀动态监测与分析

西藏土壤侵蚀类型多样,且以水力侵蚀和冻融侵蚀为主,其动态监测属于难点问题。研究基于水力侵蚀和冻融侵蚀各自的基本特点,综合运用TM影像、土地利用图、地形图(DEM)和植被覆盖度图,构建了基于RS和GIS的藏东横断山区土壤侵蚀分类分级动态监测方法,并借助ENVI和ArcGIS软件,分析了察雅县1995年到2000年的土壤侵蚀动态变化情况。结果表明:察雅县土壤侵蚀以微度、轻度和中度侵蚀为主,其中冻融侵蚀主要分布在西部的高山峡谷区,所占比重为2.06%;在人类的土地开发活动和温度、降水变化等自然因素的综合作用下,察雅县土壤侵蚀加剧,东部大面积的轻度侵蚀区转化为中度侵蚀区。     

黄土高原的景观格局变化与水土流失研究——以黄土高原马莲河流域为例

应用RS/GIS技术和景观生态学研究方法,利用通用土壤流失方程(USLE)分析了黄土高原马莲河流域2000年和2007年的景观格局变化与水土流失。结果表明:马莲河流域的景观格局和水土流失方面近8 a发生了重要变化:①建设用地、水域、中高盖度草地以及林地面积增加,低盖度草地、耕地等面积减少,其中超过50%的低盖度草地补充为中高盖度草地;②斑块数量、斑块密度以及多样性指数在减小,说明斑块破碎化程度减小,生态系统趋于稳定化,生态功能逐渐增强;③土壤侵蚀总量减小12 506.76 t,水土流失明显减弱,其变化原因与当地植被恢复、人类活动、人口城镇化、建设用地增加等因素密切相关,尤其是世行项目和国家退耕还林还草政策的有效实施。     

降雨与植被耦合关系对土壤侵蚀的影响分析——以密云水库上游为例

基于TRMM降雨降雨资料时间序列数据和MODIS-NDVI16d合成产品的时间序列数据,分析密云水库上游降雨与植被的耦合关系对侵蚀的影响。结果表明：（1）侵蚀将发生在降雨强度大,同时植被覆盖差的时段,而密云水库上游地区植被的年内生长曲线形态与降雨的分布形态相似性较大,表明研究区的植被具有较好的保护水土能力;（2）研究区侵蚀主要发生在7—8月,而在1—3月以及11—12月几乎不会发生侵蚀;（3）研究区侵蚀的发生与植被覆盖有很紧密的联系,大部分的侵蚀发生在植被覆盖差的＂其他＂类内。研究方法可以清楚地了解研究区内降雨与植被的耦合关系及对侵蚀的影响,研究的结果将为在年内选择具有代表性的时段分析侵蚀状况提供很好的参考资料。