Assessment of soil erosion under rainfed sugarcane in KwaZulu‐Natal,South Africa

Soil erosion from agricultural land use runoff is a major threat to the sustainability of soil composition and water resource integrity. Sugarcane is an important cash and food security crop in South Africa, subjected to an intensive soil erosion, and consequently, severe land degradation. This study aimed to investigate soil erosion and associated soil and cover factors under rainfed sugarcane, in a small catchment, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Three replicated runoff plots were installed at different slope positions (down, mid and upslope) within cultivated sugarcane fields to monitor soil erosion during the 2016–2017 rainy season. On average, annual runoff (RF) was significantly greater from 10 m² plots with 1163.77 ± 2.63 l/m/year compared to 1 m² plots. However, sediment concentration (SC) was significantly lower in 10 m² (0.34 ± 0.04 g/l) compared to 1 m² (6.94 ± 0.24 g/l) plots. The annual soil losses (SL) calculated from 12 rainfall events was 58.36 ± 0.77 and 8.84 ± 0.20 t/ha from 1 m² and 10 m² plots, respectively. The 1 m² plot, SL (2.4 ± 1.41 ton/ha/year) in the upslope experienced 33% more loss than the midslope and 50% more loss than the downslope position. SL was relatively lower from the 10 m² plots than the 1 m² plots, which is explained by high sediment deposition at the greater plot scale. SL was negatively correlated with the soil organic carbon stocks (r = ?0.82) and soil surface cover (r = ?0.55). RF decreased with the increase of slope gradient (r = ?0.88) and soil infiltration rate (r = ?0.87). There were considerable soil losses from cultivated sugarcane fields with low organic matter. These findings suggest that to mitigate soil erosion, soil organic carbon stocks and vegetation cover needs to be increased through appropriate land management practices, particularly in cultivated areas with steep gradients.     

Changes in Hydrology of the Ganges Delta of Bangladesh and Corresponding Impacts on Water Resources

The Ganges Delta in Bangladesh is an example of water‐related catastrophes in a major rural river basin where limitations in quantity, quality, and timing of available water are producing disastrous conditions. Water availability limitations are modifying the hydrologic characteristics especially when water allocation is controlled from the upstream Farakka Barrage. This study presents the changes and consequences in the hydrologic regime due to climate‐ and human‐induced stresses. Flow duration curves (FDCs), rainfall elasticity, and temperature sensitivity were used to assess the pre‐ and post‐barrage water flow patterns. Hydrologic and climate indices were computed to provide insight on hydro‐climatic variability and trend. Significant increases in temperature, evapotranspiration, hot days, heating, and cooling degree days indicate the region is heading toward a warmer climate. Moreover, increase in high‐intensity rainfall of short duration is making the region prone to extreme floods. FDCs depict a large reduction in river flows between pre‐ and post‐barrage periods, resulting in lower water storage capacity. The reduction in freshwater flow increased the extent and intensity of salinity intrusion. This freshwater scarcity is reducing livelihood options considerably and indirectly forcing population migration from the delta region. Understanding the causes and directions of hydrologic changes is essential to formulate improve water resources management in the region.     

Climate and Land Use Effects on Hydrologic Processes in a Primarily Rain‐Fed,Agricultural Watershed

Anticipating changes in hydrologic variables is essential for making socioeconomic water resource decisions. This study aims to assess the potential impact of land use and climate change on the hydrologic processes of a primarily rain‐fed, agriculturally based watershed in Missouri. A detailed evaluation was performed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool for the near future (2020–2039) and mid‐century (2040–2059). Land use scenarios were mapped using the Conversion of Land Use and its Effects model. Ensemble results, based on 19 climate models, indicated a temperature increase of about 1.0°C in near future and 2.0°C in mid‐century. Combined climate and land use change scenarios showed distinct annual and seasonal hydrologic variations. Annual precipitation was projected to increase from 6% to 7%, which resulted in 14% more spring days with soil water content equal to or exceeding field capacity in mid‐century. However, summer precipitation was projected to decrease, a critical factor for crop growth. Higher temperatures led to increased potential evapotranspiration during the growing season. Combined with changes in precipitation patterns, this resulted in an increased need for irrigation by 38 mm representing a 10% increase in total irrigation water use. Analysis from multiple land use scenarios indicated converting agriculture to forest land can potentially mitigate the effects of climate change on streamflow, thus ensuring future water availability.     

Modeling Hydrological and Environmental Consequences of Climate Change and Urbanization in the Boise River Watershed,Idaho

The potential impacts driven by climate variability and urbanization in the Boise River Watershed (BRW), located in southwestern Idaho, are evaluated. The outcomes from Global Circulation Models (GCMs) and land use and land cover (LULC) analysis have been incorporated into a hydrological and environmental modeling framework to characterize how climate variability and urbanization can affect the local hydrology and environment at the BRW. The combined impacts of future climate and LULC change are also evaluated relative to the historical baseline conditions. For modeling exercises, Hydrological Simulation Program‐Fortran (HSPF) is used in parallel computing and statistical techniques, including spatial downscaling and bias correlation, are employed to evaluate climate consequences derived from GCMs as well. The implications of climate variability and land use change driven by urbanization are then observed to evaluate how these overall global challenges can affect water quantity and quality conditions at the BRW. The results show the combined impacts of both climate change and urbanization can lead to more seasonal variability of streamflow (from ?27.5% to 12.5%) and water quality, including sediment (from ?36.5% to 49.3%), nitrogen (from ?24% to 124.2%), and phosphorus (from ?13.3% to 21.2%) during summer and early fall over the next several decades.     

基于熵权TOPSIS模型的区域资源环境承载力评价实证研究

为深度了解区域资源环境承载力水平,准确把握承载力变化趋势,从经济子系统、资源子系统和环境子系统3个子系统中选取18个指标构建区域资源环境承载力评价体系,运用熵权TOPSIS模型对安徽省2000—2013年的承载力和3个子系统内部承载力水平进行评价,并采用灰色关联系数选择和识别影响承载力的关键因素.结果表明:2000—2005年安徽省资源环境承载力水平略微下降,但"十一五"以来,安徽省承载力水平稳步提升.经济子系统发展力水平呈稳步上升趋势,2013年达到0.99524,几乎达到最优承载力水平;资源承载子系统承载力水平波动起伏,但总体变化幅度小,基本呈"V"型曲线;环境承载子系统(除2009年外)承载力水平呈逐年上升趋势,在2013年达到最大值0.98106;其中,经济子系统发展力和环境承载子系统承载力变化趋势与整个资源环境承载力变化趋势基本一致.采用灰色关联系数计算发现,工业固体废物综合利用率等4个指标是影响安徽省资源环境承载力的关键因素.     

宜兴市土地利用类型与水生态健康相关性研究

利用宜兴市2012年-2014年土地利用数据、水生态健康等相关数据,引用土地利用动态度和土地利用综合程度指数,对土地利用变化和水生态健康现状进行分析,运用相关性分析法测算土地利用类型比例与水生态健康主要指标的相关性.结果表明:耕地、建设用地比例与水生态健康综合指标负相关,湿地、草地、园地、林地用地比例与水生态健康综合指标正相关;建设用地比例与底栖动物负相关;湿地用地比例与营养、底栖动物指标正相关较强.     

基于水生态文明建设的地方水环境资源立法研究

水生态文明是生态文明的重要组成和基础保障,是实现生态文明的重要支撑.进行水生态文明建设的重要基础保障是法律,而法律保障中最基础的一个环节就是立法,因此通过立法来保障水生态文明建设成为必然的趋势.选取江苏这一地区,从地方法治的角度出发,分析江苏省水生态文明建设在立法取得的成果以及存在的应当注意的问题.在此基础上结合江苏省的特殊省情,从立法的重点内容、立法程序以及立法监督三个方面提出完善地方水生态文明立法的建议.     

煤矸石堆场Fe、Mn迁移累积效应研究

通过对贵州织金典型煤矿区矸石堆场周边地表水体及耕地进行调查与采样分析,探讨了煤矸石堆场Fe、Mn元素迁移对周边地表水体及耕地累积效应的影响。研究结果表明:受煤矸石堆场酸性排水的影响,煤矸石堆场周边溪沟水Fe、Mn含量分别达0.81~32.14mg/L、1.17~8.42mg/L,超过"集中式生活饮用水地表水源地标准"限值的3~107、12~84倍。堆场周边旱作土中Fe、Mn含量分别达63 530~85 990mg/kg、243.1~910.1mg/kg,水稻土达46 940~75 810mg/kg、144.5~409.1mg/kg,Fe、Mn累积指数旱作土分别达1.61、2.97,水稻土分别达1.24、1.33。随着与堆场距离的增大,水稻土Fe、Mn含量逐步降低,在500m范围内Fe降低了35%,Mn降低了61%,而旱作土变化规律不明显。     

土壤碳淋溶流失研究进展

土壤碳的淋溶流失是指在水的作用下土壤中的碳沿着水文路径转移到水环境的过程。尽管这些流失量有限,却对陆地碳平衡核算具有重要影响。本文在总结了土壤碳淋溶流失研究的重要性、近年来相关领域取得的进展的基础上,指出已有研究的不足有:对土壤无机碳(SIC)的淋溶流失研究薄弱、缺乏野外实地观测、对土地利用变化影响土壤碳淋溶流失的过程与机制认识不足等。今后除了加强以上几个方面的研究外,还要综合利用同位素示踪和在线仪器观测等各种手段,开展"陆地-水生系统连续体"内多界面碳交换的综合研究。     

紫色土区不同土地利用类型土壤紧实度特征

以重庆市沙坪坝区杨家沟小流域为例,选取6种土地利用类型样地进行试验,研究紫色土区不同土地利用类型的土壤紧实度特征,为土壤质量评价和土地资源管理提供参考。通过多重比较检验分析土壤紧实度随土壤深度的变化规律以及不同土地利用类型下的差异,结果表明:(1)6种土地利用类型的土壤紧实度值为竹林地园地灌木林地林地草地旱地;(2)6种土地利用类型的土壤紧实度均随土壤深度增加而增大,但各类之间变化差异较大;(3)同土层而言,0~10cm土层旱地与其它5种土地利用类型的土壤紧实度有显著性差异(p0.05),但各种土地利用类型间底层土壤紧实度差异不明显;不同土层而言,0~10cm土层与其它3个土层有显著性差异(p0.05),由于0~10cm土层受耕作、踩踏等外力扰动与其它土层差异较大。10~20cm土层与其它3个土层也有显著性差异(p0.05)。其它各土层之间差异不明显。不同土地利用类型的土壤紧实度差异较大,主要与人类活动扰动程度有关。