Biological soil crusts exhibit a dynamic response to seasonal rain and release from grazing with implications for soil stability

In Northern Mexico, long-term grazing has substantially degraded semiarid landscapes. In semiarid systems, ecological and hydrological processes are strongly coupled by patchy plant distribution and biological soil crust (BSC) cover in plant-free interspaces. In this study, we asked: 1) how responsive are BSC cover/composition to a drying/wetting cycle and two-year grazing removal, and 2) what are the implications for soil erosion? We characterized BSC morphotypes and their influence on soil stability under grazed/non-grazed conditions during a dry and wet season. Light- and dark-colored cyanobacteria were dominant at the plant tussock and community level. Cover changes in these two groups differed after a rainy season and in response to grazing removal. Lichens with continuous thalli were more vulnerable to grazing than those with semi-continuous/discontinuous thalli after the dry season. Microsites around tussocks facilitated BSC colonization compared to interspaces. Lichen and cyanobacteria morphotypes differentially enhanced resistance to soil erosion; consequently, surface soil stability depends on the spatial distribution of BSC morphotypes, suggesting soil stability may be as dynamic as changes in the type of BSC cover. Longer-term spatially detailed studies are necessary to elicit spatiotemporal dynamics of BSC communities and their functional role in biotically and abiotically variable environments.     

干旱沙区生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤CO2通量对脉冲式降雨的响应

水分是干旱区生态过程中主要限制因子,降水可通过改变土壤的干湿状况直接影响土壤的生态过程,继而引起土壤碳库的变化。生物土壤结皮作为干旱区主要的地表覆盖物,其自身不但可以进行呼吸作用,还能充分利用有限的水分通过光合作用固碳,改变土壤圈与大气圈之间的碳交换通量。通过模拟0、2、5、8、15 mm降雨,利用红外气体分析仪,对腾格里沙漠东南缘人工固沙植被区主要的生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤净CO₂通量进行了原位测定,探讨生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤CO₂释放和光合固定CO₂(吸收)共同作用下的土壤净CO₂通量对模降雨的响应特征。结果表明:(1)降雨会迅速激发生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤CO₂释放,降雨激发CO₂释放速率和有效时间取决于降雨量,降雨量越高,激发程度越低,激增的生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤CO₂释放(源)效应有效时间随降雨量的增加而延长;降雨激发的土壤碳释放总量随着降雨量的增加显著增加,且藓类结皮覆盖土壤碳释放总量显著高于藻类结皮(P<0.05)。(2)降雨引起生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤CO₂吸收速率在初期呈单峰变化,后逐渐回归到降雨前的水平,随降雨量的增加,CO₂吸收的效应的时间越长,峰值越高;降雨量越高,生物土壤结皮光合碳固定量越多,当降雨量增加到15 mm时,藻类结皮光合碳固定量显著低于8 mm时的碳固定量;降雨量<5 mm时,藓类结皮光合碳固定量显著低于藻类结皮(P<0.05),≥5 mm时,藓类结皮光合碳固定量显著高于藻类结皮(P<0.05)。(3)干旱荒漠地区生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤,在无降雨的干旱期表现为较低水平的净碳排放效应,不同程度降雨的初期阶段都有短暂的增加土壤碳的汇效应,且碳汇效应的时间随降雨量的增加而延长;适度的降雨会降低长期干旱藻类结皮覆盖土壤向大气的碳排放量,而过高或过低的降雨都会不同程度地增加藻类结皮覆盖土壤向大气的碳排放,降低土壤碳的储量。不论降雨量大小,降雨都会增加藓类结皮覆盖土壤更多碳向大气排放,但随着降雨量的增加,源效应逐渐减弱。降雨量≤8 mm时,藓类结皮覆盖土壤净碳排放总量显著高于藻类结皮(P<0.05),当降雨量>8 mm时,藓类结皮覆盖土壤净碳排放量显著低于藻类结皮覆盖土壤(P<0.05)。因此,干旱区在估算生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤与大气碳交换对降雨的响应规律时,应该充分考虑降雨量大小对生物土壤结皮碳固定量和土壤碳释放组分的效应,明确降雨事件大小对不同类型生物土壤结皮覆盖土壤与大气之间碳交换的作用。     

湖泊集水域地表—地下径流联合模拟

研制了流域尺度的地表- 地下径流联合模拟的分布式水文模型。模型考虑了地表径流、土 壤水、地下水之间的相互作用和水量交换, 更真实地模拟径流系统。特别是, 考虑了湖泊- 流域系 统的特点, 例如, 多条入湖河流、直接入湖的坡面水流和地下入湖径流等, 使模型比现有水文模型 更适合于湖泊集水域径流系统的模拟。模型在云南抚仙湖集水域作了初步应用研究, 模拟结果与 河道径流、土壤含水量和地下水位等观测数据的比较显示, 模型模拟效果理想。此外, 模拟结果与 SCS 模型结果的对比分析, 进一步验证了模型的有效性。该模型可用于研究湖泊与流域的相互作 用、模拟流域水文过程对自然条件改变或人类活动的响应、探究地表径流- 地下水- 湖泊之间的相 互作用。模型也可用作湖泊- 流域系统水量平衡分析和水资源管理的有效计算工具。     

Analysis of soil surface component patterns affecting runoff generation. An example of methods applied to Mediterranean hillslopes in Alicante (Spain)

Spatial patterns of soil surface components (vegetation, rock fragments, crusts, bedrock outcrops, etc.) are a key factor determining hydrological functioning of hillslopes. A methodological approach to analyse the patterns of soil surface components at a detailed scale is proposed in this paper. The methods proposed are applied to two contrasting semi-arid Mediterranean hillslopes, and the influence of soil surface component patterns on the runoff response of the slopes was analysed. A soil surface components map was derived from a high resolution photo-mosaic obtained in the field by means of a digital camera. Rainfall simulation experimental data were used to characterise the hydrological behaviour of areas with a specific pattern of soil surface components by means of the parameters of the Horton equation. Plot runoff data were extrapolated at the hillslope scale based on the soil surface component maps and their hydrological characterisation. The results show that in both slopes runoff generation is concentrated up- and downslope, with a water accepting area in the centre of both slopes disrupting the hydrological connectivity at the slope scale. This reinfiltration patch at the centre of the slope is related to the type of soil surface component and its spatial pattern. Herbaceous vegetation and ‘on top rock fragments’ increase the infiltration capacity of soils at the centre of the slope. In contrast, embedded rock fragments, rock outcrops, as well as crusted surfaces located in the upper and lower slopes favour runoff generation in these areas. In addition, a general pattern of water contribution areas downslope is apparent on both slopes. The south-facing slope shows a higher hydrological connectivity and more runoff. 55% of the surface of the south-facing slope produces runoff at the end of a 1 hour rainfall event and 17.3% of the surface is covered by a runoff depth between 0.5 and 1 mm. While on the north-facing slope only 38% of the surface produces runoff under the same conditions. Longitudinal connectivity of runoff is higher at the south-facing slope where more runoff-generating surfaces appear and where the vegetation pattern favours the connectivity of bare areas.     

Modelling runoff and erosion for a semi-arid catchment using a multi-scale approach based on hydrological connectivity

Runoff and erosion processes are often non-linear and scale dependent, which complicate runoff and erosion modelling at the catchment scale. One of the reasons for scale dependency is the influence of sinks, i.e. areas of infiltration and sedimentation, which lower hydrological connectivity and decrease the area-specific runoff and sediment yield. The objective of our study was to model runoff and erosion for a semi-arid catchment using a multi-scale approach based on hydrological connectivity. We simulated runoff and sediment dynamics at the catchment scale with the LAPSUS model and included plot and hillslope scale features that influenced hydrological connectivity. The semi-arid Carcavo catchment in Southeast Spain was selected as the study area, where vegetation patches and agricultural terraces are the relevant sinks at the plot and hillslope scales, respectively. We elaborated the infiltration module to integrate these runoff sinks, by adapting the parameters runoff threshold and runoff coefficient, which were derived from a rainfall simulation database. The results showed that the spatial distribution of vegetation patches and agricultural terraces largely determined hydrological connectivity at the catchment scale. Runoff and sediment yield for the scenario without agricultural terraces were, respectively, a factor four and nine higher compared to the current situation. Distributed hydrological and erosion models should therefore take account of relevant sinks at finer scales in order to correctly simulate runoff and erosion-sedimentation patterns.     

Effects of soil surface components on soil hydrological behaviour in a dry Mediterranean environment (Southern Spain)

Various researchers have studied the spatial pattern of soil surface components such as vegetation, rock fragments, bare soil, litter and surface crusts, as a key factor of hydrological behaviour in Mediterranean settings with heterogeneous patches of vegetation cover and strong human impact. The studies indicate that there is a mosaic of patches that generate run-off or infiltrate overland flow, distributed in various ways along hillslopes. Few of these studies, however, have looked at areas underlain by metamorphic rocks such as phyllites or schists. This study analysed the temporal and spatial variability of the effects of soil surface components on hydrological processes in a small dry Mediterranean catchment underlain by metamorphic rocks. A systematic sampling of multiple sites throughout a hydrological year was carried out.We related the hydrological behaviour of soil surface components to 1) their position along the hillslope, 2) the distance of existing vegetation tussocks from the line of run-off, 3) rainfall intensity and 4) the main physical/chemical soil properties affecting infiltration processes. Statistical analysis was used to check the validity of the relationships. The results show that soil surface components have highly variable effects, in both space and time, on soil hydrological behaviour. These effects particularly depend on the location along the line of maximum slope and the intensity of preceding rainfall, whose interaction defines soil hydrological status. These results are similar to those for other Mediterranean settings with different lithology, in that the succession of contributing patches are hydrologically interconnected along a hillslope. The variables used and the grouping of explanatory variables through principal component analyses were found to be suitable for discussing the spatial distribution of soil surface components in the hydrologically dynamic environment of the study area.     

黄土丘陵小流域土地利用格局对径流与土壤养分流失的影响--土壤侵蚀控制的意义

Serious soil erosion is one of the major issues threatening sustainable land use in semiarid areas, especially in the Loess Plateau of China. Understanding the effects of land use on soil and water loss is important for sustainable land use strategy. Two sub-catchments: catchment A (CA) and catchment B (CB) with distinct land uses were selected to measure soil moisture, runoff and soil nutrient loss in Da Nangou catchment of the Loess Plateau of China. The effects of land use patterns on runoff and nutrient losses were analyzed based on soil moisture pattern by kriging and soil nutrients using multiple regression model. The results indicated that there were significant differences in runoff yield and soil nutrient losses between the two sub-catchments. With similar land uses, the CA produced an average sediment yield of 49 kg ha-1 and 22.27 kg ha-1 during two storm events.Meanwhile, there was almost no runoff in the CB with dissimilar land uses during the same events.Buffer zones should be established to re-absorb runoff and to trap sediments in catchment with similar land use structure such as the CA. Moreover, land use management strategy aiming to increase the infiltration threshold of hydrological response units could decrease the frequency of runoff occurrence on a slope and catchment scale.     

塔里木河源流山区径流模拟及不确定性研究

自然环境恶劣、站点稀少、观测困难是干旱区水文系统研究面临的基本问题。特殊的自然地理条件给水文过程带来了极大的复杂性和不确定性,也阻碍了干旱区水文过程和机理研究的发展。选取塔里木河源区开都河流域为研究区,采用分布式水文模型MIKE SHE模拟大尺度资料稀缺地区水文过程,将流域内气象、水文站点数据与遥感数据相结合,利用气象、土壤类型、土地利用和地表覆盖、数字高程(DEM)和降雨等资料,模拟流域水文过程;在出山口径流数据的基础上对模型进行率定和验证;分析了模型中的不确定性的来源,探讨模型优化方法。结果表明,MIKE SHE模型能在水文、气象站点稀少,土壤及水文地质数据缺乏的条件下,模拟开都河流域的日径流过程,但精度仍有待提高;通过分析识别出了隐含于模型结构、输入及参数等3个方面的8种不确定性来源。     

The effects of land use on runoff and soil nutrient losses in a gully catchment of the hilly areas: implications for erosion control

Serious soil erosion is one of the major issues threatening sustainable land use in semiarid areas, especially in the Loess Plateau of China. Understanding the effects of land use on soil and water loss is important for sustainable land use strategy. Two sub-catchments: catchment A (CA) and catchment B (CB) with distinct land uses were selected to measure soil moisture, runoff and soil nutrient loss in Da Nangou catchment of the Loess Plateau of China. The effects of land use patterns on runoff and nutrient losses were analyzed based on soil moisture pattern by kriging and soil nutrients using multiple regression model. The results indicated that there were significant differences in runoff yield and soil nutrient losses between the two sub-catchments. With similar land uses, the CA produced an average sediment yield of 49 kg ha-1 and 22.27 kg ha-1 during two storm events. Meanwhile, there was almost no runoff in the CB with dissimilar land uses during the same events. Buffer zones should be established to re-absorb runoff and to trap sediments in catchment with similar land use structure such as the CA. Moreover, land use management strategy aiming to increase the infiltration threshold of hydrological response units could decrease the frequency of runoff occurrence on a slope and catchment scale.     

SWAT模型的原理、结构及应用研究

SWAT(SoilandWaterAssessmentTool)是一个具有很强物理机制的长时段的流域分布式水文模型。它能够利用GIS和RS提供的空间数据信息,模拟复杂大流域中多种不同的水文物理过程,包括水、沙、化学物质和杀虫剂的输移与转化过程。本文着重探讨SWAT模型的水文学原理和模型的基本结构与独特的分布式运行控制方式,并将其成功应用于西北寒区(黑河莺落峡以上流域)的分布式日径流过程的模拟。     

基于栅格的分布式降雨径流模拟系统及应用

研制了一套基于栅格的分布式降雨径流模拟系统,利用流域地形、土壤、土地利用等空间数据和水文气象数据,可以进行流域特征提取、空间数据内插、降雨径流模拟及计算结果的三维动态显示和统计。通过在黄土岭流域的应用,说明该系统具有较好的模拟降雨径流过程的能力,而且使用方便。     

Differential responses of hillslope and channel elements to rainfall events in a semi-arid area

The degree of hydrological connectivity of hillslope elements in a semi-arid climate was studied at the season and event timescales. Field data were obtained in Rambla Honda, a Medalus project field site situated in SE Spain, on micaschist bedrock and with 300 mm annual rainfall. The season timescale was assessed using correlation analysis between soil moisture and topographic indices. The event timescale was studied by a quasi-continuous monitoring of rainfall, soil moisture, runoff and piezometric levels. Results show that widespread transfers of water along the hillslope are unusual because potential conditions for producing overland flow or throughflow are spatially discontinuous and extremely short-lived. During extreme events, runoff coefficients may be locally high (ca. 40% on slope lengths of 10 m), but decrease dramatically at the hillslope scale (<10% on slope lengths of 50 m). Two mechanisms of overland flow generation have been identified: infiltration excess, and local subsurface saturation from upper layers. The former occurs during the initial stages of the event while the latter, which is quantitatively more important, takes place later and requires a certain time structure of rainfall intensities that allow saturation of the topsoil and the subsequent production of runoff. Hillslopes and alluvial fans function as runoff sources and sinks respectively. Permanent aquifers are lacking in Rambla Honda. Variable proportions of hillslope areas may contribute to flash floods in the main channel, but their contribution to the formation of saturated layers within the sediment fill is very limited.     

Spatial variability of soil hydrophobicity after wildfires in Montana and Colorado

Increases in runoff and erosion after wildfires are often attributed to the development of hydrophobic soils. The potential for increased overland flow depends on the spatial contiguity of the hydrophobicity as well as its overall strength, but there is limited information on the spatial variability of soil hydrophobicity. We conducted spatially intensive hydrophobicity measurements in 225 m² and 1 m² plots in forested areas of Montana and Colorado burned at moderate to high severity, and in unburned control plots. Both the burned and unburned 225 m² plots contained 10–23 hydrophobic soil patches in which hydrophobicity was strongest at the surface and declined rapidly with depth. The hydrophobic patches were closer together and up to 3 times larger in the burned plots. Consequently, 19% to 76% of the burned plots were hydrophobic compared to just 11% of the unburned plots. In five of the six burned plots, the patches were not laterally connected, suggesting that in most cases Hortonian overland flow generated from hydrophobic patches will infiltrate near its point of origin. The 1 m² plots were smaller than most of the hydrophobic patches, so they did not capture the spatial characteristics of soil hydrophobicity. Characterization of the spatial variability of soil hydrophobicity should be based on measurements conducted at  1 m intervals across areas of > 100 m². Due to the patchiness of soil hydrophobicity at the 10⁰ to 10¹ meter scale, overland flow measurements in small ( 1 m²) plots may overestimate the magnitude and variability of runoff from burned catchments.     

流域降雨径流路径的数字模拟技术

流域内降雨径流流动过程的水文分析具有重要意义。此文基于地理信息系统的栅格系统,利用数字高程模型(DEM)提供地形特征的能力,通过一系列相连的数据集,用计算机对流域降雨径流路径进行了数字模拟,其可以实现以正确的水文顺序跟踪地表径流在流域空间范围内的流动路径,并确定地表径流在流域空间内流动路径的水文计算等级,为基于流域降雨径流关系的建模研究提供了空间分析基础。最后把该项研究成果应用于黄家二岔小流域,证实该模拟技术具有一定的可靠性和实用性。     

固沙植被区两类结皮斑块土壤呼吸对降雨脉冲的响应

与降水事件密切相关的土壤水分有效性是荒漠生态系统土壤呼吸的重要驱动因子。研究了固沙植被区以藓类和藻类为主的生物土壤结皮斑块土壤呼吸对模拟降雨(5、10、20 mm)的响应。结果表明:3种降雨量对不同结皮斑块土壤呼吸均有显著的激发作用, 但2种土壤的响应特征不同。藓类结皮斑块土壤呼吸速率在降雨后0.5 h达到最大值, 而藻类结皮斑块土壤在降雨后2 h达到最大值, 其呼吸速率分别是降雨前土壤呼吸速率的43~58、21~25倍,随后, 两类结皮斑块土壤呼吸速率逐渐下降并恢复到降雨前水平。随着降雨量的增加, 藓类结皮斑块土壤最大呼吸速率和平均呼吸速率显著增大, 而藻类结皮斑块土壤则无明显变化; 2种土壤碳释放量均随着降雨量的增大而增加。在相同降雨条件下, 藓类结皮斑块土壤呼吸速率峰值和平均值及碳释放量均显著大于藻类结皮斑块土壤。表明生物土壤结皮和降雨量均对荒漠生态系统土壤呼吸起着重要的调控作用。     

人类活动对别拉洪河流域水文情势的影响研究

为了研究人类活动对水文情势的影响,以别拉洪河流域1957～2004年水文、气象数据为基础,详细分析了降水量、蒸发量及径流量等要素的变化特征;利用累积滤波法、Kendal秩次相关法、径流量年内分配的不均匀系数和径流量的变差系数对径流量的变化及其趋势进行了分析;利用降水-径流双累积曲线法和Mann-Kendall法对径流量序列进行了突变检验;定量研究了人类活动对径流量的影响。结果表明,1957～2004年别拉洪河流域年径流量显著减少,1966年年径流量发生减少突变;人类活动对年径流量减少总量的影响率大于60％,是导致该流域水文循环要素发生变化的主导因素,其次才是年降水量。     

基于SWAT模型的无资料流域产流产沙模拟

准确预报无资料地区的产流产沙,对土壤侵蚀治理具有重要的实践意义。为了研究南方红壤侵蚀区无观测资料流域的产流产沙情况,以福建省长汀县朱溪小流域为研究区,其次一级流域游屋圳子流域和高陂塅子流域分别为参证流域和无观测资料流域。采用相对误差(Re)、决定系数(R2)以及Nash-Sutcliffe效率系数(Ens)评价了SWAT模型在游屋圳子流域的产流产沙模拟的适用性,基于地形指数判定了两子流域的水文相似性。结果表明:SWAT模型适用于游屋圳子流域的产流产沙模拟;游屋圳子流域与高陂塅子流域具有水文相似性,说明两子流域间可以进行模型参数移植;经模型参数移植,模拟得2010年高陂塅子流域年径流量为1.32×107m3,年产沙量为2 200 t。模拟结果不仅为小流域的水土保持治理提供参考,也为其他无资料流域的产流产沙模拟提供方法借鉴。     

Simulation and analysis of river runoff in typical cold regions

It is generally agreed that global warming is taking place, which has caused runoff generation processes and apparently total runoff amount changes in cold regions of Northwestern China. It is absolutely necessary to quantify and analyze earth surface hydrological processes by numerical models for formulating scientific sustainable development of water resources. Hydrological models became established tools for studying the hydrological cycle, but did not consider frozen soil or glacier hydrology. Thus, they should be improved to satisfy the simulation of hydrological processes in cold regions. In this paper, an energy balance glacier melt model was successfully coupled to the VIC model with frozen soil scheme, thus improving the models performance in a cold catchment area. We performed the improved VIC model to simulate the hydrological processes in the Aksu River Basin, and the simulated results are in good agreement with observed data. Based on modeling hydrological data, the runoff components and their response to climate change were analyzed. The results show: (1) Glacial meltwater recharge accounts for 29.2% of runoff for the Toxkan River, and 58.7% for the Kunma Like River. (2) The annual total runoff of two branches of the Aksu River show increasing trends, increased by about 43.1%, 25.95×10⁶ m³ per year for the Toxkan River and by 13.1%, 14.09×10⁶ m³ per year for the Kunma Like River during the latter 38 years. (3) The annual total runoff of the Toxkan River increased simply due to the increase of non-glacial runoff, while the increase of annual total runoff of the Kunma Like River was the result of increasing glacial (42%) and non-glacial runoff (58%).     

Hydrological responses and soil erosion potential of abandoned cropland in the Loess Plateau, China

Recent changes in hydrological processes and soil erosion in the Loess Plateau, China, are immediate responses to cropland abandonment for revegetation, which lead to a long-term decrease in runoff generation and soil erosion. However, detailed hydrological responses and soil erosion changes have not been clearly evaluated. In this study, two issues were focused on the plot scale. The first issue relates to changes in vegetation cover and soil properties during the early stages of revegetation. Given the occurrence of soil compaction, it was hypothesized that runoff increased during this period and the soil erosion did not significantly decline, even though vegetation increased. The second issue is the effect of scale on runoff and soil erosion. Three plot groups of three vegetation types and two restoration stages were established for comparative experiments. The results from these experiments confirmed that the soil compaction occurred during revegetation in this region. Greater runoff was produced in plot group that experienced both a longer restoration time and with higher vegetation cover (such as Groups 2 and 3 in this study) than that with a shorter restoration time and lower vegetation cover (Group 1). In addition, the total soil loss rates of all plot groups were rather low and did not significantly differ from each other. This indicates that a reduction in runoff generation and soil erosion, as a result of revegetation, was limited in the early stages of restoration following the cropland abandonment. With increasing plot area, the runoff coefficient decreased for the plot group with a longer revegetation time (Groups 2 and 3), but gently increased for the one with a shorter restoration time (Group 1). In Groups 2 and 3, soil loss rate decreased when plot area enlarged. In Group 1, it decreased before a plot area threshold of 18 m² was exceeded. However, the increase occurred when plot area crossed the threshold value. In conclusion, the high vegetation cover alone did not lead to reduction in the runoff coefficient during the early stages of revegetation. When evaluating hydrological and soil erosion responses to revegetation, the soil compaction processes should be considered. Additionally, the effect of scale on runoff and soil erosion was found to be dependent on restoration extent, and thus on restoration time.     

Effectiveness of coir-based rolled erosion control systems in reducing sediment transport from hillslopes

Accelerated soil erosion is ubiquitous on human-modified hillslopes. A variety of erosion control products have been developed to reduce on-site soil resource degradation, and off-site transport of sediment and sediment-associated contaminants to receiving water bodies. However, limited quantitative data are available to assess erosion reduction effectiveness, and to establish the salient properties of the erosion control products. A replicated field-based rainfall simulation study was conducted to compare the runoff and erosion effectiveness of three coir (coconut) fiber rolled erosion control systems (RECSs) with a bare (control) treatment. Detailed temporal measurements of runoff and sediment transport were made during two phases of each experiment: (1) a 110-min application of rainfall via a rainfall simulator at 35 mm h⁻¹ after runoff initiation and (2) a 30-min period, at 3 times the flow rate of phase 1, applied via an overland flow generator. All coir treatments enhanced infiltration, delayed time to runoff generation, reduced intensity of rill incision, and reduced sediment output compared to bare treatments. More importantly, statistically significant differences were observed between coir RECSs of different architecture. For the two open weave coir systems tested, the most effective design had a higher mass per area, and less open space between the regularly aligned grid of fibers. The random fiber coir architecture was the most effective, having significantly lower runoff sediment concentrations, lower sediment yields, and a lower frequency of rill initiation. The differences in system architecture are examined in light of fundamental controls on runoff and erosion processes.