Visual assessment of the Australian Land Erodibility Model

There is a growing requirement for techniques to assess land susceptibility to wind erosion, i.e. land erodibility, over large geographic areas (>10⁴ km²). This requirement stems from a lack of wind erosion research between the field (10¹ km²) and regional scales, and a need to evaluate the performance of spatially explicit wind erosion models across these scales. This paper addresses this issue by presenting a methodology for monitoring land erodibility at the landscape scale (10³ km²). First, we define criteria suitable for evaluating land erodibility based on empirical relationships between soil texture, vegetation cover, geomorphology, and wind erosion. The criteria were used to visually assess land erodibility over long distances (10³ km) using vehicle-based transects run through the rangelands of western Queensland, Australia. Application of the data for testing the performance of a spatially explicit land erodibility model (AUSLEM) is then demonstrated by comparing the visual assessments of land erodibility with the model output. The model performed best in the west of the study area in the open rangelands. In regions with higher woody shrub and tree cover the model performance decreases. This highlights the need for research to better parameterise controls on erodibility in semi-arid landscapes consisting of forested and rangeland mosaics.     

Dating of small gully formation and establishing erosion rates in old gullies under forest by means of anatomical changes in exposed tree roots (Southern Poland)

Small gullies occur in forested gully systems on the undulating loess plateau in southern Poland. The old gully hillslopes are mainly covered with 200-year old beech trees in contrast with the surface of the summit plateau, which is cultivated agricultural land. Beech roots are exposed in the gullies through erosion. Wood vessels in the root tree rings divide into early wood and late wood and, after the roots are exposed, start to make fewer vessels. These anatomical changes in root tree rings allow us to date erosion episodes.Small gullies form in a different manner on the valley floor and on hillslopes. In valley bottoms, erosion features are often formed at some distance from one another, and in time small gullies combine to form a single, longer one. Depending on local conditions, such as the hillslope profile, hillslopes may exhibit headward erosion or may be eroded downwards. Hilllope gullies may be transformed into side valleys as a result of gradual widening and deepening.Dating the exposure of roots indicates that small gullies had already formed in the valley system by 1949. Intensive gully erosion was recorded between 1984 and 2002, during intense precipitation in 1984 and, of particular note, during the extraordinary flood of 1997 which affected all of Central Europe. The mean rate of small gully erosion in the old gully system studied is 0.63 m/year. On hillslopes the mean gully erosion rate is 0.21–0.52 m/year, and on the valley bottoms 0.18–1.98 m/year. High bottom erosion rates resulted from the emergence of long gullies during the erosion episodes in 1984 and 1997. Sheet flow in valley floors intensifies at times of heavy rainfall which causes long gullies to form.Taking into account the fact that conditions favoured erosion, the rate at which the old gullies under forest were transformed should be considered slow. New side gullies form slowly within the valley and it appears that if erosion progressed at the rate observed, new side valleys would take a few hundred years to form.     

基于根系解剖结构的金沙江干热河谷土壤侵蚀速率估算

基于侵蚀过程会导致树木生长环境变化,进而改变根系生长生理特征的基本研究思想,以金沙江干热河谷龙川江流域为典型区,从树根细胞解剖结构和组合特征的变异中提取土壤侵蚀信息,探索和发展了基于树木生理生态的土壤侵蚀研究新方法与技术。结果表明,不同侵蚀强度下根系的年轮分布特征不一致,其中偏心率大小顺序为:局部暴露根系>浅埋根系>完全暴露根系,且偏心率与根系以上土层厚度、暴露程度存在显著性相关;根系导管面积是反演侵蚀过程的敏感指标,早材导管面积的变异是确定根系暴露时间的重要依据之一;龙川江流域土壤流失厚度为1.47~4.47 mm/a,平均侵蚀模数约为3 692 t(/km2.a)。     

Problems in revegetation from seed of rangelands on calcareous silty clay soils in Jordan

A major obstacle in the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands in Jordan, and the Middle East in general, is poor regeneration from seed. In laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments, indigenous plant species' seeds tolerated mannitol-induced water stress better than the seeds of introduced plant species. Germination and plant establishment were lower in a silty clay soft compared to peatmoss; seedlings could not penetrate the hard surface layer of the silty clay. Plant regeneration from seed in arid calcareous silty clay rangelands was better when protected from grazing; it was very slow due to surface crusting, low soil moisture content and high soil temperature which prevailed most parts of the year. Contour planting with water harvesting are possible solutions to poor plant establishment.     

Tree roots — Methodological review and new development in dating and quantifying erosive processes

Exposed roots have been used in Dendrogeomorphology since the 1960s to determine erosion rates. This was done by using the root axis as the relative position of the former soil layer and then relating this measure to the age of the root in order to quantify the amount of soil erosion over time. Recently, wood anatomical research revealed the possibility of determining the first year of exposure of roots due to specific anatomical changes within the respective annual ring. As a consequence, using exposed roots that are still in contact to the soil surface, it is possible to reconstruct the size and position of the root at the time of exposure. Consequently, a new equation is presented to calculate the thickness of the eroded soil layer allowing a detailed reconstruction of erosion rates. The technique also helps to determine if the root was exposed by erosional processes or just by its ongoing secondary growth without any erosion involved.     

RUNOFF PRODUCTION AND EROSION PROCESSES ON A DEHESA IN WESTERN SPAIN*

ABSTRACT. Runoff generation and soil erosion were investigated at the Guadalperalón experimental watershed (western Spain), within the land‐use system known as dehesa, or open, managed evergreen forests. Season and type of surface were found to control runoff and soil‐loss rates. Five soil units were selected as representative of surface types found in the study area: hillslope grass, bottom grass, tree cover, sheep trails, and shrub cover. Measurements were made in various conditions with simulated rainfall to gain an idea of the annual variation in runoff and soil loss. Important seasonal differences were noted due to surface cover and moisture content of soil, but erosion rates were determined primarily by runoff. Surfaces covered with grass and shrubs always showed less erosion; surfaces covered with holm oaks showed higher runoff rates, due to the hydrophobic character of the soils. Concentrations of runoff sediment during the simulations confirmed that erosion rates at the study site depended directly on the sediment available on the soil surface.     

Hydraulic redistribution by two semi-arid shrub species: Implications for Sahelian agro-ecosystems

Hydraulic redistribution is the process of passive water movement from deeper moist soil to shallower dry soil layers using plant roots as conduits. Results from this study indicate that this phenomenon exists among two shrub species (Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum) that co-exist with annual food crops in Sahelian agro-ecosystems. Real-time measurements were conducted for soil water content, soil water potential and microclimate variables notably; air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation and solar irradiance. Additionally, sap flow measurements were conducted in shrub roots using the thermal dissipation technique on intact and coppiced shrubs. Monthly predawn leaf water potential was measured using a portable pressure chamber. Soil water potential (Ψ_s) at the 20 cm depth declined significantly during the dry season with diel changes in Ψ_s of −0.6 to −1.1 MPa. These variations were attributed to passive water release from shrub roots resulting in overnight rewetting of drier upper soil layers. Sap flow measurements on tap and lateral shrub roots indicated daily reversals in the direction of flow. During the peak of the dry season, both positive (toward shrub) and negative (toward soil) flows were observed in lateral shrub roots with sap flow in the lateral roots frequently negative at night and rapidly becoming positive soon after sunrise. The negative sap flow at night in superficial lateral roots and the periodic positive flow in the descending tap roots were indicative of hydraulic redistribution. Hydraulic redistribution may be an important mechanism for drought stress avoidance while maintaining plant physiological functions in both shrubs and neighboring annuals in water-limited environments.     

DENDROGEOMORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON EXPOSED ROOTS ALONG TWO MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAILS IN THE CENTRAL ITALIAN ALPS

ABSTRACT. Mountain landscapes show rapid evolution, especially at high altitudes, in response to current climate changes. In addition, the greater number of routes and trails made available and the increase in tourism have caused some impacts on mountain areas. Gradual soil erosion has been observed along some hiking trails, with the latter tending to deepen, and with stronger erosion where the trail cuts the slope. Where trails cross forested areas, trees can suffer root damage from foot trampling as roots become exposed. A dendrogeomorphological study was conducted on trees along two hiking trails in upper Valtellina (Italian Alps). On the first trail, in Valle dei Forni, European larches and stone pines, mostly with exposed roots, were sampled. A mean erosion rate of 2.7 mm/a, related to deepening of the footpath, was obtained, and various degrees of root growth disturbance along the trail were observed. In particular, the growth of many sampled roots shows an increase in ring width corresponding with the moment when root exposure occurred, followed, after 3–5 years, by rapid growth suppression. The exposure of many roots has taken place since the 1980s. No significant variations in stem growth were observed, even when there were exposed and damaged roots. Along the second trail, in Valle Alpisella, exposed roots of mountain pines were analysed. A mean erosion rate of 3.2–3.7 mm/a, related to the escarpments bordering the footpath, was obtained, while no significant changes were detected in root growth.     

Changes in intensity of wind erosion at different stages of degradation development in grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China

Overgrazing by increasing numbers of livestock in the Horqin Sandy Land of Inner Mongolia, China, has led to extensive degradation of the region's sandy steppes. Degraded grasslands are generally classified into four main types: fixed (least degradation), semi-fixed (light degradation), semi-shifting (moderate degradation) and shifting (severe degradation) sandy lands, representing four stages of degradation development. An experiment was conducted in the Horqin Sandy Land to investigate changes in intensity of wind erosion at different stages of degradation development in sandy grasslands and determine the extent to which surface wind erosion was affected by surface-related soil and vegetation factors through their effects on surface roughness length and wind regimes. Daily wind erosion rate was monitored at four sites of degraded grassland over an erosive period from 1 April to 10 June in 2001. Soil and vegetation properties for these sites were also measured twice: one in mid-April prior to the establishment of vegetation and again in mid-June after the establishment of vegetation. Relationships between surface roughness length and soil and vegetation variables were examined at each of the two stages of vegetation development. This study shows striking differences in the intensity of surface wind erosion among sites. The daily wind erosion rate in the fixed sandy land was, on average, only about 1/5 of the rate in the semi-fixed sandy land, 1/14 of the rate in the semi-shifting sandy land and 1/47 of the rate in the shifting sandy land suggesting a much higher resistance of the fixed sandy land to wind erosion compared to other sites. Differences in rate of wind erosion between sites were attributed to between-site differences in soil and vegetation properties that exerted significant effects on wind regimes by altering surface roughness length. At the pre-establishment stage of vegetation, surface roughness length was determined by a combination of litter amount on the ground, soil surface hardness and soil moisture content, with litter amount explaining the greatest proportion of the variation. At the post-establishment stage of vegetation, the development of the surface roughness effects was mainly governed by vegetation characteristics (vegetation cover in particular), while the effects of soil surface hardness and soil moisture on surface roughness length are likely to be masked by vegetation effects. The findings suggest that better management practices of restoring vegetation in degraded grasslands are required to reduce soil erosion losses and achieve a sustainable livestock production in the Horqin Sandy Land, an ecologically fragile sandy land ecosystem.     

山区土地利用/覆被变化对土壤侵蚀的影响

本文以福建省山区为例,在对福建省水土保持实验站、建瓯市牛坑龙水土保持试验站长期观测、实验资料深入分析对比的基础之上,探讨了土地利用/土地覆被变化对土壤侵蚀的影响规律。分析结果表明,土地利用/土地覆被变化对径流的产生和土壤侵蚀有重要影响,植被的覆盖度的变化直接影响着径流系数和土壤侵蚀模数;植被的覆盖度和径流系数呈负线性关系,随着覆盖度的增加径流系数逐渐减小;植被覆盖度和土壤侵蚀模数为负指数关系,随着植被覆盖度的增大,土壤侵蚀模数急剧下降。     

干旱半干旱地区草原灌丛荒漠化及其 生物地球化学循环

干旱和半干旱地区草地生态系统木本植物入侵及其导致的草原灌丛化已经成为全球范 围普遍发生的现象, 是草地沙化和荒漠化的一个重要标志。干旱生态系统中, 此种类型的植被变 化将对区域和全球生物地球化学循环产生显著影响。过度放牧、区域气候干旱化和自然火过程是 导致灌丛入侵和发展的主要控制因子。草原灌丛化过程中, 草地生态系统分布较为均匀的土壤养 分及相关元素在水平和垂直方向发生分异, 关键生命元素C、N、P 、S 生物地球化学循环的变化 将对全球气候变化产生显著作用。全球气候变化与草原灌丛荒漠化之间存在潜在的反馈机制, 人 类扰动的影响将使这种反馈作用变得更加迅速和灵敏。     

花岗岩崩岗侵蚀劣地的生态恢复试验研究

花岗岩崩岗侵蚀是红壤区最严重的侵蚀方式，本研究根据生态学的原理和方法，探索了花岗岩崩岗区水土流失治理和生态恢复的途径，提出了植被重建的模式。     

盐生荒漠地表水、热与CO2输送 的实验研究

利用安装在准噶尔盆地南缘多汁盐柴类荒漠上的涡度相关系统与配套的微气象观测系统所得数据,分析了显热、潜热与CO2通量的日过程和季节变化特点及各通量间的相互关系。数据显示了一个明显违背植物水分关系一般规律的现象:当水汽(潜热) 通量明确显示土壤水分亏缺时,净光合(CO2通量) 却未受到影响。因此推测当地原生植物的根系在积盐严重的土壤上层没有发育,所以其水分状况与光合能力不受上层土壤干湿的影响,观测到的水汽通量的变化主要由土壤蒸发的变化造成的。     

Selective erosion of clay,organic carbon and total nitrogen in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia,Argentina

In arid and semiarid rangelands, soil erosion has been widely considered an important soil degradation process and one of the main factors responsible for declining soil fertility. In this study, we determined the sediment production and the enrichment ratios of clay, organic C, and total N by using rainfall simulations on runoff plots (0.60 × 1.67 m) in three plant communities of northeastern Patagonia: grass (GS), degraded grass with scattered shrubs (DGS), and degraded shrub steppes (DSS). Our results clearly indicate that spatial variability in soil loss rate and enrichment process exists as a result of the local differences in both plant composition and soil surface characteristics. Sediment production was significantly lower in the GS (14.2 g m⁻²) compared with the DGS and DSS (38.2 and 51.5 g m⁻², respectively). In the GS, the enrichment ratio of clay was significantly greater (3.9) and enrichment ratio of organic C was lower (3.1) than in the DGS and the DSS, though differences in enrichment ratios of total N were not significant. The high rate of soil loss and nutrients through overland-flow may limit the opportunities that promote the pathway from DGS back to GS community, favoring the dominance of shrubs.     

Land degradation in north-western Jordan: causes and processes

Improper farming practices, overgrazing, the conversion of rangelands to croplands in marginal areas and uncontrolled expansion of urban and rural settlement at the cost of cultivable land are among the major causes of land degradation in north-western Jordan. The purpose of this study was to discuss the major causes of land degradation in the area.Six sites receiving different amounts of annual precipitation and with different vegetation types were selected to represent the major agricultural areas in north-western Jordan. The major soil properties that can be linked to land degradation were studied.Desertification in north-western Jordan is taking place through loss of soil fertility and productivity, overgrazing and water and wind erosion. Erosion by wind and water is considered the major cause of land degradation in the area. The soils contain little organic matter and their alkaline reactions reduce the availability of phosphorous and macronutrients and consequently lead to very low crop yields.     

The geomorphic impact of glaciers as indicated by tors in North Sweden (Aurivaara, 68° N)

Geomorphological investigations carried out on 15 tor-like features located on the Aurivaara plateau (North Sweden, 68° N) provide new insights in the greatly debated age of these landforms. Erratics and till trapped deep in the tor joints support a pre-Weichselian age for tor formation. Moreover, the occurrence of various weathering stages in allochtonous material, the joint width up to 1.5 m (requiring long-term weathering), and the frequent association of tors with pediment-like forms, suggest pre-Quaternary tor formation. The juxtaposition of fresh erratics and in situ old weathering features (mushroom rocks, concentrically weathered well-rounded corestones, and grus) indicates a predominantly cold-based regime for the Scandinavian ice sheet, with erratics carried by the overlying moving ice being repeatedly deposited on tor summits during deglaciation phases. The relationships between tors and ice action indicated for the Aurivaara plateau result in the proposal of a morphodynamical succession of five tor subtypes ranging from the preservation of well-rounded corestones still embedded in grus (suggesting negligible glacial erosion) to the almost complete removal of tor features by ice scouring. A comparison with tors in similar geological and topographical contexts from the unglaciated Dartmoor area allows a tentative evaluation of an average overall glacial erosion of 0–10 m on the northern Sweden plateaus, in sharp contrast with the 190 m overdeepening of the nearby Torneträsk basin. Thus, this case study of Swedish tors provides additional support to the recent interpretations of relict landscapes in previously glaciated areas and is in accordance with the classical «model» of glacial selective erosion established in the Nordic and Arctic mountains.     

粤北石漠化地区坡地土壤侵蚀模拟试验研究

在粤北山区裸地、草坡地和耕地等3种石漠化土地的坡面上,采用0.3 mm·min-1、0.48 mm·min-1、0.72 mm·min-1、1.08 mm·min-1 4种降雨强度进行了36场人工降雨模拟试验。结果表明,坡面上3种类型石漠化土地的土壤侵蚀特征、强度各不相同。在同一地类上,土壤侵蚀量随降雨过程的进行呈现出波动下降的趋势,且随雨强的增大,土壤侵蚀量亦增大;土壤侵蚀量与雨强之间均呈现极显著的线性相关关系。在任一雨强条件下,都是裸地的土壤侵蚀量最大,耕地次之,草坡地最小。地表覆被对降雨侵蚀产沙过程有重要的抑制作用,大雨强条件下抑制作用尤为突出;而水平沟耕作方式能减少小雨强条件下的土壤侵蚀量,但随着雨强的增大,其影响也随之降低。     

Sedimentary evidence for late Messinian uplift of the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau: Adana Basin,southern Turkey

The Adana Basin of southern Turkey, located at the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau in the vicinity of the Arabia‐Eurasia collision zone, is ideally suited to record Neogene and Quaternary topographic and tectonic changes in the easternmost Mediterranean realm. On the basis of our correlation of 34 seismic reflection profiles with corresponding exposed units along the margins of the Adana Basin, we identify and characterize the seismic facies that corresponds to the upper part of the Messinian Handere Formation (ca. 5.45 to 5.33 Ma), which consists mainly of fluvial conglomerates and marls. The seismic reflection profiles indicate that ca. 1100 km³ of the Handere Formation upper sub‐unit is distributed over ca. 3000 km², reflecting local sedimentation rates of up to 12.5 mm year^?1. This indicates a major increase in both sediment supply and subsidence rates at ca. 5.45 Ma. Our provenance analysis of the Handere Formation upper sub‐unit based on clast counting and palaeocurrent measurements reveals that most of the sediment is derived from the Taurus Mountains at the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau and regions farther north. A comparison of these results with the composition of recent fluvial conglomerates and the present‐day drainage basins indicates major changes between late Messinian and present‐day source areas. We suggest that these changes in drainage patterns and lithological characteristics result from uplift and ensuing erosion of the SE margin of the plateau. We interpret the tectonic evolution of the southern flank of the Anatolian Plateau and the coeval subsidence and sedimentation in the Adana Basin to be related to deep lithospheric processes, particularly lithospheric delamination and slab break‐off.     

黄土丘陵区坡面形态和植被组合的土壤侵蚀效应研究

以位于陕北黄土丘陵区的羊圈沟流域为重点研究区,针对不同坡面类型（坡长、坡形、坡度）和植被组合进行野外土壤采样,利用¹³⁷Cs元素示踪方法评估坡面的土壤侵蚀效应。研究发现：① 坡面形态对土壤侵蚀具有重要影响。自坡顶至坡脚,“直-凹”组合的坡型一般具有相对较低的土壤侵蚀模数,整体上起到“汇”的作用;但“凹-直/凸”组合的坡型具有相对较高的土壤侵蚀模数,在土壤侵蚀方面起到“源”的作用;其他坡型,如直坡、凸坡、“直-凸”和复杂性坡型的土壤侵蚀模数介于两者之间。② 坡面不同植被空间配置对土壤侵蚀的影响具有明显差异。研究发现,坡面植被组合（自坡顶至坡脚）为荒草地-果园、有林地-其他植被类型组合和荒草地-其他植被类型的坡面具有相对较低的土壤侵蚀模数,起到了一定“汇”的功能,但人为干扰较为强烈的景观坡面（无水土保持措施）具有相对较高的土壤侵蚀模数,整体上表现为土壤侵蚀的“源”区。     

辽西北风沙地不同林草措施土壤水文效应研究

选取辽西北沙地典型农牧交错地带为研究区域,以荒草地作为对照,研究樟子松林地、杨树林地、灌木林地、人工草地4种植被恢复措施下0~100 cm土层内土壤容重、孔隙度、蓄水能力和土壤饱和导水率（K_fs）等土壤水分物理性质的变化特征。结果表明：杨树林地表层土壤容重最小,其次是灌木林地、樟子松林地、人工草地,荒草地最大;随土层的递增,土壤容重均表现出增大的趋势。各样地土壤毛管孔隙度随着土壤深度的增加均呈现出明显的下降趋势,与土壤容重呈显著负相关关系（p=-0.583^*,n=5）。不同植被恢复措施土壤蓄水容量具有一定差异,其范围在3 761.59~4 366.94 t·hm^-2之间,其中蓄水容量最高的是杨树林地,达到了4 366.94 t·hm^-2,蓄水容量最低的是荒草地,为3 761.59 t·hm^-2。不同植被恢复措施有效蓄容位于1 315.50~2 047.62 t·hm^-2之间,其中以杨树林地最大,樟子松林地最小。5种沙地类型K_fs排序为灌木林地（2.49 mm·min^-1）>人工草地（1.81 mm·min^-1）>荒草地（1.73 mm·min^-1）>樟子松林地（1.61 mm·min^-1）>杨树林地（1.44 mm·min^-1）,人工草地和荒草地的K_fs随土层增加先减小后增大,樟子松林地、杨树林地和灌木林地先增大后减小。该地区林木恢复措施效果优于草地,应着重发展林木恢复措施。