A GIS-based approach to site vegetated buffer strips for erosion control within an agricultural catchment in southern England

Agricultural soil erosion is largely attributed to arable intensification and increased mechanization. Runoff from arable land and intensively managed grassland transports sediment and contaminants across the landscape and into watercourses, causing crop loss, land degradation, and water quality issues. One low-cost and low-maintenance nature-based mitigation approach is the implementation of vegetated buffer strips (VBS): grassland sited along field margins to trap sediment and contaminants, reducing transportation and diffuse pollution rates. GIS modelling using remotely sensed landscape indices and land parcel data can provide an efficient means of identifying priority areas for intervention at sub-catchment or farm system scales. We develop and test a scalable runoff risk model in the lower Rother catchment, West Sussex. The model uses the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) applied to satellite images as an erodibility proxy and identifies locations along pathways that are conceivably at greatest risk of sediment accumulation and transfer, guided by field observations. We assess current and historical field boundaries near high-risk locations, evaluating the potential capacity of their margins to contribute to runoff risk reduction using an innovative ranking system. Recommendations are made for VBS implementation and the value of historical field boundary and margin restoration is discussed. Our method offers a rapid approach with minimal data requirements to identify high-risk sediment runoff locations and priority sites for intervention. The tool has the potential to guide decision-makers responsible for targeting and implementing soil erosion and runoff control measures such as VBS, while also maximizing agri-environmental and cultural benefits.     

Influence of cryptogamic crust disturbance to wind erosion on sand and loam rangeland soils

A portable field wind tunnel was used to assess the sediment flux rates of loam and sand textured soils in the Mallee region of southeastern Australia. Three levels of crust disturbance (nil, moderate and severe) simulating stock trampling were investigated. The results demonstrated the importance of cryptogamic crusts in binding the soil surface and providing roughness after the soil was moderately disturbed. On the loamy soil, the crust helped maintain sediment flux rates below the erosion control target to 5 g m⁻¹ s⁻¹ for a 65 km h⁻¹ wind measured at 10 m height. Once the crust was severely disturbed, sediment fluxes increased to 1·6 times the erosion target. On the sandy soil, even with no crust disturbance the sediment flux was 1·6 times the erosion control target. Disturbing the crust increased sediment fluxes to a maximum of 6·7 times the erosion control target. Removal of the crust also decreased the threshold wind velocity that resulted in an increase to the risk of erosion from <5 per cent to 20 per cent. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Processes and forms of an unstable alluvial system with resistant,cohesive streambeds

As a response to channelization projects undertaken near the turn of the 20th century and in the late 1960s, upstream reaches and tributaries of the Yalobusha River, Mississippi, USA, have been rejuvenated by upstream‐migrating knickpoints. Sediment and woody vegetation delivered to the channels by mass failure of streambanks has been transported downstream to form a large sediment/debris plug where the downstream end of the channelized reach joins an unmodified sinuous reach. Classification within a model of channel evolution and analysis of thalweg elevations and channel slopes indicates that downstream reaches have equilibrated but that upstream reaches are actively degrading. The beds of degrading reaches are characterized by firm, cohesive clays of two formations of Palaeocene age. The erodibility of these clay beds was determined with a jet‐test device and related to critical shear stresses and erosion rates. Repeated surveys indicated that knickpoint migration rates in these clays varied from 0·7 to 12 m a^?1, and that these rates and migration processes are highly dependent upon the bed substrate. Resistant clay beds of the Porters Creek Clay formation have restricted advancement of knickpoints in certain reaches and have caused a shift in channel adjustment processes towards bank failures and channel widening. Channel bank material accounts for at least 85 per cent of the material derived from the channel boundaries of the Yalobusha River system. Strategies to reduce downstream flooding problems while preventing upstream erosion and land loss are being contemplated by action agencies. One such proposal involves removal of the sediment/debris plug. Bank stability analyses that account for pore‐water and confining pressures have been conducted for a range of hydrologic conditions to aid in predicting future channel response. If the sediment/debris plug is removed to improve downstream drainage, care should be taken to provide sufficient time for drainage of groundwater from the channel banks so as not to induce accelerated bank failures. Published in 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

呼伦湖西南部咸水湖干涸湖滨带沉积物粒度特征

沙粒是区域地表沙化的重要物质基础,以呼伦湖西南部典型间歇性干涸盐湖的湖滨带为研究对象,通过野外采样和室内测定,分析沉积物粒度组成及平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度和峰态值等粒度参数,探讨粒度与可蚀性特征。结果表明:区内干涸盐湖湖滨带沉积物属沙壤土,干涸湖滨带是潜在的风蚀粉尘释放源;粉砂和细砂是湖滨带沉积物呈现空间变化的主要粒级,从湖心到湖滨带,沉积物粒径频率分布曲线呈三峰态向双峰态渐变,地表粗化现象明显;风力搬运侵蚀是表层沉积物粒度发生变化的主要原因。受主风向影响,呼伦湖西南部咸水湖干涸湖滨带存在沿主风向扩大趋势,如进一步连通成片可能发展为呼伦贝尔沙地新的风蚀区,应该引起重视。     

The response of drainage basins to the late Quaternary tectonics in the Sicilian side of the Messina Strait (NE Sicily)

Despite more than 40 yr of research attributing temporal changes in streambank erosion rates to subaerial processes, little quantitative information is available on the relationships between streambank erodibility (k_d) and critical shear stress (τ_c) and the environmental conditions and processes that enhance streambank erosion potential. The study goal was to evaluate temporal changes in k_d and τ_c from soil desiccation and freeze–thaw cycling. Soil erodibility and τ_c were measured monthly in situ using a multiangle, submerged jet test device. Soil moisture, temperature, and bulk density as well as precipitation, air temperature, and stream stage were measured continuously to determine changes in soil moisture content and state. Pairwise Mann–Whitney tests indicted k_d was 2.9 and 2.1 times higher (p < 0.0065) during the winter (December–March) than in the spring/fall (April–May, October–November) and the summer (June–September), respectively. Regression analysis showed 80% of the variability in k_d was explained by freeze–thaw cycling alone. Study results also indicated soil bulk density was highly influenced by winter weather conditions (r² = 0.86): bulk density was inversely related to both soil water content and freeze–thaw cycling. Results showed that significant changes in the resistance of streambank soils to fluvial erosion can be attributed to subaerial processes. Water resource professionals should consider the implications of increased soil erodibility during the winter in the development of channel erosion models and stream restoration designs.     

科尔沁东部沙地土壤可风蚀性研究

使用筛析法和SA—CP3粒度分析仪对科尔沁东部沙的耕地、沙岗地和裸地7个表土样品进行分析测试。结果表明：①研究区表土粒度组成以细砂和中砂为主（50%-70％），土壤可风蚀性较高；②不同土地利用类型中，耕地土壤可风蚀性程度大于沙岗地和裸地；③同一流域不同位置的土壤可风蚀性程度，西辽河东岸大于西岸；④对大气的粉尘贡献率，耕地远大于沙岗地和裸地。     

Combined hillslope diffusion and sediment transport simulation applied to landscape dynamics modelling

We present a new numerical approach for simulating geomorphic and stratigraphic processes that combines open‐channel flow with non‐uniform sediment transport law and semi‐empirical diffusive mass wasting. It is designed to facilitate modelling of surface processes across multiple space‐ and time‐scales, and under a variety of environmental and tectonic conditions. The physics of open‐channel flow is primarily based on an adapted Lagrangian formulation of shallow‐water equations. The interaction between flow and surface geology is performed by a non‐uniform total‐load sediment transport law. Additional hillslope processes are simulated using a semi‐empirical method based on a diffusion approach. In the implementation, the resolution of flow dynamics is made on a triangulated grid automatically mapped and adaptively remeshed over a regular orthogonal stratigraphic mesh. These new methods reduce computational time while preserving stability and accuracy of the physical solutions. In order to illustrate the potential of this method for landscape and sedimentary system modelling, we present a set of three generic experiments focusing on assessing the influence of contrasting erodibilities on the evolution of an active bedrock landscape. The modelled ridges morphometrics satisfy established relationships for drainage network geometry and slope distribution, and provide quantitative information on the relative impact of hillslope and channel processes, sediment discharge and alluviation. Our results suggest that contrasting erodibility can stimulate autogenic changes in erosion rate and influence the landscape morphology and preservation. This approach offers new opportunities to investigate joint landscape and sedimentary systems response to external perturbations. The possibility to define and track a large number of materials makes the implementation highly suited to model source‐to‐sink problems where material dispersion is the key question that needs to be addressed, such as natural resources exploration and basin analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤可蚀性研究述评

土壤可蚀性是土壤对侵蚀作用的敏感性。对土壤可蚀性的研究是认识土壤侵蚀机理的一个重要环节。土壤可蚀性可以通过测定土壤的理化性质、水冲、模拟降雨、小区和风洞试验测定,可以使用土壤侵蚀模型与诺谟图计算土壤可蚀性。研究中产生了许多可蚀性指数和计算公式。土壤可蚀性是一个相对的概念,它受空间变化、土壤性质的时间动态变化和人类活动等因素的影响。在土壤可蚀性的研究中存在着一些不足,具体表现为:农田土壤是土壤可蚀性研究的主要对象,区域之间的土壤可蚀性缺乏对比,因此加强对土壤可蚀性机理、实验与风水复合侵蚀作用下土壤可蚀性的研究有着十分重要的意义。     

Characteristics, controlling factors and importance of deep gullies under cropland on loess-derived soils

Several studies describe the formation and importance of shallow ephemeral gullies under cropland (depth<0.8 m). Some of these gullies may develop into channels with a depth of more than 0.8 m (up to 4 m). Despite their spectacular nature, these deep gullies have not yet been studied in detail. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the characteristics and the controlling factors of these deep gullies, as well as their importance in terms of sediment production.Comparison of a dataset with 28 deep gullies, formed in the period 1985–2003 and 123 shallow ephemeral gullies formed in the period 1994–1999 in central Belgium indicates that the deep gullies have clearly different morphological characteristics compared to shallow ephemeral gullies. Several factors were analyzed to understand the formation of deep gullies. Plotting runoff contributing area versus slope of the soil surface at the gully head indicates that the topographical threshold for deep gully formation is significantly larger compared to ephemeral gully formation. Deep gullies form on short, steep valley sides and their position is strongly affected by the presence of linear landscape elements. All deep gullies incised on landscape positions with a very erodible soil horizon at shallow depth. Analysis of causative rainfall showed no significant differences in incision thresholds between rills and shallow ephemeral gullies on the one hand and deep gullies on the other hand.The relation between area-specific sediment yield in central Belgium and drainage area, indicates that the development of deep gullies contributes significantly to the sediment output of small rural catchments and causes peaks in the mean area-specific sediment yield that are up to a factor of three higher compared with catchments where shallow ephemeral gullying occurs.     

Erodibility of a mixed mudflat dominated by microphytobenthos and Cerastoderma edule, East Frisian Wadden Sea,Germany

Sediment erodibility and a range of physical and biological parameters were measured at an intertidal site in the German Wadden Sea area in June, September and November 2002 and February and April 2003 in order to examine the influence of macrozoobenthos and microphytobenthos on sediment erodibility and the temporal variation. The study site was a mixed mudflat situated in the mesotidal Baltrum–Langeoog tidal basin at the East Frisian barrier coast. The mud content at the site was about 35% and the filter-feeding cockle Cerastoderma edule was the dominating macrozoobenthic species (by biomass). The erodibility of the sediment showed strong temporal variation with high erosion thresholds in spring and late summer and significantly lower thresholds during the rest of the study period. The erosion thresholds were strongly dependent on the contents of chlorophyll a (chl a) and colloidal carbohydrates, both indicators of the content of microphytobenthos, in this environment primarily benthic diatoms. The content of microphytobenthos was high in September 2002 and April 2003, and regression analysis indicated that this was the only likely reason for the low erodibility found at these times. A biostabilisation index of about 4.5 was found for a situation with both abundant biofilms and cockles.