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Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil Conservation and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 10283

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Dr. Mingming Guo

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Mollisols Agroecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China
Interests: soil erosion process; gully erosion; vegetation restoration; soil and water conservation technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil erosion is still the dominant factor of soil degradation. Although considerable efforts has been carried out, soil erosion is still threatening soil quality, food and ecological security and biodiversity, and seriously affecting the sustainable development of ecosystem. In recent ten years, land use change has resulted in a 2.5% increase in soil erosion, and soil loss rate is 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than soil formation rate. Through the large-scale implementation of ecological engineering (vegetation restoration), soil erosion in China is characterized by continuous reduction in area and intensity. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations emphasize strict control of land degradation to ensure food security and focus on soil and water conservation ecosystem services to promote sustainable development of terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the effect of vegetation restoration on soil erosion and its regulatory mechanism for the optimization of damaged ecosystem.

This Special Issue will mainly focus on new findings and better understanding of the processes, mechanisms of soil erosion drived by vegetation. Contributions can include, but are not limited to:

1) Cascade effects of hydrological processes and erosion-transport-deposition at different scales under vegetation restoration background.

2) Climate change has changed the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation and temperature, and caused the response relationship between vegetation cover and human activities. Therefore, the reciprocal feeding mechanism of soil erosion process, global climate change and vegetation ecological restoration should be clarified.

3) Soil erosion process and its quantitative simulation considering the exitence of vegetation.

4) New technology and methodology for monitoring and assessing soil erosion.

5) Estabilishing some soil erosion models focusing on gully erosion and gravitational erosion.

6) The regulation mechanism of vegetation underground on soil erosion is still not clear, and the selection and allocation of species in the process of vegetation restoration is still difficult and needs further research.

We welcome original studies based on field monitoring, laboratory experiments and numerical modelling. We also welcome the latest review articles.I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mingming Guo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

soil erosion
vegetation restoration
soil degradation
soil and water conservation
soil erosion monitoring and assessment
land use change
soil sustainability use

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 21937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Drivers of Soil Conservation Variation in the Source of Yellow River under Diverse Development Scenarios from a Geospatial Perspective

by Ming Ling, Jianjun Chen, Yanping Lan, Zizhen Chen, Haotian You, Xiaowen Han and Guoqing Zhou

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020777 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 671

Abstract

Soil conservation (SC) plays a vital role in preventing soil erosion and ensuring ecological security. While current research on SC primarily focuses on historical spatiotemporal variations, there remains a dearth of sufficient simulation research exploring future development scenarios. In this study, simulations were applied to the source of Yellow River (SYR), a representative ecologically fragile area. Satellite remote sensing and product data, including precipitation, soil, land use/cover, DEM, and SPOT/VEGETATION NDVI, were utilized. The historical and future evolutionary trends of SC in the SYR were quantitatively assessed using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and trend analysis method, and the geographical detector was employed to explore the forces driving spatial differentiations in SC. The results demonstrated that: (1) 2000–2020, the spatial heterogeneity of SC in the SYR was characterized by the distribution of “gradually decreasing from Southeast to Northwest”, demonstrated a trend of “increasing, decreasing, and then increasing”. (2) Under the diverse development scenarios, the trend of SC change in the SYR was predominantly rising, and the natural change scenario (NCS) > ecological conservation scenario (ECS) > economic expansion scenario (EES). (3) Slope was the most important single driver affecting the spatiotemporal differentiation of SC, and the interaction of slope with average annual precipitation, and NDVI on the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of SC had the strongest explanatory ability. The results can serve as a scientific basis for regional SC and ecological protection and construction of the SYR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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15 pages, 18704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land-Use Change Effects on Soil Erosion: The Case of Roman “Via Herculia” (Southern Italy)—Combining Historical Maps, Aerial Images and Soil Erosion Model

by Antonio Minervino Amodio, Dario Gioia, Maria Danese, Nicola Masini and Canio Alfieri Sabia

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9479; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129479 - 13 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 971

Abstract

Land use and land cover (LULC) strongly influence soil erosion/sediment yield, and predicting changes in soil erosion is an important management strategy. Tracing the Earth’s past also helps us better understand the future evolution of the landscape, but research using modern mapping capabilities is hampered by the scarcity of historical landscape information. To fill the data gap and provide an example of how historical maps might be used in land-use change research, we combined an old paper map based on the IT Military Topographical Institute (ITM), aerial photos, and orthophotos to derive land-use history and landscape dynamics at fine scales for a segment of the Roman route “Via Herculia” located in the north-western sector of the Basilicata Region, Italy. Three LULC scenarios were then analysed to represent land use in 1870, 1974, and 2013. Starting from such scenarios, we applied a soil erosion model (Unit Stream Power Eosion and Deposition—USPED) to understand how land-use change over time has modified the areas subject to erosion and deposition. The results show an increase in erosion (from 17% to 20% of the total area) and sediment deposition (from 15% to 19%) over the period 1870–1974. In contrast, over the period of 1974–2013, the results show a decrease in gross erosion (from 20% to 14% of the total area) and sediment deposition (from 19% to 13%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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17 pages, 3095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological and Economic Effects of Applying the Future Agricultural Production Structure Model (FAPSMS): The Case Study of the Barička River Basin

by Nikola Tričković, Vukašin Rončević, Nikola Živanović, Tara Grujić, Luka Stefanović, Nikola Jovanović and Miodrag Zlatić

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8434; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108434 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1375

Abstract

It is necessary to harmonize the needs of society in terms of agricultural production and land protection from various forms of degradation throughout sustainable land management. Assessing the justification of investment in sustainable management of land resources is an important step in this process. Consequently, an analysis of soil erosion risk was carried out in the suburban area of the morphological unit of the Barička river watershed, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) method, with the existing and projected structure of agricultural production according to the Future Agricultural Production Structure Model from the Aspect of Preserving Land Resources for Mountain Catchment Areas of Serbia (FAPSMS). The value of the existing and projected production structure from an economic aspect was also examined using dynamic economic methods. In order to assess the risk and uncertainty of investments, a sensitive analysis of dynamic methods was carried out. The results show that soil erosion losses are already below tolerance values with the existing production structure and that they could be reduced even more by applying the designed structure. Economic indicators show that the investment is justified and that it is more sensitive to changes in income. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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12 pages, 1636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Micro-Catchment of Northeast China and Their Influencing Factors

by Jiayu Tian, Yaru Yuan, Pengchong Zhou, Lixin Wang, Zhuoxin Chen and Qiang Chen

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6355; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086355 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1347

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN) in a micro-catchment area comprising farmland and a gully with vegetation restoration (artificial forest and grassland) and their influencing factors. We surveyed a total of 52 topsoil sampling sites to measure the SOC and STN content, as well as topographical factors (elevation, curvature, slope gradient, and aspect), soil properties (bulk density, aggregate distribution, soil texture, and soil moisture), and land use and management. We used traditional statistical and geostatistical methods to analyze the spatial variability of SOC and STN. The results of this study indicate that SOC and STN content varied moderately across the entire micro-catchment area, with greater values in the west (gully head area) than in the east (gully mouth area). Additionally, SOC and STN were significantly positively correlated with soil water content, >2 mm size aggregate fraction, and elevation, but negatively correlated with <0.053 mm size fraction. Land use types also influenced the spatial distribution of SOC and STN contents, with the highest averages of SOC and STN content found at the edge of farmland road and grassland, respectively, and the lowest values in bare land. This study provides a valuable supplement to the understanding of SOC and STN in micro-catchment areas, and the research results also support the evaluation of the impact of gully erosion control on SOC and STN dynamics after vegetation restoration. Overall, vegetation restoration should be adopted for gully erosion control and sustainable agricultural development in the Mollisols region of Northeast China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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13 pages, 3686 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Influence of Initial State on Loess Erosion Characteristics and Microscopic Mechanism

by Hong Zheng, Xi-An Li, Ya-Hong Deng, Zhi-Tao Hao and Feng Wen

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4676; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054676 - 06 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1091

Abstract

Because of its loose, porous, and vertical structure, loess easily absorbs water, and it contains a large amount of soluble material, making it susceptible to erosion by water flow from rainfall or irrigation, with potentially disastrous consequences. Damage can result especially from loess slope erosion. In this paper, physical tests and microscopic analysis are used to study loess erosion. The purpose is to explore the internal structure of the soil caused by the infiltration of the water body when it flows through the loess slope, and thus to learn more about the internal mechanisms of surface erosion caused by the migration and relocation of the soil particles on the surface of the slope. Erosion tests of samples with different dry density and water content were carried out. It was found that the amount of erosion decreases with an increase of dry density and increases with an increase of water content. Through physical simulation tests combined with field investigation and analysis, the entire erosion process is divided into four erosion characteristic stages: uniform surface erosion; micro drop pit erosion; micro drop pit bead erosion; and rill erosion. The erosion mechanism and micro mechanism of different erosion characteristics are analyzed and summarized. The influences of different dry density and water content on the erosion process are analyzed and summarized, and the internal mechanism of erosion is revealed from the perspective of microstructure, thereby providing a sound basis for engineering construction and erosion-related disaster management in the Loess Plateau. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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13 pages, 3415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Anti-Scourabilities of Four Typical Herbaceous Plants and Their Responses to Soil Properties, Root Traits and Slope Position in Northeast China

by Xueshan Wang, Mingming Guo, Jielin Liu, Xiaolei Kong, Daqing Peng and Qiang Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416807 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

Vegetation has been proven to be an effective measure to mitigate soil erosion in most regions and climates. However, it is not clear how some herbaceous plants affect the ability of soil to resist slope flow erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China. In this study, four herbaceous plant plots of 50 m × 4.5 m, including Zea mays L., Sorghum bicolor × Sudanense, Avena sativa L. and Lolium multiflorum Lam., were established in a sloping land with an abandoned land as the control to detect the effect of herbaceous plants on soil anti-scourability (ANS). A hydraulic flume experiment was carried out to determine the soil ANS, and the root traits and soil properties were also measured at different slope positions. The results showed that the mean soil ANS ranged from 17.55 to 94.77 L g⁻¹ among different herbaceous plants, of which the Lolium multiflorum Lam. showed the strongest controlling effect on soil ANS (259.87%), followed by Sorghum bicolor × Sudanense (66.87%) and Avena sativa L. (18.12%), while the soil ANS of Zea mays L. decreased by 33.37% compared with the control. Soil ANS varied with slope position, and the mean soil ANS at the upslope was 116.50–134.21% higher than that of the middle slope and downslope. Additionally, soil ANS was positively related to root mass density (RMD), root length density (RLD), root surface area density (RSAD), soil total porosity and field capacity but was negatively related to soil bulk density (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Lolium multiflorum Lam. exhibited better root distribution (i.e., high RSAD, RLD, RMD, and low root diameter) and soil physical structure (i.e., high soil porosity structure, water-holding capacity and low bulk density) than other plant species. Thus, the Lolium multiflorum Lam. is beneficial for enhancing soil erosion resistance to overland flow, especially at the up and middle slopes, and it could be preferred to control sloped soil erosion in Northeast China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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12 pages, 1268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Rainfall on Soil Aggregate Breakdown and Transportation on Cultivated Land in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China

by Yikai Zhao, Han Wang, Xiangwei Chen and Yu Fu

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11028; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711028 - 03 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1452

Abstract

To clarify the characteristics of soil aggregate breakdown and transportation by rainfall, the cultivated land (0–10 cm) of the black soil region of Northeast China was taken as the research object, with rainfall intensities of 78 and 127 mm·h⁻¹ (RI₇₈, RI₁₂₇), to analyze the differences in the mass transported, fraction size distribution, mean weight diameter (MWD) and enrichment rate of aggregates before and after runoff generation. Before runoff generation, the total mass of transported aggregates, the total mass percentage of the aggregate fraction size < 1 mm and the MWD of the transported aggregates were not significantly different at rainfall intensities of 78 and 127 mm·h⁻¹. After runoff generation, the mass of transported aggregates was greater than that before runoff generation, and the mass of transported aggregates under RI₇₈ was significantly higher than that under RI₁₂₇, by 15.6%. The mass percentage of the aggregate fraction size < 0.053 mm after runoff generation was significantly reduced by 8.4% and 19.4% compared to that before runoff generation. After runoff generation, compared with before runoff generation, the MWD of the transported aggregates was significantly reduced by 50.9% and 50.3% under RI₇₈ and RI₁₂₇, respectively. Compared with before runoff generation, the mass percentage of small macroaggregates increased gradually with the increase in the transport distance. The aggregate fraction size > 0.25 mm was lost, and the fraction size < 0.25 mm was enriched, before and after runoff generation. A comparative study on the characteristics of black soil aggregate breakdown and transportation before and after runoff generation can provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism of soil erosion and the transportation of cultivated soil in the black soil region of Northeast China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Its Response to Vegetation Restoration)

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