Water

Research

19 pages, 10124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time Series Analysis and Temporal Stability of Shallow Soil Moisture in a High-Fill Slope of the Loess Plateau, China

by Chenlin Ji, Tianyi Wang, Han Bao, Hengxing Lan, Qi Dong, Langping Li, Juntian Wang and Liya Yang

Water 2025, 17(8), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081140 - 10 Apr 2025

Viewed by 246

Abstract

Precipitation-induced soil moisture dynamics are a key factor that plays a critical role in triggering slope failures and geological hazards. This study investigates the response of soil moisture in a high-fill slope to rainfall and explores the influence of the topographic conditions and [...] Read more.

Precipitation-induced soil moisture dynamics are a key factor that plays a critical role in triggering slope failures and geological hazards. This study investigates the response of soil moisture in a high-fill slope to rainfall and explores the influence of the topographic conditions and rainfall characteristics on the soil moisture dynamics. The findings reveal that the topographic conditions significantly influence the soil moisture variability in the high-fill loess slope. The coefficient of variation (CV) follows a decreasing pattern, i.e., slope surface > slope step > flat terrain > slope foot, with the spatial variability diminishing as the depth increases. The response of moisture to rainfall is influenced by the rainfall characteristics. In this study, the peak lag time (PLT), which represents the time interval between the onset of rainfall and the occurrence of the peak cross-correlation coefficient (CCF) between soil moisture and rainfall, is analyzed. The results indicate that, under similar rainfall intensities, the PLT decreases with increasing rainfall amounts. Conversely, for comparable rainfall amounts, a higher rainfall intensity generally shortens the PLT at all positions except the slope step. On the slope scale, the temporal stability of soil moisture exhibits the order flat terrain > slope surface > slope step > slope foot, whereas, in the vertical profile, the temporal stability is positively correlated with the depth. This study provides valuable insights into the hydrological processes of loess high-fill slopes and contributes to understanding slopes’ hydrological transformation and evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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15 pages, 7018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Mining Area Steep Slope Conditions on the Soil and Water Conservation Benefits of Ecological Restoration

by Xiaofeng Zhao, Haibo Li, Peng Li, Yajun Chen, Qian Dai, Peng Shi, Xin Li, Yonglong Qu and Jianye Ma

Water 2025, 17(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17020256 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 751

Abstract

Steep slopes, characterized by their high gradient and limited soil and water resources, pose significant challenges to plant colonization. Consequently, the ecological restoration of steep slopes is one of the major challenges in the field of mine site rehabilitation. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.

Steep slopes, characterized by their high gradient and limited soil and water resources, pose significant challenges to plant colonization. Consequently, the ecological restoration of steep slopes is one of the major challenges in the field of mine site rehabilitation. This study evaluated the impact of slope conditions on the restoration effectiveness during the early stages of ecological restoration. Two ecological restoration slopes with different slope conditions, excavated slope and filled slope, were selected, and restored by hanging net and soil spraying measures. The unrepaired slope was used as the control. The results showed that ecological restoration has a significant effect for soil and water conservation; runoff and sediment were reduced by 61.38% and 99.28%, respectively, and infiltration increased by 104.26%, compared to untreated slopes. Furthermore, ecological restoration could effectively reduce runoff erosion dynamics and soil erodibility, and alter the runoff–sediment relationship on slopes, thereby substantially influencing the yield processes of runoff and sediment of the slopes. Notably, the reduction effect of ecological restoration measures on runoff and sediment was more significant on excavated slopes than on filled slopes. The runoff and sediment yield of excavated slopes were 19.06% and 53.77% lower than that of filled slopes, respectively. From a soil and water conservation perspective, the ecological restoration measures of hanging net and soil spraying were more suitable for application to steep excavated rock slopes. However, further research is needed to evaluate its applicability to filled slopes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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14 pages, 4881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Variations and Socio-Economic Influencing Factors of Soil Erosion at Different Spatial Scales in Key Agricultural Areas of the Qinghai—Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2022: A Case Study of the Huangshui River Basin

by Tongde Chen, Yulan Chen, Lingling Wang, Xingshuai Mei, Wei Wei, Wenting Zhao, Xiaowu Ma and Sezhen Deji

Water 2025, 17(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010088 - 1 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 819

Abstract

Soil erosion is a significant global environmental issue, especially in important agricultural areas. This study focuses on the Huangshui River Basin in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2022. The soil erosion intensity, spatiotemporal changes in soil erosion rate, and its socio-economic influencing [...] Read more.

Soil erosion is a significant global environmental issue, especially in important agricultural areas. This study focuses on the Huangshui River Basin in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2022. The soil erosion intensity, spatiotemporal changes in soil erosion rate, and its socio-economic influencing factors at three spatial scales (basin, city, county) were analyzed. The results show that slight erosion is predominant across all scales, yet there are some localized areas with more severe erosion, like Guide County and Hualong County. At the three spatial scales, the change trend in the soil erosion rate has many peaks and valleys, and peaks and valleys occur in the same year. Influencing factors vary by scale. At the basin scale, there is no significant correlation with socio-economic factors; however, at the city and county scales, multiple factors show significant correlations, like population and GDP. Based on these findings, targeted soil erosion control measures are proposed considering socio-economic perspectives. This paper can provide a scientific basis for soil erosion and ecological environment control in Huangshui River Basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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17 pages, 3431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Biochar Pyrolysis Temperature, Particle Size, and Application Rate on Water Retention of Loess in the Semiarid Region

by Peizhen Zhang, Fangling Chang, Lili Huo, Zonglu Yao and Juan Luo

Water 2025, 17(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010069 - 30 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1272

Abstract

To explore the effect of corn straw biochar on soil water retention, the characterization of corn straw biochar and its application in semiarid loess were investigated. For the corn straw biochars with different preparation conditions, significant differences were observed in elemental composition, specific [...] Read more.

To explore the effect of corn straw biochar on soil water retention, the characterization of corn straw biochar and its application in semiarid loess were investigated. For the corn straw biochars with different preparation conditions, significant differences were observed in elemental composition, specific surface area, pores distribution, surface functional groups, water absorption, and retention performance. The findings demonstrated that while the pyrolysis temperature (300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C) had no significant effect, the water absorption performance of biochar increased steadily as particle size increased (<0.25 mm, 0.25–1 mm, and >1 mm). Further, a greenhouse pot experiment with cucumber seedlings was performed using different proportions of biochar application (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%). Compared with no biochar application, the cucumber seedling fresh weight displayed significant improvement (8.89–95.56%), followed by capillary porosity (3.28–30.04%), total porosity (7.91–21.04%), and field water capacity (1.59–11.96%). Conversely, soil bulk density decreased by 3.50–14.69% after the treatments of biochar. Among all the prepared biochars, CSBC700 (particle size > 1 mm, 1% application rate) exhibited the maximum values in both field water capacity (38.78%) and saturated water content (42.25%). Based on the findings of the correlation analysis, the following characteristics may be used to rank the effect of corn straw biochar on soil water retention: application rate, O/C, pH, Ash%, C%, specific surface area, pore volume, and pore width. Biochar with larger particle sizes and abundant hydrophilic functional groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) can greatly improve soil water retention performance. These results provide new insight and support for the utilization of straw and the improvement of soil water retention in semiarid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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15 pages, 3625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Soil Detachment Capacity to Hydrodynamic Characteristics Under Different Slope Gradients

by Kerui Zhang, Chenfeng Wang, Jian Wang, Shoujun Zhu, Xiaoping Wang, Yunqi Wang, Xiaoming Zhang and Jinqi Zhu

Water 2025, 17(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010028 - 26 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 671

Abstract

The mechanism of soil detachment on steep slopes is obviously different from that on gentle slopes. However, the slope effect of soil detachment remains unclear. The objective of this study was to quantify the slope effect of soil detachment capacity at the varying [...] Read more.

The mechanism of soil detachment on steep slopes is obviously different from that on gentle slopes. However, the slope effect of soil detachment remains unclear. The objective of this study was to quantify the slope effect of soil detachment capacity at the varying hydrodynamic characteristics. In this study, the soil detachment capacity (Dc) on clay loam and hydrodynamic characteristics were measured by conducting the runoff scouring experiments at 10 slope gradients (1.7–57.7%) and 5 unit flow discharges (0.022–0.089 m²·min⁻¹). The results showed that the relationships between Dc and hydrodynamic parameters were affected by slope gradient. Based on the optimal functional relationship, the hydrodynamic characteristics (flow velocity, flow shear stress, stream power, unit stream power, and unit energy) calculated by maximum and minimum Dc in this study changed by 19.91–95138.10%, and the Dc calculated by the maximum and minimum hydrodynamic characteristics could differ by up to nine orders of magnitude. Overall, the power function of hydrodynamic parameters was superior to the linear function in different slope gradients. The stream power was the best predictor for Dc compared with other hydrodynamic parameters. For all combinations of slope gradients, the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. R²) of the power relationship between Dc and stream power was 9.41–27.40% higher than it was between Dc and other hydrodynamic parameters. The coefficient and index of power function for different hydrodynamic parameters showed a trend change with increasing slope gradient, indicating that there was a slope effect on Dc. Further analysis found that Dc could be well predicted using a power combination equation of slope gradient, flow velocity, and flow depth (Adj. R² = 0.96). This study helps to better understand the mechanism of soil detachment and emphasizes that the slope effect should be considered when establishing a soil detachment equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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14 pages, 1895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stability of Loess Slopes Under Different Plant Root Densities and Soil Moisture Contents

by Lei Shi, Liangyan Yang, Biao Peng, Zhenzhen Huang, Dongwen Hua, Zenghui Sun and Lirong He

Water 2024, 16(24), 3558; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243558 - 10 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 889

Abstract

This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the landslide problem in the loess hill and gully area in northern Shaanxi Province, selecting the loess landslide site in Quchaigou, Ganquan County, Yan’an City, as the object to assess the stability of loess slopes under [...] Read more.

This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the landslide problem in the loess hill and gully area in northern Shaanxi Province, selecting the loess landslide site in Quchaigou, Ganquan County, Yan’an City, as the object to assess the stability of loess slopes under the conditions of different plant root densities and soil moisture contents through field investigation, physical mechanics experiments and numerical simulation of the GeoStudio model. Periploca sepium, a dominant species in the plant community, was selected to simulate the stability of loess slope soils under different root densities and soil water contents. The analysis showed that the stability coefficient of Periploca sepium natural soil root density was 1.263, which was a stable condition, but the stability of the stabilized slopes decreased with the increase in soil root density. Under the condition of 10% soil moisture content, the stability coefficient of the slope body is 1.136, which is a basic stable state, but with the increase in soil moisture content, the stability of the stable slope body decreases clearly. The results show that rainfall and human activities are the main triggering factors for loess landslides, and the vegetation root system has a dual role in landslide stability: on the one hand, it increases the soil shear strength, and on the other hand, it may promote water infiltration and reduce the shear strength. In addition, the high water-holding capacity and permeability anisotropy of loess may lead to a rapid increase in soil deadweight under rainfall conditions, increasing the risk of landslides. The results of this study are of great significance for disaster prevention and mitigation and regional planning and construction, and they also provide a reference for landslide studies in similar geological environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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20 pages, 6879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Hydraulic Properties of Unsaturated Soil Using Deep Learning and Digital Imaging Measurement

by Yanni Huang and Zhoujie Wang

Water 2024, 16(24), 3550; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243550 - 10 Dec 2024

Viewed by 833

Abstract

This work aims to improve the accuracy of traditional models for analyzing the hydraulic properties of unsaturated soil by integrating digital imaging measurement with deep learning techniques. The work first reviews current research on the basic characteristics of unsaturated soil and the applications [...] Read more.

This work aims to improve the accuracy of traditional models for analyzing the hydraulic properties of unsaturated soil by integrating digital imaging measurement with deep learning techniques. The work first reviews current research on the basic characteristics of unsaturated soil and the applications of deep learning in this field. Next, it examines the impact of soil specimens’ physical properties on their hydraulic properties. This includes acquiring hydraulic parameters and the soil-water characteristic curve through full-surface digital imaging measurements. Finally, a soil hydraulic property model based on the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is implemented, trained, and validated. Results indicate that the model’s predicted soil-water characteristic curve aligns closely with the experimental findings from previous studies. Moreover, the proposed BPNN-based unsaturated soil hydraulic property model uses the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, which reduces computational time and noise compared to alternative algorithms. Meanwhile, analysis of the model parameters suggests that ten neurons in the hidden layer provide optimal performance. By incorporating correlations between physical parameters, such as soil particle size and soil hydraulic properties, the model demonstrates lower error rates compared to other literature models. Overall, this BPNN model effectively represents the relationship between soil’s physical and hydraulic parameters, streamlining traditional soil correlation coefficient estimation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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16 pages, 11083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying the Impacts of Precipitation, Vegetation, and Soil Properties on Soil Moisture Dynamics in Desert Steppe Herbaceous Communities Under Extreme Drought

by Yifei Zhang, Hao Lv, Wenshuai Fan, Yi Zhang, Naiping Song, Xing Wang, Xudong Wu, Huwei Zhang, Qingrui Tao and Xiao Wang

Water 2024, 16(23), 3490; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16233490 - 4 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1113

Abstract

The security of water resources in the desert steppe ecosystem faces threats due to large-scale vegetation restoration. Dynamic changes in soil moisture result from the interplay of precipitation replenishment and evapotranspiration depletion, both directly regulated by vegetation and soil. To achieve sustainable vegetation [...] Read more.

The security of water resources in the desert steppe ecosystem faces threats due to large-scale vegetation restoration. Dynamic changes in soil moisture result from the interplay of precipitation replenishment and evapotranspiration depletion, both directly regulated by vegetation and soil. To achieve sustainable vegetation restoration, understanding the quantifiable impacts of precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil, and vegetation on spatiotemporal soil moisture dynamics is crucial. However, these effects remain insufficiently understood. In this study, against the background of an extreme drought from 2020 to 2022, four typical herbaceous plant communities—Agropyron mongolicum, Sophora alopecuroides, Stipa breviflora, and Achnatherum splendens—were selected for investigation in Yanchi County, Ningxia Province, Northwest China. We analyzed dynamic changes in soil moisture at 0–120 cm during depletion, recovery, and stability periods, quantifying the relative contributions of precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil clay/sand ratio (C/S), and biomass to soil moisture dynamics. The results showed that the 0–120 cm soil moisture of the four plant communities in the depletion, recovery, and stability periods decreased from 7.38% to 6.81%, 11.22% to 8.08%, and 11.70% to 5.84%, respectively. In terms of relative importance, precipitation and evapotranspiration accounted for 25% to 50% and 23.6% to 39.6% of the total explanation for the soil moisture in each plant community, respectively. C/S primarily influenced soil moisture in the S. alopecuroides community, demonstrating a significant positive correlation with soil moisture and accounting for 49.1% of the total explanation. Biomass mainly affected soil moisture in the A. mongolicum, S. breviflora, and A. splendens communities and had a significant negative correlation with soil moisture, accounting for 5.7%, 13.1%, and 9.8% of the total interpretation, respectively. The continuous extreme drought caused the soil moisture deficit to extend from the shallow to the deep layers. The effects of C/S and biomass on soil moisture occurred in leguminous and gramineous communities, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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14 pages, 2646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Spatial Variability of Soil Nutrients in Typical Karst Rocky Desertification Areas

by Dongdong Zhang, Yaying Feng, Bin Zhang, Xinling Fan, Zhen Han and Jinxin Zhang

Water 2024, 16(23), 3346; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16233346 - 21 Nov 2024

Viewed by 848

Abstract

Soil nutrients are essential for plant survival, especially in karst regions where soil erosion is a significant threat, leading to ecosystem degradation. Rocks exposed in these areas contribute to fragmented soil coverage and the complex spatial distribution of soil nutrients, hindering vegetation recovery. [...] Read more.

Soil nutrients are essential for plant survival, especially in karst regions where soil erosion is a significant threat, leading to ecosystem degradation. Rocks exposed in these areas contribute to fragmented soil coverage and the complex spatial distribution of soil nutrients, hindering vegetation recovery. In this study, we collected 60 soil samples (0–30 cm deep) from a typical rocky desertification slope. Classical statistics and geostatistics were used to assess the spatial variability of the following key soil properties: soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK). The study mapped a continuous surface of soil nutrients using the ordinary kriging method to analyze the spatial variability of the karst slope. The results showed that, except for the bulk density and porosity, which showed little variation, the other soil characteristics had moderate to high levels of variability. The SOC, TN, and TP levels decreased with soil depth, while the TK content increased with soil depth. Each soil layer has strong spatial autocorrelation in its SOC. The variability of TP and TK decreases with soil depth, indicating strong spatial autocorrelation. In the 0–10 cm soil layer, the SOC displays the highest level of continuity, with the TN exhibiting a higher level of variability compared to the other nutrients. Within the 10–20 cm soil layer, the SOC, TN, TP, and TK all exhibit strong spatial autocorrelation. Moving to the 20–30 cm soil layer, the structural variability of SOC is the most pronounced. The correlation between soil nutrients and other soil properties was not strong, with only a cumulative explanatory power of 11.81% in the first two axes of a redundancy analysis (RDA). Among them, the bulk density and silt content had a significant impact on soil nutrients. Studying the spatial variability of soil nutrients in rocky desertification areas is crucial for improving soil quality and promoting vegetation restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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12 pages, 2307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Soil Dry–Wet Cycles on the Mineralization of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in Check Dams of the Loess Plateau

by Zechao Gao, Peng Shi, Lulu Bai, Zhiqiang Min, Duoxun Xu, Bo Wang and Lingzhou Cui

Water 2024, 16(22), 3274; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223274 - 14 Nov 2024

Viewed by 842

Abstract

Frequent soil drying and wetting cycles significantly affect the mineralization processes of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN), impacting soil quality and contributing to nutrient loss. However, the effects of these dry–wet cycles on SOC and STN mineralization in dam soil [...] Read more.

Frequent soil drying and wetting cycles significantly affect the mineralization processes of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN), impacting soil quality and contributing to nutrient loss. However, the effects of these dry–wet cycles on SOC and STN mineralization in dam soil are not well understood. This study simulated four consecutive wet–dry cycles under five soil moisture gradients of 0% (CK), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 100%, and 100%, across four cycles of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, to investigate the effects on soil aggregates, enzyme activities, and the mineralization of SOC and STN. The results indicated that soil enzyme activity peaked after two dry–wet cycles and then began to decline. The dry–wet cycles reduced the proportion of soil macro-aggregates while also decreasing the proportions of small and micro-aggregates. In contrast, the 100% treatment conditions exhibited the opposite effect. Dry–wet cycles enhanced the mineralization rates of SOC and STN, with the average mineralization rates under the 10% soil moisture content being the highest—1.78 and 2.38 times greater than the CK treatment for SOC and STN, respectively. The impact of dry–wet cycles on SOC and STN mineralization through the enzyme pathway was greater than through the aggregate pathway. These research findings provide theoretical insights and scientific references for the efficient operation and ecological protection of sedimentation dams in the Loess Plateau. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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13 pages, 3956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil and Water Conservation Vegetation Restoration in Alpine Areas—Taking a Hydropower Station as an Example

by Yongxiang Cao, Sen Hou, Naichang Zhang, Zhen Bian and Haixing Wang

Water 2024, 16(22), 3270; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223270 - 14 Nov 2024

Viewed by 831

Abstract

High-elevation and cold regions have harsh natural conditions with low temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation, which impede plant growth and maintenance. Therefore, soil and water conservation vegetation restoration models are of great significance. In this study, a site condition analysis was performed based [...] Read more.

High-elevation and cold regions have harsh natural conditions with low temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation, which impede plant growth and maintenance. Therefore, soil and water conservation vegetation restoration models are of great significance. In this study, a site condition analysis was performed based on three main limiting factors, including climatic and meteorological, soil, and topographic and geomorphological factors, providing a basis for vegetation restoration. The study area was divided into different site types. After investigating the situation of nurseries distributed in places such as Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan, trees, shrubs, and grasses with ecological characteristics similar to those of the local vegetation, including strong stress resistance, good soil and water conservation benefits, and well-established artificial cultivation practices, were selected as alternative vegetation for late-stage planting of indigenous tree species. Combining the results of site condition analysis and site type classification, the configuration of trees, shrubs, and grasses for different off-site condition types and the corresponding greening methods are discussed, providing a scientific reference for ecological restoration in high-elevation and low-temperature regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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16 pages, 4416 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Evaluation of Soil Erosion in Loess Hilly Area of Western Henan Based on Sampling Approach

by Zhijia Gu, Keke Ji, Qiang Yi, Shaomin Cao, Panying Li and Detai Feng

Water 2024, 16(20), 2895; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202895 - 12 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 896

Abstract

The terrain in the loess hilly area of western Henan is fragmented, with steep slopes and weak soil erosion resistance. The substantial soil erosion in this region results in plenty of problems, including decreased soil productivity and ecological degradation. These problems significantly hinder [...] Read more.

The terrain in the loess hilly area of western Henan is fragmented, with steep slopes and weak soil erosion resistance. The substantial soil erosion in this region results in plenty of problems, including decreased soil productivity and ecological degradation. These problems significantly hinder the social and economic development in the region. Soil conservation planning and ecological development require accurate soil erosion surveys. However, the studies of spatio-temporal patterns, evolution, and the driving force of soil erosion in this region are insufficient. Therefore, based on a multi-stage, unequal probability, systematic area sampling method and field investigation, the soil erosion of the loess hilly area of western Henan was quantitatively evaluated by the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) in 2022. The impact forces of soil erosion were analyzed by means of a geographic detector and multiple linear regression analysis, and the key driving factors of the spatio-temporal evolution of soil erosion in this region were revealed. The results were as follows. (1) The average soil erosion rate of the loess hilly area in western Henan in 2022 was 5.94 t⋅ha⁻¹⋅a⁻¹, with a percentage of soil erosion area of 29.10%. (2) High soil erosion rates mainly appeared in the west of Shangjie, Xingyang, and Jiyuan, which are related to the development of production and construction projects in these areas. The areas with a high percentage of soil erosion area were in the north (Xinan and Yima), west (Lushi), and southeast (Songxian and Ruyang) of the study area. Moreover, areas with the most erosion were found in forest land, cultivated land, and areas with a slope above 25°. (3) At the landscape level, the number and density of patches of all land types, except orchard land, increased significantly, and the boundary perimeter, landscape pattern segmentation, and degree of fragmentation increased. (4) The geographical detector and multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the driving forces of soil erosion are mainly topographic and climatic (slope length, elevation, precipitation, and temperature). Soil erosion was significantly influenced by the density of landscape patches. These maps and factors influencing soil erosion can serve as valuable sources of information for regional soil conservation plans and ecological environment improvements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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17 pages, 3376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of the Potential for Soil and Water Conservation Measures in a Typical Basin of the Loess Plateau, China

by Beilei Liu, Peng Li, Zhanbin Li, Jianye Ma, Zeyu Zhang and Bo Wang

Water 2024, 16(19), 2868; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192868 - 9 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328

Abstract

Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River [...] Read more.

Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin is estimated based on the assumption that vegetation cover should be relatively uniform under similar habitat conditions. The potential for terrace restoration is assessed through an analysis of topographic features and soil layer thickness, while the potential for silt dam construction is evaluated by considering various hydrological and geomorphological factors. Based on these assessments, the overall potential for soil erosion control in the watershed is synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of target areas for ecological restoration within the Kuye River Basin. The study demonstrates that the areas with the greatest potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin are concentrated in the upper and middle reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. The total potential for terracing is 1013.85 km², which is primarily distributed across the river terraces, farmlands, and gentle slopes on both sides of the riverbanks. Additionally, the potential for the construction of check dams is 14,390 units. The target areas for terracing measures in the Kuye River Basin are primarily situated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. Conversely, the target areas for forest, grass, and check dams, as well as other small watershed integrated management measures, are predominantly located in the hill and gully areas on the eastern and southern sides of the basin. The implementation of the gradual ecological construction of the watershed, based on the aforementioned objectives, will facilitate the protection, improvement, and rational utilization of soil, water, and other natural resources within the watershed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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11 pages, 3431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Formation Mechanism of Soil Interflow in Loess Hill Gully

by Na Lei, Jichang Han, Yang Zhang, Zenghui Sun, Yanan Li and Liheng Xia

Water 2024, 16(17), 2371; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172371 - 23 Aug 2024

Viewed by 736

Abstract

To address the problems of salinization of the soil in gully control and land-making projects, the formation mechanism of soil interflow from a gully valley on the Loess Plateau was investigated, regarding its interface, water source, and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics, through field location [...] Read more.

To address the problems of salinization of the soil in gully control and land-making projects, the formation mechanism of soil interflow from a gully valley on the Loess Plateau was investigated, regarding its interface, water source, and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics, through field location monitoring and isotope tracer technique. The results showed the following: (1) there are two types of soil interflow in the Loess Plateau, namely soil interflow in slope and in gully, with interflow in gully being the main form; (2) adequate water supply, layered soil structure, and geographic disparity are conditions for the formation of soil interflow in the gully; (3) soil water is recharged by precipitation, surface water, and groundwater. Surface water is an important source of soil water recharge at the 0–100 cm depth, whereas groundwater is an important source of soil water recharge at the 100–200 cm depth. The results provide a basis for the regulation of the soil interflow, resource utilization, and land quality improvement in the Loess Plateau. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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18 pages, 7378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Soil Wind Erosion and Population Exposure Risk in Central Asia’s Terminal Lake Basins

by Wei Yu, Xiaofei Ma, Wei Yan and Yonghui Wang

Water 2024, 16(13), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131911 - 4 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1934

Abstract

In the face of climate change and human activities, Central Asia’s (CA) terminal lake basins (TLBs) are shrinking, leading to deteriorating natural environments and serious soil wind erosion (SWE), which threatens regional socio-economic development, human health, and safety. Limited research on SWE and [...] Read more.

In the face of climate change and human activities, Central Asia’s (CA) terminal lake basins (TLBs) are shrinking, leading to deteriorating natural environments and serious soil wind erosion (SWE), which threatens regional socio-economic development, human health, and safety. Limited research on SWE and population exposure risk (PER) in these areas prompted this study, which applied the RWEQ and a PER model to assess the spatiotemporal changes in SWE and PER in TLBs in CA, including the Ili River Basin (IRB), Tarim River Basin (TRB), Syr Darya River Basin (SRB), and Amu Darya River Basin (ARB), from 2000 to 2020. We analyzed the driving factors of SWE and used the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model to simulate dust event trajectories. The findings from 2000 to 2020 show a spatial reduction trend in SWE and PER, with primary SWE areas in the Taklamakan Desert, Aral Sea Basin, and Lake Balkhash. Significant PER was observed along the Tarim River, near Lake Balkhash, and in the middle and lower reaches of the ARB and SRB. Over the past 21 years, temporal trends in SWE have occurred across basins, decreasing in the IRB, but increasing in the TRB, SRB, and ARB. Dust movement trajectories indicate that dust from the lower reaches of the SRB and ARB could affect Europe, while dust from the TRB could impact northern China and Japan. Correlations between SWE, NDVI, temperature, and precipitation revealed a negative correlation between precipitation and NDVI, suggesting an inhibitory impact of precipitation and vegetation cover on SWE. SWE also varied significantly under different LUCCs, with increases in cropland, forestland, and desert land, and decreases in grassland and wetland. These insights are vital for understanding SWE and PER in TLBs and offer theoretical support for emergency mitigation in arid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)

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