Effects of Contour Hedgerow Intercropping on Nutrient Losses from the Sloping Farmland in the Three Gorges Area,China

Eutrophication is recognized as one of the major environmental problems in the Three Gorges Reservoir.Contour hedgerows have been used as a major soil and water conservation measure in this area.Accordingly,a two-year study was conducted to investigate the effects of contour hedgerow intercropping on nutrient loss from sloping farmland in this area.Four treatments were applied:(1) Maize + Soybean,(2) Maize,(3) Maize + Alfalfa,and(4) Maize + Hemerocallis citrina Baroni.Results indicated that nutrient loss in the control treatment(Maize) was serious,especially the average loss flux of total nitrogen(2245.8 mg) and total phosphate(2434.2 mg) in a typical rainfall event.However,the nutrient losses by runoff in the other three treatments with contour hedgerow intercropping showed significant reduction.Compared with the control treatment,the total nitrogen loss in the Alfalfa and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni decreased by 80.9% and 85.0%,respectively,and the total phosphorus loss in the two treatments decreased by 91.2% and 92.5%,respectively.Therefore,it is concluded that nutrient losses could be reduced by using contour hedgerows in the Three Gorges Region.Reducing runoff volume and sediment loss was the main mechanisms of contour hedgerow intercropping to reduce nutrient loss.

Relationship between soil surface roughness and hydraulic roughness coefficient on sloping farmland

The soil surface roughness and hydraulic roughness coefficient are important hydraulic resistance characteristic parameters. Precisely estimating the hydraulic roughness coefficient is important to understanding mechanisms of overland flow. Four tillage practices, including cropland raking, artificial hoeing, artificial digging, and straight slopes, were considered based on the local agricultural conditions to simulate different values of soil surface roughness in the Loess Plateau. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the soil surface roughness and hydraulic roughness coefficient on sloping farmland using artificial rainfall simulation. On a slope with a gradient of 10°, a significant logarithmic function was developed between the soil surface roughness and Manning＇s roughness coefficient, and an exponential function was derived to describe the relationship between the soil surface roughness and Reynolds number. On the slope with a gradient of 15°, a significant power function was developed to reflect the relationship between the soil surface roughness and Manning＇s roughness coefficient, and a linear function was derived to relate the soil surface roughness to the Reynolds number. These findings can provide alternative ways to estimate the hydraulic roughness coefficient for different types of soil surface roughness.

Impact of Different Contour Hedgerows on Runoff,Nutrient and Soil on Sloping Farmland in Danjiangkou Reservoir Region of China

Soil and water loss has been a major environmental problem in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Region.A study of 14°sloping farmland was performed on impact of different contour hedgerows on runoff,losses of soil and nutrients during 2008 and 2011,with five treatments and three replications.The winter wheat and summer maize were used as the test crops.Treatments consisted of four hedgerows:Amorpha(Amorpha fruticosa L.),Honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica Thunb.),Day-lily flower(Hemerocallis citrina Baroni.),and Sabaigrass(Eulaliopsis binata),and a control without hedgerow.Result showed that the runoff under the control treatment was much higher than that of hedgerows.Amorpha could reduce the runoff by 35.2%compared with the control.Soil losses in four hedgerows showed significant reduction in four years(e.g.,Amorpha:78.3%;Honeysuckle:77.1%).Nutrient losses in winter were much higher than that in summer,especially total nitrogen,total phosphorus and total potassium,even though there was an abundant precipitation in summer.Hedgerows greatly affected the soil and nutrient losses on slopping farmland compared with the control treatment,especially Amorpha treatment.The present study found that the Amorpha could be used as the hedgerow species for reducing soil and water loss in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Region.

The Implementation Effects of a Nationwide Sloping Farmland Soil Erosion Control Project in China

To understand implementation of a nationwide sloping farmland soil erosion comprehensive control project during China＇s 12 th Five-Year Plan we used data collection and expert consultation. We selected 24 indexes across three aspects including project management, engineering construction and implementation benefit and used AHP-grey correlation analysis methods. We found that the scores for engineering construction were greater than 0.65 in most of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. These scores are high and scores for project management and implementation benefit are between 0.45–0.65; however, overall scores are low. The comprehensive evaluation results are normally distributed. The composite scores for Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou are 0.71, 0.68 and 0.68 respectively, indicating that the implementation effects are good. The scores for Jilin and Liaoning are 0.38 and 0.42 respectively, indicating that the implementation effects need improvement. Scores for other provinces are between 0.45–0.65 and the effects are medium. The evaluation results show certain zonal rules spatially and the implementation effect in karst regions of Southwest China is the highest, followed by the purple soil region in Southwest China, Loess Plateau region of Northwest China, earth-rock mountain region of North China and red soil hilly region of South China. The implementation effect in the black soil region of Northeast China suggests that improvement is needed in this region.

A review of rapid transport of pesticides from sloping farmland to surface waters: Processes and mitigation strategies

Pesticides applied to sloping farmland may lead to surface water contamination through rapid transport processes as influenced by the complex topography and high spatial variability of soil properties and land use in hilly or mountainous regions. However, the fate of pesticides applied to sloping farmland has not been sufficiently elucidated. This article reviews the current understanding of pesticide transport from sloping farmland to surface water. It examines overland flow and subsurface lateral flow in areas where surface soil is underlain by impervious subsoil or rocks and tile drains. It stresses the importance of quantifying and modeling the contributions of various pathways to rapid pesticide loss at catchment and regional scales. Such models could be used in scenario studies for evaluating the effectiveness of possible mitigation strategies such as constructing vegetated strips, depressions, wetlands and drainage ditches, and implementing good agricultural practices. Field monitoring studies should also be conducted to calibrate and validate the transport models as well as biophysical-economic models, to optimize mitigation measures in areas dominated by sloping farmland.

Impact of slope farmland use change on ecosystem services value in China,2000-2020

Slope farmland is an important component of farmland resources in China.The utilization and change of slope farmland have significant effects on ecosystems,and understanding the impact of slope farmland change on ecosystem services(ESs)is critical for effective land utilization and ecosystem protection.This study aims to analyze slope farmland changes in China between 2000 and 2020 and quantify the impact of these changes on ESs by the use of a land use dynamic attitude study,and an ecosystem services value(ESV)equivalent.Results show that the area of slope farmland in China was mainly concentrated on slopes of 2°-6°,and exhibited a downward trend between 2000 and 2020.There were significant differences in the spatial distribution of the farmland,which was mainly located in the Taihang,Qinling,Wushan,and Xuefeng mountains.ESV increased by$179.235 million due to the conversion between slope farmland and forest,grassland,and construction land from 2000-2010.Conversely,from 2010 to 2020,ESV decreased by$2613.919 million due to the conversion of forest and grassland to slope farmland as well as the conversion of slope farmland to construction land.

Influence of Straw Incorporation on Maize Yield,N Accumulation and Remobilization on Slope Farmland in Northeast China

Slope farmland is a main type of agricultural land throughout northeast China.Long-term high intensity utilization and unreasonable farming have caused the deterioration of soil resources and a decrease in crop production.Here,it was hypothesized that crop straw incorporation might help to reduce nutrient losses and increase maize yields across time and space.A field experiment for testing straw management practices on maize across three slope positions(top,back and bottom slopes)was conducted in Northeast China in 2018 and 2019.In this study,the dry matter accumulation(DMA),N accumulation(NA),N remobilization,postsilking N uptake and grain yield were measured under SI(straw incorporation)and NSI(no straw incorporation)across three slope positions of 100-m-long consecutive black soil slope farmland during the maize(Zea mays L.)growth stages.Compared with NSI,SI significantly increased DMA and NA at the silking and maturity stages.SI typically increased the N remobilization in all slope positions,and significantly increased N remobilization efficiency and contribution of N remobilization to grain on the back and bottom slopes.However,post-silking N uptake was only increased by SI on the top slope.SI generally increased the crop yield in three slope positions.In the SI treatments,the bottom slope was the highest yield position,followed by the top,and then the back slopes,suggesting that the bottom slope position of regularly incorporated straw might have increased the potential for boosting maize yield.Overall,the study demonstrated the outsized potential of straw incorporation to enhance maize NA and then increase the grain yield in black soil slope farmland.

Extension Study on the Use of Slope Farmland in West Region

Based on the research of slope farmland in northern Shaanxi,the extension decision model was set up by the original theory of extenics. The optimal solution is obtained by expanding analysis,provide scientific basis for decision-making and increase the economic benefits to farmers.

Analysis of Comprehensive Benefits of Transforming Slope Farmland to Terraces on the Loess Plateau:A Case Study of the Yangou Watershed in Northern Shaanxi Province,China

De-farming slope farmland has been an effective measure in recent years to improve environment and prevent soil and water loss on the Loess Plateau.There are different views about the defarming method,and also various de-farming patterns have been put into practice.This paper takes the Yangou Watershed in Shaanxi Province of China as a case for studying the comprehensive benefits of transforming slope farmland to terraces.Based on the day-by-day meteorological data of the Yan'an station in 2005 and the data of terrain features,soil and land use data of the Yangou Watershed,the impact of transforming slope farmland on terraces were simulated and analyzed in aspects of yield increase and water-soil conservation under different topographic conditions with the aid of software WIN-YIELD.Furthermore,an empirical analysis was applied to study the effects of transforming slope farmland to terraces in the Yangou Watershed.The results show that:(1) The bigger the topographic gradient is,the more remarkable benefits it has in yield increase and water-soil conservation.(2) Farmland with slope below 5° could be retained,but farmland with slope above 15° should be converted to forest or grassland as soon as possible.(3) Transforming slope farmland to terraces has the same remarkable effects as the current policy of "Relieving and de-farming" in improving agricultural production conditions,safeguarding food security,raising permanent vegetation coverage rate,and preventing soil and water loss.Besides,it is more cost-effective than the policy of "Relieving and de-farming".It's strongly suggested that the policy of transforming slope farmland to terraces be carried out on the Loess Plateau without delay.

Spatial Disparity of Slope Farmland and Food Security in Three Gorges Area

As an important measure of eco-environmental construction, the process ofde-farming in slope farmland is being undertakengradually in the whole China. Meanwhile, theproblem of reducing in food yield in de-farming areas can not be neglected any more. It is especially the case in areas with concentrated slope farmland andinconvenient transportation. In this paper, we analyze the causes of hidden troubles in food security, and the spatial relationship between farmland and slopefarmland in the reservoir area of Three Gorges, and unveil the spatial disparity of contradictions between food supply and demand. Finally, combining the accessibility of areas, three different spatial types offood security, food security area, food alert area, and food crisis area, are divided.

Environmental emigration stress of slope farmland in the Three Gorges area

The project of ‘grain for green’, to restore woodland and grass by retreating from slope farmland, as a fundamental measure of eco-environmental rehabilitation, is being conducted in the reservoir area of the Three Gorges gradually. However, the de-farming of slope farmland will reduce the amount of farmland in de-farmed areas, especially in the areas with concentrated slope farmland, which would cause the problems of environmental emigration. The people who cannot regain enough farmland by relocating farmlands within village after de-farming and have to emigrate to other places are called environmental emigrants or ecological emigrants. In the research, a de-farming stress index model and an environmental emigration model are developed based on GRID data, and the potential amount of environmental emigration caused by de-farming of slope farmland in the reservoir area is simulated aided with GIS. The simulation indicates that the potential emigration amount caused by de-farming is quite large. When the de-farming stress index reaches 40%, the amount is as large as 890,000 people, which is equivalent to the emigrants caused by the submergence of the Three Gorges reservoir. So it should be considered as a big problem during the eco-environmental rehabilitation in this area. Some suggestions are raised to tackle the problem. Firstly, the emigration plan should be included in the de-farming plan. Secondly, some provinces, especially those located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, should accommodate part of the environmental emigrants.

The Extension Methods and Fecision-making Analysis on the Planting Dtructure of Dlope Garmland in Northern Shaanxi

Based on the resent research about the planting structure of slope farmland in northern Shaanxi,in order to increase the native's income,we use the theory of the extension methods to analyze the planting structure of slope farmland,so that we can get the extensive strategy,and put them into use for planting of slope farmland to make the native's income higher.

Effects of tillage practices on nutrient loss and soybean growth in red-soil slope farmland

Field experiments were conducted to examine the effect of tillage practices on sediment and nutrient loss and soybean growth under natural rainfall conditions.Three tillage practices were applied:downslope ridge(check),downslope ridge+contour living hedgerow,and cross ridge.Cross ridge tillage reduced surface runoff by 69%and sediment yield by 86%,compared to the check treatment.The downslope ridge with a contour living hedgerow reduced surface runoff by 24%and sediment yield by 53%.Additionally,compared to the check plot,nutrient losses carried by runoff were reduced by over 68%and that carried in the sediment was reduced more than 85%in the cross ridge plot.Nutrient losses in runoff were reduced by 20%to 30%in the downslope ridge and contour living hedgerow plot and those carried in the sediment were reduced by 44%to 57%.Cross ridge tillage soybean yields exceeded those of the downslope ridge and downslope ridge+contour living hedgerow treatments by 16%-18%.Cross ridge tillage could contribute to the prevention sediment and nutrient loss and could improve crop yield,and thus it is recommended to be applied to mild slopes in the red soil region.

Soil erosion affects variations of soil organic carbon and soil respiration along a slope in Northeast China

Background:Although soil erosion plays a key role in the carbon cycle,a holistic and mechanistic understanding of the soil erosion process within the cycle is still lacking.The aim of this study was therefore to improve our mechanistic understanding of soil organic carbon(SOC)and soil respiration dynamics through an experiment conducted in an eroding black soil farmland landscape in Northeast China.Results:The depositional profiles store 5.9 times more SOC than the eroding profiles and 3.3 times more SOC than the non-eroding profiles.A linear correlation between the SOC and 137Cs(Caesium-137)was observed in our study,suggesting that the SOC decreased with increased soil erosion.Furthermore,the fractions of intermediate C and the microaggregate C were lowest at the eroding position and highest at the depositional position.In the depositional topsoil,the input of labile materials plays a promotional role in soil respiration.Conversely,in the subsoil(i.e.,below 10 cm),the potential mineralization rates were lowest at the depositional position—due to effective stabilization by physical protection within soil microaggregates.The field results of soil surface respiration also suggest that the depositional topsoil SOC is prone to be mineralized and that SOC at this depositional context is stabilized at subsoil depth.In addition,the high water contents at the depositional position can limit the decomposition rates and stabilize the SOC at the same time.Conclusions:The findings from this study support that a majority of the SOC at footslope is stored within most of the soil profile(i.e.,below 10 cm)and submitted to long-term stabilization,and meanwhile support that the depositional profile emits more CO2 than the summit due to its high amount and quality of SOC.