Review on the Impact of Climate Change on Great Lakes Region’s Agriculture and Water Resources

This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of climate change on the Midwest region of the United States, particularly the rising temperatures and precipitation brought about by hot weather activities and technological advances since the 19th century. From 1900 to 2010, temperatures in the Midwest rose by an average of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which would also lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Precipitation is also expected to increase due to increased storm activity and changes in regional weather patterns. This paper explores the impact of these changes on urban and agricultural areas. In urban areas such as the city of Chicago, runoff from the increasing impervious surface areas poses challenges to the drainage system, and agriculture areas are challenged by soil erosion, nutrient loss, and fewer planting days due to excessive rainfall. Sustainable solutions such as no-till agriculture and the creation of grassland zones are discussed. Using historical data, recent climate studies and projections, the paper Outlines ways to enhance the Midwest’s ecology and resilience to climate change.

Study on Relative Soil and Water Conservation Benefits of Ridge Tillage in Different Terrain Conditions in the Black Soil Area of Northeast China

Ridge tillage, which is a very common and important tillage measure in the black soil area of northeast China, has some soil and water conservation bene- fits, but has little attention. It is very important to explore the spatial distribution of the ridge direction of the arable land and its soil and water conservation benefits in different terrain conditions in the black soil area. So Binxian County of Heilongjiang Province was selected as the study area, and 168 field investigation units were ex- tracted by stratified sampling method and investigated. According to equations of slope gradient factor and slope gradient in ridge direction, and based on the soft- ware of Arcmap, SPSS and Excel, the investigation data of soil and water loss in Binxian County were analyzed and counted, The results show that in plain, hilly and mountainous areas, the average ground slope gradients are 1.92°, 6.20° and 8.27° respectively, and the average slope gradients along ridge direction are 1.33°, 4.52°and 6.45° respectively, which account for about 70%, 73% and 78% of the average ground slope gradients in the same terrain condition; the relative quantities of soil erosion in the present ridge tillage condition account for about 55%, 69% and 67% respectively of that in down-slope ridge tillage conditions, so the present ridge tillage has obviously relative soil and water conservation benefits. Based on these results, the reasons of the present ridge tillage status were analyzed, and some reform measures were proposed. The results could not only help to comprehend the spatial distribution and soil and water conservation benefits of ridge tillage in the black soil area of Northeast China, but also provide scientific references for the layout of local soil and water conservation measures.

Study of Spatial and Temporal Processes of Soil Erosion on Sloping Land Using Rare Earth Elements As Tracers

Rare earth elements (REE) were used to study the temporal and spatial processes of soil erosion from different depths and sections of a slope. Two simulated rainfall events were applied to a prepared plot with a slope of 22°. The total runoff and sediment yield were collected every minute during the rainfall events. During the first twenty minutes of the first rainfall event, the average rate of rill erosion and the accumulated sediment yield due to rill erosion was 0.5 and 0.3 times higher than for sheet erosion. During this time, most of the erosion occurred on the lower one third of the plot. After 20 min, rill erosion became the dominant process on the slope. The average acceleration in the rate of rill erosion, the rate of rill erosion and the accumulated sediment yield due to rill erosion were 42, 6 and 4 times higher than that of sheet erosion, respectively. During the first 35 minutes of the second rainfall event, the average acceleration in the rate of rill erosion was 6～9 times higher than that of sheet erosion. Afterwards, the slope became nearly stable with little change in either rill or sheet erosion rates. Initially, most of the rill erosion occurred in the lower third of the slope but later the preexisting rillhead in the middle section of the slope became reactivated and erosion in this section of the slope increased rapidly. These results indicate that REE tracer technology is a valuable tool for quantifying spatial and temporal changes in erosion from a soil slope.

Soil and water loss in the Lancang River-Mekong River watershed (in Yunnan section, China) and its control measures

According to a lot of hydrological and environmental monitoring data, the condition of soil and water loss in the Lancang River Mekong River watershed (in Yunnan section, China) is described. The occurrence and development of soil and water loss is analyzed. The conclusion is that: (1) generally, the situation of soil and water loss in the Lancang River Mekong River watershed (in Yunnan section, China) is light, however, soil and water loss in some regions is serious, especially in the middle reach area of the river; (2) soil and water loss in the Lancang River Mekong River (in Yunnan section, China) watershed presents developing tendency and it is mainly caused by human beings. In accordance with these results, the control measures for soil and water loss are discussed.

Combining RUSLE model and the vegetation health index to unravel the relationship between soil erosion and droughts in southeastern Tunisia

Droughts and soil erosion are among the most prominent climatic driven hazards in drylands,leading to detrimental environmental impacts,such as degraded lands,deteriorated ecosystem services and biodiversity,and increased greenhouse gas emissions.In response to the current lack of studies combining drought conditions and soil erosion processes,in this study,we developed a comprehensive Geographic Information System(GIS)-based approach to assess soil erosion and droughts,thereby revealing the relationship between soil erosion and droughts under an arid climate.The vegetation condition index(VCI)and temperature condition index(TCI)derived respectively from the enhanced vegetation index(EVI)MOD13A2 and land surface temperature(LST)MOD11A2 products were combined to generate the vegetation health index(VHI).The VHI has been conceived as an efficient tool to monitor droughts in the Negueb watershed,southeastern Tunisia.The revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE)model was applied to quantitatively estimate soil erosion.The relationship between soil erosion and droughts was investigated through Pearson correlation.Results exhibited that the Negueb watershed experienced recurrent mild to extreme drought during 2000–2016.The average soil erosion rate was determined to be 1.8 t/(hm2•a).The mountainous western part of the watershed was the most vulnerable not only to soil erosion but also to droughts.The slope length and steepness factor was shown to be the most significant controlling parameter driving soil erosion.The relationship between droughts and soil erosion had a positive correlation(r=0.3);however,the correlation was highly varied spatially across the watershed.Drought was linked to soil erosion in the Negueb watershed.The current study provides insight for natural disaster risk assessment,land managers,and stake-holders to apply appropriate management measures to promote sustainable development goals in fragile environments.

Relationship between drought and soil erosion based on the normalized differential water index(NDWI)and revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE)model

The Langat River Basin in Malaysia is vulnerable to soil erosion risks because of its exposure to intensive land use activities and its topography,which primarily consists of steep slopes and mountainous areas.Furthermore,climate change frequently exposes this basin to drought,which negatively affects soil and water conservation.However,recent studies have rarely shown how soil reacts to drought,such as soil erosion.Therefore,the purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between drought and soil erosion in the Langat River Basin.We analyzed drought indices using Landsat 8 satellite images in November 2021,and created the normalized differential water index(NDWI)via Landsat 8 data to produce a drought map.We used the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE)model to predict soil erosion.We verified an association between the NDWI and soil erosion data using a correlation analysis.The results revealed that the southern and northern regions of the study area experienced drought events.We predicted an average annual soil erosion of approximately 58.11 t/(hm^(2)·a).Analysis of the association between the NDWI and soil erosion revealed a strong positive correlation,with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.86.We assumed that the slope length and steepness factor was the primary contributor to soil erosion in the study area.As a result,these findings can help authorities plan effective measures to reduce the impacts of drought and soil erosion in the future.

Evaluating soil erosion by water in a small alpine catchment in Northern Italy: comparison of empirical models

To quantify water erosion rates and annual soil loss in mountainous areas,two different empirical models were used to estimate the effects of soil erosion in a small mountain basin,the Guerna Creek watershed,located in the Central Southern Alps(Northern Italy).These two models,Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE) and Erosion Potential Model(EPM),were implemented in a Geographical Information System,accounting for the geographical,geomorphological,and weather-climate parameters,which are fundamental to evaluating the intensity and variability of the erosive processes.Soil characterization was supported by laboratory analysis.The results(computed soil loss of 87 t/ha/year and 11.1 m^(3)/ha/year,using RUSLE equation and EPM method,respectively,and sediment yield of 7.5 m^(3)/ha/year using EPM method) were compared to other studies reported in the literature for different case studies with similar topographic and climatic features,as well as to those provided by the European Soil Data Centre(ESDAC).In both cases,the agreement was satisfactory,showing consistency of the adopted procedures to the parametrization of the physical processes.

Analysis on Status and Development Trend of Wind Erosion in Black Earth Region of Northeast China

In this paper,areas and main factors of wind erosion in black earth region of Northeast China were systematically analyzed,as well as the development trend of wind erosion in black earth region of Northeast China.In addition,development trend of wind erosion in black earth region of Northeast China was analyzed from the aspects of the geographic position,climatic change law in recent 40 years and effects of northeast sand land desertification on wind erosion in black earth region,which had provided references for the research and prevention of wind erosion in soil of black earth region of Northeast China.

Analyzing Forest Effects on Runoff and Sediment Production Using Leaf Area Index

Quantifying the effects of forests on water and soil conservation helps further understanding of ecological functions and improving vegetation reconstruction in water-eroded areas.Studies on the effects of vegetation on water and soil conservation have generally focused on vegetation types or vegetation horizontal distribution densities.However,only a few studies have used indicators that consider the vegetation vertical distribution.This study used the leaf area index(LAI) to investigate the relationship between forests and water and soil conservation in experimental plots.From 2007 to 2010,rainfall characteristics,LAI,and water and soil loss in 144 natural erosive rainfall events were measured from five pure tree plots(Pinus massoniana).These tree plots were located in Hetian Town,Changting County,Fujian Province,which is a typical water-eroded area in Southern China.Quadratic polynomial regression models for LAI and water/soil conservation effects(RE/SE) were established for each plot.The RE and SE corresponded to the ratios of the runoff depth(RD) and the soil loss(SL) of each pure tree plot to those of the control plot under each rainfall event.The transformation LAIs of the LAI–RE and LAI–SE curves,as well as the rainfall characteristics for the different water/soil conservation effects,were computed.The increasing LAI resulted in descending,descending–ascending,ascending–descending,and ascending trends in the LAI–RE and LAI–SE curves.The rainfall frequencies corresponding to each trend of LAI–RE and LAI–SE were different,and the rainfall distributions were not uniform per year.The effects of soil conservation in the plots were superior to those of water conservation.Most of the RE and SE values presented a positive effect on water and soil conservation.The main factor that caused different effects was rainfall intensity.During heavy rains(e.g.,rainfall erosivity R = 145 MJ mm/ha h and maximum 30 min intensity I30 = 13 mm/h),the main effects were positive,whereas light rains(e.g.,R = 70 MJ mm/ha h and I30 = 8 mm/h) generally led to negative effects.When the rainfall erosivity was lower than that of the positive or the negative effects to a threshold and the tree LAI reached a transformation value,the relationships between LAI and RE or SE notably transformed.Results showed that the plottransformation LAIs for water and soil conservation during rainfall events were both approximately 1.0 in our study.These results could be used to come up with a more efficient way to alleviate water and soil loss in water-eroded areas.

Study on the Topographic Effect on Soil Erosion Using RUSLE Model for Small Size Watershed

Soil erosion and subsequent sedimentation have caused serious environmental and soil degradation problems in Okinawa Prefecture,Japan.This research aims at evaluating an availability of the Revised Universal Soil loss Equation（RUSLE） for predicting the range of soil loss values for the Nago watershed in Okinawa.It shows that climatic conditions substantially influence the rainfall amount as a function of the I30 of the rainfall event.The rate of soil loss is higher with increasing in altitude due to greater slope steepness.By rainfall data analysis,it is concluded that the large difference in soil loss between 2000 and 2001 was due to concentrated heavy rainfall in the rainy season or the typhoon season.

Contribution of a Geographical Information System to the Study of Soil Loss Dynamics in the Lobo Catchment (Côte d’Ivoire)

The Lobo watershed is highly anthropogenic since it has become the main production area for cocoa and coffee in C?te d’Ivoire. It therefore seems important to quantify soil loss by water erosion in this region. The Wischmeier modeling was used to model the main factors involved in erosive phenomena. Crosscutting of thematic maps and the application of the USLE formulas made possible to evaluate the erosion rate at the watershed scale in 1986 and 2014. Although soil is susceptible to erosion and erosivity is increased, the results indicate a growth in soil loss estimated at 90.12%. Some agroforestry efforts are still possible to help reducing those soil losses.

Mapping surface water erosion potential in the Soummam watershed in Northeast Algeria with RUSLE model

The present study aims to estimate the annual soil loss in the Soummam watershed in the northeast of Algeria,using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE),geographic information system(GIS),and remote sensing(RS).RUSLE model has been used for modelling the main factors involved in erosive phenomena.The Soummam watershed covers a surface area of 9108.45 km^2 of irregular shape,northeast–southwest towards southeast.It is characterized by an altitude varying between 2 m in the northeast and 2308 m in the northwest.Results showed that the average erosivity factor(R)is 70.64(MJ·mm)/(ha·h·year)and the maximum value reaches 140(MJ·mm)/(ha·h·year),the average soil erodibility factor(K)is 0.016(t·h·ha)/(MJ·ha·mm)and maximum values reach 0.0204(t·h·ha)/(MJ·ha·mm)in the southeast regions of the watershed,the average slope length and steepness factor(LS)is 9.79 and the mean C factor is estimated to be 0.62.Thematic maps integration of different factors of RUSLE in GIS with their database,allowed with a rapid and efficient manner to highlight complexity and factors interdependence in the erosion risk analyses.The resulting map for soils losses,with an average erosion rate of 6.81 t/(ha·year)shows a low erosion(<7.41 t/(ha·year))which covers 73.46%of the total area of the basin,and a medium erosion(7.42 to 19.77 t/(ha·year)),which represents 17.66%of the area.Areas with extreme erosion risk exceeding 32.18 t/(ha·year)cover more than 3.54%of the basin area.The results can certainly aid in implementation of soil management and conservation practices to reduce the soil erosion in the Soummam watershed.

Dynamic analysis of mainstream area and vegetation coverage degree of Songhua River based on RS and GIS techniques

Based on remote sensing technique,using 1990's Landsat TM data and 2000's Landsat ETM data,the authors conducts the comparative study of mainstream area of Songhua River by means of human-computer inter-action method.The results show that the area of Songhua River mainstream was 738 102 km 2 in 1990,and was 810.451 km 2 in 2000.From 1990 to 2000,the increased area of river mainstream is up to 72.349 km2 due to soil erosion and water loss.Meanwhile,the dynamic changes of surrounding vegetation cover are also studied.It is estimated that the trend of surrounding soil erosion and water loss of Songhua River mainstream becomes worse in Jilin Province.

Research of Ecological Restoration of Jari Agricultural Demonstration Site in Ethiopia

In order to resolve the issue of soil erosion in East African plateau, a micro-landscape irrigation region was established in Ethiopia plateau to research status quo of agricultural demonstration site in Jari in Ethiopia and to analyze the relation between structure and function of inner elements in different landscapes of demonstration site. Furthermore, in accordance with ecology, silviculture, agriculture and economics, the ecological landscapes were classified as per landscape functions; lands returning from farming were classified and re-used; ecosystems of grassland, river, agriculture and courtyard were researched; the feasibility of ecological restoration and sustainable development in demonstration site was demonstrated; the model for rational irrigation and water conservation was proposed. The research guarantees sustainable development of agriculture and animal husbandry and provides references for undeveloped countries with similar problems.

Erosion-induced recovery CO_(2) sink offset the horizontal soil organic carbon removal at the basin scale

To improve soil carbon sequestration capacity,the full soil carbon cycle process needs to be understood and quantified.It is essential to evaluate whether water erosion acts as a net source or sink of atmospheric CO_(2)at the basin scale,which encompasses the entire hydrological process.This study introduced an approach that combined a spatially distributed sediment delivery model and biogeochemical model to estimate the lateral and vertical carbon fluxes by water erosion at the basin scale.Applying this coupling model to the Dongting Lake Basin,the results showed that the annual average amount of soil erosion during 1980-2020 was 1.33×10^(8)t,displaying a decreasing trend followed by a slight increase.Only 12% of the soil organic carbon displacement was ultimately lost in the riverine systems,and the rest was deposited downhill within the basin.The average lateral soil organic carbon loss induced by erosion was 8.86×10^(11)g C in 1980 and 1.50×10^(11)g C in 2020,with a decline rate of 83%.A net land sink for atmospheric CO_(2)of 5.54×1011g C a^(-1)occurred during erosion,primarily through sediment burial and dynamic replacement.However,ecological restoration projects and tillage practice policies are still significant in reducing erosion,which could improve the capacity of the carbon sink for recovery beyond the rate of horizontal carbon removal.Moreover,our model enables the spatial explicit simulation of erosion-induced carbon fluxes using costeffective and easily accessible input data across large spatial scales and long timeframes.Consequently,it offers a valuable tool for predicting the interactions between carbon dynamics,land use changes,and future climate.

基于年际Landsat系列数据的长汀县水土流失治理区植被恢复监测

恢复植被是水土流失治理最普遍的一种方式,植被不仅可以提高水土保持能力,同时也能作为水土流失治理成效好坏的标准。以福建省长汀县2000—2010年治理区为主要研究对象,通过构建2000—2015年以年为时间间隔的季相一致的中等分辨率Landsat时序数据集,利用归一化植被指数NDVI时序集对治理区域植被生长状态进行监测,并定量分析植被恢复情况与治理时间长度以及治理方式之间的关系。结果表明:①治理区域植被整体恢复趋势要明显优于未治理区域;②不同治理方式下植被恢复也有所差别,园改、经济林果和重复治理下植被恢复相对较快,封禁治理下植被恢复速度相对缓慢;③不同治理方式下植被增长幅度存在差异;④同种治理方式下,不同年份开始治理的区域植被恢复趋势也存在一定差异性。研究结果可为区域水土流失治理模式的选择提供参考,以期实现水土流失治理成效定量分析。

Using the USLE: Chances, challenges and limitations of soil erosion modelling

To give soils and soil degradation,which are among the most crucial threats to ecosystem stability,social and political visibility,small and large scale modelling and mapping of soil erosion is inevitable.The most widely used approaches during an 80year history of erosion modelling are Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)-type based algorithms which have been applied in 109 countries.Addressing soil erosion by water (excluding gully erosion and land sliding),we start this review with a statistical evaluation of nearly 2,000 publications).We discuss model developments which use USLE-type equations as basis or side modules,but we also address recent development of the single USLE parameters (R,K,LS,C,P).Importance,aim and limitations of model validation as well as a comparison of USLE-type models with other erosion assessment tools are discussed.Model comparisons demonstrate that the application of process-based physical models (e.g.,WEPP or PESERA) does not necessarily result in lower uncertainties compared to more simple structured empirical models such as USLE-type algorithms.We identified four key areas for future research:(i) overcoming the principally different nature of modelled (gross) versus measured (net) erosion rates,in coupling on-site erosion risk to runoff patterns,and depositional regime,(ii) using the recent increase in spatial resolution of remote sensing data to develop process based models for large scale applications,(iii) strengthen and extend measurement and monitoring programs to build up validation data sets,and (iv) rigorous uncertainty assessment and the application of objective evaluation criteria to soil erosion modelling.

Capacity of soil loss control in the Loess Plateau based on soil erosion control degree

The capacity of soil and water conservation measures, defined as the maximum quantity of suitable soil and water conservation measures contained in a region, were determined for the Loess Plateau based on zones suitable for establishing terraced fields, forestland and grassland with the support of geographic information system(GIS) software. The minimum possible soil erosion modulus and actual soil erosion modulus in 2010 were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE), and the ratio of the minimum possible soil erosion modulus under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures to the actual soil erosion modulus was defined as the soil erosion control degree. The control potential of soil erosion and water loss in the Loess Plateau was studied using this concept. Results showed that the actual soil erosion modulus was 3355 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), the minimum possible soil erosion modulus was 1921 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), and the soil erosion control degree was 0.57(medium level) in the Loess Plateau in 2010. In terms of zoning, the control degree was relatively high in the river valley-plain area, soil-rocky mountainous area, and windy-sandy area, but relatively low in the soil-rocky hilly-forested area, hilly-gully area and plateau-gully area. The rate of erosion areas with a soil erosion modulus of less than 1000 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1) increased from 50.48% to 57.71%, forest and grass coverage rose from 56.74% to 69.15%, rate of terraced fields increased from 4.36% to 19.03%, and per capita grain available rose from 418 kg·a^(–1) to 459 kg·a^(–1) under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures compared with actual conditions. These research results are of some guiding significance for soil and water loss control in the Loess Plateau.

The development of U.S.soil erosion prediction and modeling

Soil erosion prediction technology began over 70 years ago when Austin Zingg published a relationship between soil erosion(by water)and land slope and length,followed shortly by a relationship by Dwight Smith that expanded this equation to include conservation practices.But,it was nearly 20 years before this work's expansion resulted in the Universal Soil Loss Equation(USLE),perhaps the foremost achievement in soil erosion prediction in the last century.The USLE has increased in application and complexity,and its usefulness and limitations have led to the development of additional technologies and new science in soil erosion research and prediction.Main among these new technologies is the Water Erosion Prediction Project(WEPP)model,which has helped to overcome many of the shortcomings of the USLE,and increased the scale over which erosion by water can be predicted.Areas of application of erosion prediction include almost all land types:urban,rural,cropland,forests,rangeland,and construction sites.Specialty applications of WEPP include prediction of radioactive material movement with soils at a superfund cleanup site,and near real-time daily estimation of soil erosion for the entire state of Iowa.

A hillslope version of the revised Morgan,Morgan and Finney water erosion model

The revised Morgan,Morgan and Finney(rMMF)water erosion model calculates annual surface runoff and soil loss from field-sized areas.The original version of the rMMF is neither suited to calculate water erosion along irregular hillslopes,nor capable to allow infiltration of once generated surface runoff at places where the runoff speed slows down,and infiltration could occur under natural conditions.The aim of this article is to describe a new hillslope version of the rMMF model that allows infiltration of surface runoff,and to show examples of soil erosion modelling along real and hypothetical hillslopes.The new hillslope version(hMMF)splits the entire hillslope into a number of sections that have individual properties,such as slope angle,slope length,soil properties and vegetation characteristics.The surface runoff along the slope is calculated by summing the volume of surface runoff generated in a particular section with the surface runoff coming from the immediate upsiope section.The related sediment transport is calculated for each section using the calculated detachment for the section,the sediment coming from the upsiope section and the transport capacity.A new variable is introduced to account for infiltration of surface runoff and allows simulating the effects of soil and water conservation structures on water erosion.The model was tested using measured data from plots in Africa,Asia,the US and Europe,as well as for a surveyed hillslope in Tunisia(Barbara watershed).Overall,the performance of the hMMF was reasonable for surface runoff and poor for soil loss when recommended input variable values are used.Calibration of the model resulted in a good performance,which shows the capability of the hMMF model to reproduce measured surface runoff and erosion amounts.In addition,realistic water erosion patterns on hillslopes with soil and water conservation can be simulated.