Current Status and Challenges of the Water and Soil Conservation in Hotan County, Xinjiang

In order to thoroughly analyze the current status and challenges faced by the water and water conservation in Hotan County of Xinjiang,the use situation of water resources,the effectiveness and shortcomings of water and soil conservation work in the region are reviewed.Hotan County has achieved several remarkable achievements in the soil and water conservation project,daily management and maintenance,and ecological restoration projects.Some measures,such as terrace construction,slope protection engineering,and the construction of windproof and sandwood belts,have also had a positive impact on improving the quality of surface water resources while effectively curbing soil erosion.But there are also lack of operating policy detailed rules and implementation plans,and planning and design of some water and soil conservation projects lack of integrity and systematicness,application and promotion of new technologies,and soil loss management and ecological recovery effect assessment lack of comprehensive assessment indicators and methods.It has caused some water and soil conservation works to fail to be effectively implemented.In this regard,countermeasures and suggestions are put forward,such as strengthening the planning and management of water and soil conservation,promoting the technology and measures of water and soil conservation,increasing investment and funding support,and strengthening publicity education and personnel training.

Substantive Characteristics of Water and Soil Conservation and Ecological Civilization Construction in China

Water and soil conservation is an important part of eco-civilization con-struction. It is a major part of eco-construction and lifeline of social and economy development. Therefore, water and soil conservation is of great significance in maintaining eco-safety. The research concluded status quo and characters of water and soil losses in China and analyzed water and soil conservation and construction of eco-civilization from the perspectives of water and soil conservation and con-struction of eco-civilization.

Analysis on Countermeasures of Water and Soil Conservation and Eco-environment Construction in China

With economy development,human destruction of eco-environment is deteriorating,which has become a key treatment nationwide.What＇s more,eco-environment construction is proceeding and multi-eco-environment projects are developing.Water and soil conservation and eco-environment construction should be a strategic task long-term insisted on,which is a part of agricultural construction.The research analyzed the relationship between water and soil conservation with eco-environment,concluded the process of ecological civilization construction in promoting water and soil conservation,and proposed countermeasures,laying foundation for water and soil conservation and ecological construction.

Water and Soil Conservation in Taiwan Based on Theoretical Research of Water and Soil Ecology

Taiwan has always attached great importance to management of mountain slopes, and its steepslope water and soil conservation system has been a reference for the water and soil conservation in hot and rainy regions. From the perspective of water and soil ecology theory, new forms of water and soil loss emerged since the industrialization and urbanization of Taiwan, also known as hidden water and soil loss, such as soil hardening, change of original landform, destruction of ecological landscape etc.. These losses should be controlled through water and soil conservation measures such as initial involvement, dynamic analysis, systematic treatment and disaster avoidance, all production and construction activities should follow three elements(water, soil and vegetation) and their correlation laws, in order to maintain water and soil ecological balance. By integrating water and soil ecological concepts, water and soil conservation in Taiwan will make more progress.

Impacts of water and soil erosion in upstream watershed of Nenjiang River

Making a brief analysis of the water and soil loss present situation in Daxing＇anling area which locates to the upstream region of Nenjiang River, and giving the water and soil loss of this area that have been made near 20 years, as well as the factors of the water and soil loss. According to the factors corresponding prevention measure and forecast model have been put forward, make a brief introduction to this model in this article. It is helpful to improve the local soil conservation and sustainable development.

An Experimental Analysis of Water and Soil Conservation Effected by Micro-landscape Structure

[Objective] This comparative experiment was to explore the soil loss con- trol effects under cultivation combination of different soil and vegetation types, and to provide scientific basis for the upcoming pilot project of ecological recovery. [Method] Both the rudiment of water locomotion functioned by micro-landscape structures and different spatial combinations of various landscape constituents are considered, thus, the combination of multi-soil type, crop species and site conditions is designed in three different experimental sites. [Result] Soil loss estimates in experiments in South Wello significantly depended on various soil type, slope, vegetation and type of con- servation structure; grass cover tremendously reduces soil loss; legume cultivation performed better than cereal cultivation in soil loss control. [Conclusion] By conduct- ing the data analysis of the experiment, a scientific reference is proposed to the agri- culture planting and protective mode for the alleviation of water and soil loss in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Exploration of Water and Soil Conservation's Function in Construction of Eco-environment

Eco-environment lays foundation for human existence and development, and social and economy evolvement. Therefore, it is a fundamental principle to pro- tact and construct eco-environment and achieve sustainable development. With ur- ban development, and destruction on natural environment, however, the issue of water and soil losses has become a serious problem, affecting people＇s life and production. The research, therefore, explored the role of water and soil conservation in ecological civilization construction, including bomprehensive treatment of water storage and sand reduction, improving agricultural structure and advancing rural econ- omy, relieving the conflict between supply and demand of water resources, improv- ing eco-environment in mountainous regions and accelerating eco-construction.

Development of Prataculture and Construction of Landscape City Based on the Rule of Water and Soil Ecology

This paper explored the necessity of protecting and using grasslands, grass mountains, grass slopes and grass shallows, the significance of prataculture for the economic transformation and upgrading and urbanization, feasibility, scientificity and naturalness of landscape city construction. It was proposed that pratacultural development, construction of landscape city, agricultural, water conservancy and planning should all follow the laws of water and soil ecology, the relationship between man, water, soil, vegetation and natural environment should be handled properly, ecological balance should be kept, so as to achieve the harmony between man and nature in addition to economic development.

Assessment of the Physicochemical Quality of Irrigation Water and Soil for Sustainable Irrigated Rice Cultivation:Case of Irrigated Perimeter of M’Bahiakro(Central-East of Cote d’Ivoire)

This study aims to assess the physico-chemical quality of irrigation water and soil in the irrigated area of M’Bahiakro. Seasonal campaigns to measure in situ the physical parameters (pH, temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids) of the N’Zi River were carried out, followed by sampling (water and soil) for chemical analyses. The physico-chemical quality of irrigation water was assessed on the basis of four (4) parameters, namely Dry Residue (SR), Osmotic Pressure (π), Kelly Coefficient (KCR), Sodium Absorption Rate (SAR) and Wilcox Diagram. In terms of soil quality, the parameters (pH, N, P, P, K, MO, CEC and ESP) were determined. Overall, the results show a good physical-chemical quality of the irrigation water and soil. Indeed, the irrigation waters studied show good physico-chemistry and low to medium salinity depending on the seasons of the year. As for the soils, they have a clayey-silt texture, a slightly acidic pH, favourable to rice cultivation and a good organic matter content, which best maintains an active microbial life. In addition, the major elements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) present in irrigation water and soils could be enough to optimize the yield of rice cultivation. These results then lead to the conclusion that the irrigation water from the N’Zi River and the soils of the irrigated perimeter of M’Bahiakro are naturally suitable for agricultural use, particularly for rice cultivation. As a result, an additional supply of fertilizer (NPK) would not necessarily be necessary during the exploitation phase of the rice area.

Effect of potassium on soil conservation and productivity of maize/cowpea based crop rotations in the north-west Indian Himalayas

Plots under conservation tillage may require higher amount of potassium(K) application for augmenting productivity due to its stratification in upper soil layers, thereby reducing K supplying capacity in a medium or long-term period. To test this hypothesis, a field experiment was performed in 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 to study the effect of K and several crop rotations on yield, water productivity, carbon sequestration, grain quality, soil K status and economic benefits derived in maize(Zea mays L)/cowpea(Vigna sinensis L.) based cropping system under minimum tillage(MT). All crops recorded higher grain yield with a higher dose of K(120 kg K2 O ha-1) than recommended K(40 kg K2 O ha-1). The five years' average yield data showed that higher K application(120 kg K2 O ha-1) produced 16.4%(P<0.05)more maize equivalent yield. Cowpea based rotation yielded 14.2%(P<0.05) higher production than maize based rotation. The maximum enhancement was found in cowpea-mustard rotation. Relationship between yield and sustainable indices revealed that only agronomic efficiency of fertilizer input was significantly correlated with yield. Similarly, higherdoses of K application not only increased the water use efficiency(WUE) of all crops, but also reduced runoff and soil loss by 16.5% and 15.8% under maize and 23.3% and 19.7% under cowpea cover, respectively. This study also revealed that on an average 16.5% of left over carbon input contributed to soil organic carbon(SOC). Here, cowpea based rotation with the higher K application increased carbon sequestration in soil. Potassium fertilization also significantly improved the nutritional value of harvested grain by increasing the protein content for maize(by 9.5%) and cowpea(by 10.6%). The oil content in mustard increased by 5.0% and 6.0% after maize and cowpea, respectively. Net return also increased with the application of the higher K than recommended K and the trend was similar to yield. Hence, the present study demonstrated the potential yield and profit gains along with resource conservation in the Indian Himalayas due to annual additions of higher amount of K than the recommended dose. The impact of high K application was maximum in the cowpea-mustard rotation.

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.

A new ecological control method for Pisha sandstone based on hydrophilic polyurethane

The Pisha sandstone-coverd area is among the regions that suffer from the most severe water loss and soil erosion in China and is the main source of coarse sand for the Yellow River. This study demonstrated a new erosion control method using W-OH solution, a type of hydrophilic polyurethane, to prevent the Pisha sandstone from water erosion. We evaluated the comprehensive effects of W-OH on water erosion resistance and vegetation-growth promotion through simulated scouring tests and field demonstrations on the Ordos Plateau of China. The results of simulated scouring tests show that the water erosion resistance of W-OH treated area was excellent and the cumulative sediment yield reduction reached more than 99%. In the field demonstrations, the vegetation coverage reached approximately 95% in the consolidation-green area, and there was almost no shallow trenches on the entire slope in the treated area. In comparison, the control area experienced severe erosion with deep erosion gullies appeared on the slope and the vegetation coverage was less than 30%. This study illustrated that W-OH treatment can protect the Pisha sandstone from erosion and provide the vegetation seeds a chance to grow. Once the vegetation matured, the effects of consolidation-growth mutual promotion can efficiently and effectively improve the water erosion resistance and ecological restoration.

Distribution Regularity of Debris Flow and Its Hazard in Upper Reaches of Yangtze River and Other Rivers of Southwestern China

In the upper reaches of Yangtze River and other rivers of southwestern China, the debris flows develop and lead to most serious disasters because of the various landforms, complex geological structures and abundant rainfall. The distribution of debris flows has regularity in the regions with different landform, geological structure, and precipitation. The regularities of distribution of debris flows are as following： （1） distributed in transition belts of different morphologic regions; （2） distributed in the area with strong stream trenching; （3） distributed along fracture zones and seismic belts： （4） distributed in the area with abundant precipitation; （5） distribution of debris flow is azonal. The activity of abundant debris flows not only brings harm to Towns, Villages and Farmlands, Main Lines of Communication, Water-Power Engineering, Stream Channels etc., but also induces strong water and soil loss. According to the present status of debris flow prevention, the problems in disasters mitigation and soil conservancy are found out, and the key works are brought up for the future disasters prevention and soil conservancy.

Runoff variation affected by precipitation change and human activity in Hailiutu River basin,China

For recent years,runoff generation and hydrological processes in Hailiutu River basin have been greatly changed by climate change and human activity,especially water and soil conservation construction.In this study,the trends in precipitation,evapotranspiration(ET)and river runoff as well as the effects of precipitation change and human activity on runoff variation have been studied.The results showed that during 1960-2000,annual precipitation and river runoff,monthly precipitation and ET in September and October as well as monthly runoff in all months showed a significant decrease.In addition,peak flow and base flow had a large decrease.Under the joint influence of precipitation change and human activity,the mean annual runoff decreased by 35 million m3 from the baseline period(1960-1985)to the change period(1986-2000),which accounted for 60.9%and 39.1%of the total runoff decrease,respectively.Precipitation change played a primary role in the decrease of annual runoff whereas human activity,particularly water and soil conservation construction,also had remarkable impacts on runoff variation.

Application of Phytostabilization Technology in Remediation of Metal Mine Wasteland

The mining of metal mines has lead to serious environmental pollution and ecological damage, making remediation of mine wasteland urgent. Due to vegetation destruction, serious water and soil erosion and heavy metal migration and diffusion exist in the metal mine wasteland. Traditional physical and chemical treatment cannot solve these problems well. On the basis of analysis on status of metal mine wasteland, the application feasibility of phytostabilization technology in metal mine wasteland was analyzed. It was found that the phytostabilization could increase the vegetation coverage of metal mine wasteland in a relatively short time. In addition to solving the environmental problems, phytostabilization also created significant economic and ecological benefits.

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.

Understanding the attitudes and practices of paddy farmers for enhancing soil and water conservation in Northern Iran

The objective of this paper was to identify the factors affecting rice growers’attitudes and practices towards water and soil conservation in the Fumanat Plain of Guilan Province,Iran.Data were collected through a survey questionnaire addressing a cross section of 400 rice growers of the Fumanat Plain in four districts.Data were analyzed using both summary statistics and multivariate statistical procedures while content validity of the statements was first determined by a group of experts of water and soil conservation.It was found that more than 23% of the variance of attitudes towards water and soil conservation could be determined by a linear combination of variables included in a regression equation.Identifying the factors affecting rice growers’attitudes is suggested as a way of integrating rice cultivation into rural development.From a practical point of view,the above mentioned implications are of great importance generally for society,policy makers and related economic sectors.

Impacts of water conservancy and soil conservation measures on annual runoff in the Chaohe River Basin during 1961-2005

Taking the Chaohe River Basin above the Miyun Reservoir in North China as a study area, the characteristics and variation trends of annual runoff and annual precipitation during 1961-2005 were analyzed applying Mann-Kendall test method on the basis of the hydrologic data of the major hydrological station （Xiahui Station） located at the outlet of the drainage basin and the meteorological data of 17 rainfall stations. Human activities including water conservancy projects construction and water diversion as well as implementation of soil and water conservation from 1961 to 2005 were carefully studied using time series contrasting method. The referenced period （1961-1980） that influenced slightly by human activities and the compared period （1981-2005） that influenced significantly by water conservancy and soil conservation measures were identified according to the runoff variation process analysis and abrupt change points detection during 1961-2005 applying double accumulative curve method, mean shift t-test method and Mann-Kendall mutation test technique. Based on the establishment of a rainfall-runoff empirical statistical model, impacts and the runoff-reducing effects of water conservancy and soil conservation measures on runoff reduction were evaluated quantitatively. The major results could be summarized as follows： （1） The annual precipitation in the drainage basin tends to decrease while the runoff has declined markedly since the 1960s, the average annual runoff from 1991 to 2000 was only 90.9% in proportion to that from 1961 to 1970. （2） The annual runoff variations in the drainage basin are significantly related to human activities. （3） During 1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2005 and 1981-2005, the average annual runoff reduction amounts were 1.15×10^8, 0.28×10^8, 1.10×10^8 and 0.79×10^8 m^3 respectively and the average annual runoff-reducing effects were 31.99%, 7.13%, 40.71% and 23.79% accordingly. Runoff-reducing effects by water conservancy and soil conservation measures are more prominent in the low water period.

Evaluation of Mine Geological Environment of Guqiao Coalmine

The geological environment is important for the development of coal enterprises. In the Guqiao coalmine, the information of coal mining subsidence, terrain landform, coal gangue utilization, mine water treatment and several on-site investigations have been analyzed. It holds that its geological environment can be evaluated from three aspects, i.e., geological disasters, terrain and landform destruction, and influence on water and soil environment. The results show that mining activities have serious impacts on geological disasters and terrain landform, while lighter impacts on the water and soil environment. According to the research results, a set of corresponding governance strategies are given. The findings can provide theoretical support for the geological environmental protection and restoration of the Guqiao coalmine.

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.