Sustainability

Research

23 pages, 49518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Spatiotemporal Dynamic Relationship between Human Activity Intensity and Ecosystem Service Value in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

by Guiyuan Li, Zhanneng Wu, Guo Cheng, Yixiong Yuan, Yu He and Hechi Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15322; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115322 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1038

Abstract

The Three Gorges Dam project and other human activities, including regional urbanization and industrialization, have had a substantial influence on the biological environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA). They have changed the surface land use pattern, disrupted ecosystem structure and function, [...] Read more.

The Three Gorges Dam project and other human activities, including regional urbanization and industrialization, have had a substantial influence on the biological environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA). They have changed the surface land use pattern, disrupted ecosystem structure and function, and influenced changes in the value of ecosystem services. The human activity intensity (HAI) assessment model, the ecosystem services value (ESV) assessment model, and the bivariate spatial autocorrelation model were used based on the spatiotemporal evolution data of towns along the Yangtze River in the TGRA in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. At the same time, the spatiotemporal impact of the HAI on land use patterns was evaluated and the magnitude of the spatiotemporal influences on the ESV was investigated. The findings demonstrate the following: (1) The TGRA’s higher reaches are occupied by forested land, while the middle and lower portions are characterized by agricultural land. Land change in the reservoir region has mostly featured transitions between wooded land, agricultural land, grassland, and building land during the last 25 years. Because of differences in natural geography and administrative divisions, the intensity of human activity in the TGRA changes throughout the Yangtze River, with higher intensity in Chongqing and lower intensity in Hubei. By comparing the ESV and the HAI and validating with Moran scatter plots, it was determined that there is a negative relationship between the value of ecosystem services and the intensity of human activities. (2) The ESV rose from CNY 1017.16 × 10⁸ in 1995 to CNY 1052.73 × 10⁸ in 2020, suggesting that the policies of converting farmland back into forests, eliminating outdated production capacity, and developing green industries, among other ecological conservation measures, are effective. (3) In the research area, the effect coefficient of HAI on ESV ranges from −0.02 to −0.032 to −0.031. This coefficient represents the correlation between the HAI and ESV and can preliminarily judge the change in the degree of correlation between the HAI and ESV. The increase in HAI leads to a decrease in the value of ecosystem services, and there is a clear negative spatial correlation between the two. The low human activity area and low ecosystem service value area in the Chongqing section have been transformed into a high ecosystem service value area through years of returning farmland to forest and ecological management measures for sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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15 pages, 4170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Land Use Changes on Soil Functions and Water Security: Insights from a Three-Year-Long Study in the Cantareira System, Southeast of Brazil

by Monna Lysa Teixeira Santana, Vanêssa Lopes de Faria, Samara Martins Barbosa, Milson Evaldo Serafim, Alexandre Uezu, Bruno Montoani Silva and Junior Cesar Avanzi

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13395; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813395 - 7 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 982

Abstract

Maintaining soil functions is crucial for human well-being, but there is a lack of integration between soil, water security, ecosystem services, and climate change. To bridge this knowledge gap and address erosion-induced soil and water losses and considering intrinsic impacts of soil structure, [...] Read more.

Maintaining soil functions is crucial for human well-being, but there is a lack of integration between soil, water security, ecosystem services, and climate change. To bridge this knowledge gap and address erosion-induced soil and water losses and considering intrinsic impacts of soil structure, a three-year-long study was conducted focused on three dominant soil types (Typic Hapludult, Typic Dystrudept, and Typic Usthortent) combined with different land uses (native forest, eucalyptus plantation, rotational grazing, and extensive grazing) in a critical water supply region for the São Paulo metropolitan area in Southeastern Brazil. Surface runoff, evaluated for erosion resistance, was measured using the Cornell infiltrometer, and soil electrical resistivity tomography estimated soil water content to a depth of 1.5 m for groundwater recharge analysis. Soil hydraulic properties were also measured. The results revealed that native forest soils had higher hydraulic conductivity, particularly in the surface layer, compared to eucalyptus and pastures. Native forests in Typic Hapludult showed a higher runoff rate (200 to 250 mm h⁻¹) due to a naturally dense subsoil layer that negatively impacted water infiltration and recharge with a high erosion potential, therefore reducing the amount of water stored. Typic Usthortent maintained a higher soil water content in pastures than in other land uses and also showed a low rate of water infiltration, resulting in perched water in the surface layer. In Typic Dystrudept, the native forest presented higher hydraulic conductivity (0–5 cm: 115.9 cm h⁻¹) than eucalyptus (0–5 cm: 36.4 cm h⁻¹), rotational grazing (0–5 cm: 19.4 cm h⁻¹), and extensive grazing (0–5 cm: 2.6 cm h⁻¹), but there were no significant differences in soil water content among land uses. This work illustrates the crucial role of native forests in affecting deep water recharge, reducing the soil surface erosion, mainly in soils without naturally subsoil layer, maintaining recharge potential. For Ultisols, pastures preserved soil structure and are therefore less impacted by soil management. With these results, a contribution is made to soil and water conservation, providing support for sustainable management practices in erosion-prone areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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17 pages, 3479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Organic Carbon as Response to Reforestation Age and Land Use Changes: A Qualitative Approach to Ecosystem Services

by Diêgo Faustolo Alves Bispo, Danielle Vieira Guimarães, João José Granate de Sá e Melo Marques, Adnane Beniaich, Salvador Francisco Acuña-Guzman, Marx Leandro Naves Silva and Nilton Curi

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086863 - 19 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1634

Abstract

The proper management of soil, in order to improve ecosystem services, requires knowledge of how different fractions of carbon respond to land use/land cover changes. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of total soil organic carbon, and its fractions, to reforestation age [...] Read more.

The proper management of soil, in order to improve ecosystem services, requires knowledge of how different fractions of carbon respond to land use/land cover changes. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of total soil organic carbon, and its fractions, to reforestation age and land use changes in an Ultisol in the Posses catchment, a pilot area of the Brazilian program of Payment for Environmental Services, located in Southeastern Brazil. The study was conducted using field plots with various treatments, including native forest, old and young reforestation, well-managed pasture, subsistence farming, degraded pasture, and bare soil. Results showed that soil organic carbon increased with reforestation age and that original soil carbon stocks were restored after eight years of reforestation. Short-time pasture management increased the carbon pool by 10% compared to degraded pasture. The Carbon Management Index (CMI) was able to distinguish the effects of converting degraded pasture to either subsistence farming or bare soil. The CMI is a useful tool for determining the effects of land use/land cover changes, reforestation age, and native forest preservation on soil quality. Adequate management of soil fertilization is an immediate option for restoring the quality of Ultisols under degraded pastures in the Posses sub-basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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15 pages, 3995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vegetative Flow Resistance for Erosion Control Using Grass Species from the Caribbean Region

by Walter Silva-Araya and Enrique Rodríguez-Quiñones

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6580; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086580 - 13 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1279

Abstract

Vegetative channels convey runoff effectively, prevent flooding, protect soil against erosion, avoid the formation of gullies, maintain adequate water quality, and reduce the generation of sediments. The degree of retardance as a measure of the drag force on the vegetation cover is a [...] Read more.

Vegetative channels convey runoff effectively, prevent flooding, protect soil against erosion, avoid the formation of gullies, maintain adequate water quality, and reduce the generation of sediments. The degree of retardance as a measure of the drag force on the vegetation cover is a crucial parameter for determining resistance to water flow in these channels. This research developed a new procedure to assess Manning’s coefficient and retardance index for vegetation using four Caribbean Area grass species: Bahía Grass (Paspalum notatum), Zoysia Grass (Zoysia sp.), Pangola Grass (Digitaria eriantha), and Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon). The USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area identified 16 species as vegetative lining for waterways and proposed a classification according to the degree of vegetative retardance. The category for these species was developed for use in the Western Gulf Region and required validation for the Caribbean region. A modified universal log law fitted the velocity distributions above the vegetative lining in the experiments. The energy equation for a gradually varied flow, the momentum equation, and Manning’s equation provided a solution for Manning’s coefficient. The procedure allowed us to assign a degree of retardance to the species obtained by comparing Manning’s coefficients with those from USDA-NRCS. Results show that retardance degrees published in the Puerto Rico Erosion and Sedimentation Control Handbook for Developing Areas apply to the species tested in this project. This research identified a new retardance degree for Pangola grass when the plant height is less than 0.15 m. The experimental values for Manning’s coefficient are also recommended for use in overland flow conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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15 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing and Understanding Arsenic Contamination in Agricultural Soils and Lake Sediments from Papallacta Rural Parish, Northeastern Ecuador, via Ecotoxicology Factors, for Environmental Embasement

by Paul Andres Jimenez Jimenez, Ximena Díaz, Marx Leandro Naves Silva, Anyela Vega and Nilton Curi

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 3951; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15053951 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3115

Abstract

The concentration of arsenic (As), considered a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid, in agricultural soils has become a global challenge. Sources of arsenic in soils can be both anthropogenic and natural. Contaminated water is used for the irrigation of crops and vegetables, and therefore [...] Read more.

The concentration of arsenic (As), considered a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid, in agricultural soils has become a global challenge. Sources of arsenic in soils can be both anthropogenic and natural. Contaminated water is used for the irrigation of crops and vegetables, and therefore it is the main pathway for arsenic to enter the human food chain, creating a potential health risk. This study evaluated the concentrations of arsenic in agricultural soils in the rural parish of Papallacta, located 67 km east of the city of Quito, Northeastern Ecuador, and constitutes an analysis of the problem of arsenic in agricultural soils. Shallow groundwater and geothermal water discharges laced with arsenic are frequently used for irrigation and have raised the level of arsenic in agricultural soils. This work is focused on evaluating the environmental quality and contamination of agricultural soils through environmental quality indices such as geo-accumulation index, enrichment, and contamination factor. The average arsenic levels in the agricultural soils of the four studied areas fluctuate between 20.4 and 43.0 mg kg⁻¹, while in the sediments of the Papallacta Lake, higher values were found in the range between 16.8 and 102.4 mg kg⁻¹; all of which exceed the permissible limit by the Ecuadorian Environmental Legislation for agricultural use (12 mg kg⁻¹). The results of the study in the five studied sites of the Papallacta civil parish indicate low to moderate levels of arsenic enrichment, soils enriched by bedrock, and moderate to considerable contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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14 pages, 24925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Upcycling of FGD Gypsum into a Product to Reduce Interrill Erosion: A Study Assessing Methods of Soil Surface Application

by Salvador F. Acuña-Guzman and L. Darrell Norton

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031977 - 20 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1402

Abstract

Soil conditioners have shown benefits in the reduction of soil erosion. A concomitant application of gypsum and polyacrylamide promotes aggregate stability and reduces the amount of runoff discharge and soil losses. Synthetic gypsum produced from flue gas desulfurization (FGD) at coalfired power plants [...] Read more.

Soil conditioners have shown benefits in the reduction of soil erosion. A concomitant application of gypsum and polyacrylamide promotes aggregate stability and reduces the amount of runoff discharge and soil losses. Synthetic gypsum produced from flue gas desulfurization (FGD) at coalfired power plants has the potential to serve as a more sustainable source for the agricultural application of this soil conditioner. Upcycling of FGD gypsum into a pellet of a mixture of ground FGD gypsum and polyacrylamide (PAM) was compared to other types of soil surface application methods. Results confirm that surface application of PAM and FGD gypsum reduced soil erosion. Depending on the type of application method, addition of PAM and FGD gypsum presented different effects on the local hydrological processes and microtopography. Though PAM in solution acts as a physical net on the soil surface, the amount of water needed for its application makes it impractical for agricultural fields. Granular application of PAM and FGD gypsum, as well as pellets (upcycled product) has been shown to have a delayed effect in reducing soil erosion, as these methods required PAM particles to be activated. The upcycled product of FGD gypsum and PAM in the form of pellets demonstrates that the sudden expansion of the pellets due to PAM hydration results in the rapid release of the gypsum grains, providing a better treatment on the soil surface. Moreover, the increased surface area of PAM and gypsum due to the grinding is advantageous for a more rapid activation of the soil conditioners. The upcycled product of FGD gypsum and PAM is a practical application method that could be adapted by farmers to be used at field scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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17 pages, 6538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fingerprinting Sediment Origin of the Silting Process of Urban Reservoirs

by Maria E. A. Ferreira, Diego A. Zanoni, Glauber A. Carvalho, Jamil A. A. Anache, Paulo Tarso S. Oliveira and Teodorico Alves Sobrinho

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1745; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031745 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1399

Abstract

The silting process of urban reservoirs has been occurring in many regions across the world. However, identifying the main sources of sediment and controlling the silting process in urban reservoirs are still unsolved problems in many regions, mainly in developing countries such as [...] Read more.

The silting process of urban reservoirs has been occurring in many regions across the world. However, identifying the main sources of sediment and controlling the silting process in urban reservoirs are still unsolved problems in many regions, mainly in developing countries such as Brazil. In this study, we identify which land use most influences the siltation of reservoirs, and how the different tributary streams contribute to this process in two urban reservoirs located in Campo Grande, Midwestern Brazil. Thus, we applied a sediment source fingerprinting (SSF) approach, associated with land use analysis, and the bathymetric data of reservoirs connected to the stream and drainage network, obtained between the years 2008 and 2018. The reduction in the volume and area of the reservoir during the study period were 45% and 39%, respectively. We found a proportional relationship between the reduction in the reservoir volume and the increase in the impermeable areas of the studied basin. We also noted that the sediments deposited in the reservoir originate from bare soil, banks, and bed in the proportions of 46.9%, 37.1%, and 17.2%, respectively. Our findings show that the use of bathymetric surveys and data on land use and land cover, associated with the source tracing technique, are useful alternatives to identifying sediment mobility in urban basins, especially in those where the drainage network is connected to water courses. We conclude that the factors that most contribute to the silting up of reservoirs are the erosion of banks and beds, sediment remobilization and the connectivity of the drainage network with water courses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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16 pages, 1359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aggregation Stability and Carbon Pools in Extremely Kaolinitic Soils from the East Coast of Brazil as Affected by Land Use Changes

by Tamires Maiara Ercole, João Bosco Vasconcellos Gomes, Antônio Carlos Vargas Motta, Mozart Martins Ferreira, Alberto Vasconcellos Inda, Marcelo Mancini and Nilton Curi

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021204 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1402

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential response to land use changes between native forest and croplands regarding the quantitative soil variables of aggregate weight classes and different carbon pools in extremely kaolinitic soils from the east coast of Brazil. [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential response to land use changes between native forest and croplands regarding the quantitative soil variables of aggregate weight classes and different carbon pools in extremely kaolinitic soils from the east coast of Brazil. In the soil A horizon, the total (TOC) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon contents were analyzed. In the 0–0.08 m soil layer, the weight and the organic carbon content (Cag) were determined for six size aggregate classes. The mean differential (Δ) of each property for each area was calculated. Overall, the TOC and DOC were greater in the native forest sites over the counterpart cultivated sites within each area. The ΔDOC of all the five areas were negative. The ΔCag of the 1–2 mm and 0.053–0.105 mm soil aggregate classes of Sooretama were the only ones with mean positive values. The ordination of the five areas by the ΔCag in the six soil aggregate size classes isolated Coruripe as the area with the most negative differentials, because of the forest conservation and management of the cropland. The differentials of organic carbon between forest and agricultural use of the analyzed properties did not reveal a possible effect of soil texture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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22 pages, 3431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactions between Intrinsic Soil Properties and Deep Tillage in the Sustainable Management of Perennial Crops

by Raphael Passaglia Azevedo, Lucas de Castro Moreira da Silva, Fernandes Antonio Costa Pereira, Pedro Maranha Peche, Leila Aparecida Salles Pio, Marcelo Mancini, Nilton Curi and Bruno Montoani Silva

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010760 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

Choosing the appropriate management system is essential for sustainable agricultural practices. Yet, soil-specific properties at the subsurface are seldom considered when choosing the appropriate tillage system. This study assessed the effect of tillage depth on physical–hydraulic properties in three contrasting soil classes in [...] Read more.

Choosing the appropriate management system is essential for sustainable agricultural practices. Yet, soil-specific properties at the subsurface are seldom considered when choosing the appropriate tillage system. This study assessed the effect of tillage depth on physical–hydraulic properties in three contrasting soil classes in the establishment of perennial crops. Tillage practices were evaluated in soils with natural dense layers (Inceptisols and Ultisols), and soils with very small and stable granular structure (Oxisols). From least to most aggressive, tested tillage systems included surface furrowing + plant holes (MT); plowing followed by two diskings + furrowing (CT); plowing followed by two diskings + subsoiling (SB); and plowing followed by two diskings + rotary hoeing (DM). Physical indicators with the greatest explanatory power were relative field capacity (RFC, 97%), aeration capacity (AC, 95%), macroporosity (Pmac, 95%), the S index (S_gi, 89%), and bulk density (Bd, 81%). DM caused the greatest modification in soil structure, especially at the surface. It increased values of AC, Pmac, and S_gi, and reduced Bd values. Only deep tillage systems (DM and SB) improved soil structure in deeper layers. Highest Bd values were observed for MT (1.47 g cm⁻³), and lowest for DM (1.21 g cm⁻³). Soil classes responded differently to soil tillage systems. DM was most effective in soils with densified layers (Inceptisol and Ultisol). Effects were less expressive in the studied Oxisol. Comparing MT and DM, Pmac increased by more than 100% in the studied Ultisol, but by less than 20% in the Oxisol. No tillage system affected the Oxisol’s soil structure in deeper layers, due to its small and stable granular structure. The choice of optimal tillage strategies should consider soil-specific properties, especially at greater depths, to guarantee more productive and sustainable crop systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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17 pages, 17806 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Erosion and Deposition in a Taiwanese Watershed Using USPED

by Walter Chen, Wu-Hsun Wang and Kieu Anh Nguyen

Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3397; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063397 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2398

Abstract

Soil erosion is a global problem that has been exacerbated in recent decades by global warming and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. It is also a global issue addressed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15 that seeks to recover [...] Read more.

Soil erosion is a global problem that has been exacerbated in recent decades by global warming and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. It is also a global issue addressed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15 that seeks to recover degraded land and create a world free of land degradation by 2030. In this study, we used the Unit Stream Power-based Erosion Deposition (USPED) model to investigate the distribution of soil erosion and deposition in an important reservoir watershed in Taiwan, which is known to have a high risk of sediment hazard. We found the average soil erosion rate to be 136.4 Mg/ha/year using the model’s recommended m = 1.3 and n = 1.2 empirical coefficients for a combined occurrence of sheet and rill erosion. Additionally, we selected the Sule sub-watershed and the Kala area as examples to illustrate the pattern of soil erosion and deposition and their relationship to rivers, roadways, and anthropogenic activity, and 3D terrain was employed to further enhance visualization of the model output. It was estimated that 12.6% of eroded soil was deposited with a 200 m buffer of the rivers in the watershed and might be swept into the river system by the next typhoon, torrential rain, landslide, or earthquake. In comparison to previous USLE- and RUSLE-based soil erosion modeling in the same research area, our USPED modeling is unique in that it included the amount and distribution of soil deposition. This successful implementation of USPED in Taiwan establishes a new modeling alternative in addition to the widely used USLE and RUSLE models. The findings can be used to direct future erosion pin placement in the research area, allowing for improved monitoring of sediment movement and avoiding sediment hazards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Conservation: Discussing Erosion, Climate and Land Use Changes, and Ecosystem Services)

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