Agricultural Land Use Changes as a Driving Force of Soil Erosion in the Velika Morava River Basin, Serbia

Abstract

The erosion potential model was applied to estimate the soil erosion status of rural settlements during the years 1971 and 2011. We used univariate and bivariate local Moran’s I indices to detect and visualize the spatial clustering of settlements with respect to changes in erosion intensity and agricultural land use, as well as their mutual spatial correlation. The study area was differentiated into four statistically significant clusters using the calculated bivariate local Moran’s I indices. The statistical analysis examined the two largest clusters, i.e., the high–high and low–low clusters, and the results of the research indicate that the first four principal components explained 70.50% and 73.47% of the total variance, respectively. In the high–high cluster, the low rates of erosion reduction (average Index Z = 98) in the most significant types of rural settlements were determined according to demographic indicators (i.e., the higher population vitality and population density, the smaller share of the old population and the lower average age of the population) and the large proportion of arable land and Neogene sediments. In the low–low cluster, high erosion reduction rates were detected (average index Z = 64). In this cluster, the more statistically significant influence of natural conditions in combination with demographic–agrarian processes (i.e., the larger share of the old population, the higher average age of the population, the lower vitality index and deagrarization) were decisive factors in changing erosion intensity.

Modelling Water Erosion and Mass Movements (Wet) by Using GIS-Based Multi-Hazard Susceptibility Assessment Approaches: A Case Study—Kratovska Reka Catchment (North Macedonia)

“…In a study [103], it was found that 55.20% of the Kratovska Reka catchment exhibits low erosion rates, whereas the majority of the Štrpce municipality (50.03%) displays low erosion rates. Similar observations have been made by studies conducted by [38,45,104], which indicate that the intensity of soil erosion is closely linked to dynamic interactions among natural conditions, demographic and settlement indicators, and changes in land use.…”

Effects of Erosion Control Works: Case Study–Reservoir Celije, Rasina River Basin, the Zapadna Morava River (Serbia)

“…Most studies conducted in Serbia and the wider region show that in addition to the implemented erosion control measures, demographic changes in the watershed also had a significant impact on reducing soil erosion intensity, primarily due to the decrease in population and unfavorable age structure [23,24,27,69]. All of this has led to a reduction in agricultural production, resulting in the formation of grassland and forest cover on abandoned fields and orchards through the spontaneous growth of vegetation.…”

“…Multiple studies on the effects of erosion control works at the national, regional [23][24][25][26][27][28] and global levels indicate their significance in reducing soil erosion intensity [29][30][31][32][33]. Technical works provide the desired results in a shorter time period, while biological and biotechnical works provide a long-lasting solution to erosion and sedimentation issues within the watershed.…”

Predicting Soil Erosion Using RUSLE and GeoSOS-FLUS Models: A Case Study in Kunming, China

“…Although the rapid expansion of construction land may reduce soil loss in the short term, this phenomenon is neither positive nor sustainable [71]. The expansion of construction land often involves converting natural surfaces such as forests and grasslands into hard structures like buildings and roads, which reduces the likelihood of soil weathering or erosion but also deprives the land of its original ecological value [72]. Ecosystem services provided by natural surfaces, such as maintaining biodiversity, regulating the water cycle and climate, and promoting soil nutrient cycling, are significantly reduced after the expansion of construction land, thereby causing long-term negative impacts on the environment [73].…”