Rainfall and human activity impacts on soil losses and rill erosion in vineyards (Ruwer Valley, Germany)

Abstract

Abstract. Vineyards are one of the eco-geomorphological systems most conditioned by human activity in Germany. The vineyards of the Ruwer Valley (Germany) are characterized by high soil erosion rates and rill problems on steep slopes (between 23 and 26 • ) caused by the increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events as well as deterioration due to incorrect land use managements.The objective of this paper is to determine and to quantify the hydrological and erosive phenomena in one vineyard in Germany during different seasons and under different management conditions (before, during and after vintage).For this purpose, a combined methodology was applied. Climatic (rainfall depth distributions and return periods), pedological (soil analysis and classification), geomorphological (sediment movements and rills evolution) and biological (botanic marks on the vines) variables were used on the two experimental plots in the village of Waldrach (Trier, region of Rhineland-Palatinate).The results showed high infiltration rates (near 100 %) and subsurface flow which were detected by rainfall simulations performed at different times of the year (between September and December). The highest variations of the monitored rills (lateral and frontal movements) were noted before and during vintage, when footsteps occurred concentrated during a short period of time (between September and October). Finally, two maps of soil loss were generated, indicated by botanic marks on the graft union of the vines. 62.5 t ha −1 yr −1 soil loss was registered in the experimental plots of the new vineyards (2 years), while 3.4 t ha −1 yr −1 was recorded in the old one (35 years).

Estimating soil erosion risk and evaluating erosion control measures for soil conservation planning at Koga watershed in the highlands of Ethiopia

“…On cultivated lands, appropriate soil conservation mechanisms supported with vegetation are efficient strategies to control soil loss Zhao et al, 2015). About 80 % of the current agricultural land degradation is caused by soil erosion globally (Angima et al, 2003;Rodrigo et al, 2015). Sustainable agricultural practices are challenged by severe soil erosion, as it reduces on-farm soil productivity and causes food insecurity (Sonneveld et al, 2003;Moges and Holden, 2006;Bewket, 2007).…”

The effectiveness of jute and coir blankets for erosion control in different field and laboratory conditions

“…Rainfall simulations have been used since the 1930s by scientists to study soil erosion by water and soil hydrology. They are one of the most used and most successful tools used in disciplines such as agronomy, hydrology, and geomorphology (Cerdà, 1998;Martínez-Murillo et al, 2013;Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015Iserloh et al, 2013a, b). In this study, the rainfall simulator uses four Veejet 80 100 nozzles, with a water pressure of 0.04 MPa, height of 1.9 m and target area of 4.9 m × 1.05 m. The main rainfall characteristics are as follows: mean rainfall intensity I = 105 mm h −1 , timespecific kinetic energy KE R = 1269 J m −2 h −1 , volumespecific kinetic energy KE = 12 J m −2 mm −1 , median vol- umetric drop diameter d 50 = 0.44 mm, Christiansen uniformity CU = 79 %.…”

Los suelos de Casapalma (Valle del Guadalhorce, Málaga). Análisis edafogeográfico aplicado a la ordenación del territorio

“…Como es bien sabido, la variabilidad de paráme-tros del suelo como la materia orgánica, la textura, el pH, la relación C/N, la concentración de carbonatos o los procesos erosivos entre otros, son muy elevadas en los suelos naturales, pero más aún si cabe, en los alterados por las actividades agrícolas (Kosmas et al, 1997;Matarechera, 2009;Prasuhn, 2011;Arnáez et al, 2012;Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015;Rodrigo Comino et al, 2016). De esta forma, se hace indispensable conocer su estado físico inicial y aptitud química frente a las actividades que dependen de estos territorios ya sea utilizando análisis de suelos, elaborando perfiles o llevando a cabo experimentos in situ (Arnáez et al, 2007;IUSS-WRB, 2007;Raclot et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2013;Prodoscimi et al, 2016).…”