Sensitivity of agricultural drainage systems to changes in climatic inputs

Armstrong, A. C.; Arrowsmith, R.; Castle, Denise

doi:10.1016/0378-3774(92)90082-8

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Simultaneously, the agricultural practices are different, being mainly permanent grass cover protecting against erosion. Armstrong et al (1992) concluded that, in principle, subsurface drainage systems did not need modification to cope with changes in rainfall inputs. However, the situation is different when extreme rainfall episodes and/or snowmelt in combination with frozen soils occur.…”

Section: Specific Discharge CV Skewness and Fimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A good understanding of hydrological processes is necessary to be able to effectively deal with the effects of climate change on nutrient and soil loss. Armstrong et al (1992) in a study on the sensitivity of agricultural drainage systems to changes of climatic inputs concluded among others that the variation in required drain spacing due to changes in the rainfall inputs is small compared to the variation of drain spacing resulting from a more demanding performance required by changes in crop type. Several studies have been carried out using numerical models to obtain insight into the potential effects of climate change on runoff and nutrient loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate change and runoff from agricultural catchments in Norway

Deelstra

Øygarden

Blankenberg

et al. 2011

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of extreme weather conditions on runoff, nutrient, and soil loss from agriculture-dominated catchments at different locations in Norway. Design/methodology/approach -Four catchments have been selected to study the potential effects of climate change on runoff and nutrient loss. The catchments are part of the Agricultural Environmental Monitoring Programme in Norway ( JOVA) and represent different climatological conditions, agricultural production systems/practices, and soil types. Different characteristics were calculated on the basis of existing measurements and evaluated with respect to climate change. Findings -In four selected catchments, climate change is predicted to lead to an increase in runoff. Under similar land use and tillage methods, this will most likely lead to an increase in nutrient and soil loss. Milder winters as a consequence of climate change might lead to extreme runoff conditions and severe erosion, caused by a combination of frozen soil, snowmelt, and intense rainfall. Existing large diurnal variations in discharge have to be taken into consideration in the future design of hydrotechnical implementations. Information about the potential effects of climate change on runoff generation, the magnitude of the different hydrological flow paths, and their potential effects on nutrient and soil loss processes is necessary in choosing the right mitigation measures. Originality/value -Long time series on runoff and water quality (such as those collected in small agriculture-dominated catchments as part of the Agricultural Environmental Monitoring Programme in Norway ( JOVA)) are rare, but indispensable in evaluating the potential effects of climate change on nutrient and soil loss.

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Section: Specific Discharge CV Skewness and Fimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and runoff from agricultural catchments in Norway

Deelstra

Øygarden

Blankenberg

et al. 2011

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

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“…250,000-350,000ha including a small proportion for arterial drainage systems (Green, 1979;Robinson et al, 1990). Drainage was typically small-scale based upon traditional local practises (Armstrong et al, 1992) (Morris and Shipley, 1986). Depth to a slowly permeable layer is therefore a prominent feature of the wetness risk assessment developed in the present study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Climate change and soil wetness limitations for agriculture: Spatial risk assessment framework with application to Scotland

Brown

2017

Geoderma

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Waterlogged soils can act as a major constraint on agriculture by imposing limits on the use of machinery and stocking levels. Inappropriate use of waterlogged soils can cause serious damage to soil and water resources. Limitations are particularly pronounced in locations with wetter climates and on soils which have inherent drainage problems. Constraints may also vary temporally due to climate variability and climate change. These issues are investigated through the strategic use of a risk assessment framework that combines climatic and soil factors to map changes in soil wetness risk at country level. Wetness risk is evaluated in terms of soil wetness classes and the constraints it imposes on arable and improved grassland using an empirical land capability scheme. A case study in Scotland analyses spatio-temporal variations of wetness risk and associated land-use constraints for 1961-1980 and 1991-2010 periods and using a future 2050s projection based upon the HadRM3/HadCM3 climate model ensemble. Results suggest increased risk levels in recent decades for southwest and central Scotland which are both important areas for livestock agriculture. However, wetness risk in these high risk areas is tentatively projected to reduce under average 2050s conditions based upon a central estimate from the model ensemble. Wetness risk has been adjusted based upon the assumed presence and performance of subsurface field drainage systems but this remains a significant uncertainty due to limited data availability. As artificial drainage represents the major alternative adaptation strategy compared to change of land use, the case study highlights a need to further evaluate its efficacy and long-term viability for those areas identified at high risk.

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“…The effect of climate change on the distribution patterns, timing and intensity of rainfall will have to be considered in future designs. Previous research has indicated that climate change may have a minor impact on crop water use, but the drainage design criteria for flow will probably not be significantly impacted (Armstrong et al ., ).…”

Section: Forces For Changementioning

confidence: 97%

Subsurface Drainage—What's Next?

Ayars

Evans

2015

Irrigation and Drainage

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Field drainage is a critical component of agricultural production in both arid and humid regions, but field drainage is often neglected and mismanaged as an important water resource. Innovative approaches for the integrated design and management of irrigation and subsurface drainage systems have tremendous potential to improve yields to help meet the rapidly emerging food demands and decrease total freshwater diversions to agriculture. Although irrigation system design and management have evolved tremendously in the past few decades, the design methodology and management criteria for subsurface drainage have not changed in the last 50 years. Thus, all aspects of agricultural drainage require serious reconsideration and reevaluation to be able to meet emerging needs. This manuscript evaluates the current design criteria and practices and suggests viable alternatives for the improvement of subsurface agricultural drainage systems to meet the demands of modern agriculture. Drainage water treatment, reuse, and disposal are significant problems for agricultural drainage and various alternatives are presented. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

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Sensitivity of agricultural drainage systems to changes in climatic inputs

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Climate change and runoff from agricultural catchments in Norway

Climate change and runoff from agricultural catchments in Norway

Climate change and soil wetness limitations for agriculture: Spatial risk assessment framework with application to Scotland

Subsurface Drainage—What's Next?

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