Abstract
AbstractGully erosion is considered to be a severe land degradation process around the world. The combined effects of tillage methods and topographic variation on gully erosion are poorly understood. This study investigated permanent gullies in three farmland, geomorphic areas in the black soil region of Northeastern China: low mountains and hills, tableland, and rolling hill areas. Cross‐sectional measurements were used to obtain estimates of volumetric soil loss from the gullies. Digital contour maps and remote sensing images were used to obtain the topography and row direction data. The results showed that tableland area had the greatest volumetric soil loss and was the most prone to develop gully erosion, followed by the low mountains and hills, and finally the rolling hill areas. Topography was the dominant control on gully erosion and volumetric soil loss and length density increased first and then decreased as a function of increase of slope gradient. Farmland with slope gradient between 15° and 20° had the most serious gully erosion. Hillslope gullies were classified into three types by morphological indicators. Compared to other geomorphic areas, low mountains and hills had the most gully types and the greatest variability of morphology. Surface areas and volumes were related to gully type. Different tillage methods have affected the frequency of gully occurrence. Cross‐slope tillage areas were more prone to develop gully erosion than contoured tillage and up and down slope tillage areas, especially for farmlands with slope of 5 to 10°. The results suggest that gully erosion could be reduced if up and down slope tillage was used for slope gradients less than 15° and contoured tillage was used for slope gradient greater than 15°. This study demonstrates the combined effect of topographic variations and tillage methods on gully erosion, and highlights the importance of considering different tillage methods under different geographical conditions to control gully erosion.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
