Gully Erosion Control Practices in Northeast China: A Review

Liu Liu,Cruse Cruse,Zhang Zhang,Li Li

doi:10.3390/su11185065

Abstract

Gully erosion is the destructive and dramatic form of land degradation in Northeast China. The region is the grain production and ecological security base of China where the fertile and productive Mollisols are distributed. Though the region was agriculturally developed relatively recently, it went through high intensity cultivation and fast succession processes within short-time scales. Coupled with irrational farming practice choice and land use, hillslope erosion and gully erosion are seriously threatening agricultural production and environmental stability in the region. The awareness of gully erosion by the local governments started in the 1970s, and conservation measures were thus implemented. In this paper, based on our survey, communications with local farmers and stakeholders as well as investigation for gully erosion for the past three years, we summarize the practical and efficient practices to manage gully erosion developed by researchers and farmers in Northeast China during the past 50 years. These practices include various drop structures, soil check dams, masonry check dams, gabion check dams, wicker check dams, continuous live wicker, a shrub plant enclosure, and an arbor plant enclosure. We specifically expound how a gully erosion practice is set up and identify the site conditions for which they are well-suited. The application of these practices depends on topography, gully size, and local economy. Bioengineering techniques in Northeast China, such as continuous live wicker, a shrub plant enclosure, and an arbor plant enclosure, are highly effective in controlling gully erosion. Problems and challenges are also presented.

Highlights

Erosion is an important signature of land degradation, which occurs in many places across a wide range of environments [1,2,3,4,5,6]
At least seven 6.dDroipscsutrsusicotunres are available in the region, and their effectiveness is dependent on terrain and gully sizeL. aHndowmeuvsetr,bethperootuetclteetds aogfaidnrsotpgustllryucetruorseisonfotor rheemadacinuta cvoinabtrloelrenseoeudrcteoinbdeefipnroitteelcyt.edMafrnoym pdraocwtincesstrheaamve sbceoeunr.dTevheelsoeppedrotbolemmistigcaatne ggrualdlyuearlloysiboen rinesNolovretdhewasitthChthineai.mTphreovtyepmiecanlt porfacdteicseigsn cosnpsetcriuficctaetdioant ahnedadtchuetslaiynoaupt ethrmeoarnye[n5t],gwulhlyilearaeddoipvteirosnioonf srterduuctcuerdestiallnadgedaronpd ssttrruacwtumreus,lcwhhinicghccoaunld staalbsioliczoemthpeligmulelnythtehaedeaffnedcttihvuens edsesc[r4e9a]s.e sediment load and concentration [29,48]
Biological and engineering systems have been developed for controlling gully erosion

Summary

Introduction

Erosion is an important signature of land degradation, which occurs in many places across a wide range of environments [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Masonry drop structure for large-sized gullies is composed of a long aqueduct with low slope gradient, vertical walls, and a stilling basin (Figure 5 right). CChheecckk DDaamm PPrraaccttiicceess ooff CCoonnttrroolllliinngg GGuullllyy BBeedd A check dam is a common fixed barrier structure constructed with timber, sandbags, gabion, loose rock, masonry or concrete placed across the flow channel [36,37,38,39]. The wicker bundles are laid parallel, crossing the gully with 0.5 m spacing (Figure 11) This is a living check dam with the perfect integration of plant components. Zhang in April 2018, Tonghua City, Dunhua County, Liuhe County, Jilin Province and Fuxin City, Liaoning Province)

Arbor Plant Enclosure

Conclusions