Abstract
As one typical land use change, the mechanism of returning farmland to forests (RFF) on nonpoint source pollution (NPS) is not clear, especially at multiple spatial scales. In this study, by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the changes in several flow-related and NPS-related indicators across several nested catchments were quantified and compared in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, China. The results indicated that RFF could reduce the total flow and total phosphorus (TP), which are higher in the dry season (41% and 79%, respectively) than in the wet season (21% and 47%, respectively) at the watershed with a total area of 2423.74 km2. In comparison, RFF has a larger impact on the baseflow index during the wet season (367.02%) than during the dry season (166.54%). The results also indicated that a spatial scaling effect did exist, while the reduction in TP increased from 24.57% to 48.46% as the drainage area increased from 65.92 km2 to 2104.35 km2. Specific thresholds of RFF efficiency were also observed (approximately 2000 km2 for the study area). It is suggested that other source control measures could supplement RFF by stabilizing the efficiency of RFF across different spatial scales. The results of this study could provide valuable suggestions for land use development and water quality protection, especially for large, complex watersheds.
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.
