Abstract
In South Africa, soil erosion is a major problem confronting natural resources. Gully erosion has a huge negative impact on soil productivity and potable water supplies, while measures to control it are expensive. Sannaspos farm which has been threatened by gully erosion was selected as a demonstration site for controlling gully erosion using low-cost control measures. The main aim of this study was to control gully erosion resulting in improved rangeland production. The technique entailed the use of old tyres and bags filled with soil. Three reference points were selected along a 240 m gully in August 2016 and monitored over 42 months. After 17 months (January 2018), gully depth decreased from 70 to 34 cm, 45 to 20 cm and 35 to 19 cm at the three reference points. After 24 months (August 2018) gully depth further decreased from 34 to 27 cm, 20 to 14 cm, and 19 to 10 cm for the three points. Thirty months after installing control measures (February 2019), the gully was sealed at all reference points. By February 2020 (42 months after initiation of the trial), the entire gully was sealed and covered with various vegetation types. Use of this low-cost method to control gully erosion is recommended under similar conditions.
Highlights
Soil erosion which is a critical component of land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon
The measurements taken on 10 January 2018 indicate that the gully depth decreased from 70 to
There has been an increase in grass and other desirable plant species in the gully, translating into improved rangeland conditions and sustainable livestock production
Summary
Soil erosion which is a critical component of land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon. According to Thomsell (2017), 40% of the land in Africa is degraded. In South Africa, soil erosion is a major environmental problem threatening land and water resources, and thereby future food security. In terms of area, Le Roux et al (2010) indicated that gully erosion had affected 577 224 ha of land in South Africa by 2010. According to these authors, the Free State province accounted for 11% (64 674 ha) of the gully erosion affected areas in the country at that time
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