Abstract
The Gully Land Consolidation Project (GLCP) was launched to create more arable land by excavating soil from the slopes on both sides of gullies, combined with simultaneous comprehensive gully prevention and control measures. The purpose of the GLCP is to increase crop production and reduce soil erosion to achieve ecological and agricultural sustainability. In this study, we assess the effects of the GLCP on soil erosion and crop production by studying the BaoChengGou Watershed in the Loess Plateau, primarily by means of high spatial-resolution satellite images (taken by the GF-1 and ZY-3 satellites) combined with the InVEST model and field investigations. Sloping cropland, sparse forestland, and natural grassland are the main land use types in the study area. After implementing the GLCP, consolidated land in the cropland increased by 7.35%, an increase that has come largely at the expense of grassland and forestland. The GLCP has markedly reduced soil erosion in the BaoChengGou Watershed, especially in the sense that soil erosion intensity was also reduced significantly in the project region on the whole, despite intensifying in certain places, such as excavated slopes; furthermore, it has improved crop yields in the study area by 10.9%. Comprehensive measurement shows the GLCP to be scientific, reasonable, and clearly efficacious. This study presents findings regarding the positive significance of the GLCP in promoting ecological and agricultural sustainability in the Loess Plateau.
Highlights
IntroductionEnsuring global food security and environmental sustainability has been included in the United
Ensuring global food security and environmental sustainability has been included in the UnitedNations Millennium Development Goals [1]
The natural grassland within the project region is mainly distributed in the channels on both sides of gullies, on slopes of gradient greater than 25 degrees, and within channels abandoned by local people
Summary
Ensuring global food security and environmental sustainability has been included in the United. Nations Millennium Development Goals [1]. Food security is closely related to food availability, which emphasizes quality and the quantity of the food supply. The sustainable availability of food is dependent on the degree of the food stability, which, in turn, is strongly affected by “food resilience and environmental sustainability” [2,3]. On the one hand, the impact of ecosystem degradation on human well-being and economic development is increasing [4]. More reasonable management of the ecosystem has provided a rare opportunity for mankind. Land 2018, 7, 113 to eradicate poverty and realize sustainable development [5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
