Soil Erosion Research Articles

Integrative hydrologic modelling of soil and water conservation strategies: a SWAT-based evaluation of environmental resilience in the Merguellil watershed, Tunisia

IntroductionAnalyzing the hydrological dynamics and assessing the impact of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) techniques provides crucial insights for developing region-specific conservation strategies and advancing effective watershed management.MethodsA multi-objective calibration concept was applied to the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, where simultaneous calibration across the watershed andits sub-watersheds was performed using multiple objective criteria. This study investigates the impact of SWC measures on the hydrological dynamics of the Merguellil watershed, Central Tunisia. The research includes a sensitivity analysis, as well as the calibration and validation of the SWAT model, revealing seven sensitive parameters.Results and discussionDuring calibration (2000-2012), NSE was 0.82 and R2 was 0.9, RSR was 0.19 and PBIAS was 11.62%. In validation (2013–2020), NSE was 0.81 and R2 remained 0.9, RSR was 0.22 and PBIAS was 10.96%, indicating a strong correlation. Results of multi-watershed calibration were analyzed in two representative sub-watersheds (SW 8 and SW 16) and present good agreement between simulated and observed values. Simulating the SWAT model with and without SWC techniques reveals a consistent reduction in surface runoff, notably in central subbasins with values exceeding 15%. The observed decrease is attributed to vegetation cover, indicating the effectiveness of SWC practices. In contrast, subbasins lacking SWC interventions exhibit minimal runoff changes. The study further assesses the impact of SWC techniques on soil erosion, revealing negative percentage differences that indicate a reduction in erosion of over 30% following the implementation of these techniques. The central subbasins, marked by olive trees and strategic conservation, demonstrate substantial decreases, emphasizing successful erosion control efforts. Groundwater recharge analysis shows that SWC practices, along with favorable conditions, significantly enhance percolation and groundwater recharge, highlighting their beneficial impact. Variations in recharge percentages across subbasins reflect the nuanced responses influenced by anthropogenic and natural factors. Erosion hotspots were identified using sediment yield (SY) data. Six sub-watersheds were categorized from moderate to severe sediment severity classes and pinpointed as soil erosion hotspots, requiring immediate intervention. Finally, the study underscores the vital role of SWC techniques in mitigating surface runoff, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing groundwater recharge in the semi-arid Merguellil watershed. The findings emphasize the need for tailored conservation strategies considering geographical variations for effective watershed management and sustainability.

Modelling and Estimation of Average Annual Soil Loss in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Soil-related phenomenon and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG-15 are strictly tied. A healthy soil ecosystem encourages the existence of life on Earth and for agricultural purposes. One of the key factors that is contributing to unhealthy soil ecosystems is soil erosion. The research involves the assessment and modelling of soil erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE II) with the sole aim of ascertaining the annual Soil loss within the study area, this will be a veritable tool in estimating soil loss in farming systems and in supporting the achievement of the SDGs. It provides a concrete estimation of the distribution of soil erosion at Ika South LGA, through the combination of the influencing factors such as rainfall aggressivity, soil erodibility, topography, vegetation cover, and soil conservation practices. The soil loss estimated at Ika South ranges from 0 to 49119.93 t/ha/year. Results have shown that 5% of the surface area displays a high rate of soil loss, and it represents zones with moderate to severe soil erosion. These areas are mainly situated in moderate to very high slope where the runoff is high. This loss is favoured by the other factors of erosion, which are also combined to accelerate erosion losses significantly (58% of the total area has a very high rainfall erosivity), moderately erodible soils (49% of the soils show a K factor between 0.128 and 0.27t ha H/ha MJ mm), 78% of the soil have nearly level to gently undulating plains, and 14% of the areas representing steep slopes. The results revealed that, there is a probability that the rate of erosion will increase in the future in this area which pose a great threat to the achievement of the SDG-15. Therefore, proper land-use planning should be adopted such as cropping pattern for agricultural land in local area. Accurate planning should be done as a means for restoring degraded vegetation.

Soil Erosion Rates Via 210Pbex, 137Cs and USLE Model in El Rmel Watershed, NE Tunisia

ABSTRACTSoil erosion is a severe environmental and agricultural phenomenon which can be accelerated with climate change and land use, particularly in the Mediterranean region. In Tunisia, studies on the spatial distribution of erosion and deposition patterns can help to effectively implement soil and water conservation practices. Accordingly, the main objective of this research was to estimate soil erosion rates in two cultivated soils (SE1 and SE2), at El Rmel watershed of northeastern Tunisia. Three different time scales were observed via three tools, the 137Cs, the 210Pbex radioisotopes and the USLE model. The FRN's conversion mass balance model 2 (MBM2) was used to convert activities into erosion rates. Based on the 137Cs, 210Pbex, and USLE model, the mean erosion rates were, respectively, 37, 52, and 33 t ha−1 year−1, at the cereal cultivated SE1 site and 4, 9, and 6 t ha−1 year−1, at the olive tree cultivated SE2 site. It is supposed that the difference in time scale expressed by the three methods (100 years by 210Pbex, 60 years by 137Cs, and 40 years by USLE), may have had a notable impact on the discrepancy in estimated erosion rates. The mean farm slope for SE1 and SE2 were, respectively, 14% and 8% and tillage was through three operations per year. Furthermore, the cereal crops site characterized by steep slopes show much higher erosion rates. Consequently, planting olive trees will be very helpful in reducing soil erosion and will be of great impact either environmentally and/or economically.

Sustainable Soil-Structure Interaction for Road Infrastructure in Flood-Prone Regions of Nigeria

This research applies sustainable soil-structure interaction (SSI) principles to enhance the resilience of Nigerian road infrastructure to floods in certain regions. Given the socio-economic importance of road networks, the study highlights the challenges posed by extreme weather events, soil instability, hydrological stress, and design deficiencies. By focusing on the use of innovative materials, including recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and bioengineered additives that improve tensile strength and moisture resistance, the research acknowledges that these challenges cannot be addressed without incorporating these materials. The study also explores nature-based solutions, such as permeable pavements and raised embankments, to mitigate waterlogging and erosion. The review synthesizes global and local research by identifying key mechanisms contributing to infrastructure failure, including subgrade erosion in sandy soils and foundation destabilization in clay-rich regions due to moisture fluctuations. It emphasizes the importance of advanced geospatial methods, climate-adaptive strategies, and multidisciplinary approaches for assessing and managing flood risks. Transferable practices from other flood-prone regions, such as the use of salinity-resistant materials and GIS-based risk modeling, are highlighted, along with the need for local adaptation to Nigeria’s specific geographic and socio-economic context. The review advocates for a paradigm shift in policy and practice through sustainable road design that integrates ecological, economic, and technological considerations. The study aims to bridge advancements in theory with practical applications, contributing to the development of a resilient road network that will support economic growth and mitigate the impact of climate-induced disasters in Nigeria.

Application of the RUSLE Modeling Tool for Quantification of Soil Erosion towards Sustainable Planning: The Case of Kosi River Basin, Bihar, India

Soil erosion is a pressing global issue, affecting approximately 2.6 billion people across over 100 countries. It occurs from natural processes and human activities such as intensive agriculture and deforestation. In India, the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning estimates that around 146.8 million hectares of soil have been degraded. Preliminary analysis indicates an average soil erosion rate of 16.4 tons per hectare per year, leading to an annual loss of 5.3 billion tons nationwide. The Kosi River, which frequently shifts its course, exacerbates soil erosion issues in Northern Bihar. This study employs the Revised Universal Soil Equation (RUSLE) to estimate soil loss in the Kosi Basin, covering an area of 1,370,873.485 hectares, utilizing a 30-year rainfall dataset from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Furthermore, various remote sensing data reveal that 0.20% of the area is at very high risk, while 65.88% is classified as having low to shallow risk for soil erosion. These results intend to guide regional planning and land use management in Bihar, emphasizing the importance of the soil erosion prevention model for effective environmental management.

Estimation of soil erosion and risk assessment in Somalia

Soil erosion is a pressing issue that threatens environmental stability and agricultural productivity across the globe. In Somalia, where the population already contends with severe socioeconomic and environmental challenges, the effects of erosion compound problems like food insecurity and land degradation. This study investigates erosion patterns and identifies areas prone to soil loss, aiming to provide actionable insights for improving land use practices and resource management. The research employs advanced analytical tools to study how erosion factors are distributed geographically. Data such as terrain characteristics, rainfall intensity, vegetation cover, soil quality, and land usage are systematically analyzed. Cutting-edge modeling techniques, supported by historical erosion trends, help to develop accurate predictions about future soil loss, offering a robust basis for creating effective intervention strategies. The findings show that many regions in Somalia are highly susceptible to erosion, particularly where unsustainable human activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, and improper farming methods are prevalent. These insights underscore the urgent need for targeted policies to mitigate erosion and protect valuable soil resources. By forecasting potential erosion scenarios, this research equips decision-makers with the tools needed to prioritize interventions that enhance agricultural output, preserve ecosystems, and ensure long-term sustainability. This research aids policymakers, land managers, and stakeholders in formulating focused, evidence-based plans for soil conservation and sustainable land use, ultimately facilitating the preservation and enhancement of Somalia's natural resources and agricultural resilience. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(2): 111-121, December 2024

Greenhouse Gases and their Role in Air Pollution and Global Warming

Today, one of the most significant global challenges is the increase in climate change due to the excessive emission of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide gas, resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels, and methane are recognized as the primary greenhouse gases and the foremost contributors to climate change. Population density, increased vehicular traffic, industrial factories, and neglect of environmental concerns are major factors influencing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Recent global studies indicate that since the onset of the Industrial Revolution—a period marked by a significant rise in fossil fuel consumption—human activity has played a crucial role in the process of climate change and global warming through the production and emission of greenhouse gases. Understanding how these types of pollution evolve requires attention to the various factors affecting their emission. Accordingly, this study collects and examines data obtained from library-based research using a descriptive-analytical method. Consequences of the greenhouse effect include flooding, reduction in potable water and agricultural products, increased soil erosion, the extinction of some plant and animal species, and the migration of certain population groups. These consequences underscore the necessity and importance of focusing on the use of renewable energy sources.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Soil Erosion Changes Based on Structural Equation Model

Soil erosion is a complex process influenced by both natural and human factors. Accurately assessing the temporal and spatial variations in soil erosion, along with thoroughly investigating the factors influencing these changes, is crucial for developing effective regional soil and water conservation strategies. Taking Jiangxi Province as the study area, this research employed the Chinese Soil Loss Equation model and structural equation modeling to evaluate the spatiotemporal variation in soil erosion and its influencing factors under the main land cover types from 2000 to 2020 (five-year intervals). It revealed the interaction paths among these factors and their direct and indirect effects on soil erosion. The findings indicate that soil erosion in Jiangxi Province initially decreased and then increased over the study period, with the rate of increase gradually slowing. Spatially, the region experienced overall improvement but with some local deterioration. The primary factors influencing soil erosion changes varied with land cover type and specific areas of change. For Jiangxi Province, changes in human activities were the predominant factor, followed by slope. These results provide a theoretical basis for formulating scientific soil and water conservation measures and optimizing land management strategies, thereby supporting regional environmental management and sustainable land use development.

Dynamic changes in soil erosion and challenges to grain productivity in the black soil region of Northeast China

Dynamic changes in soil erosion and challenges to grain productivity in the black soil region of Northeast China

Experimental study on hydrophysical properties and slope planting of ecological composite material solidified loess.

The construction of engineering projects in the Chinese Loess Plateau has resulted in large areas of exposed slopes, increasing the risk of soil erosion. Restoring the slope ecosystem is an effective means to reduce soil erosion, prevent soil and water loss, and maintain slope stability. Ecological slope protection using bio-gum solidified fiber-reinforced loess (GFSL) has been proven to achieve good vegetation restoration effects, but there remains a problem of low vegetation coverage in the early stage of protection. Therefore, it was proposed to use bio-gum, artificial fiber, coco coir (CC), and wood wool (WW) to configure ecological composite material solidified loess (ECMSL). By conducting soil-water characteristic tests and outdoor slope planting model tests, the hydrophysical properties and vegetation restoration effects were studied. The results showed that compared with GFSL, ECMSL had a reduced percentage of large and medium pores and an increased percentage of small and micro pores, which demonstrated better hydrophysical properties and could provide more water for plant germination and growth. The hydrophysical properties of ECMSL increased with the increase of CC content and first increased and then decreased with the increase of WW content. When the content of CC and WW was 1.5% and 1.0% respectively, the properties of ECMSL were optimized. Compared with the GFSL protected slope, the short-term vegetation coverage rate of the slope protected by the optimal proportion of ECMSL was significantly improved, and the plant growth indices of the plants were also better. Overall, ECMSL can provide a better growing environment for plants, thus restoring the slope ecosystem faster and improving the effect of short-term plant slope protection. Furthermore, the field application of the ecological materials presented in this paper was effective, suggesting they can be promoted in engineering projects. The results of the study can provide an important reference for ecological protection projects and related research in loess areas.

Delayed environmental pollution caused by transient landscape storage - An example from the Lesser Antilles.

The strong pest pressure on intensive banana cultivation in the French West Indies led to the intensive use of chlordecone (an organochlorine insecticide) between 1972 and 1993. Due to its high toxicity for the population and the environment, many studies were conducted on the transfer of chlordecone over the last 20 years. However, most studies focused on the dissolved fraction of chlordecone, while the particle-bound fraction was understudied. Therefore, this study reconstructs pluri-decadal erosion rates (i.e. 1980-2023) and associated chlordecone particle-bound transfers from soil and sediment cores sampled in a cultivated headwater catchment (Saint-Esprit, Martinique). Based on sediment accumulation analyses in an agricultural reservoir, high erosion rates (i.e. 10 t ha-1 yr-1) were found in the investigated catchment during the study period, with values exceeding the estimated tolerable soil loss rate in tropical contexts (i.e. 2.2 t ha-1 yr-1). Based on the analysis of soil cores sampled along a banana plantation hillslope, this study highlights the formation of colluvial deposits with high levels of chlordecone contamination. When these areas are affected by erosion processes, this leads to massive remobilization of particle-bound chlordecone to water bodies. Indeed, in sediment sampled in the downstream reservoir, we observed a drastic increase in these transfers since 2006, synchronous with changes in agricultural practices. This study therefore highlighted the occurrence of legacy contamination at toeslope positions, which was estimated to potentially persist for 4000 to 11,000 years. Such a residence time highlights the need to implement changes in land management to effectively reduce erosion of agricultural soils, particularly in areas identified as "temporary deposition zones" for chlordecone contamination, in order to protect downstream water bodies from chlordecone transfer. To achieve this, agricultural practices that may increase soil erosion, such as herbicide application or intensive ploughing, should be minimized. Overall, this study improved our understanding of erosion and associated chlordecone transfers in tropical environments.

Analysis of the Spatial–Temporal Characteristics of Vegetation Cover Changes in the Loess Plateau from 1995 to 2020

The Loess Plateau is one of the most severely affected regions by soil erosion in the world, with a fragile ecological environment. Vegetation plays a key role in the region’s ecological restoration and protection. This study employs the Geographical Detector (Geodetector) model to quantitatively assess the impact of natural and human factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil type, and land use, on vegetation growth. It aims to reveal the characteristics and driving mechanisms of vegetation cover changes on the Loess Plateau over the past 26 years. The results indicate that from 1995 to 2020, the vegetation coverage on the Loess Plateau shows an increasing trend, with a fitted slope of 0.01021 and an R2 of 0.96466. The Geodetector indicates that the factors with the greatest impact on vegetation cover in the Loess Plateau are temperature, precipitation, soil type, and land use. The highest average vegetation coverage is achieved when the temperature is between −4.8 and 2 °C or 12 and 16 °C, precipitation is between 630.64 and 935.51 mm, the soil type is leaching soil, and the land use type is forest. And the interaction between all factors has a greater effect on the vegetation cover than any single factor alone. This study reveals the factors influencing vegetation growth on the Loess Plateau, as well as their types and ranges, providing a scientific basis and guidance for improving vegetation coverage in this region.

Improving the spatial prediction of topsoil properties in a typical grazing area using multi-season PlanetScope spectral covariates and data mining techniques

Understanding the spatial distribution of topsoil properties in grassland ecosystems is essential for improving soil ecosystem services, quality, and erosion resilience. The availability of free, high-resolution satellite imagery and advanced data mining techniques offers new opportunities for efficient soil property assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the potential utility of multi-season PlanetScope imagery to predict soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Using random sampling, 121 topsoil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected with an auger across grasslands, bare soil, and eroded areas within a typical grazing land use. Three data mining techniques: random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and support vector machines (SVM), were applied and evaluated using a 10-fold cross-validation. The results indicated that multi-season spectral covariates considerably improved the accuracy of the target soil properties compared to single-season imagery. SVM was the most effective algorithm for predicting SOC, achieving a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.52%, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.24%, and R² of 0.92. RF was the best-performing algorithm for predicting soil pH (RMSE = 0.22, MAE = 0.17, and R² = 0.97) and CaCO3 (RMSE = 0.55%, MAE = 0.42%, and R² = 0.96). While XGB failed to capture the variability in soil pH, the other models generated interpretable maps that accurately represented the distribution of soil properties across different land cover categories. The green-red vegetation index (GRVI) was the most critical covariate for predicting SOC, while elevation and the topographic wetness index (TWI) were key predictors for soil pH and CaCO3, respectively. This study underscores the potential of multi-season PlanetScope imagery for accurately predicting soil properties and recommends conducting similar studies in diverse geographical settings to validate these findings and develop more generalizable models.

Soil erosion control in tree plantations on steep slopes: Runoff water and sediment trapping efficiency of riparian grass buffer in mountainous humid tropics

Soil erosion control in tree plantations on steep slopes: Runoff water and sediment trapping efficiency of riparian grass buffer in mountainous humid tropics

Quantifying the effects of the soil erosion factors on water-eroded slopes

Quantifying the effects of the soil erosion factors on water-eroded slopes

Designing Monotone Takagi-Sugeno-Kang Fuzzy Inference Systems with New Joint Sufficient Conditions

The Takagi-Sugeno-Kang Fuzzy Inference System (TSK-FIS) has been a well-known and useful methodology for undertaking various real-world problems. In this paper, we focus on the design of a monotone TSK-FIS model with a “grid partition” strategy for computing its firing strengths using the product T-norms. Two research questions are tackled, namely (i) what are the necessary condition and the sufficient condition for a TSK-FIS model to be monotone? (ii) how do we design a monotone TSK-FIS model with general membership functions (MFs) and consequents, such as non-convex, sub-normal, or with jump discontinuity? We first formulate a new joint necessary condition, whereby each constituent itself is a necessary condition, for designing a monotone TSK-FIS model. We then formulate a new joint sufficient condition that encompasses the joint necessary condition. Our proposed formulations allow designing TSK-FIS models with varying MFs, either convex or non-convex, normal or sub-normal, or with jump discontinuity. We also allow the fuzzy If-Then rules to have non-monotone functional consequents. Based on the new joint sufficient conditions, a set of practical guidelines is outlined for devising different monotone TSK-FIS models (i.e., zero-order TSK-FIS models as well as TSK-FIS models with functional consequents) that incorporate overlapped MFs. We also explain that the joint sufficient condition alone is not applicable to designing TSK-FIS models that compute their firing strengths with minimum T-norms. Applicability of the new sufficient condition to design monotone TSK-FIS models is demonstrated using benchmark soil erosion and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) problems.

GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region

GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region

An innovative approach to prioritizing soil conservation areas under diverse scenarios by leveraging the complementary roles of soil retention services and soil erosion indicators

An innovative approach to prioritizing soil conservation areas under diverse scenarios by leveraging the complementary roles of soil retention services and soil erosion indicators

APPRAISAL OF SOIL EROSION IN ZURU METROPOLIS, ZURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KEBBI STATE NIGERIA

soil erosion and sedimentation pose significant threats to environmental sustainability, food security, and economic development in Zuru Metropolis, Nigeria. This study investigates the causes, effects, and mitigation measures of soil erosion and sedimentation in the area. Using a combination of field observations, laboratory analysis, and community surveys, the research reveals that heavy rainfall, deforestation, poor land use practices, and urbanization are major drivers of soil erosion and sedimentation. The impacts of these processes include loss of fertile land, water pollution, infrastructure damage, and increased risk of flooding. The study recommends reforestation, conservation agriculture, drainage management, and community education as effective mitigation measures. The findings of this research contribute to the development of sustainable land management strategies and policy interventions aimed at reducing the risks associated with soil erosion and sedimentation in Zuru Metropolis. The results of this study indicated that previous authors whose works were reviewed have a convergent view that the use of vegetative approach, an aspect to landscape design, must be practiced for effective control of gullies., however, previous authors have divergent views on the use of structural approach, another aspect to landscape design, for control of gully erosion. Other recommendations of this study include: Planting of a combination of woody trees and grasses; Use of some locally accessible structures for example, sieve structures.

<b>Ecological spatial restoration in Gannan Prefecture based on the coupling of ecological security pattern and ecological problems</b>

Ecological fragmentation, resource depletion, soil erosion and other problems have a significant impact on the ecosystem. Ecological restoration helps to maintain and enhance the service function of the ecosystem. How to fully implement territorial space restoration and maintain regional sustainable development is a key issue in the identification and construction of ecological space restoration. Taking Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as the research object, this paper discusses the ecological spatial restoration strategy under the coupling of ecological security pattern and ecological problems. Firstly, ecological remote sensing index and morphological spatial pattern analysis were used to identify ecological sources, ecological resistance surfaces and ecological corridors, and then the ecological security pattern was constructed. At the same time, based on the concept of "mountain, water, forest, farmland, lake, grass and sand", ecological problem areas are identified by constructing ecological problem index (EPI). Then the spatial superposition coupling and regional coordination coupling are carried out between the ecological security pattern and the ecological problem region. Finally, the paper puts forward a multi-directional restoration strategy of "point-line-plane", including ecological source protection, ecological corridor construction and ecological problem area restoration, in order to promote the ecological sustainable development of Gannan Prefecture.