Innovations in Soil Erosion Assessment and Management along Rivers and Coastal Areas

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land, Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 June 2024) | Viewed by 20941

Special Issue Editors


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DICEAM Department, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via Graziella loc. Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Interests: coastal and river dynamics; coastal and river structures; hydraulics; hydrology
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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Science, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Via dell'Università, 25, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Interests: runoff; erosion; water conservation; agricultural water management; agricultural hydraulics; riparian vegetation dynamics; river sediment transport; river geomorphology
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Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Agriculture Department, loc. Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Interests: Flash floods reconstruction from dendrochronological data; Interaction between chech dams and fluvial processes; Impact of check dams on shoreline change; Rivers and ephemeral streams quality indexes; Watershed planning and management; Riparian ecosystem and hydraulic control works
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil erosion is the removal process of soil by the action of natural and anthropogenic factors. Therefore, it has become an extended issue worldwide. These processes not only influence the river dynamics, especially in terms of degradation and aggradation, but also influence the coastal dynamics. Indeed, the eroded material within river basins can reach beaches near the river mouth and can act as a natural nourishment. On the contrary, a low soil erosion and transport can cause shoreline erosions. Therefore, coastal and river dynamics should be analyzed as one system.

This Special Issue aims to analyze all the main aspects concerning innovations in soil erosion assessment and management and its influences in river and coastal dynamics, through research papers and case studies on the following topics:

  • Soil erosion assessment, management, and modeling.
  • Impact of natural factors, such as floods, landslide, and debris flow.
  • Impact of anthropogenic factors, such as land use changes and construction of dams and check dams.
  • Impact of extreme events and climate change.
  • Interactions between soil erosion, river and coastal dynamics and shoreline changes.
  • Integration of remote sensing.
  • Modeling phases: calibration, validation, and uncertainty quantification.
  • Application of modeling to support decision making.

Dr. Giandomenico Foti
Dr. Giuseppe Barbaro
Dr. Giuseppe Bombino
Dr. Daniela D'Agostino
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • soil erosion
  • assessment
  • management
  • modeling
  • natural and anthropogenic factors
  • extreme events and climate change
  • river and coastal dynamics
  • remote sensing
  • decision making

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3126 KiB  
Article
Soil Erosion Characteristics in Tropical Island Watersheds Based on CSLE Model: Discussion of Driving Mechanisms
by Yi Zou, Yimei Wang, Yanhu He, Lirong Zhu, Shiyu Xue, Xu Liang and Changqing Ye
Land 2024, 13(3), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030302 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1299
Abstract
Previous research has primarily focused on soil erosion issues in arid and semi-arid regions, with a limited understanding of soil erosion mechanisms in tropical areas. Additionally, there is a lack of a holistic perspective to determine the spatial attribution of soil erosion. The [...] Read more.
Previous research has primarily focused on soil erosion issues in arid and semi-arid regions, with a limited understanding of soil erosion mechanisms in tropical areas. Additionally, there is a lack of a holistic perspective to determine the spatial attribution of soil erosion. The conversion of tropical rainforests into economically driven plantations, like rubber and pulpwood, has resulted in distinct soil erosion characteristics in specific regions. To enhance our knowledge of soil erosion patterns and mechanisms in tropical regions, it is necessary to examine soil erosion in the three major watersheds of Hainan Island from 1991 to 2021, which encompass significant geographical features such as tropical island water sources and tropical rainforest national parks. The study employed the China Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) model, slope trend analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, land-use transfer matrix, and spatial attribution analysis to examine soil erosion under different scenarios. The research results indicate that scenarios driven by the combination of natural and human factors have the greatest impact on soil erosion changes in the entire study area. Co-driven increases affected 53.56% of the area, while co-driven decreases affected 21.74%. The 31-year soil erosion showed an overall increasing trend. Human factors were identified as the primary drivers of increased soil erosion in the Nandu River basin, while a combination of climate and anthropogenic factors influenced the decrease in soil erosion. In the Changhua River basin, climate and human activities contributed to the soil erosion increase, while human activities primarily caused the decrease in soil erosion. In the Wanquan River basin, climate intensified soil erosion, whereas human activities mitigated it. This study underscores the significant combined impact of human activities and natural factors on soil erosion in tropical regions. It emphasizes the importance of considering human-induced factors when implementing soil erosion control measures in tropical regions. Full article
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29 pages, 25559 KiB  
Article
A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 - 14 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
The easy implementation of a nature-based solution (NBS) to address a prompt stabilisation of burnt areas may be crucial in the Mediterranean forest environment. A plot scale hydrological and ecological survey was conducted in a pine forest of the Aspromonte Massif (southern Italy) [...] Read more.
The easy implementation of a nature-based solution (NBS) to address a prompt stabilisation of burnt areas may be crucial in the Mediterranean forest environment. A plot scale hydrological and ecological survey was conducted in a pine forest of the Aspromonte Massif (southern Italy) affected by a high fire severity in summer 2021. The hydrological response to 30 rainfall event groups is analysed by monitoring nine sloping plots distributed into three plot blocks (forested according to the pre-fire situation, burnt with randomly directed felled logs and burnt with manually felled logs redirected along contour lines). The hydrological response of bare soil is mitigated by about 30% through the combined effects of the NBS and the vegetation cover by pioneer species. Although the regeneration of Pinus radiata is scarcer in the arranged plots, the spontaneous vegetation, once gone, prepares better edaphic conditions for the triggering of forest dynamics assured by the auto-succession of Pinus radiata. In terms of woody mechanical resistance, NBS durability is compatible with the time required for seedlings to regenerate the forest ecosystem. The results achieved so far encourage further research on higher slopes and complementary aspects (vegetal and animal biodiversity, economic factors, etc.). Full article
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24 pages, 4521 KiB  
Article
Integrating Erosion Potential Model (EPM) and PAP/RAC Guidelines for Water Erosion Mapping and Detection of Vulnerable Areas in the Toudgha River Watershed of the Central High Atlas, Morocco
by Kamal Elbadaoui, Soukaina Mansour, Mustapha Ikirri, Kamal Abdelrahman, Tamer Abu-Alam and Mohamed Abioui
Land 2023, 12(4), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040837 - 6 Apr 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2822
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the extent and severity of water erosion in the Toudgha river catchment in the Central High Atlas of Morocco using two different erosion models, the Erosion Potential Model (EPM) and the Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) model. [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the extent and severity of water erosion in the Toudgha river catchment in the Central High Atlas of Morocco using two different erosion models, the Erosion Potential Model (EPM) and the Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) model. From the modeling results, the catchment was affected by varying degrees of erosion, ranging from “very slight” to “excessive”, with different locations identified under each model. The very high erosion areas were located in the extreme northwest of the catchment area for both of the applied models, covering 9.65% (according to PAP/RAC) and 8.56% (EPM) of the total area primarily driven by factors such as intense rainfall events, limited vegetation cover, high soil erodibility due to low organic matter content and coarser soil texture, and human activities such as overgrazing and land use changes, which exacerbate the effects of these natural factors on water erosion in these semi-arid areas. The study’s findings suggest that erosion is a significant concern in these environmental areas and provide valuable information for designing effective erosion control measures and guiding soil and environmental management practices. Both models effectively simulated the erosion phenomenon and provided useful tools for soil and environmental management. The EPM model can be used to design effective erosion control measures, while the PAP/RAC model can be used to develop a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable management of the catchment area. These results have implications for the implementation of effective erosion control measures in mountainous watersheds and highlight the need for further research in this area. Full article
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22 pages, 11608 KiB  
Article
Assessment and Forecast of Shoreline Change Using Geo-Spatial Techniques in the Gulf of California
by Yedid Guadalupe Zambrano-Medina, Wenseslao Plata-Rocha, Sergio Alberto Monjardin-Armenta and Cuauhtémoc Franco-Ochoa
Land 2023, 12(4), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040782 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3973
Abstract
In coastal regions, the combined effects of natural processes, human activity, and climate change have caused shoreline changes that may increase in the future. The assessment of these changes is essential for forecasting their future position for proper management. In this context, shoreline [...] Read more.
In coastal regions, the combined effects of natural processes, human activity, and climate change have caused shoreline changes that may increase in the future. The assessment of these changes is essential for forecasting their future position for proper management. In this context, shoreline changes in the Gulf of California (GC), Mexico, have received little attention and no previous studies have addressed future forecasting. In this study, the researchers assessed the historical shoreline changes to forecast the long-term shoreline positions. To address this, shoreline data were obtained from Landsat satellite images for the years 1981, 1993, 2004, 2010, and 2020. The Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), Linear Regression Rate (LRR), End Point Rate (EPR), and Weighted Linear Regression (WLR) geo-spatial techniques were applied to estimate the shoreline change rate by using a Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) in the GIS environment. A Kalman filter model was used to forecast the position of the shoreline for the years 2030 and 2050. The results show that approximately 72% of the GC shoreline is undergoing steady erosion, and this trend is continuing in the future. This study has provided valuable and comprehensive baseline information on the state of the shoreline in the GC that can guide coastal engineers, coastal managers, and policymakers in Mexico to manage the risk. It also provides both long-term and large-scale continuous datasets that are essential for future studies focused on improving the shoreline forecast models. Full article
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14 pages, 2775 KiB  
Article
Fractal Features of Soil Particles as an Index of Land Degradation under Different Land-Use Patterns and Slope-Aspects
by Feng He, Neda Mohamadzadeh, Mostafa Sadeghnejad, Ben Ingram and Yaser Ostovari
Land 2023, 12(3), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030615 - 4 Mar 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2599
Abstract
This study examines the effects of land use and slope aspect on soil erodibility (K-factor) and the fractal dimension (D) of soil particle size distribution (PSD) in calcareous soils at the watershed scale in western Iran. The study analyzed 113 soil samples collected [...] Read more.
This study examines the effects of land use and slope aspect on soil erodibility (K-factor) and the fractal dimension (D) of soil particle size distribution (PSD) in calcareous soils at the watershed scale in western Iran. The study analyzed 113 soil samples collected from four land uses (slope-farmland, farmland, pasture, and woodland) at a depth of 0–20 cm, measuring common soil properties such as soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The PSD of soil samples was measured using the international system of soil size fractions, and the D for PSD was calculated. The K-factor was calculated using the RUSLE model. The results showed that the K-factor was highest in slope farmlands with SOM at 1.6% and lowest in woodlands at 0.02 Mg h MJ−1 mm−1 with SOM at 3.5%. The study also found that there were significant correlations between D and clay content (r = 0.52), sand content (r = −0.29), and CEC (r = 0.36). Woodland soils had the highest SOM content, with a mean D value of 2.895, significantly higher than the mean D value of slope farmland soils, which had the lowest SOM at 1.6%. The study concludes that woodland soils retain finer particles, particularly clay, resulting in lower soil loss and land degradation compared to other land uses. Finally, the study suggests that shady slope aspects (south aspect) contain more organic matter due to less solar radiation and higher soil water content, resulting in lower soil erodibility (0.02 Mg h MJ−1 mm−1) and higher D values compared to other slope aspects. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 963 KiB  
Review
Erosion and Sediment Transport Modeling: A Systematic Review
by Tesfa Gebrie Andualem, Guna A. Hewa, Baden R. Myers, Stefan Peters and John Boland
Land 2023, 12(7), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071396 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7628
Abstract
Soil erosion and sediment transport have significant consequences, including decreased agricultural production, water quality degradation, and modification to stream channels. Understanding these processes and their interactions with contributing factors is crucial for assessing the environmental impacts of erosion. The primary objective of this [...] Read more.
Soil erosion and sediment transport have significant consequences, including decreased agricultural production, water quality degradation, and modification to stream channels. Understanding these processes and their interactions with contributing factors is crucial for assessing the environmental impacts of erosion. The primary objective of this review is to identify a suitable soil erosion and sediment transport model for catchment-scale application. The study considers various model selection processes, including model capability and the spatial and temporal domains for assessing spatiotemporal distributions. The review acknowledges the limitations, uncertainties, and unrealistic assumptions associated with soil erosion and sediment transport models. Models are usually developed with a particular objective, which demands an assessment of capabilities, spatial, and temporal applicability, and catchment-scale applicability. Distributed models are often preferred for catchment-scale applications, as they can adequately account for spatial variations in erosion potential and sediment yield, aiding in the evaluation of erosion-contributing elements and planning erosion control measures. Based on the findings of this study, the authors encourage utilizing models (such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) or Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment Tool (AGWA)) that can forecast net erosion as a function of sediment output for catchment erosion and sediment yield modeling. This review helps researchers and practitioners involved in erosion and sediment modeling by guiding the selection of an appropriate model type based on specific modeling purposes and basin scale. By choosing appropriate models, the accuracy and effectiveness of sediment yield estimation and erosion control measures can be improved. Full article
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