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Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration
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Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2025 | Viewed by 3983

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bin Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: soil erodibility mechanism; soil physics; soil degradation assessment; soil erosion; soil conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yu Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Intelligent, Monitoring and Protection, School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710129, China
Interests: ecological hydrology; grassland ecology; soil erosion; carbon sequestration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to this essential Special Issue focusing on soil and water conservation, alongside vegetation restoration—a nexus central to environmental resilience. We are committed to dissecting and mitigating soil erosion's effects, driving successful ecological restorations, and contextualizing the sweeping reach of climate change.

Our Special Issue showcases cutting-edge, peer-reviewed contributions that illuminate these critical areas. Soil erosion stands as a pressing yet understated challenge, eroding our vital topsoil—the pillar of food security, water purity, and ecological equilibrium. Internationally, restorative projects rise to counteract this degradation and preserve our aquifers, crucial in an era where climate trends intensify weather extremes and jeopardize soil and hydrologic stability.

Within these pages, we would like to investigate soil erosion’s mechanisms and instigators, spanning natural elements to anthropogenic pressures like farming, development, and extraction. This Special Issue will offer comprehensive assessments of varied ecological restoration endeavors, delineating methodologies, results, and strategic recommendations. Furthermore, it will discuss the ecological repercussions of restoration, scrutinizing soil health indicators, biodiversity impacts, and broader water system and climate modulation effects.

Our aim is clear: to cast light on the cohesive strategies necessary for overcoming the complex tribulations of soil and water depletion and vegetative decline. We strive to galvanize a united drive among scientists, field experts, and policymakers to sustainably cultivate symbiotic relationships with our natural world.

We are confident the research and dialogues herein will significantly enrich scholarly debate and spark pivotal initiatives to protect our planet's foundational resources for future eras.

Prof. Dr. Bin Wang
Dr. Yu Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil erosion
  • watershed management
  • ecological restoration
  • soil and water practices
  • soil quality
  • climate change

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3081 KiB  
Article
Regulatory Threshold of Soil and Water Conservation Measures on Runoff and Sediment Processes in the Sanchuan River Basin
by Xinhui Ding, Xiaoying Liu and Guangquan Liu
Water 2024, 16(22), 3223; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223223 - 9 Nov 2024
Viewed by 340
Abstract
Research on the runoff and sediment reduction effects of soil and water conservation measures has always been a topic of interest, which is of great significance for carrying out sustainable strategies for soil and water conservation in the Yellow River Basin. This study [...] Read more.
Research on the runoff and sediment reduction effects of soil and water conservation measures has always been a topic of interest, which is of great significance for carrying out sustainable strategies for soil and water conservation in the Yellow River Basin. This study aims to find the threshold years of soil and water conservation measures for reductions in runoff and sediment. Through the analysis of various soil and water conservation measures, runoff, sediment, and rainfall data in the Sanchuan River Basin from 1960 to 2019, we determined the threshold years of soil and water conservation measures on runoff and sediment processes using the Hydrology and Lagrange Multiplier method. The results are as follows: The trend in flood season rainfall and annual rainfall in the Sanchuan River Basin is consistent. The 1990s was a turning period in the annual rainfall and flood season rainfall of the Sanchuan River Basin. The 2000s was a turning period of the runoff in the Sanchuan River Basin, while the sediment entered a stable period after 2000. The best periods for reducing runoff and sediment were the initial treatment period (1967–1979) and the centralized treatment period (1980–1996). The runoff and sediment reduction effects of each soil and water conservation measure during the initial treatment period (1967–1979) were terrace (32.8%) > dam (30.1%) > grass (18.6%) > forest (18.5%), while their effects during the centralized treatment period (1980–1996) were grass (53.7%) > terrace (20.7%) > dam (14.6%) > forest (11.0%). The runoff and sediment reduction effects of various soil and water conservation measures during different treatment periods indicate that the runoff reduction effect reached its peak in 2003–2005, while the sediment reduction benefit reached its peak in 2013–2015. Based on the comprehensive benefits of runoff and sediment regulation, 2013–2015 are considered to be the threshold years for various soil and water conservation measures, with the measures covering respective average areas of 4.85 × 104, 17.80 × 104, 1.15 × 104, and 0.82 × 104 hm2. These research results will have a certain significance for the reasonable allocation of soil and water conservation measures and sustainable development in the Yellow River Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration)
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18 pages, 13495 KiB  
Article
Hydrological Connectivity Response of Typical Soil and Water Conservation Measures Based on SIMulated Water Erosion Model: A Case Study of Tongshuang Watershed in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China
by Muzi Li, Bin Wang, Wengang Wang, Zuming Chen and Shenyao Luo
Water 2024, 16(18), 2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182568 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 631
Abstract
The black soil region of Northeast China is the largest commercial grain production base in China, accounting for about 25% of the total in China. In this region, the water erosion is prominent, which seriously threatens China’s food security. It is of great [...] Read more.
The black soil region of Northeast China is the largest commercial grain production base in China, accounting for about 25% of the total in China. In this region, the water erosion is prominent, which seriously threatens China’s food security. It is of great significance to effectively identify the erosion-prone points for the prevention and control of soil erosion on the slope of the black soil region in Northeast China. This article takes the Tongshuang small watershed (Heilongjiang Province in China) as an example, which is dominated by hilly landforms with mainly black soil and terraces planted with corn and soybeans. Based on the 2.5 cm resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) reconstructed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we explore the optimal resolution for hydrological simulation research on sloping farmland in the black soil region of Northeast China and explore the critical water depth at which erosion damage occurs in ridges on this basis. The results show that the following: (1) Compared with the 2 m resolution DEM, the interpretation accuracy of field roads, wasteland, damaged points, ridges and cultivated land at the 0.2 m resolution is increased by 4.55–27.94%, which is the best resolution in the study region. (2) When the water depth is between 0.335 and 0.359 m, there is a potential erosion risk of ridges. When the average water depth per unit length is between 0.0040 and 0.0045, the ridge is in the critical range for its breaking, and when the average water depth per unit length is less than the critical range, ridge erosion damage occurs. (3) When local erosion damage occurs, the connectivity will change abruptly, and the remarkable change in the index of connectivity (IC) can provide a reference for predicting erosion damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration)
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13 pages, 1956 KiB  
Article
Changes in Runoff and Sediment Loads in the Tuhai River Basin and the Factors Influencing These Changes
by Qiqi Cao, Xianguo Zong, Chaozhen Qi, Chuanning Yu, Jianyao Guo, Jingxia Shen, Shoucai Wei, Dong Wang, Jun Zhang and Jiangbao Xia
Water 2024, 16(14), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142064 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 687
Abstract
In this study, rainfall, runoff, and sediment load data were collected from the Tuhai River Basin from 1972 to 2021. The Mann–Kendall test, runoff–sediment curve, and double mass curve were used to identify the characteristics and factors influencing runoff and sediment loads in [...] Read more.
In this study, rainfall, runoff, and sediment load data were collected from the Tuhai River Basin from 1972 to 2021. The Mann–Kendall test, runoff–sediment curve, and double mass curve were used to identify the characteristics and factors influencing runoff and sediment loads in the Tuhai River Basin. The results showed that the average annual runoff and sediment loads in the river basin were 4.03 × 108 m3 and 3.52 × 108 kg, respectively; furthermore, the flood season (June–September) accounted for 79.9% and 99.4% of these values, respectively. There were no apparent runoff trends in the annual, flood, and non-flood (October–May) stages, and the annual and flood season sediment loads decreased significantly. The abrupt change points of annual and flood season runoff in the Tuhai River Basin mainly occurred from 2003 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2014. Moreover, the abrupt change points of annual and flood season sediment load only occurred from 1978 to 1979. The runoff–sediment curve showed a clear power function relationship between runoff and sediment loads. The runoff in the Tuhai River Basin from 2003 to 2013 was mainly affected by precipitation. Additionally, the contributions of human activities to runoff and sediment load reduction in the Tuhai River Basin were 57.7–88.9% and 63.1–86.0%, respectively. The increase in human water consumption was the main reason for the decrease in runoff in the Tuhai River Basin. Furthermore, the measures taken in soil and water conservation and reservoir construction were the main factors behind a reduction in sediment loads in the Tuhai River Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration)
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10 pages, 1603 KiB  
Article
Water Quality Assessment and Management Strategies for Nishan Reservoir, Sihe River, and Yihe River Based on Scientific Evaluation
by Wei-Hua Zhang, Yuan Gao, Ying Wang and Jing Zhou
Water 2024, 16(14), 1958; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141958 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 804
Abstract
Due to rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and agricultural activities, there is an increasing demand for freshwater resources, leading to heightened pressure on watershed ecosystems. This study focused on the Nishan Reservoir, Qufu Sihe River, and Qufu Yihe River, conducting field investigations on [...] Read more.
Due to rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and agricultural activities, there is an increasing demand for freshwater resources, leading to heightened pressure on watershed ecosystems. This study focused on the Nishan Reservoir, Qufu Sihe River, and Qufu Yihe River, conducting field investigations on these water bodies during the spring of 2021 and 2022. Water samples were collected and analyzed for key water quality indicators, including chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (AN), chlorophyll A, and algal cell density. This study unveiled notable correlations among various water quality parameters, including positive associations between BOD and COD, chlorophyll A and algal cell density, and inverse relationships with total phosphorus. Moreover, significant positive correlations were identified between total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, as well as between ammonia nitrogen and chlorophyll A. The study highlighted that the TP concentration surpassed the threshold of 0.20 mg/L in 2021, potentially exacerbating the proliferation of algae, leading to algal blooms and adversely affecting the aquatic ecosystem. This study emphasizes the significance of broadening the geographical scope and utilizing long-term datasets to discern trends, determinants, and management approaches pertinent to water quality. Furthermore, this study underscores the imperative of investigating the influence of nitrogen-to-phosphorus nutrient ratios on the composition and proliferation of algal populations, while also taking into account the potential impact of additional factors like light availability, temperature, and water flow on the dynamics of algal communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration)
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19 pages, 7043 KiB  
Article
Research on the Impact of Using a Combination of Rigid and Flexible Vegetation on Slope Hydrological Properties in Loess Regions
by Hu Tao, Fucui Wang, Xi Shi, Shilong Bu, Ziming Bao, Dezhi Zhang and Lifeng Xiong
Water 2024, 16(8), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16081140 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 897
Abstract
Slope vegetation is a key component of soil erosion control. Rigid vegetation improves slope stability, while flexible vegetation reduces water velocity, and the combination of both improves erosion resistance; however, there are few studies on how the combination of rigid and flexible vegetation [...] Read more.
Slope vegetation is a key component of soil erosion control. Rigid vegetation improves slope stability, while flexible vegetation reduces water velocity, and the combination of both improves erosion resistance; however, there are few studies on how the combination of rigid and flexible vegetation affects the hydraulic characteristics of slope flow. In order to investigate the effect of this combination on the hydraulic characteristics of slopes, a mathematical model of the coefficient of resistance under the cover of rigid–flexible vegetation was established by using theoretical analysis and indoor tests, and the indoor tests were conducted with different rigid–flexible vegetation combinations (single-row interlocking (IS), double-row interlocking (IT), upstream rigid–downstream flexible (RF), and bare slope (BS)). The results showed that the rigid–flexible vegetation combination had a significant effect on the slope water flow. With the increase in flow, the water depth and flow velocity of slope flow showed an increasing trend, the flow velocity of the bare slope was significantly larger than that of the vegetation-covered slope, and the value of the water depth increment of the vegetation-covered slope was 0.086~0.22 times that of the bare slope. The Reynolds number showed a good linear increasing relationship with flow rate, and with the gradual increase in flow rate and slope, the flow pattern gradually changed from slow flow to fast flow. When the slope was 2°, the drag coefficient increased and then decreased. The pattern of erosion reduction capacity was IS > RF > IT > BS. The results of this study provide strong theoretical support for understanding the mechanism of vegetation-controlled erosion and provide scientific guidance for optimizing vegetation design in the Loess Plateau region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil and Water Conservation and Vegetation Restoration)
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