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Monitoring of the Water and Soil Conservation Using Remote Sensing Techniques

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 September 2022) | Viewed by 13717

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University/Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yangling, China
Interests: regional assessment of soil and water loss; soil and water conservation; soil erosion; ecohydrological process; remote sensing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to use remote sensing technology to monitor soil and water conservation. The scope of the Soil and Water Section includes dynamic monitoring and evaluation of soil, water losses in different soil erosion types (e.g. water erosion, wind erosion, freezing and thawing, gravity erosion), new technologies for the identification of soil and water conservation measures, discrimination of damaged soil and water conservation measures under conditions of extreme rainfall, and the evaluation of water and soil conservation service function. It focuses on identification, characterization, and modeling; dynamic monitoring and evaluation; assessment and management of conservation practices.

This Special Issue is a multidisciplinary intersection for perspectives on soil and water conservation, hydrology and remote sensing. It aims to disseminate new knowledge and promote the practice of soil and water conservation.

Dr. Wenyi Sun
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • dynamic monitoring and evaluation of soil and water losses
  • identification of soil and water conservation measures
  • modeling of soil and water processes
  • damaged soil and water conservation measures
  • evaluation of water and soil conservation service function
  • remote sensing new technology in soil and water conservation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 18111 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Water Conservation Services Based on the Method of Integrating Hydrological Observation Data According to Different Ecosystem Types and Regions
by Jun Zhai, Peng Hou, Wenguo Zhang, Yan Chen, Diandian Jin, Haifeng Gao, Hanshou Zhu and Min Yang
Water 2023, 15(8), 1475; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15081475 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2659
Abstract
Water conservation is an essential indicator of the hydrological regulation capacity of terrestrial ecosystems. At the regional scale, the water conservation capacity of an ecosystem is typically assessed using the water balance model (WBM). However, the estimation of the runoff depth relies heavily [...] Read more.
Water conservation is an essential indicator of the hydrological regulation capacity of terrestrial ecosystems. At the regional scale, the water conservation capacity of an ecosystem is typically assessed using the water balance model (WBM). However, the estimation of the runoff depth relies heavily on rainfall data and the ecosystem runoff coefficient look-up table, which introduces uncertainties in the assessment results. To address this issue, this study constructed a new method for quantifying the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of runoff depth based on the ecosystem type and regional spatial heterogeneity characteristics using runoff observation data from hydrological observation stations. We use this new method to evaluate the water conservation capacity of the ecosystem on a regional scale and compare and analyze the differences between the new and old methods in terms of connotation, data format, and evaluation results. Finally, we discuss the advantages and potential applications of the new method. Full article
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12 pages, 4805 KiB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Driving Factors of Soil Water Erosion in the Three-River Headwaters Region, China
by Dan Wu, Rui Peng, Lin Huang, Wei Cao and Taoli Huhe
Water 2022, 14(24), 4127; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14244127 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2612
Abstract
Soil water erosion is considered to be a major threat to ecosystems and an important environmental problem. Aggravation of soil and water loss in the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) is a prominent problem in China. In this research, the Revised Universal Soil Loss [...] Read more.
Soil water erosion is considered to be a major threat to ecosystems and an important environmental problem. Aggravation of soil and water loss in the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) is a prominent problem in China. In this research, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was applied to evaluate annual soil loss caused by water erosion in the TRHR from 2000 to 2020. Spatiotemporal patterns of soil water erosion were analyzed and the main driving factors of rainfall erodibility and vegetation coverage were investigated using ArcGIS spatial analysis. The results revealed that during the study period, soil erosion in the TRHR averaged 10.84 t/hm2/a, and values less than 25 t/hm2/a were characterized as micro and mild erosion. The soil erosion modulus observed a slightly increasing trend over the past decade. The changing trends in the Yangtze, Huanghe, and Lancang river source regions (YRSR, HRSR, and LRSR) were 0.03, 0.07, and 0.03 t/hm2/a, respectively. Both rainfall erodibility and vegetation coverage observed a growing trend, with slopes of 6.78 MJ·mm/(t·hm2·a) and 0.12%/a, respectively. In general, variation of rainfall erodibility showed a relatively higher contribution to soil erosion than vegetation coverage. Findings of this study could provide information for sustainable vegetation restoration, soil conservation, and water management at a regional scale. Full article
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14 pages, 3525 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Function in Dingxi City, Upper Yellow River Basin
by Jiuyi Li
Water 2022, 14(18), 2919; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182919 - 18 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2470
Abstract
Dingxi City is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin, at the intersection between the Loess Plateau and West Qinling Mountains. The water and soil conservation function of Dingxi City is very important and have become key constraining factors for [...] Read more.
Dingxi City is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin, at the intersection between the Loess Plateau and West Qinling Mountains. The water and soil conservation function of Dingxi City is very important and have become key constraining factors for economic and social development. Due to the fragmented terrain and landscape patches, high spatial accuracy in the assessment of water and soil conservation is required for proper management. In this study, we introduced an index system for the evaluation of soil and water conservation functions, including various influencing factors. The results showed that area percentages of the five levels (lower, low, medium, high, and higher) in soil conservation were 6.24, 6.25, 23.49, 30.95, and 33.07, respectively, and the areas with higher soil conservation were mainly concentrated in the hilly and gully areas of the Loess Plateau with low vegetation coverage. The percentages of water conservation in the five levels (lower, low, medium, high, and higher) were 40.49, 21.78, 16.66, 7.9, and 13.11, respectively, and the areas with higher water conservation were concentrated in Min County and Zhang County, with the most abundant precipitation and highest vegetation coverage. In addition, functional areas of soil and water conservation had obvious spatial heterogeneity. Among them, the proportion of high-grade functional areas for soil conservation decreased with an increase in precipitation, whereas a high proportion of high-grade functional areas for water conservation was concentrated in areas with precipitation of more than 600 mm. The conflict between agricultural production and ecological protection of soil and water conservation is prominent, and areas with serious conflict are concentrated in the central and northern areas of Dingxi City. Based on this, we suggest a spatial layout guidance for agricultural production and ecological protection, providing a scientific basis for decision-making that supports ecological protection and high-quality sustainable development in Dingxi City. Full article
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13 pages, 2068 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Critical Shear Stress of Rill Erosion Estimated from Two Methods
by Ren Geng, Qiu Jin, Shaohua Lei, Hongyuan Liu, Bin Lu and Meixiang Xie
Water 2022, 14(12), 1949; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14121949 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2399
Abstract
Various disputes exist regarding the critical shear stress (τc) of rill erosion determined by linear regression. Alternatively, some researchers have attempted to measure critical shear stress (τo) of rill erosion by observing the start of soil particle detachment and [...] Read more.
Various disputes exist regarding the critical shear stress (τc) of rill erosion determined by linear regression. Alternatively, some researchers have attempted to measure critical shear stress (τo) of rill erosion by observing the start of soil particle detachment and showed promising results. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the reliability of the method determining τo. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the reliability of the method determining τo by comparing the values of τc and τo and their relationships with rill erodibility (Kr) and influencing factors, using 360 disturbed soil samples (standing for the freshly tilled condition) from six sampling sites along a 330 km transect in the Loess Plateau. Results indicated that the mean τc was 1.90 times greater than that of τo. No significant relationship was found between τc and Kr. An inverse changing trend between Kr and τo was observed from Yijun to Zizhou, while both Kr and τo exhibited increasing trends from Zizhou to Yulin. The τo of six sampling sites all demonstrated increasing trends with slope gradient (S), which contradicted the statement of the WEPP model that τc was independent of S. The relationships between τc and the measured soil properties were poor, whereas the τo increased exponentially with soil organic matter. Generally, τo did not present significantly better results than τc; the reliability of τo also showed some uncertainties, such as the subjective judgment of the beginning detachment of soil particles. This result has great importance for deepening our understanding of the rill erosion mechanism. Full article
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15 pages, 17424 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Soil Erosion and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Benefit in Terraces under Extreme Precipitation
by Hao Jia, Xidong Wang, Wenyi Sun, Xingmin Mu, Peng Gao, Guangju Zhao and Zixuan Li
Water 2022, 14(11), 1675; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14111675 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2663
Abstract
In recent years, soil erosion caused by water erosion has gradually increased due to the increase of extreme precipitation. In order to reduce soil erosion caused by extreme precipitation, it is necessary to monitor soil erosion and found out the factors that affect [...] Read more.
In recent years, soil erosion caused by water erosion has gradually increased due to the increase of extreme precipitation. In order to reduce soil erosion caused by extreme precipitation, it is necessary to monitor soil erosion and found out the factors that affect soil erosion under extreme precipitation. The objective of this study was to assess the amount of soil erosion, the damage degree of soil and water conservation measures and benefit evaluation under extreme precipitation in Henan Province. The results indicated that the ridges of terraces in two small watersheds had been damaged to varying degrees. Terraces, as one of soil and water conservation measures, can better preserve soil and water erosion under extreme precipitation. The amount of soil preserved in two small watersheds were 744.50t and 1121.01t. The amount of soil loss in two small watersheds were reduced by 67.67% and 78.63% when terraces existed. The soil conservation amount of vegetation restoration measures in two small watersheds were 2960.23t and 3320.36t. The amount of soil loss in two small watersheds were reduced by 89.27% and 90.98%, when vegetation restoration measures exist. Compared with soil and water conservation engineering measures, vegetation restoration measures can better reduce soil erosion caused by water erosion under extreme precipitation. In addition to the amount of rainfall, the soil and water conservation benefits of terraces were also affected by the width of the terrace, the slope of the terrace, and whether there were vegetation restoration measures in the terrace. Full article
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