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T A Quine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • accelerated sediment fluxes by water and Tillage Erosion on european agricultural land
    Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2009
    Co-Authors: K Van Oost, Olivier Cerdan, T A Quine
    Abstract:

    Soil loss on arable agricultural land is typically an order of magnitude higher than under undisturbed native vegetation. Although there have been several recent attempts to quantify these accelerated fluxes at the regional, continental and even global scale, all of these studies have focused on Erosion by water and wind and no large scale assessment of the magnitude of Tillage Erosion has been made, despite growing recognition of its significance on agricultural land. Previous field scale simulations of Tillage Erosion severity have relied on use of high resolution topographic data to derive the measures of slope curvature needed to estimate Tillage Erosion rates. Here we present a method to derive the required measures of slope curvature from low resolution, but large scale, databases and use high resolution topographical datasets for several study areas in the UK to evaluate the reliability of the approach. On the basis of a Tillage model and land-use databases, we estimate the mean gross Tillage Erosion rates for the part of Europe covered by the CORINE database (6.5% of global cropland) and we obtained an average of 3.3 Mg ha(-1) y(-1), which corresponds to a sediment flux of 0.35 Pg y(-1). Water Erosion rates derived for the same area are of a similar magnitude. This redistribution of soil within agricultural fields substantially accelerates soil profile truncation and sediment burial in specific landscape positions and has a strong impact on medium-term soil profile evolution. it is, therefore, clear that Tillage Erosion must be accounted for in regional assessments of sediment fluxes and in analyses that employ these in the analysis of land management strategies and biogeochemical cycles. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  • stocks and dynamics of soc in relation to soil redistribution by water and Tillage Erosion
    Global Change Biology, 2006
    Co-Authors: J H Zhang, T A Quine, Shijun Ni, Fanglong Ge
    Abstract:

    Soil organic carbon (SOC) displaced by soil Erosion is the subject of much current research and the fundamental question, whether accelerated soil Erosion is a source or sink of atmospheric CO2, remains unresolved. A toposequence of terraced fields as well as a long slope was selected from hilly areas of the Sichuan Basin, China to determine effects of soil redistribution rates and processes on SOC stocks and dynamics. Soil samples for the determination of caesium-137 (Cs-137), SOC, total N and soil particle size fractions were collected at 5 m intervals along a transect down the two toposequences. Cs-137 data showed that along the long slope transect soil Erosion occurred in upper and middle slope positions and soil deposition appeared in the lower part of the slope. Along the terraced transect, soil was lost over the upper parts of the slopes and deposition occurred towards the downslope boundary on each terrace, resulting in very abrupt changes in soil redistribution over short distances either side of terrace boundaries that run parallel with the contour on the steep slopes. These data reflect a difference in Erosion process; along the long slope transect, water Erosion is the dominant process, while in the terraced landscape soil distribution is mainly the result of Tillage Erosion. SOC inventories (mass per unit area) show a similar pattern to the Cs-137 inventory, with relatively low SOC content in the Erosional sites and high SOC content in depositional areas. However, in the terraced field landscape C/N ratios were highest in the depositional areas, while along the long slope transect, C/N ratios were highest in the Erosional areas. When the samples are subdivided based on Cs-137-derived Erosion and deposition data, it is found that the Erosional areas have similar C/N ratios for both toposequences, while the C/N ratios in depositional areas are significantly different from each other. These differences are attributed to the difference in soil Erosion processes; Tillage Erosion is mainly responsible for high-SOC inventories at depositional positions on terraced fields, whereas water Erosion plays a primary role in SOC storage at depositional positions on the long slope. These data support the theory that water Erosion may cause a loss of SOC due to selective removal of the most labile fraction of SOC, while on the other hand Tillage Erosion only transports the soil over short distances with less effect on the total SOC stock.

  • Tillage Erosion a review of controlling factors and implications for soil quality
    Progress in Physical Geography, 2006
    Co-Authors: K Van Oost, Gerard Govers, S De Alba, T A Quine
    Abstract:

    Tillage Erosion has been identified as an important global soil degradation process that has to be accounted for when assessing the Erosional impacts on soil productivity, environmental quality or landscape evolution. In this paper, we present a summary of available data describing Tillage Erosion. This provides insights in the controlling factors determining soil redistribution rates and patterns by Tillage for various implements used in both mechanized and non-mechanized agriculture. Variations in Tillage depth and Tillage direction cause the largest variations in soil redistribution rates, although other factors, such as Tillage speed and implement characteristics, also play an important role. In general, decreasing Tillage depth and ploughing along the contour lines substantially reduce Tillage Erosion rates and can be considered as effective soil conservation strategies. Implement erosivities reported in literature, characterized by the Tillage transport coefficient, are very consistent and range in the order of 400–800 kgm-¹1yr-¹1 and 70–260 kg m-¹1yr-¹1 for mechanized and nonmechanized agriculture, respectively. Comparison of Tillage Erosion rates with water Erosion rates using a global data set indicates that Tillage Erosion rates are at least in the same order of magnitude or higher than water Erosion rates, in almost all cases. Finally, we discuss how Tillage Erosion increases the spatial variability of soil properties and affects soil nutrient cycling. Considering the widespread use of Tillage practices, the high redistribution rates associated with the process and its direct effect on soil properties, it is clear that Tillage Erosion should be considered in soil landscape studies.

  • from water to Tillage Erosion dominated landform evolution
    Geomorphology, 2005
    Co-Authors: Gerard Govers, Kristof Van Oost, W Van Muysen, Jozef Deckers, T A Quine
    Abstract:

    While water and wind Erosion are still considered to be the dominant soil Erosion processes on agricultural land, there is growing recognition that Tillage Erosion plays an important role in the redistribution of soil on agricultural land. In this study, we examined soil redistribution rates and patterns for an agricultural field in the Belgian loess belt. 137Cs derived soil Erosion rates have been confronted with historical patterns of soil Erosion based on soil profile truncation. This allowed an assessment of historical and contemporary landform evolution on agricultural land and its interpretation in relation to the dominant geomorphic process. The results clearly show that an important shift in the relative contribution of Tillage and water Erosion to total soil redistribution on agricultural land has occurred during recent decades. Historical soil redistribution is dominated by high losses on steep midslope positions and concavities as a result of water Erosion, leading to landscape incision and steepening of the topography. In contrast, contemporary soil redistribution is dominated by high losses on convex upperslopes and infilling of slope and valley concavities as a result of Tillage, resulting in topographic flattening. This shift must be attributed to the increased mechanization of agriculture during recent decades. This study shows that the typical topographical dependency of soil redistribution processes and their spatial interactions must be accounted for when assessing landform and soil profile evolution.

  • landscape scale modeling of carbon cycling under the impact of soil redistribution the role of Tillage Erosion
    Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2005
    Co-Authors: Kristof Van Oost, Gerard Govers, T A Quine, G Heckrath, Jorgen E Olesen, Steven De Gryze, Roel Merckx
    Abstract:

    Despite its global significance, soil-atmosphere carbon (C) exchange under the impact of soil redistribution remains an unquantified component of the global C budget. Here we use radionuclide and soil organic carbon (SOC) data for two agricultural fields in Europe to undertake a spatial analysis of sediment and SOC fate during Erosion and deposition in agricultural uplands. C fluxes induced by soil redistribution are quantified by incorporating C dynamics in a spatially distributed model including both water- and Tillage-induced soil redistribution (SPEROS-C). The SOC patterns predicted by SPEROS- C are in good agreement with field observations and show that in upland areas, Tillage Erosion and deposition exerts a large influence on SOC redistribution and soil profile evolution at a timescale of a few decades. The formation of new SOC at eroding sites and the burial of eroded SOC below plough depth provide an important mechanism for C sequestration on sloping arable land in the order of 3–10 g C m 2 yr 1 . Any attempt to manage agricultural land to maximize sequestration must fully account for Erosion, burial and fate of eroded and buried SOC across the landscape and must also account for the correlation between Tillage and Erosion.

J H Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Effect of the soil-implement contact area on soil translocation under hoeing Tillage
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2018
    Co-Authors: J H Zhang, Z H Zhang, Y. Wang, Zhen Su
    Abstract:

    Abstract Hoeing Tillage is widely performed in mountainous areas of Southwest China, as a result of patchy and steep cropland. The effect of the soil-implement contact area on soil translocation by manual hoeing needs to be addressed to better understand the relationship between Tillage implement and Tillage Erosion. This study aimed to explore the mechanism on the effect of soil-implement contact area on soil translocation under hoeing Tillage. A series of Tillage experiments were conducted with four fixed Tillage depths (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 m) on 9 slopes ranging from 0.09 to 0.58 m m−1, respectively, and the subsequent data were compared with those acquired previously by different hoe blade widths. Tillage depth is a significant factor reflecting the soil-implement contact area especially for a constant width of hoe blade. Mean soil displacement distance increased with increasing Tillage depth, and this effect is more pronounced for greater slope gradients. Tillage translocation rates were linearly related to slope gradient, but quadratically to Tillage depth. As another factor reflecting the soil-implement contact area, the hoe blade width is also a significant factor influencing Tillage Erosion. Tillage transport coefficients (k4) can be predicted by the soil-implement contact area. It is suggested that minimizing the soil-implement contact area by either decreasing Tillage depth or reducing the width of hoe blades are effective measures for combating Tillage Erosion.

  • Tillage Erosion effect on soil hydrological properties in a hilly landscape
    Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 2017
    Co-Authors: J H Zhang, Y Wang, Z H Zhang
    Abstract:

    AbstractTwo or more processes of soil Erosion simultaneously exist in a hillslope landscape, and those processes can interact with each other. Yet, how one process impacts another remains unresolve...

  • impact of Tillage Erosion on water Erosion in a hilly landscape
    Science of The Total Environment, 2016
    Co-Authors: Y Wang, J H Zhang, Z H Zhang
    Abstract:

    Little has been known of the interaction between Tillage Erosion and water Erosion, while the two Erosion processes was independently studied. Can Tillage-induced soil redistribution lead to exaggerated (or retarded) runoff flow and sediment concentrations in steeply sloping fields? A series of simulated Tillage and artificial rainfall events were applied to rectangular runoff plots (2 m x 8 m) with a slope of 15 degrees to examine the impacts of Tillage Erosion intensities on water Erosion in the Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China. Mean flowvelocity, effective/critical shear stress, and soil erodibility factor K were calculated to analyze the differences in hydrodynamic characteristics induced by Tillage. Our experimental results suggest that mean runoff rates were 2.26, 1.19, and 0.65 L min(-1) and that mean soil detachment rates were 1.53, 1.01, and 0.61 g m(-2) min(-1) during the 70-min simulated rainfall events for 52-, 31-, and 10-year Tillage, respectively. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in cumulative detachment amounts was found among different Tillage intensities. Compared with the soil flux of 0 kg m(-1), cumulative detachment amounts for the soil fluxes of 9.86 and 24.72 kg m(-1) increased by 40.02% and 100.94%, respectively, during the 30-min rainfall event. The results imply that soil and water losses tended to increase with increasing Tillage intensity. A significant difference in mean flow velocity occurred near the upper and lower slope boundaries of the field, while significant differences (P < 0.05) in runoff depth and effective shear stress were observed among different slope positions. Soil erodibility factor K for the soil fluxes of 9.86 and 24.72 kg m(-1) were 2.40 and 5.11 times higher, respectively, than that for the soil flux of 0 kg m(-1). As Tillage intensity increased, critical shear stress trended to gradually decrease for all soil fluxes. Our results indicate that Tillage Erosion increases soil erodibility and delivers the soil for water Erosion in sloping fields, accelerating water Erosion. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  • Impact of Tillage Erosion on water Erosion in a hilly landscape.
    The Science of the total environment, 2016
    Co-Authors: Y Wang, J H Zhang, Z H Zhang
    Abstract:

    Little has been known of the interaction between Tillage Erosion and water Erosion, while the two Erosion processes was independently studied. Can Tillage-induced soil redistribution lead to exaggerated (or retarded) runoff flow and sediment concentrations in steeply sloping fields? A series of simulated Tillage and artificial rainfall events were applied to rectangular runoff plots (2m×8m) with a slope of 15° to examine the impacts of Tillage Erosion intensities on water Erosion in the Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China. Mean flow velocity, effective/critical shear stress, and soil erodibility factor K were calculated to analyze the differences in hydrodynamic characteristics induced by Tillage. Our experimental results suggest that mean runoff rates were 2.26, 1.19, and 0.65Lmin(-1) and that mean soil detachment rates were 1.53, 1.01, and 0.61gm(-2)min(-1) during the 70-min simulated rainfall events for 52-, 31-, and 10-year Tillage, respectively. A significant difference (P

  • Soil Enzyme Activities on Eroded Slopes in the Sichuan Basin, China
    Pedosphere, 2015
    Co-Authors: J H Zhang
    Abstract:

    Determining how soil Erosion affects enzyme activity may enhance our understanding of soil degradation on eroded agricultural landscapes. This study assessed the changes in enzyme activity with slope position and Erosion type by selecting water and Tillage Erosion-dominated slopes and performing analyses using the Cs-137 technique. The Cs-137 data revealed that soil loss occurred in the upper section of the two eroded slope types, while soil accumulation occurred in the lower section. The invertase activity increased downslope and exhibited a pattern similar to the Cs-137 data. The spatial patterns of urease and alkaline phosphatase activities were similar to the Cs-137 inventories on the water and Tillage Erosion-dominated slopes, respectively. On both the eroded slope types, the invertase activity and soil organic carbon content were correlated, but no correlation was observed between the alkaline phosphatase activity and total phosphorus content. Nevertheless, the urease activity was correlated with the total nitrogen content only on the water Erosion-dominated slopes. The enzyme activity-to-microbial biomass carbon ratios indicated high activities of invertase and urease but low activity of phosphatase on the water Erosion-dominated slopes compared with the Tillage Erosion-dominated slopes. Both the invertase activity and the invertase activity-to-microbial biomass carbon ratio varied with the slope position. Changes in the urease activity-to-microbial biomass carbon ratio were significantly affected by the Erosion type. These suggested that the dynamics of the invertase activity were linked to soil redistribution on the two eroded slope types, whereas the dynamics of the urease and alkaline phosphatase activities were associated with soil redistribution only on the water or Tillage Erosion-dominated slopes, respectively. The Erosion type had an obvious effect on the activities of invertase, urease and alkaline phosphatase. Soil redistribution might influence the involvement of urease in the N cycle and alkaline phosphatase in the P cycle. Thus, enzyme activity-to-microbial biomass ratios may be used to better evaluate microbiological activity in eroded soils.

Gerard Govers - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Differential effects of water Erosion and Tillage Erosion on carbon dynamics on Arable Land
    2020
    Co-Authors: Zhengang Wang, Gerard Govers, R. Merckx, Kristof Van Oost, J. Gillabel, Wim Clymans, W. Van Hemelryck
    Abstract:

    Global agricultural soil Erosion has been proved to be a carbon sink. Water Erosion and Tillage Erosion are the two dominant forms of soil redistribution processes in agricultural catchments. However, there is still no research trying to evaluate whether they play different roles in perturbing the carbon dynamics of agricultural land. By calibrating a spatially distributed soil Erosion model on a small agricultural catchment, the proportion of the deposits by water Erosion and Tillage Erosion at different positions of the soil bank formed at the field border can be estimated: grain size analysis confirms that the relative contribution of Tillage and water vary with landscape position. The results derived from the water Erosion model are further processed with a model elucidating soil organic matter dynamics through the soil profile that is calibrated with detailed measured soil carbon profiles both on the slope and at the soil bank. Different decomposition rates for the carbon deposited by different Erosion processes were derived from model simulations by matching observed and simulated profiles of total carbon as well as of delta 13C. Incubation of soil cores at both water Erosion and Tillage Erosion dominated deposits was also conducted so that an attempt can be made to discriminate between the effects of burial and carbon quality on carbon decomposition rates. Different effects of water Erosion and Tillage Erosion on the carbon dynamics in the catchment were assessed and possible mechanisms behind them are discussed using evidence from total carbon content, delta 13C and grain size profiles.

  • animal powered Tillage Erosion assessment in the southern andes region of ecuador
    Geomorphology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Gerard Govers, J Poesen, Gerd Dercon, H Sanchez, Karen Rombaut, E Vandenbroeck, G Loaiza, Jozef Deckers
    Abstract:

    Abstract While water Erosion has been the focus of past research in the Andes, former studies show that soil Erosion could also be related to the methods used in cultivating the fields. The main objective of the present study was to assess (i) Tillage Erosion caused by the traditional animal-powered “yunta” or ard plough in the Andes and the factors controlling the process and (ii) the implications for soil conservation. Erosion rates were experimentally measured on 27 sites, having slopes from ca. 0% to 60% and soils ranging from Andosols to Cambisols, in the Andes region of Ecuador (Gima, Azuay). Different Tillage methods were assessed: (i) Tillage parallel to the contour lines (‘Paralelo’) and (ii) Tillage at an angle with the contour lines. Statistical analysis points out that Erosion caused by animal-powered Tillage is gravity-driven. A strong correlation exists between slope and downslope displacement: furthermore, Tillage depth and initial soil condition are important. For the ‘Paralelo’ Tillage method the Tillage transportation coefficient (k) is below 100 kg m− 1 Tillage Pass− 1, for the combined ‘Arado’–‘Cruzado’ Tillage method k may exceed 300 kg m− 1. Tillage Erosion is responsible for the reduction of the slope between the contour strips over a relatively short time period of 20 years, resulting in the formation of terraces and therefore the reduction of the water Erosion risk. However, at the same time it may negatively affect soil quality.

  • Tillage Erosion a review of controlling factors and implications for soil quality
    Progress in Physical Geography, 2006
    Co-Authors: K Van Oost, Gerard Govers, S De Alba, T A Quine
    Abstract:

    Tillage Erosion has been identified as an important global soil degradation process that has to be accounted for when assessing the Erosional impacts on soil productivity, environmental quality or landscape evolution. In this paper, we present a summary of available data describing Tillage Erosion. This provides insights in the controlling factors determining soil redistribution rates and patterns by Tillage for various implements used in both mechanized and non-mechanized agriculture. Variations in Tillage depth and Tillage direction cause the largest variations in soil redistribution rates, although other factors, such as Tillage speed and implement characteristics, also play an important role. In general, decreasing Tillage depth and ploughing along the contour lines substantially reduce Tillage Erosion rates and can be considered as effective soil conservation strategies. Implement erosivities reported in literature, characterized by the Tillage transport coefficient, are very consistent and range in the order of 400–800 kgm-¹1yr-¹1 and 70–260 kg m-¹1yr-¹1 for mechanized and nonmechanized agriculture, respectively. Comparison of Tillage Erosion rates with water Erosion rates using a global data set indicates that Tillage Erosion rates are at least in the same order of magnitude or higher than water Erosion rates, in almost all cases. Finally, we discuss how Tillage Erosion increases the spatial variability of soil properties and affects soil nutrient cycling. Considering the widespread use of Tillage practices, the high redistribution rates associated with the process and its direct effect on soil properties, it is clear that Tillage Erosion should be considered in soil landscape studies.

  • Soil translocation resulting from multiple passes of Tillage under normal field operating conditions
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2006
    Co-Authors: W Van Muysen, Kristof Van Oost, Gerard Govers
    Abstract:

    Abstract Until now, most Tillage Erosion experiments were conducted under controlled soil and operating conditions. However, soil condition, Tillage depth, speed and direction generally show substantial within-field variation. In this study, a series of Tillage experiments were set up to investigate the erosivity of Tillage under normal operating conditions. The effect of a typical Tillage sequence, including multiple mouldboard, chisel and harrow passes, on soil translocation and Tillage Erosion was studied during a period of 3 years. Soil translocation in excess of 10 m was observed while the average net translocation rates ranged between 0 and 0.9 m. The results suggest that the annual Tillage transport coefficient, associated with mechanized agriculture, is in the order of 781 kg m−1 yr−1. The experimental results also show that the Tillage transport coefficient of a sequence of Tillage operations can be reasonably well predicted from information provided by the farmer and by summing the transport coefficients obtained from controlled, single pass experiments. However, a Monte Carlo simulation showed that a relatively high number of Tillage operations are required to obtain accurate estimates of the Tillage transport coefficients in multiple pass experiments.

  • from water to Tillage Erosion dominated landform evolution
    Geomorphology, 2005
    Co-Authors: Gerard Govers, Kristof Van Oost, W Van Muysen, Jozef Deckers, T A Quine
    Abstract:

    While water and wind Erosion are still considered to be the dominant soil Erosion processes on agricultural land, there is growing recognition that Tillage Erosion plays an important role in the redistribution of soil on agricultural land. In this study, we examined soil redistribution rates and patterns for an agricultural field in the Belgian loess belt. 137Cs derived soil Erosion rates have been confronted with historical patterns of soil Erosion based on soil profile truncation. This allowed an assessment of historical and contemporary landform evolution on agricultural land and its interpretation in relation to the dominant geomorphic process. The results clearly show that an important shift in the relative contribution of Tillage and water Erosion to total soil redistribution on agricultural land has occurred during recent decades. Historical soil redistribution is dominated by high losses on steep midslope positions and concavities as a result of water Erosion, leading to landscape incision and steepening of the topography. In contrast, contemporary soil redistribution is dominated by high losses on convex upperslopes and infilling of slope and valley concavities as a result of Tillage, resulting in topographic flattening. This shift must be attributed to the increased mechanization of agriculture during recent decades. This study shows that the typical topographical dependency of soil redistribution processes and their spatial interactions must be accounted for when assessing landform and soil profile evolution.

David A. Lobb - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • assessment of Tillage translocation and Erosion by the disk plow on steepland andisols in costa rica
    Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2010
    Co-Authors: K H D Tiessen, David A. Lobb, Freddy Sancho, G R Mehuys
    Abstract:

    One of the major threats to the sustainability of agriculture within the Americas is that posed by soil Erosion due to the actions of rain, wind, and Tillage. Soil degradation by Tillage Erosion is of greatest concern in regions where intensively tilled crops are grown on highly erodible landscapes. To date, very little research has been conducted on the potential for Tillage Erosion within intensively cultivated vegetable and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production, especially within steep mountainous agroecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure Tillage translocation and Tillage Erosion by the arado de disco (disk plow), an implement used across Latin America and the most common mechanized primary Tillage implement used in the potato-growing volcanic highlands of Costa Rica. Our results suggest that Tillage Erosion is a major problem in this region. Soil movement downslope by the arado de disco was approximately twice that moved upslope, and a highly significant relationship was observed between both the mean displacement distance of the tilled layer and the mass of translocated soil and slope gradient when all up- and downslope cultivated Tillage translocation plots were included in the regression analysis. When the data were separated and only those plots cultivated downslope were analyzed, the potential for Tillage Erosion more than doubled. If Tillage operations are only conducted downslope, the rate of Tillage Erosion is equivalent to ~250 Mg ha−1 pass−1 (~112 tn ac−1 pass−1) from the top 5 m (16.4 ft) below a field boundary. These results show that not only is the arado de disco an erosive implement but that downslope-only cultivation is a highly erosive Tillage practice—as the measured erosivity values are larger than those typically reported for implements in Europe and North America (where Tillage operations are normally conducted in alternating up- and downslope directions). Our results also suggest that the variability in both speed of Tillage and depth of Tillage across the landscape were important factors controlling Tillage translocation by the arado de disco. However, since Tillage operations on the steep slopes of Volcan Irazu are typically conducted downhill, depth of Tillage had a much greater effect on Tillage translocation under these conditions than did speed of Tillage. It is clear that a reduction in Tillage Erosion is necessary to reduce soil losses in this intensively cropped region of Costa Rica and for similar steepland agricultural regions in the Americas.

  • Modeling Tillage-induced morphological features in cultivated landscapes.
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2009
    Co-Authors: Sheng Li, David A. Lobb, K H D Tiessen
    Abstract:

    Abstract Previous Tillage Erosion models have generally assumed that Tillage operations (over time) are conducted equally in opposite directions across the field. In reality, actual Tillage patterns used by farmers are often much more complicated than this. However, to date, no research has been conducted to examine the impact of complex Tillage patterns on Tillage Erosion. In this study, a Directional Tillage Erosion Model (DirTillEM) was developed to better account for the effect of complex Tillage patterns and field boundaries on Tillage Erosion across an agricultural landscape. The DirTillEM was used on a hypothetical, completely level landscape (to negate the influence of topography) using Tillage patterns typical of those used in the North American Prairies. The DirTillEM predictions agreed well with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) topographic data collected from the near-level landscapes of the Red River Valley in Manitoba, Canada. Overall, the model predicted that Tillage direction (especially when conducted repeatedly in specific patterns over many years) and field boundaries play a very important role in the creation and destruction of morphological features across the landscape – even in near-level landscapes which were previously thought to be less susceptible to the negative effects of Tillage Erosion. With the increased knowledge of processes involved in Tillage translocation and Tillage Erosion, it is possible to avoid the undesired formation of morphological features within a field.

  • patterns of water and Tillage Erosion on topographically complex landscapes in the north american great plains
    Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2008
    Co-Authors: Sheng Li, David A. Lobb, M J Lindstrom, Annemieke Farenhorst
    Abstract:

    Two field sites located in the northern region of the North American Great Plains were examined to investigate the contributions of water and Tillage Erosion towards total soil Erosion in topographically complex landscapes (hummocky and undulating landscapes). Results indicated that both water and Tillage Erosion contributed substantially to total Erosion in the undulating landscape while Tillage Erosion dominated in the hummocky landscape. The patterns of water, Tillage and total soil Erosion can be predicted using landscape segmentation in such landscapes. Soil properties and crop yield are also related to soil Erosion. Landscape segmentation can be used as a simple tool to more easily represent the spatial variability of soil Erosion and affected biophysical processes such as crop production, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emission and pesticide fate, and to target soil conservation practices toward the most intensive Erosion processes on given landform elements.

  • Tillage translocation and Tillage erosivity by planting, hilling and harvesting operations common to potato production in Atlantic Canada
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: K H D Tiessen, David A. Lobb, G R Mehuys, H W Rees
    Abstract:

    Abstract In Canada, the negative impacts of Tillage Erosion is a growing concern, especially in regions where highly erosive cropping and Tillage systems are practiced on highly erodible, topographically complex landscapes. To date, Tillage Erosion studies have focused primarily on the movement of soil by primary and secondary Tillage operations. However, in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L. ) production there is often considerable soil disturbance that occurs during “tertiary” field operations conducted during the growing season. Therefore, the objective of this project was to generate Tillage translocation and erosivity values for implements common to planting, hilling and harvesting operations within intensive potato production systems in Atlantic Canada. Our results show that tertiary Tillage operations result in significant soil displacement and can be equally as erosive as primary and secondary Tillage operations. Both the planting, cultivating and hilling (PCH) sequence and the harvester moved soil extremely large distances (up to 23.6 and 6.0 m, respectively). In fact, the mean translocated distance of the tilled layer ( T L ) and the mass of translocated soil ( T M ) of the PCH sequence (0.42 m and 115.9 kg m −1 , respectively) and the harvester (0.55 m and 71.7 kg m −1 , respectively) are larger than those reported previously for primary and secondary Tillage operations in New Brunswick. In addition, the net downslope movement of soil for the PCH sequence and the harvester was approximately 36 and 26 kg m −1 , respectively, suggesting that both tertiary Tillage operations have the potential to be erosive. A direct relationship was observed between both T L and T M and slope gradient for the PCH sequence, but similar relationships were not found for the harvester, even though the harvester moved approximately 30 % more soil downslope than upslope. Linear regression functions were generally improved after including slope curvature in the model, but these results were not always significant. Soil movement by the PCH sequence and harvester were also largely influenced by Tillage speed and Tillage depth, and future research is needed under controlled conditions to determine whether it is changing topography or the variability in Tillage speed and depth across the landscape in response to changing topography that is driving Tillage Erosion within mechanized agricultural systems. It is clear that tertiary Tillage operations must be considered when developing best management practices to improve soil conservation strategies for potato production systems in Canada and worldwide.

  • Tillage Erosion within potato production in atlantic canada ii erosivity of primary and secondary Tillage operations
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: K H D Tiessen, David A. Lobb, G R Mehuys, H W Rees
    Abstract:

    Abstract To date, Tillage Erosion experiments in Canada have only been conducted on conventionally tilled corn-based production systems in Ontario and conventionally tilled cereal-based production in Manitoba. Estimates and assumptions have been made for all other production systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the erosivity of primary and secondary Tillage operations within conventional and conservation potato production systems used in Atlantic Canada. Regression analysis determined that a direct relationship exists between slope gradient and both the mean displacement distance of the tilled layer ( T L ) and the mass of translocated soil ( T M ) for the chisel plough (CP), mouldboard plough (MP) and offset disc (OD), but not for the vibrashank (VS). Overall, the potential for Tillage Erosion of the MP, CP, and OD was similar (1.8–1.9 kg m −1  % −1  pass −1 ) and larger than that of the VS (0.3 kg m −1  % −1  pass −1 ). The regression coefficients for each implement were improved after including slope curvature, and we recommend that curvature be included in any future Tillage Erosion modelling. Our results show that both residue management to control wind and water Erosion and soil movement to control Tillage Erosion must be considered when choosing implements and developing best management practices with regards to reducing the negative impacts of total soil Erosion on potato production systems in Atlantic Canada.

J Poesen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • animal powered Tillage Erosion assessment in the southern andes region of ecuador
    Geomorphology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Gerard Govers, J Poesen, Gerd Dercon, H Sanchez, Karen Rombaut, E Vandenbroeck, G Loaiza, Jozef Deckers
    Abstract:

    Abstract While water Erosion has been the focus of past research in the Andes, former studies show that soil Erosion could also be related to the methods used in cultivating the fields. The main objective of the present study was to assess (i) Tillage Erosion caused by the traditional animal-powered “yunta” or ard plough in the Andes and the factors controlling the process and (ii) the implications for soil conservation. Erosion rates were experimentally measured on 27 sites, having slopes from ca. 0% to 60% and soils ranging from Andosols to Cambisols, in the Andes region of Ecuador (Gima, Azuay). Different Tillage methods were assessed: (i) Tillage parallel to the contour lines (‘Paralelo’) and (ii) Tillage at an angle with the contour lines. Statistical analysis points out that Erosion caused by animal-powered Tillage is gravity-driven. A strong correlation exists between slope and downslope displacement: furthermore, Tillage depth and initial soil condition are important. For the ‘Paralelo’ Tillage method the Tillage transportation coefficient (k) is below 100 kg m− 1 Tillage Pass− 1, for the combined ‘Arado’–‘Cruzado’ Tillage method k may exceed 300 kg m− 1. Tillage Erosion is responsible for the reduction of the slope between the contour strips over a relatively short time period of 20 years, resulting in the formation of terraces and therefore the reduction of the water Erosion risk. However, at the same time it may negatively affect soil quality.

  • short and medium term assessment of Tillage Erosion in the uluguru mountains tanzania
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Didas N Kimaro, J Poesen, Jozef Deckers, Method Kilasara, B M Msanya
    Abstract:

    Abstract Soil translocation due to shallow Tillage by manual hoeing appears to be one of the most important Erosion processes in the Uluguru Mountains. In order to quantify Erosion rates caused by manual hoeing in the area a Tillage experiment was set up and an on-farm survey was conducted during the dry season of the years 2000 and 2001, respectively. Soil flux rates on eight slope gradients (31–67%) were monitored by measuring the Tillage step characteristics using Trapezoid-step method and by collecting soil material lost in Gerlarch troughs. Soil flux rates due to medium-term (30 years) manual hoeing along contour bands with grass barrier were also monitored by measuring volumes of Tillage step below and colluvium accumulation above the surface of the original slope on six slope gradients (51, 52, 55, 56, 58 and 60%). Average Tillage depth for superficial Tillage was 5.2 cm. The results obtained by the Trapezoid-step method ranged from 43 to 70 kg m −1 per Tillage pass with a mean Tillage transport coefficient ( k ) of 107.5 kg m −1 on the tested slopes. Mean soil flux rates obtained by Gerlarch trough method were slightly lower than those obtained by Trapezoid-step method with values ranging from 14 to 77 kg m −1 per Tillage pass and a Tillage transport coefficient ( k ) of 83.9 kg m −1 per Tillage pass. The rates measured by both methods showed an increasing soil flux with slope gradient. Results on soil flux rates due to the medium-term Tillage operation (step measurements) showed a negative trend with increasing slope gradient. Soil flux ranged from 148 to 42 kg m −1 per year for slopes between 51 and 60%. Soil flux due to colluviation behind grass barriers showed a similar trend with values higher than those obtained by step measurements. The soil flux rates behind grass barriers ranged from 153 kg m −1 per year on slope of 51% to 67 kg m −1 per year on a 60% slope in approximately 30 years of cultivation. A reasonable correspondence between calculated displaced soil (area under original slope) and the accumulated colluvium (area above the original slope) was obtained indicating significant contribution of Tillage Erosion. Contribution due to water Erosion processes ranged from 7 kg m −1 per year on slopes of 51% to 25 kg m −1 per year on a slope of 60%. The study demonstrated that Tillage translocation rates due to manual superficial Tillage are very high and could partly be held responsible for the development of shallow soils observed on steep slopes and the accumulation of colluvium behind grass barriers along contour bands in the Uluguru Mountains.

  • Tillage Erosion on slopes with soil conservation structures in the ethiopian highlands
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2000
    Co-Authors: Jan Nyssen, J Poesen, Mitiku Haile, J Moeyersons, Jozef Deckers
    Abstract:

    Abstract Soil translocation due to Tillage by the ox-drawn ard plough appears to be an important source of colluviation behind stone bunds and lynchets in the Ethiopian highlands. To quantify Erosion rates caused by this plough in Ethiopia, painted and numbered rock fragments, 3–5 cm in intermediate diameter, were used as tracers to monitor soil movement on 16 sites, each having a different slope gradient, in the district of Dogu’a Tembien, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Average Tillage depth was 8.1 cm and the net mean downslope displacement distance per Tillage operation ranged from 4.7 cm for a 0.03 m m −1 slope to 34.4 cm for a field with a gradient of 0.48 m m −1 . There was a strong correlation ( R 2 =0.84, P 15 cm intermediate diameter) are obstacles to the downslope movement of tilled soil. The unit soil transport rate (Qs) per Tillage operation ranged from 4.8 kg m −1 on the 0.03 m m −1 slope to 38.7 kg m −1 on the 0.48 m m −1 slope. These values represent the mass of soil deposited by Tillage behind 1 m of lynchet or stone bund. During each Tillage operation the same mass of soil is also removed from the foot of the upper stone bund or lynchet. For the first Tillage operation, before the onset of the rainy season, the Tillage transport coefficient ( K ) was 68 kg m −1 . As farmers till 1–4 times per year, annual K values can be assessed to range from 68 to 272 kg m −1 . These values are less than those observed for mechanised Tillage, which however, is usually conducted on less steep slopes. On average, Tillage Erosion can be held responsible for half of the sediment deposited behind newly constructed stone bunds in the Tigray highlands.

  • Reassessment of Tillage Erosion rates by manual Tillage on steep slopes in northern Thailand
    Soil & Tillage Research, 1999
    Co-Authors: F Turkelboom, J Poesen, I Ohler, S Ongprasert
    Abstract:

    Abstract Changing land-use practices in northern Thailand have increased Tillage intensity. This study re-assesses the rate of Tillage Erosion by manual hoeing on steep slopes (17–82%) in northern Thailand. Previously collected soil translocation data during an on-farm Tillage Erosion experiment and additionally collected data during an on-farm Tillage Erosion survey have been analysed whereby a new calculation method (i.e. trapezoid Tillage step) has been used. A comparison with previously collected data indicates that the trapezoid Tillage step method and the tracer method are the most reliable methods to assess downslope translocation by manual Tillage. Based on newly acquired understanding of the processes involved, soil fluxes by Tillage Erosion are quantified by linear functions for different slope gradient classes rather than one single diffusion-type equation for the whole slope range. For slope gradients smaller than 3%, soil fluxes are close to zero as farmers do not have a preferred Tillage direction. For slope gradients between 3% and 70%, soil is tilled only in the downslope direction and soil fluxes range between 16 and 67 kg m −1 Tillage pass −1 . On slopes with gradients in excess of 70%, the angle of repose for soil clods is often exceeded resulting in a sliding down of the complete tilled top layer. These data are used to assess the soil flux for complete cropping cycles for the most dominant cropping systems in the highlands of northern Thailand: i.e. upland rice, maize, (soy) beans, cabbage and ginger. The on-site effects of Tillage Erosion will be very pronounced if parcels are short with respect to their slope length, cultivated for upland rice or cabbage, or when weed pressure is high. Tillage Erosion results in a Tillage step with low soil fertility and low infiltration capacity. Solutions to reduce Tillage Erosion intensity depend on the degree that Tillage intensity can be reduced. This might happen by an improved weed management or by changing landuse to perrenial cropping. Other strategies are concentrating nutrients on the truncated hillslope sections and retaining soil on the field by vegetative buffers.

  • Fine-earth translocation by Tillage in stony soils in the Guadalentin, south-east Spain: an investigation using caesium-134
    Soil & Tillage Research, 1999
    Co-Authors: Timothy A. Quine, Gerard Govers, J Poesen, Des Walling, Bas Van Wesemael, José Martinez-fernandez
    Abstract:

    Tillage Erosion is increasingly recognised as an important soil Erosion process on agricultural land. In view of its potential significance, there is a clear need to broaden the experimental database for the magnitude of Tillage Erosion to include a range of Tillage implements and agricultural environments. The study discussed in this paper sought to address the need for such data by examining Tillage Erosion by a duckfoot chisel plough in stony soils on steep slopes in a semi-arid environment. Results of the investigation of coarse fraction (rock fragment) translocation by Tillage in this environment have been presented elsewhere and the paper focuses on Tillage translocation and Erosion of the fine earth. Tillage translocation was measured at 10 sites, representing both upslope and downslope Tillage by a duckfoot chisel plough on five different slopes, with tangents ranging from 0.02 to 0.41. A fine-earth tracer, comprising fine earth labelled with 134 Cs, was introduced into the plough layer before Tillage. After a single pass of the plough, incremental samples of plough soil were excavated and sieved to separate the fine earth from the rock fragments. Translocation of the fine-earth tracer was established by analysing the 134 Cs content of the samples of fine earth. These data were used to establish translocation distances for each combination of slope and Tillage direction. Translocation distances of the fine earth were not significantly different from translocation distances of the coarse fraction. For all sites, except uphill on the 0.41 slope, translocation distances were found to be linearly related to slope tangent. The soil flux due to Tillage for each site was calculated using the translocation distance and the mass per unit area of the plough layer. For slopes with tangents