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Enhancing farm productivity in Ethiopia through the adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) is crucial for bridging the gap between food demand and supply, while also ensuring the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. However, the synergistic effects of different types of technologies within ISFM remain inadequately understood. This study analyzes individual and combined impacts of adopting ISFM practices, specifically inorganic fertilizer and Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices, on net crop value and per capita food consumption expenditure. Using primary data collected from 781 plots in eastern Ethiopia, the study employs Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESR) to identify those factors associated with the adoption of these practices and evaluate their impacts on households' welfare, while accounting for both observable and unobservable biases. The average treatment effects of adopting inorganic fertilizer and SWC practices either separately or in combination show that these practices result in improved net crop value and per capita food consumption expenditure. Interestingly, the combined impact of inorganic fertilizer and SWC practices on net crop value and food consumption expenditure is more than double when compared to adopting these practices separately. Moreover, our finding shows that the age and educational level of the household, irrigation use, and cultivated area are positively and significantly associated with the likelihood of adopting the combination of inorganic fertilizer and SWC practices. Therefore, encouraging and supporting farmers to adopt a combination of inorganic fertilizer and SWC practices will result in significant welfare gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion by water is a serious problem in Ethiopia, contributing to diminishing crop yields and food shortages. Apart from understanding the magnitude, risk, and spatial distribution of the problem, identifying erosion hotspot areas is essential for effectively reversing the problem. This study aims to identify erosion hotspots in the Gotu watershed, in northeastern Ethiopia, using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and incorporating local farmers' perspectives to prioritize conservation efforts. The RUSLE model reveals that 29,744.3 metric tons of soil is lost annually from the Gotu watershed, with an average loss of 65.3 to t ha⁻1 year⁻1. The main contributing factors to soil erosion in the watershed include undulating topography, loss of plant cover, and continuous cultivation. The highest soil loss rates (> 80 t ha⁻1 year⁻1) were found in the western, northern, and southern parts of the watershed, where cultivation occurs on moderate to steep slopes with sparse vegetation cover. These areas should be prioritized for conservation interventions. Farmers identified poor crop yields and damaged conservation structures as key indicators of soil erosion prevalence in the watershed. Increasing farmer's understanding of soil erosion and the importance of soil and water conservation is essential for effectively controlling soil erosion and improving food security in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a long-term nitrogen (N) fertilizer study in an irrigated no-till continuous corn system to assess the effects of N rates on N losses, N use efficiency (NUE), and changes in soil N content. The NUE of the harvested grain (NUEHG), calculated using the difference method (difference between fertilized and non-fertilized [control] experimental units), was 49, 46, 35, and 29% for the annual N fertilizer applications of 67, 132, 196, and 246 kg N ha−1 y−1, respectively during the 2006 to 2018 growing seasons. The system N loss (difference between N inputs and outputs) from N-fertilized treatments, calculated using an N balance from fall 2005 to fall 2018 that included N changes in the 0 to 120 cm soil depths, ranged from 19% with the 67 kg N ha−1 y−1 rate to 57% with the 246 kg N ha−1 y−1 rate. The data suggest that nitrate (NO3–N) leaching and atmospheric emissions could be pathways for these losses. The changes in soil N content were negative, with an average system N loss across fertilized treatments of 15 kg N ha−1 y−1 of soil organic N (SON) in the top 30 cm of soil of the fertilized and non-fertilized treatments. These results show that even no-till systems could potentially have significant net N loss, including a reduction in SON and particulate organic N (POM–N), and that higher N use efficiencies found using the system N balance (NUESys) approach indicate that the NUEHG does not accurately assess the N lost to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation are the most requested natural resources, especially in the dryland region. Watershed management is the key to solving such problems and creating a stable environment for sustainable development in natural ecosystems. Therefore, to identify the appropriate solution to improve these conditions, it is necessary to conduct applied research. This research aimed to evaluate the impacts of watershed management activities on environmental sustainability in the Taftan watershed. To do this research, field visits were made to the study area where watershed management was implemented. Also, the locations of check dams and their numbers were determined. Moreover, field visits were made to the watershed, and the dimensions of the built cheek dams were estimated. To measure the flood volumes, graduated scales were installed in the reservoirs and outlets of the watershed, and the volume of the flood was measured for each rainfall event. As well as water flow duration was estimated before and after watershed management activities. To determine the infiltration rate, used the double-ring method. Also, by using satellite images, the effect of watershed management operations on the agricultural land area was investigated. The data was analyzed with SPSS18. Data indicated that the volume of structural operations is 145,744 m3. According to field observation, check dam reservoirs were filled up with sediments, and many of them were ineffective. During the research, an amount of 883,139 m3 of flood was created, of which 433,095 m3 was controlled in check dam reservoirs and 450,044 m3 (51%) caused runoff. According to the data, watershed management operation reduces floods (49%), improves water quantity, and increases occupation and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a major issue in Loess Plateau, China, and quantitative analyses of sediment sources are crucial for soil erosion control. In this study, a combination of flood couplet analysis and composite fingerprint identification was used for historical reconstructions of soil erosion in sediment source areas in Loess Plateau. Each flood couplet was constructed based on sediment 137Cs activity, and past soil erosion was calculated using soil bulk density and storage capacity curves. The contribution rates of the sediment sources were calculated using the fingerprinting method, and the amount of erosion in the sediment source areas was estimated. The best fingerprint combination (Cr, Ni, V, and TOC) enabled a 97.2% recognition of sediment sources from 29 flood events (1956–1990) in the Loess Plateau. The contribution rates of gullies, farmland, grassland, and shrubland were 44.89%, 26.38%, 10.49%, and 18.24%, respectively. These four land use types contributed 1,227, 751, 512, and 279 tons of sediments, respectively. Re-vegetation decreased soil erosion (1966–1983), whereas deforestation increased soil erosion (1956–1965 and 1984–1990). Rational soil and water conservation measures on slopes and check dam construction in gullies are therefore suggested to mitigate erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion significantly affects agricultural production. Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) measures have been constructed to reduce soil loss. However, the impact of SWC measures on physicochemical soil properties has rarely been investigated in most parts of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of SWC measures on selected soil physicochemical properties in the Jibgedel watershed, West Gojjam zone, Ethiopia. The study also assessed the farmers' perception of the benefits and impacts of SWC measures. Composite and core soil samples were taken at a depth of 0 to 20 cm from four farmlands with SWC measures (soil bund, stone bund, and soil bund with sesbania tree) and without SWC measures in three replications. Results have shown that employing SWC measures in the farmland significantly improved most of the physicochemical properties of the soil compared to farmland without SWC measures. Bulk density from soil bund with and without sesbania trees was significantly lower than stone bund and untreated farmland. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and available phosphorus from soil bund with sesbania tree were significantly higher than other treatments. The result also revealed that most farmers perceived that the implemented SWC measures improved soil fertility and crop yield. SWC measures are easier to adopt for integrated watershed management when farmers are well-versed in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover (LULC) planning stands out for listing potentials and limitations to land use aiming to reduce erosion to tolerable limits based on soil characteristics, relief, and socioeconomic aspects of landowners. To demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of agroecosystems diagnosis in large basins through the concept of land use capability, this work proposed a methodology for agro-environmental diagnosis applied to the Doce river basin (DRB) that was validated based on google earth images samples and suspend soil concentration in rivers. The methodology consisted of comparing the land use capability with the intensity of use caused by the LULC. The results showed that DRB is suited for intensive conservationist agricultural uses. However, some regions, are suitable for more intense agricultural activities. The factors regarding relief (slope and recharge) are the most restrictive ones to more intensive use in the basin. Pasture is the main use in the Doce river basin and had the highest percentage of areas used above the land use capability, followed by perennial agriculture and eucalyptus. The methodology of agro-environmental diagnosis based on the concept of land use capability was considered adequate for the diagnosis of agroecosystems at DRB since at a local scale, it was estimated accuracy of 95.5% of the number of exceeding classes in 45 sampled polygons and, at a regional scale, the linear regression between soil use and management index (Ium) and suspended soil concentration in rivers at Hydrographic Regions obtained an R2, RMSEN, and NSE of 0.79, 0.12, and 0.74. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investments in land management practices, such as stone and soil bunds, are a key strategy to recover degraded lands in Ethiopia. However, the benefits of these practices in relation to ecosystem services are not properly assessed and documented. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the benefits of land management practices in relation to provisioning, supporting and regulating ecosystem services. The study was conducted in four watersheds with selected indicators of provisioning, supporting and regulating ecosystem service. Generally, the results show that provisioning services (e.g. yield of crops), regulating services (e.g. organic matter accumulation) and supporting services (e.g. soil nutrient content) were improved with age of stone and soil bunds except in Jawe-gumbura watershed. Accordingly, in Alekit-wonz watershed, the grain yield of barley recorded from 4-year-old stone bunds was higher than the yield recorded from 2-year old soil bund. Similarly, in Borodo watershed, the grain yield of wheat from 5-year-old soil bunds was higher than the yield obtained from the control treatment. The results also showed that highest regulating and supporting ecosystem services were recorded in the accumulation zones in all watersheds compared with erosion zone. Similarly, the highest provisioning services were recorded at the accumulation zone in all watersheds. This shows that land management practices are effective to improve supporting, regulating and provisioning ecosystem services. Hence, more investments in land management are needed to enhance ecosystem services from degraded lands of Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing sustainable production practices to rehabilitate soils is a grand challenge of our day, particularly for resource-poor farmers. The West African Sahel requires attention to balancing the need for increasing agricultural production against harsh environmental conditions. While there is much research documenting technologies for soil regeneration in the Sahel, there has been limited focus on how agricultural practices contribute or exacerbate these efforts. Previous assessments of agricultural practices in this region have been largely descriptive, and some soil ameliorating practices have been promoted with little empirical evidence on their effectiveness. Here we systematically review the literature on soil fertility and conservation practices that have been studied within West African Sahelian agricultural systems. We identified practices in the West African Sahel that have been tested to improve soil fertility and reduce land degradation, and summarized the outcomes of these practices. A unique contribution of this review is the assessment of site-specific conditions and contexts under which practices are most effective in studies which recorded these specific characteristics. We found that research in this area is dominated by chemical fertilizer and organic amendment practices, with moderate to few studies focused on soil and water conservation, crop diversification, or agroforestry. Additionally, most studies consisted of single practices rather than combining practices that target the range of biophysical limitations farmers face in agricultural production. These limitations highlight the need for increased research testing combinations of practices across long-term on-farm studies to generate stronger evidence of conditions under which practices best perform. These findings provide key lessons for research and extension on sustainable agricultural management under the challenging conditions of the Sahel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying infiltration and surface runoff at the hillslope scale is indispensable for soil conservation studies. However, the spatial and temporal variability of infiltration imposes a major constraint on surface runoff estimation. Point infiltration values do not fully express the complexity of the surface runoff in the landscape. Considering the need to improve the estimation of runoff volume from infiltration data, this study aimed to measure the apparent infiltration at hillslope-scale and compare it with two methods of infiltration estimative derived from point information. The study was carried out in six hydrological monitoring units paired. A set of hyetographs and hydrographs allowed the determination of apparent infiltration I a to each monitoring unit as a function of precipitation rate P. The measured I a values were used: (1) to evaluate the efficiency of the different land management in increasing infiltration; and (2) to evaluate the efficiency of two methods of hillslope-scale infiltration estimation based on point data: (a) derived from concentric rings method ( I p ), and (b) derived from a physically-based modeling ( I k ). Regarding the differences in land managements, terraces proved to be the most efficient land management practice, followed by phytomass addition. Regarding the methods, for precipitation rates greater than 40 mm h - 1 the point infiltration-based I p underestimates apparent infiltration I a with PBIAS ranging from - 14.1 to - 45.5 % . Even so, I p proved efficient in representing I a at less intense rainfall events. Nonetheless, the point infiltration-based method I k properly represented I a to all rainfall intensities (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.72 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Land degradation is an urgent agenda that requires great effort and resources to ameliorate. It worsens soil components through disrupting ecological functions and threatens agriculture production. To overcome it, different soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been undertaken in numerous parts of Ethiopia. This paper aims to review the effects of SWC practices on soil physicochemical properties and crop yield. Data were collected from secondary sources via a computer library using various databases based on developed criteria. The collected data were organized, categorized, and analyzed through descriptive statistics. The mean difference of selected soil physicochemical properties obtained from treated and untreated farmland was tested using paired t-test. Factors influencing crop yield on treated farmland were determined by a multiple linear regression model. Results: SWC practices influenced the soil physicochemical properties and crop yield either positively or negatively. The mean values of available phosphorus (10.6 ppm, 8.7 ppm), total nitrogen (0.5%, 0.4%), soil pH (6.0%, 5.8%), soil organic matter (4.4%, 3.8%), and soil organic carbon (2.2%, 1.8%) were on treated and untreated farmland under physical SWC practices, respectively. Similarly, the mean values of these variables were higher on treated farmland than untreated farmland under both biological and integrated SWC practices. The mean value of bulk density was higher on untreated farmland than treated one and statistically significant under all SWC practices. Fanya juu and stone-faced soil bund constantly increased crop yield, whereas soil bund and stone bund did not. Conclusion: Proper implementation of SWC technologies through integrating physical and biological measures will boost the effectiveness of the practice in restoring soil physicochemical properties and improving crop yield. Meanwhile, government due attention paid for land resources management in Ethiopia, whereby the annual SWC and tree planting campaign underwent for a couple of decades, entails further scientific support for its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is one of the major natural hazards worldwide. Approximately 53% of India's total area suffers from severe soil erosion and other forms of depletion. Water-borne soil erosion is the biggest cause of land depletion. The assessment of soil erosion, identifying areas vulnerable to erosion, and locating suitable conservation structures are therefore highly relevant for agricultural planning and numerous other land planning activities to overcome environmental concerns worldwide. In this study, average annual soil loss in Altuma watershed, a sub-basin of the Brahmani river basin in the Odisha state of India, is assessed by implementing an empirically well-known technique, i.e., revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). It is conducted using a comprehensive approach to prioritize the watershed and demarcation suitable conservation measures by incorporating Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) for its holistic development. Results indicated that, the average and maximum rate of soil loss were valued as 33.19 t ha−1 yr−1 and 3510.62 t ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The gross soil erosion was found to be 4.42 million t yr−1. It was observed that the majority (about 58.49%) of the watershed with the gentle slope covered by ferric luvisols and dystric nitosols experiences less than 5 t ha−1 yr−1 soil erosion. Site suitability analysis for conservation measures in the watershed was performed using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) through weighted overlay analysis considering the parameters such as slope, soil texture, drainage density, runoff, and land use. The Boolean algebra technique was used to identify appropriate sites for various soil and water conservation structures like check dam, farm pond, percolation pond, and gully plugs by following the guidelines of the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) given by NRSA, Hyderabad. This study suggests using AHP and Boolean logic as a good estimator for selecting the optimal conservation locations because it is simple and less time consuming. Administrative agencies can incorporate it to implement conservative actions to combat erosion in that area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The runoff and sediment load of the Loess Plateau have changed significantly due to the implementation of soil and water conservation measures since the 1970s. However, the effects of soil and water conservation measures on hydrological extremes have rarely been considered. In this study, we investigated the variations in hydrological extremes and flood processes during different periods in the Yanhe River Basin (a tributary of the Loess Plateau) based on the daily mean runoff and 117 flood event data from 1956 to 2013. The study periods were divided into reference period (1956–1969), engineering measures period (1970–1995), and biological control measures period (1996–2013) according to the change points of the annual streamflow and the actual human activity in the basin. The results of the hydrological high extremes (HF1max, HF3max, HF7max) exhibit a decreasing trend (P < 0.01), whereas the hydrological low extremes (HBF1min, HBF3min, HBF7min) show an increasing trend during 1956–2013. Compared with the hydrological extremes during the reference period, the hydrological high extremes increased during the engineering measures period at low (< 15%) and high frequency (> 80%), whereas decreased during the biological control measures period at almost all frequencies. The hydrological low extremes generally increased during both the engineering measures and biological control measures periods, particularly during the latter period. At the flood event scale, most flood event indices in connection with the runoff and sediment during the engineering measures period were significantly higher than those during the biological control measures period. The above results indicate that the ability to withstand hydrological extremes for the biological control measures was greater than that for the engineering measures in the studied basin. This work reveals the effects of different soil and water conservation measures on hydrological extremes in a typical basin of the Loess Plateau and hence can provide a useful reference for regional soil erosion control and disaster prevention policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation plays a vital role in natural ecosystems, especially in soil and water conservation. The accurate estimation of hydraulic parameters of overland flow is an important means to understand the hydraulic characteristics of overland flow and soil erosion. However, there is limited research on sparse stem vegetation coverage under gentle slope conditions. This study aims to understand the inherent laws that control overland flow structure under sparse vegetation cover. To achieve this, hydraulic characteristics of surface runoff on slopes covered by stem vegetation were quantified for seven flow discharges (Q) (0.0313–0.5203 m3/min), four slopes (S) (0.0–3.0%), and six stem coverage degrees (Cr) (0.07–0.72%) through a laboratory flume. The results showed that the same impact factor has different degrees of influence on different hydraulic parameters of overland flow resulting in varied hydrodynamic characteristics. In this study, for the vegetation coverage of sparse stems, under the condition of the flat slope, Cr is the dominant factor affecting Froude number and Manning roughness coefficient, whereas Q is the dominant factor affecting flow velocity and Reynolds number. However, under the condition of the non-flat slope, Cr is the dominant factor affecting Manning roughness coefficient, Q is the dominant factor affecting Reynolds number, and S is the dominant factor affecting the velocity and Froude number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, estimation of the Runoff Coefficient (RC) is carried out depending on land cover. Initially, RC modeling was performed using 54 hourly rainfall and corresponding runoff data during the period 1987–2010 in the Kasilian watershed. Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models and effective factors including rainfall intensity, Φ index (the average loss), five-day previous rainfall and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used to estimate RC. The results showed that the ANN model was more efficient than the other two models and had Mean Bias Error (MBE), Coefficient of Determination (R2), Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) equal to 0.08, 0.85, 0.84 and 0.37, respectively for the training phase and 0.12, 0.76, 0.74 and 0.47 for the test phase. In general, it is suggested that RC plays a major role in hydrological mechanisms and flooding. Thus, optimal estimation of RC can be helpful in better management of soil and water conservation and erosion and sediment management in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the data of 849 rural households in the Loess Plateau of China, this paper uses exploratory factor analysis to study farmers' participation in collective action from the aspects of information, participation, organization and effect of action. Through Bootstrap mediation effect test, this paper investigates the direct and indirect impacts of land transfer area and period on the soil and water conservation measures of farmers, respectively. The results show that the area of land transfer directly affects the use of terraced fields, plastic film and afforestation, but not the use of water-saving irrigation techniques. The transfer period has a significant direct impact on the adoption of the four measures mentioned above. Although the mediating effect of collective action in the process of land transfer area affecting the use of terraced fields, afforestation and water-saving irrigation techniques is significant, it is not significant on the use of plastic film. The mediating effect of collective action in the process of land transfer period affecting the use of terraced fields and water-saving irrigation techniques is significant, while it is not significant on the use of plastic film and afforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to examine impacts of soil and water conservation (SWC) practice on the livelihoods of the rural community in the Middle Suluh Valley, Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. A socioeconomic survey was conducted on 246 household heads to analyze the impact of SWC interventions on the livelihoods of the farmers. A multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the livelihood and food security status of the respondents. By considering the independent variables of incomes generated from different sources and the dependent variable of respondent's livelihood status, the final model fitting was statistically significant (p < 0.001) at 0.05 significance level and the Pearson goodness of fit is statistically significant (p = 1.000). The Cox and Snell R-square and Nagelkerke R-square values are 0.235 and 0.266, respectively, suggesting that between 24 and 27% of the variability was explained by the set of independent variables. The independent variable (income from different sources) classifies the dependent variable (livelihood status) by 58%, which is moderately adequate. The result shows that 93% of the interviewed farmers have been practicing SWC over the past 25 years. More than half of the respondents (60%) agreed that the current fertility of their farmland is highly improved after the implementation of SWC measures. Explicitly saying, 96% of the respondents observed a reduction of soil erosion and an increase of vegetation cover in their locality due to SWC measures. The overall livelihood of the community was measured with the framework of the sustainable rural livelihood (SRL), and the analysis shows that achievement of the capital assets from SWC activities was ranked as natural > physical = human > financial > social sequentially. In general, we conclude that SWC implemented in the study area has positively impacted on the livelihoods of the community and hence, we recommend that its sustainability should be given due attention at all levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst rocky desertification (KRD) has become the most serious Eco-environmental problem in karst areas, seriously threatening the livelihood of local people and leading to their poverty. Modern agroforestry practices not only maximize the social and economic but also great ecological benefits, suggesting a possible control to KRD. Through reviewing the existing studies in relation to agroforestry and soil and water conservation, this paper systematically investigates into the ecological benefits from agroforestry, including the increase of carbon sequestration and soil fertility as well as soil microfauna, the conservation of soil and water, the mitigation of soil pollution and the reduction of greenhouse gas emission. It founds, across KRD areas, that there exists coupling ecological benefits when practicing agroforestry and conserving soil and water. Based on this finding, this paper further suggests the corresponding key technologies that welcome more studies: preventing soil leakage from underground; effectively utilizing water from above-and-below ground; developing highly-efficient and value-added water-saving industries; forming forest-grain-grass stereo optimal configuration. The aim is to ensure a favorable Eco-environment while at the same time to develop beneficial ecological industries across KRD areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation (SWC) practices like that of erosion control and soil fertility measures were commonly practiced in the semiarid region of southern Mali since the 1980s. The SWC practices were mainly meant to increase water availability in the subsurface, reduce farm water runoff and gully formation and improve nutrient content of the soil, thereby increasing crop yield. Despite such efforts to promote at scale SWC practices, the landscape of southern Mali is still affected by high rates of runoff and soil erosion and low crop yield in farmers' fields. Data are lacking on previous beneficial SWC practices that could be adapted for wider application. In this paper, a watershed approach to managing rainfed agriculture is presented to show potential benefits of SWC practices at field and watershed scales. The approach included (1) community participation in establishing and monitoring new sets of hydro-meteorological monitoring stations and field experiments; (2) studying the dynamics and consumptive water uses of different land uses over time; and (3) evaluating the biophysical and economic advantages of SWC practices implemented in the watershed. Results showed that over a period of 34 years (1980–2014) cropping area and consumptive water uses of crops (sorghum and cotton) increased at the expenses of natural vegetation. However, the yield of these crops remained low, indicating that soil fertility management and soil moisture were insufficient. In such cases, implementation of more SWC practices can help provide the additional soil moisture required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governmental and developmental partners invest substantial resources to reduce land and water degradation in order to upgrade agricultural productivity, thus reducing food insecurity and related vulnerability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the impact of soil and water conservation on food insecurity outcomes would be a significant step toward improving environmental conditions, while ensuring sustainable and increased agricultural production. Therefore, this article analyzes the impact of adopting soil and water conservation on food insecurity and related vulnerability outcomes of farming households using a sample of 408 households selected using a multi-stage stratified sampling procedure from three districts in eastern Ethiopia. Vulnerability as expected poverty (three-step Feasible General Least Squares) is employed to analyze the vulnerability of sample households in the context of food insecurity. In addition, endogenous switching regressions with propensity score matching methods are combined to obtain consistent impact estimates. The study findings reveal that education and sex of household head, use of irrigation and fertilizer, source of information, and cultivated land are the main factors influencing the adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Moreover, the adoption of soil and water conservation not only positively impacts the per capita food consumption expenditure and net crop value, but it also significantly reduces the probability of farmers being food insecure, vulnerable to food insecurity, as well as being transient and chronically food insecure. Therefore, policymakers and development organizations should consider soil and water conservation as a main strategy to reduce land degradation and improve the livelihoods of the rural farm households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme precipitation events are associated with increased runoff of sediment and nutrients into surface waters, exacerbating water quality problems and creating challenges for soil and water managers. This change in the hydrologic cycle is expected to intensify under future climate change. Soil and water conservation professionals responsible for advising farmers and other land managers are on the front lines of adaptation to these climate change impacts. This study uses a survey of Soil and Water Conservation District staff (n = 260) in the United States Upper Midwest to better understand adaptation planning and implementation and the factors influencing adaptations by public organizations. In contrast to a typical planning-implementation gap finding, our respondents report a greater emphasis on some kinds of adaptation actions over planning. We find that the concerns of individual government employees about climate change have a greater association with adaptation planning strategies (e.g., planning document updates) compared to implemented adaptations on-the-ground (e.g., stream buffer installation). Also, weather projections were being used in conjunction with both adaptation planning and implementation. This study contributes to efforts to open up the black box of adaptation decision-making in the public sector, revealing the important role of individual concerns and information use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance-based conservation has long been recognized as crucial to improving program effectiveness, particularly when environmental conditions are dynamic. Yet few studies have investigated the use of environmental performance information by staff of conservation organizations. This article identifies attitudinal, policy and organizational factors influencing the use of a type of performance information—water quality information—by Soil and Water Conservation District staff in the Upper Mississippi River Basin region. An online survey (n = 277) revealed a number of important variables associated with greater information use. Variables included employees’ prosocial motivation, or the belief that they helped people and natural resources through their job, the perceived trustworthiness of data, the presence of a U.S. Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load standard designation, and staff discretion to prioritize programs locally. Conservation programs that retain motivated staff and provide them the resources and flexibility to plan and evaluate their work with environmental data may increase conservation effectiveness under changing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil and water conservation (SWC) has been implemented in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia since 1985. Besides this, the agricultural development strategy of the region which was derived from the national agricultural development led industrialization strategy formulated in 1993 was focused on natural resources rehabilitation and conservations. Accordingly, each year a 20-days free labor work on SWC activities were contributed by the rural communities. Other programmes such as productive safety net programmes, and sustainable land management project were deploying their resources aiming to reverse the degraded landscape in the region. Method: Multi-temporal remote sensing data of landsat imageries were used for estimating the normalized difference vegetation index, soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) and land surface temperature (LST) for the years 1985, 2000 and 2015. Long-term station based data on daily precipitation started from 1973 was aggregated to derive average annual precipitation (AAP) into three sections to correspond with the processed image data. The precipitation data then converted into raster format using the inverse distance weight interpolation method. The analysis was done using ENVI 5.3 software and results were mapped in ArcGIS 10.3 package. The correlation between AAP and SAVI; LST and SAVI was evaluated on village polygon based as well as pixel-by-pixel. Results: The results based on village polygons show that there is statistical significant inverse relationship between SAVI and LST in all the study periods. The correlations between AAP and SAVI pixel-by-pixel were r = − 0.14 in 2015 and r = 0.06, r = 0.25 for 2000 and 1985 respectively. In 1985, the total area with SAVI ≥ 0.2 was 23.57 km2. After 15 years (from 1985 to 2000), the total area with SAVI ≥ 0.2 increased to 64.94 km2. In 2015, the total area of SAVI with values ≥ 0.2 reached 67.11 km2, which is a 3.3% increment from year 2000. Conclusion: Based on the field observation and the remote sensing analysis results, noticeable gain in vegetation cover improvement have been observed in the 30 years period. These improvements are attributable to the implementation of integrated SWC measures particularly in areas where exclosure areas were defined and protected by the local community. Therefore, this study concludes by providing a theoretical bases and an indicator data support for further research on vegetation restoration for the entire region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of aquaculture effluent for irrigation of field crops has been suggested as the most appropriate biological method for treatment of this effluent. However, using it for irrigation of tree species in seedling nurseries might be a better alternative to avoid soil salinization and groundwater contamination in agricultural fields. This paper aimed at assessing the production of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings under irrigation with saline aquaculture effluent. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and four seedlings per experimental unit. Each replicate was daily irrigated with five solutions containing different concentrations of saline aquaculture effluent diluted with freshwater (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% effluent). Despite increasing substrate salinity, the dilution of saline aquaculture effluent in the irrigation water promoted greater shoot growth and higher total dry weight in E. contortisiliquum. Moreover, seedlings treated with low concentrations of this effluent increased their leaf area expansion and chlorophyll content. Therefore, the use of solutions containing 25 and 50% effluent allowed the production of high-quality seedlings. These results suggest that saline aquaculture effluent can be reused to irrigate tree species, enabling a successful integration of aquaculture and agriculture and reducing environmental impacts of improper effluent disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully erosion is the frequent and main form of soil erosion in the black soil area of the northeastern China, which is one of the most important commodity grain production bases in China. It is encroaching upon the fertile farmland there. Regionalization of gully erosion can reveal the spatial distribution and regularity of the development of gully erosion. Based on the eco-geographical regional background features of the black soil area, this study combined the regionalization with influencing factors of the development of gully erosion. GIS spatial analysis, geostatistical analysis, spatial statistics, reclassification, debris polygon processing and map algebra methods were employed. As a result, the black soil area was divided into 12 subregions. The field survey data on type, length, volume and other characteristics indicators of gully erosion were used to calibrate the results. Then the features of every subregion, such as where the gully erosion is, how serious it is, and why it happens and develops, were expounded. The result is not only an essential prerequisite for gully erosion surveys and monitoring, but also an important basis for gully erosion prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River basin is well known for its high sediment yield. However, this sediment yield has clearly decreased since the 1980s, especially after the year 2000. The annual average sediment yield was 1.2 billion tons before 2000, but has significantly decreased to 0.3 billion tons over the last 10 years. Changes in discharge and sediment yield for the Yellow River have attracted the attention of both the Central Government and local communities. This study aimed to identify the individual contributions of changes in precipitation and human activities (e.g. water conservancy projects, terracing, silt dams, socio-economic and needs, and soil and water conservation measures) to the decrease in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River. The study used both improved the hydrological method and the soil and water conservation method. The study focused on discharge analysis for the upper reaches and the investigation of sediments for the middle reaches of the river. The results showed that discharge and sediment yield have both presented significant decreasing trends over the past 50 years. Precipitation showed an insignificant decreasing trend over the same period. The annual average discharge decreased by 5.68 billion m above Lanzhou reach of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2012; human activities (e.g. socio-economic water use) contributed 43.4% of the total reduction, whereas natural factors (e.g. evaporation from lakes, wetlands and reservoirs) accounted for 56.6%. The decrease in annual discharge and sediment yield of the section between Hekouzhen station and Tongguan station were 12.4 billion m and 1.24 billion tons, respectively. Human activities contributed 76.5% and 72.2% of the total reduction in discharge and sediment yield, respectively, and were therefore the dominant factors in the changes in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has always been a crucial issue in the mining industry that the surface subsidence induced by underground coal mining can lead to the severe deterioration or loss of soil and water resources in mining area. Backfilling has become one of the most frequently used mining method to solve this puzzle, as it can effectively control the movement of overlying strata and therefore soil and water resources will not be destroyed by mining activities. A new type of high-water swelling material (HWSM) was developed to address the key issues of current backfilling materials used in collieries, such as the high cost, inadequate strength and low expansion rate. Based on the principle that the strength of backfilling body satisfies the requirement, a critical ratio of water to solid material (a mixture of fly ash which was used as an aggregate, lime, anhydrite, cement and additive ingredients) was determined which varied from 0.8:1 to 0.9:1. Meanwhile, the mass ratio of fly ash, anhydrite, lime, cement and additives was determined to be 24.6:0.8:5.1:1.8:1. Laboratory tests showed that strength of samples that met the required setting time for practical use could reach 5.39-5.52 MPa after 63 days. The expansion rate after 3 h varied between 9.9 and 10.8 % and the bleeding rate ranged from 0.3 to 0.33 %. Industrial application has been conducted in Wangtaipu colliery and results showed that the proposed HWSM had an outstanding mechanical performance with good expansion rates and fluidity. These properties indicate that the developed material is suitable for use as a good backfilling material in mining so as to effectively reduce the ground surface subsidence and to conserve the soil and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the drylands of the Upper Blue Nile basin, high climate variability and land degradation are rampant. To enhance adaptive capacity in the region, various soil and water conservation interventions have been implemented. Moreover, water resources development schemes such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam should be implemented by 2025. We modeled the effects of these interventions on surface runoff in the basin for both current and future (2025) basin conditions, using the runoff coefficient method in a spatially explicit approach. Under current conditions, we observed high spatial variability of mean annual runoff. The northeastern Blue Nile-1 sub-basin produces the highest mean annual runoff (391 mm or 10 × 10 m), whereas the northwestern Blue Nile-2 sub-basin produces the lowest mean annual runoff (178 mm or 0.2 × 10 m). The basin generates a total annual runoff volume of 47.7 × 10 m, of which about 54 % comes from cultivated land. The strong association between land use and topography masked the direct effect of rainfall on runoff. By 2025, total annual runoff yield could decrease by up to 38 % if appropriate basin-wide soil and water conservation interventions and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are implemented. However, the full effects of most physical structures will only last for 1 or 2 years without regular maintenance. The improved understanding of the dynamics of the Upper Blue Nile basin's hydrology provided by the present study will help planners to design appropriate management scenarios. Developing the basin's database remains important for a holistic understanding of the impacts of future development interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been promoted in the highlands of Ethiopia during the last four decades. However, the level of adoption of SWC practices varies greatly. This paper examines the drivers of different stages of adoption of SWC technologies in the north-western highlands of Ethiopia. This study is based on a detailed farm survey among 298 households in three watersheds. Simple descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the stages of adoption. An ordered probit model was used to analyze the drivers of different stages of adoption of SWC. This model is used to analyze more than two outcomes of an ordinal dependent variable. The results indicate that sampled households are found in different phases of adoption, i.e., dis-adoption/non-adoption (18.5 %), initial adoption (30.5 %), actual adoption (20.1 %), and final adoption (30.9 %). The results of the ordered probit model show that some socio-economic and institutional factors affect the adoption phases of SWC differently. Farm labor, parcel size, ownership of tools, training in SWC, presence of SWC program, social capital (e.g., cooperation with adjacent farm owners), labor sharing scheme, and perception of erosion problem have a significant positive influence on actual and final adoption phases of SWC. In addition, the final adoption phase of SWC is positively associated with tenure security, cultivated land sizes, parcel slope, and perception on SWC profitability. Policy makers should take into consideration factors affecting (continued) adoption of SWC such as profitability, tenure security, social capital, technical support, and resource endowments (e.g., tools and labor) when designing and implementing SWC policies and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is essential for improving soil quality, sustaining food production and quality, and maintaining water quality, as well as for mitigating climate change. Understanding the impact of soil and water conservation on SOC content is important for the protection of soil and water quality. In this study, the impacts of soil and water conservation on SOC content and density in a small catchment of the middle Han River were studied based on a grid soil survey. A total of 583 soil samples from 207 sites were collected, primarily from 30 m × 30 m grids. The results indicated that SOC content generally decreased with increasing soil depth, and significant differences existed among the three examined soil layers (0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm, p < 0.01). The mean SOC content of the different land use types occurred in the following order: forestland > terraces > grassland > sloping cropland. The spatial variability of SOC decreased as soil depth increased. The mean SOC densities of terraces, forestland, grassland, and sloping cropland at the 0-60 cm soil depth were 4.40, 4.31, 3.86, and 3.62 kg/m, respectively. The high-value zones of SOC density were always observed in the upper slope and basin outlet. SOC storage in the 0-60 cm soil depth was 565.10 tons in the Yujiehe catchment. Land use was the main influencing factor for SOC content in the catchment. Forestland, grassland, and terraces exhibit higher SOC than does sloping cropland. In conclusion, the use of terraces can greatly increase SOC density. Much sloping cropland can be changed to terraces, forestland, or grassland to increase SOC and protect soil and water quality in the water source area of the Han River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the origin, development, and characteristics of terraces ( kella), plus their potentials and determinants for sustainable use in the Chencha-Dorze Belle area of southern Ethiopia. Field surveys were conducted to determine the various parameters of the indigenous terraces and in order to collect samples for radiocarbon dating. To identify farmers' views of the terrace systems, semi-structured interviews and group discussions were also carried out. Terraces were built and used-as radiocarbon dating proves-at least over the last 800 years. The long-term continued usage of the indigenous terraces is the result of social commitments, the structural features of the terraces, and the farmers' responses to the dynamics of social and cultural circumstances. We dubbed that the terraces are a success story of fruitful environmental management over generations. Thus, a strong need is to preserve and develop this important cultural heritage and example of sustainable land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examples of sustainable land management (SLM) exist throughout the world. In many cases, SLM has largely evolved through local traditional practices and incremental experimentation rather than being adopted on the basis of scientific evidence. This means that SLM technologies are often only adopted across small areas. The DESIRE (DESertIfication mitigation and REmediation of degraded land) project combined local traditional knowledge on SLM with empirical evaluation of SLM technologies. The purpose of this was to evaluate and select options for dissemination in 16 sites across 12 countries. It involved (i) an initial workshop to evaluate stakeholder priorities (reported elsewhere), (ii) field trials/empirical modeling, and then, (iii) further stakeholder evaluation workshops. This paper focuses on workshops in which stakeholders evaluated the performance of SLM technologies based on the scientific monitoring and modeling results from 15 study sites. It analyses workshop outcomes to evaluate how scientific results affected stakeholders' perceptions of local SLM technologies. It also assessed the potential of this participatory approach in facilitating wider acceptance and implementation of SLM. In several sites, stakeholder preferences for SLM technologies changed as a consequence of empirical measurements and modeling assessments of each technology. Two workshop examples are presented in depth to: (a) explore the scientific results that triggered stakeholders to change their views; and (b) discuss stakeholders' suggestions on how the adoption of SLM technologies could be up-scaled. The overall multi-stakeholder participatory approach taken is then evaluated. It is concluded that to facilitate broad-scale adoption of SLM technologies, de-contextualized, scientific generalisations must be given local context; scientific findings must be viewed alongside traditional beliefs and both scrutinized with equal rigor; and the knowledge of all kinds of experts must be recognised and considered in decision-making about SLM, whether it has been formally codified or not. The approach presented in this paper provided this opportunity and received positive feedback from stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regionalization of soil and water conservation is a base for the planning of soil and water conservation in China. It can provide scientific basis for constructing healthy eco-environment and regional management and development. It makes a brief review of related regionalization of study and makes clear the concept of regionalization of soil and water conservation. In this paper, based on synthetical analysis of the characteristics of eco-environments of China, the principles, indices and nomenclature of the regionalization of soil and water conservation are proposed. Through the construction of the regionalization of soil and water conservation collaboration platform and data reporting system, combined with existing soil and water conservation research, this paper uses the top-down and bottom-up and the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to build soil and water conservation regionalization preliminary scheme, with 8 regions, 41 sub-regions and 117 sections divided in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation ecological compensation can be simply defined as a monetary payment to offset the environmental loss. An illustration is given in this study describing the payment compensation to water resource conservation and soil losses in Erlongshan reservoir catchment, China. A semi-distributed hydrological SWAT model was applied to establish compensation standard considering six scenarios of land use changes by combined application of remote sensing and geographic information systems. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) method is applied to evaluate the function of soil and water conservation, of which marginal opportunity cost and market value methods have been explored calculate the cost and benefit of water and soil conservation ecological function from provider and beneficiaries. Finally the ecological compensation of soil and water conservation for different land-use scenarios is calculated incorporating benefit apportion coefficient. The results provide an economically evaluated and market-oriented standard for the study of eco-compensation of environmental services and will be of great benefit to the implementation of soil and water conservation at a mesoscale catchment scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resource conservation and rehabilitation are the best options to control land degradation and enhance biomass for fodder and fuelwood. Rainwater harvesting structures viz. Contour trench (CT), gradonie (G), box trench (BT) and V-ditch (VD) with a control were prepared in <10%, 10-20% and >20% slopes and Acacia catechu L. seedlings were planted in August 2005 to enhance soil water, nutrient and biomass and to rehabilitate degraded hill. Soil pH, SOC and NH-N decreased while EC, NO-N and PO-P increased in June 2009. Soil water, nutrients, plant growth and biomass were highest ( P < 0.05) in <10% and lowest in 10-20% slopes. Soil waters were 13 and 52% greater in >20 and <10% than in soil at 10-20% slope. The soil waters were 18, 16, 24 and 14% greater in CT, G, BT and VD treatments, respectively over control, which enhanced plant height and collar diameter in December 2009 over 2005. The highest growth and biomass were in CT and VD plots, respectively. Herbage biomass was highest ( P < 0.05) in <10% slope in 2005, 10-20% slope in 2006/2008 and >20% slope in 2007/2009. Harvesting of rainwater increased herbage biomass by 24-71%, and was highest in VD plots. Conclusively, rainwater harvesting enhanced soil water, nutrients, vegetation covers and plant growth and biomass during restoration of degraded hills. Gradonie and CT/BT facilitated herbage and plant growth, respectively, whereas V-ditch was effective for both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data of SSC, precipitation, sand-dust storms and area of soil and water conservation, a study has been made of the temporal variation in the frequency of hyperconcentrated flows in the Wudinghe River, a major tributary of the Yellow River, China. The results showed that the decreasing trend in the frequency of hyperconcentrated flows ( F) was significant. High-flow season precipitation ( P) decreased slightly, and annual number of sand-dust storm days ( D) decreased markedly. Correlation analysis shows that the variation in P had little influence on the decreasing F, but the decreasing D had significant influence on the decreasing F. The 5-year moving average of the frequency of hyperconcentrated flows ( F) was closely correlated with the area of land terracing, the area of the land created by check dams, the area of tree planting and the area of grass planting. The results of the present study show that the frequency of hyperconcentrated flows can be significantly reduced by soil and water conservation measures. Thus, these results may be useful for decision making for the management of sediment-related disasters in the Wudinghe River basin and in the Yellow River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is considered as a serious threat to agricultural development in developing countries. Soil and water conservation measures, such as terraces, are often promoted to combat soil erosion and to increase agricultural production. In this paper, the short-term impact of bench terraces, 2–4 years after their establishment, on soil properties and maize yield in the Peruvian Andes is analysed and discussed. The results show that bench terraces did not result in any short term change in soil properties, such as fertility or infiltration capacity. Nevertheless, the bench terraces resulted in 20% higher yields, due to a higher planting density, compared with adjacent sloping fields. However, this increase in yield was nullified by the loss of area occupied by the bench terraces. Bench terraces should therefore be accompanied with other measures to intensify agriculture, such as irrigation or cash crops, to improve the profitability and uptake of bench terraces in the Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion in hilly areas of the Sichuan Basin is a serious concern over sustainable crop production and sound ecosystem. A 3-year experiment was conducted using the method of runoff plots to examine the effects of terracing and agroforestry in farmland systems on soil and water conservation of slope fields in the hilly areas in Jianyang County, Sichuan Province, Southwestern China. A power function ( Y = a X b) can statistically describe the relationship between water runoff ( Y) and rainfall ( X). The regression equation for the treatment of sloping terraces with crops (Plot 2) is remarkably different from that for the treatment of sloping terraces with grasses and trees (Plot 1) and the conventional up-and down-slope crop system (Plot 3) regarding equation coefficients, while regression equations are similar between Plot 1 and Plot 3. Water runoff amount and runoff coefficient of slope fields increased by 21.5∼41.0 % and 27.5 ∼ 69.7 % respectively, compared to those of sloping terraces, suggesting that terracing notably reduced the water runoff in the field. In the case of sloping terraces, lower amount of water runoff was observed on sloping terraces with crops than on sloping terraces with grasses and trees. Sediment yields on the slope fields in the normal year of rainfall distribution were notably higher (34.41 ∼ 331.67 % and 37.06 ∼ 403.44 % for Plot 1 and Plot 2, respectively) than those on sloping terraces, implying that terracing also plays a significant role in the reduction in soil erosion. It is suggested that terracing with crops is significantly effective for soil and water conservation in cultivated farmland, while the conventional practice of up-and down-slope cultivation creates high rates of water runoff and soil sediment transport. Terracing with grasses and fruit trees shows a less reduction in water runoff than terracing with crops, which was observed in the 3-year experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedgerow intercropping systems were introduced in China in early 1990s. Achievements in research and extension of contour hedgerow intercropping in China during the past 15 years are reviewed here. Results reported in over 70 published papers have shown that hedgerow intercropping contributes to soil and water conservation, soil fertility amelioration, land productivity improvement, bioterrace formation, and gives more options for income generation based on local resources in mountain areas. Research and demonstration works on contour hedgerow systems have achieved success by integrating local resources and needs into the system, especially in the dry valleys of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Three Gorges region. Contour hedgerow intercropping has attracted the attention of researchers, policy-makers, and farmers, and has been taken as an alternative to implementation of the Grain for Green policy, and ecological reconstruction and restoration today. To date, hedgerow intercropping has been demonstrated and applied practically on sloping land in more than six provinces of China, particularly Sichuan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Shaanxi, as well as in the Three Gorges region of Chongqing and Hubei Province. The intercropping system has also been practiced as an optimized technology for conserving farming on sloping lands, improving cash income, and reducing agricultural risks in depressed mountainous regions in southwest and northern China over recent years. Some misunderstandings and problems in studies and extension of the system in China are summarized and clarified, and some recommendations for further research and expansion of the system are also presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bolivia, recent decentralisation policies have broadened the participation of local actors in development processes. However, development is far from sustainable, and poverty and natural resources degradation still increase. The challenge is to develop strategies that achieve the genuine participation of poor farmers in natural resources management and sustainable development. The logical strategy, which was developed and validated in five Bolivian mountain villages, is an example. In this strategy, first a solid foundation for sustainable development is laid, with activities focussing on five basic conditions for sustainable development in rural villages: leadership and organisation, responsible participation, effective collaboration, mutual trust and environmental awareness. The results show that the existence of a solid foundation is crucial for the success of other development activities, such as soil and water conservation activities. However, given that 2 years after the project’s withdrawal the firmness of the foundation had slightly weakened, it was concluded that a better integration of these villages in local development processes is essential to profit from the new dynamics. This is especially true for soil and water conservation. To achieve this integration, municipalities—with the support of international development agencies—must be encouraged to invest in laying this solid foundation in rural villages and in facilitating follow-up activities to keep the dynamic process going. This study shows that such investments result in better organised villages, more equality, and the genuine participation of more people in sustainable village development. Effective collaboration and accountability at institutional level are, however, required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of the eco-environment, extension scale and sustainable models of converting cropland to forest in the Dabieshan District of Anhui were analyzed. The Dabieshan District is a main ecological area with a function of soil and water conservation where seven large reservoirs and irrigation systems of the Pishihang are distributed. Therefore, the extension scale of converting cropland to forest could be enlarged properly in the reservoir area, while it should be limited in the non-reservoir area due to the issues of higher population density and food safety. Great attention should be paid to the model selection and results during the conversion of cropland to forest. Some suitable models and effective approaches were put forward for the sustainable development in the Dabieshan District, Anhui. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil crust and slope angle are of important factors affecting runoff production and sediment yield. In the hilly areas of the Loess Plateau, North China, slope lands are distributed extensively and subjected to soil crusting; therefore, the research on the responses of runoff and soil loss to soil crust and slope angle is essential to soil and water conservation. In the study, five pairs of 1 m x 5 m plots with slope angles of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20° and 25° respectively, were established in Wangjiagou watershed, which was located at the Loess Plateau, China. Based on the two simulated rainfall events, uncrusted surface prior to the first simulated rainfall event, and crusted surface prior to the second rainfall event were distinguished. The runoff production and soil loss were measured at intervals of 5 min during the simulated events. It indicated that both soil crust and slope angle played an important role in runoff production and soil loss. With the reference slope angle of 5°, the relative importance of soil crust and slope angle in runoff production was calculated. It showed that soil crust effect on the total runoff volume decreased from 100 to ∼40%, while slope angle effect increased from 0 to ∼60% with increasing slope angle because soil crust less developed on the steeper slopes. Furthermore, soil crust effect was associated with rainfall duration. At the same slope angle, the relative importance of soil crust decreased with rainfall duration because new crust was formed on the uncrusted surface. The critical slope of erosion was also discussed. Soil loss increased with slope angle when the slope angle was less than 20°. Generally speaking, soil crust effect decreased with slope angle and/or rainfall duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation (SWC) contests among farmer groups were organized in five rural villages in the Bolivian mountain valleys. The contests were aimed at quickly achieving widespread sustainable results. This article analyzes the effectiveness of these contests as an extension tool. Mixed results were obtained. In three villages, participation rates in the SWC activities introduced in the contests were still high even 2 years after project withdrawal. These were all villages where a solid foundation for sustainable development had been laid before the contests were held. Two years later, most families were still involved in maintenance of the SWC practices introduced in the contests, and many farmers had started to experiment with different soil management practices. However, replications of these SWC practices were not widespread, Conservation Leaders did not continue with their training activities, and the quality of maintenance of the practices was often not satisfactory. In order to become a more effective extension tool and achieve widespread impact, SWC contests must receive continued support by a catalyst agency. Moreover, other SWC contests should also be organized in which practices are not predefined. Given that SWC contests are a low-budget extension tool, local municipalities could become more actively involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers’ decisions to conserve natural resources generally and soil and water particularly are largely determined by their knowledge of the problems and perceived benefits of conservation. In Ethiopia, however, farmer perceptions of erosion problems and farmer conservation practices have received little analysis or use in conservation planning. This research examines farmers’ views of erosion problems and their conservation knowledge and practices in the Beressa watershed in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Data were obtained from a survey of 147 farm households managing 713 fields during the 2002/2003 cropping season. In-depth interviews and group discussions were also held with the farmers to obtain additional information. The results show that 72% of the farmers reported erosion problems, and they recognized that conservation was necessary. However, they considered erosion to be severe mostly when visible signs – rills and gullies – appeared on their fields. The majority of the farmers believe that erosion could be halted, and they use a range of practices for erosion control and fertility improvement. These include contour plowing (83%), drainage ditches (82%), and stone terraces/bunds (73%). Nevertheless, despite decades of conservation intervention in the area, it appears that most farmers have developed negative attitudes towards externally recommended measures. The research concludes that under the conditions present in the Ethiopian central highlands, soil and water conservation interventions should consider farmers’ conservation knowledge and practices to improve acceptance and adoption of the recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze whether investment in soil and water conservation results in a higher yield and income and/or mitigate variability in yield and income to subsistence farm households in the Hunde-Lafto area. Net returns from crop production with and without soil and water conservation (SWC) are compared based on stochastic dominance (SD) criteria. A non-parametric first order SD and normalized second order are used for data analysis. Analysis is based on the Soil Conservation Research Program (SCRP) database for the Hunde-Lafto research unit. The results of the analysis suggest that adopting a conservation strategy results in higher grain yield and net return than in not adopting. The normalized second order SD analysis results do not support the hypothesis that conservation strategy is unambiguously better than a noconservation strategy in reducing variability in yield and net return to farmers. However, conservation strategy has shown second order dominance at lower levels of yield and income that often correspond to unfavorable rainfall conditions. This makes it a preferred strategy to cope with the most prevalent risk factor of moisture shortage. Therefore, appropriate policies to help and encourage farmers to adopt SWC structures will contribute to improving the welfare of subsistence farm households in the study area and in other similar settings in the country. Designing and implementing SWC techniques that may result in unambiguous second order SD dominance will further improve the desirability and adoption of conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation and sustainable development of soil and water resources is one of the basic principles for the development of China. Throughout the course of history, all the social improvement and economic development are deeply concerned with soil loss and ecological environmental protection. It is now a common sense that soil and water conservation is the safety insurance for national ecology and its development. For the past long period of time, soil and water loss has been recognized as “the No. 1 killer” to the ecological environment. The nation is on the stage of the critical conditions for its development. China has massive mountain and upland area with complicated geological conditions and accelerated human destruction and serious soil and water loss. Based on rich historical documents, renovating experience and detailed analysis of the data collected in field experiments and field surveys for soil and water conservation, this paper aims to review the general characteristics of soil and water loss, to explore the relationship between soil and water conservation and sustainable economic development, and to provide relevant strategies for soil and water conservation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the distribution of hydrological stations and zoning of types of soil erosion, the Loess Plateau (310×103km2) is divided into 292 erosion units. And taking the erosion modulus >5000t/km2 as a criterion, the emphasis control area (149×103km2) of the Loess Plateau is demarked, and is divided into 10 control regions. The controllable area and the location of control measures are conformed. Level terraces are mainly collocated on the 3°–15° slopes, woodland and grassland are collocated on the >15° slopes, and the proportion of woodland to grassland is 8:2 in the forest belt, 5: 5 in the forest steppe belt, and 2: 8 in the steppe belt. The 9000 combinations of soil-water conservation measures in different rainfall conditions are obtained by the permutation and combination method, according to the 9 rainfall frequencies and the controllable areas of level terrace, woodland and grassland at 10% of control progress rate. The quality standards of level terrace, woodland and grassland are ascertained. The evaluation indexes of soil-water conservation benefits of level terrace, woodland and grassland are established respectively in the condition that rainfall index is higher than that of erosive index of sloping field. Based on the results above, the sediment reducing benefit and soil erosion modulus in the different rainfall conditions and control degrees are analyzed, which could provide a decision-making basis for soil-water loss control on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data were collected from Three-north Region, Middle and upper reaches region of Yangtze River and Coastal region. By analysis of factors influencing soil erosion, the longitude, latitude, annual precipitation, and the slope degree were selected as regional independent variables and canopy density and stock litter were selected as independent variables, and integral diffusing models were established for evaluation of the benefit of soil and water conservation of forest. By solving the parameters of models using the package of STATISTICA, the Power function between independent variables and dependent variables was set up. The soil conservation amount of forest and economic values were estimated using the contrast method for the ecological forestry engineering of the above three areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is unquestionably the trickiest land degradation that adversely agricultural productivity. Since resources are scarce, in developing countries like Ethiopia, implementing soil and water conservation practice at a time on the entire watershed is not feasible. Therefore, recognizing erosion-prone areas (the priority watersheds) based on the magnitude of soil loss rate is indispensable. The purpose of this study is to delineate priority sub-watersheds of the Tikur Wuha watershed in Ethiopia based upon the soil loss rate. A universal soil loss equation under the geographic information system environment was employed to estimate the soil loss rate. The result revealed that the average soil loss rate from the watershed is 14.13. It is resulting in a gross soil loss of 962,083 from the entire watershed. A small portion of the watershed (9.22%) is suffering from severe and very severe soil loss rate (> 25). A total of 14.41% of the watershed have soil loss rates above the maximum soil loss tolerance of the area (> 12). Among the seven sub-watersheds in the watershed, four sub-watersheds (SW_3, SW_1, SW_2, and SW_4) are falling under the top priority zone. Soil and water conservation measures should be executed rapidly in the Tikur Wuha watershed, consistent with the rank of the priority watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]