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Developing and adopting strategies that preserve soil health from degradation due to drastic changes in climate is critical for securing sustainable viticulture. For example, healthy soils promote water infiltration, nutrient cycling, and retention functions that support grape production. However, little research has evaluated drivers of growers' decision-making processes and actions towards soil management practices that impact soil health in vineyards. The objective of this study was to assess wine grape growers' perceptions and attitudes of soil health to identify grower's most important soil health functions and definition, and to understand how these might influence behavior related to soil management practices. Therefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 wine grape growers understand current barriers, motivations, and opportunities for adopting and/or maintaining practices for building soil health in vineyards. Most growers described healthy vineyard soils as balanced, biodiverse, self-sustaining, and resilient systems that provide nutrient, and water cycling functions and support high-quality wine grape production. Three categories of growers emerged based on soil health attitudes including Early Adopter (n = 3), Early Majority (n = 4) and Late Majority (n = 9) groups. The main barriers for adoption and maintenance of soil health practices were high costs, potential economic risks, and lack of information on how these practices influence grape production especially for the Late Majority group. Most growers were willing to adopt more soil heath practices if additional specific, practical information could be provided on outcomes of soil health practices for wine grape production systems—especially economic benefits. The outcomes of this study guide future soil health research and outreach activities to better support growers in building and protecting vineyard soil health while achieving viticultural goals.

[Objective] The aim of this study is to reveal the characteristics of multi-year runoff variation in different geomorphic areas in the Hekouzhen-longmen region, and to investigate responses of intra-annual runoff to soil and water conservation measures in these watersheds. [Methods] Three watersheds in different landform regions (Tuwei River, Sanchuan River, and Yan River) were selected, representing the sandy region, rocky mountain region, and loess cover region, respectively. The Gini coefficient and Lorentz asymmetry coefficient were constructed to quantify the evenness of intra-annual runoff using runoff observations during 1960 to 2019. [Results] (1) Runoff of Tuwei River, Sanchuan River, and Yan River decreased significantly during 1960 to 2019, with the decrease rate of-0.05 million m³/a,-0.03 million m³/a, and-0.02 million m³/a, respectively. (2) The Intra-annual runoff in different landform regions were different. The Gini coefficients of Tuwei River, Sanchuan River and Yan River were 0.2, 0.35 and 0.6, respectively. The intra-annual runoff in the aeolian sandy area showed the highest eveness, followed by the rocky mountain area, while the loess covered area displayed the most uneven distribution. (3) The Gini coefficient of runoff in the three landform regions showed the decreasing trend, and the concentration rate of intra-annual runoff also decreased during 1960 to 2019. (4) NDVI, terraced fields and silting dam construction had significant negative correlation with Gini coefficient of runoff in the three landform regions. [Conclusion] Soil and water conservation projects in the Hekouzhen-Longmen region played a positive role in regulating the intra-annual runoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burkina Faso faces chronic food insecurity because of adverse agroclimatic conditions and significant soil degradation. Mulching, the practice of applying organic or synthetic materials to the soil surface, offers a promising avenue for enhancing agricultural production in this challenging agroecological setting. This study utilized the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework (SIAF) to evaluate the ecological, economic, and social impacts of mulching on vegetable production in Burkina Faso. Experimental and survey data collected from Sonsongona village in Bobo-Dioulasso were used to compare the production of mulched and non-mulched vegetables (tomato, cabbage, and onion) across the five SIAF domains. A calibrated AquaCrop crop model was also applied with 30-year historical weather data to simulate mulched and non-mulched cabbages for the study site. Our results reveal that mulching conserves soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and enhances soil fertility, contributing to enhanced vegetable production and long-term sustainability. Economically, adopting mulching positively influences vegetable yields, reduces labor requirements, and increases income for smallholder farmers. These mulching benefits lead to community empowerment, particularly among women farmers. Our findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of mulching, suggesting that it holds promise for increasing agricultural productivity and improving economic stability, ecological sustainability, and social well-being in Burkina Faso. These insights contribute to developing context-specific strategies for sustainable intensification, with applicability across similar agroecological contexts in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steep slopes, characterized by their high gradient and limited soil and water resources, pose significant challenges to plant colonization. Consequently, the ecological restoration of steep slopes is one of the major challenges in the field of mine site rehabilitation. This study evaluated the impact of slope conditions on the restoration effectiveness during the early stages of ecological restoration. Two ecological restoration slopes with different slope conditions, excavated slope and filled slope, were selected, and restored by hanging net and soil spraying measures. The unrepaired slope was used as the control. The results showed that ecological restoration has a significant effect for soil and water conservation; runoff and sediment were reduced by 61.38% and 99.28%, respectively, and infiltration increased by 104.26%, compared to untreated slopes. Furthermore, ecological restoration could effectively reduce runoff erosion dynamics and soil erodibility, and alter the runoff–sediment relationship on slopes, thereby substantially influencing the yield processes of runoff and sediment of the slopes. Notably, the reduction effect of ecological restoration measures on runoff and sediment was more significant on excavated slopes than on filled slopes. The runoff and sediment yield of excavated slopes were 19.06% and 53.77% lower than that of filled slopes, respectively. From a soil and water conservation perspective, the ecological restoration measures of hanging net and soil spraying were more suitable for application to steep excavated rock slopes. However, further research is needed to evaluate its applicability to filled slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical rainforests are frequently characterised by elevated temperatures and increased precipitation, which contribute to accelerated rates of soil erosion and leaching, hence, the key problems revolve around the loss of soil and water. The study evaluated the water-retention properties of the litter layer of five tree-based systems, natural forest, rainforestation site, narra plantation, mahogany plantation, and abandoned kaingin site in Mt. Pangasugan. Though the maximum water-holding capacity of the total litter layer and of the undecomposed litter layer did not vary across the five tree-based land covers, the maximum water retention capacity, which had the same trend with that of the effective water-retention capacity, were significantly higher in both the mahogany and narra plantations. Changes over time in the water-holding capacity were similar in the natural forest (7169 g kg-1), the narra plantation (6891 g kg-1), and the mahogany plantation (6427 g kg-1). It is recommended to strengthen restoration and conservation efforts of natural forests to preserve the highly desirable hydrological properties of their litter layer. In addition, the use of mahogany and narra in tree plantation development show potential in forest restoration projects for soil and water conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Soil degradation is a major cause of agricultural productivity decrease in sub-Saharan Africa. In Burkina Faso, efforts to reduce this environmental issue has emerged since several decades. However, most of the techniques developed are rarely adopted by farmers. In addition, those adopted are on small areas. This study aims to analyze the effect of farmers’ preferences for soil and water conservation techniques’ attributes on their intensity of adoption. Cross-sectional data was collected from 335 farmers in four rural municipalities in Burkina Faso, using a discrete choice experiment approach. The standard Tobit model was used for data analysis. Results showed that soil and water conservation techniques’ attributes as runoff reduction, soil fertilization and soil restoration explained farmers’ decision to adopt and intensify the adoption of these techniques. In addition, location in the northern sudanian agroecological zone, access to extension services and education influenced positively soil and water conservation techniques’ adoption intensity. However, equipment, labor and cash constraints decrease these techniques’ adoption intensity. These results suggest that incentives for the adoption and intensification policies should be oriented toward farmers’ capacities to produce quantity and quality organic fertilizers reinforcement, build an industrial unit to transform household waste into organic manure for agricultural use.

[Objective] To investigate the effects and applicability of different intercropping patterns of medicinal herbs on water, soil, and nutrient losses in young oil tea gardens on red soil slopes. [Methods] Runoff plot experiments were carried out in Jiangxi Province, a major province for cultivating traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with interplanting above-ground harvested medicinal herb of Ai pattern (YA), interplanting below-ground harvested medicinal herb of Yujin + vegetative hedges pattern (YY), traditional conservation measure of straw mulching + moisture furrow pattern (YC), and clean tillage pattern for control (CK). Observation of runoff, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus losses under natural rainfall events, and comprehensive benefit evaluation of each pattern were carried out. [Results] (1) All conservation measures significantly reduced water, soil, and nutrient losses in young oil tea plantations, except for the clean-tillage mode. Compared with CK, the runoff reduction effects of YA, YC and YY amounted to 15.22%, 67.30% and 64.12%, respectively; the sediment reduction effects amounted to 72.63%, 97.19% and 98.19%, respectively; the decrease in total nitrogen (TN) loss was 57.86%, 96.53% and 95.87%, respectively; and the decrease in total phosphorus (TP) loss was 32.18%, 98.62% and 98.86%, respectively. (2) Under moderate rain, heavy rain and rainstorm, YY pattern all showed good soil and water conservation and nutrient interception effects, with runoff reduction effects and sediment reduction effects ranged from 45.11% to 83.25% and 96.08% to 99.02%, respectively. The nitrogen and phosphorus reduction effects ranged from 83.02% to 99.14% and 88.38% to 99.65%, respectively; whereas YA pattern only had a better nutrient interception effect under moderate and heavy rain, the soil and water conservation effect under heavy rain was not obvious. (3) Based on the TOPSIS model, the comprehensive benefits of the four patterns were evaluated and ranked as YY (0.48) > YC (0.29) > YA (0.23) > CK (0.02). [Conclusion] Below-ground harvesting of medicinal herb Yujin + plant hedge mode is the most economical and effective management measure to control soil erosion and nutrient losses of young oil tea plantation on red soil slope in this experiment. Selecting medicinal herbs with staggered harvesting period and erosion risk period will better utilize the ecological benefits of interplanting medicinal herbs, and can avoid additional nutrient losses of young oil tea plantations.

Abstract Soil erosion is a major process that affect soil fertility and agricultural productivity. To reduce soil erosion by water, physical soil and water conservation measures such as Fanya juu have been widely introduced. However, the study on the performance of those measures against its target is limited. Objective of this study was to assess the effects of physical soil and water conservation (SWC) measures (e.g., Fanya juu) on selected soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected at 0–20 cm depth of fields treated with Fanya juu and non-treated (without any physical SWC) and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data. The results of the analysis revealed that clay, silt, sand, soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (Pav.), and available potassium (Kav.) differed significantly (p

This study investigates the effects of physical and chemical soil degradation on crop productivity in the Korekore Watershed. The watershed was categorized into level, sloping, and steep slope gradients. Within each slope gradient, one cultivated land managed with soil and water conservation and one cultivated land without soil and water conservation were selected. Selected soil physicochemical analyses were performed on 18 disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and were taken from the top 0–20 cm depths from each cultivated land with three replications. The soil degradation index (SDI) was evaluated based on the percent changes in soil properties of cultivated land without soil and water conservation to that of the cultivated land managed with soil and water conservation. The crop productivity index was determined by analyzing the percentage growth rate and its standard deviation. Soil bulk density and moisture content improved undercultivated land managed with SWC practices. Significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) soil organic carbon (SOC) content (2.02%), total N (0.12%), available P (4.69 ppm), and exchangeable K (1.33 cmolc/kg) were observed in cultivated land managed with SWC as compared to cultivated land without SWC measures. The value of the SDI (+243.9%) for the watershed has demonstrated that soil degradation has improved and soil and water conservation measures had a significant impact on crop yields. The average crop yield rate (CYR) (30%) was found to be lower than the estimate provided by the central statistics agency in Ethiopia. A higher CYR was observed in cultivated land managed with soil and water conservation practices. It can be concluded that physical and chemical soil degradation significantly impacts crops unless counterbalanced by soil and water conservation measures. Therefore, it is recommended to implement well‐integrated watershed management practices to improve soil quality and enhance crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) is one of the innovative geotechnical techniques to reinforce the soil. Specifically, urease can be directly utilized to catalyze the hydrolysis of urea, and then form the calcium carbonate crystals. EICP has promising potential to control rainfall-induced erosion. However, previous research has focused primarily on the overall effect of erosion reduction. It is still lacking in the influence of EICP on erosion processes under different erosion patterns. Among them, different erosion patterns are characterized by distinct processes and mechanisms, where sheet erosion is the initial phase of slope erosion to serve as the most important evolution of soil erosion. It is one of the most complex processes of slope water erosion, indicating significant sediment sorting. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of EICP spray treatment on sheet erosion and sediment sorting. The purple soil slope in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) was taken as the research object. Six spraying treatments (bare slope as control check (CK), only urease spray treatment, and EICP spray treatment with 4 cementing solution concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mol/L)) were set. Simulated rainfall experiments with two rainfall intensities (60 and 120 mm/h) were carried out to analyze the sheet erosion (including runoff and erosion) and the sediment sorting of sub-rainfall events. Moreover, the microscopic influence mechanism of EICP on sheet erosion was revealed using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the total runoff for only urease spray treatment increased on average by 10.68%, whereas, the total erosion was reduced on average by 43.74%, respectively, compared with the CK; The total runoff under EICP spray treatments increased on average by 29.51% to 50.76%, whereas, there was the decrease on average by 85.57% to 90.90%, respectively. The only urease spray treatment showed a certain effect on increasing runoff and reducing sediment. While the EICP spray treatment showed a significant effect on increasing runoff and reducing sediment (P<0.05). The increasing runoff and reducing sediment shared an increasing trend followed by the reduction with the increase of cementing solution concentrations. The cementing solution concentration of 1.5 mol/L performed the best. However, there was no significant difference in the total runoff and erosion among EICP spray treatments with different cementing solution concentrations (P>0.05), indicating the low concentration (0.5 mol/L) suitable for the control of sheet erosion. The erosion sediment exhibited a distinct sorting with the enrichment of clay, fine silt, and coarse silt particles and a depletion of sand particles. The degree of sediment sorting was reduced after EICP spray treatment, with a decrease in clay content and an increase in coarse sand particle content in the erosion sediment. Microscopic analysis showed that the spherical calcium carbonate precipitates and urease filaments often appeared in the gaps and/or on the surfaces of soil particles after EICP spray treatment. The soil was reinforced to enhance the erosion resistance, leading to reduced soil erosion. The infiltration was reduced to increase the runoff production. The finding can also provide theoretical support to the sheet erosion reduction of EICP for the soil and water conservation in the TGRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Vegetation is a universal and effective method for water and soil conservation. The significant implications of soil loss necessitate the adoption of appropriate soil conservation practices and soil management solutions according to the regional climate. Investigation of the effects of soil cover on the soil erosion process can provide the information necessary for the success of soil and water conservation practices. In general, vegetation cover can mitigate runoff by increasing water infiltration, enhancing sediment trapping, reducing the kinetic energy of raindrop impact, increasing surface roughness, decreasing flow velocity, and controlling runoff hydraulic properties. The impact of vegetation cover on runoff generation has been studied at different spatial scales, from experimental to watershed scales, and most studies have shown the effectiveness of vegetation cover in reducing surface runoff. In arid regions, it may be difficult and economically infeasible to cover the entire surface area of a soil conservation project with vegetation. Therefore, the question arises as to how much of the soil surface should be covered to have an optimal impact on runoff generation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different ratios of alfalfa coverage on runoff generation under simulated rainfall conditions. Materials and methods A completely randomized design was used with treatments based on the ratio of alfalfa coverage (0, 35, 65, and 90 %) under artificial rainfall conditions. The texture of the studied soil was sandy loam and collected from the surface horizon of farmlands in Kashan. All experimental plots were 2 m long, 0.55 m wide, and 0.35 meters deep with a metal runoff collector. Alfalfa seeds were planted at a spacing of 15×15 cm in the 35 % plot, 10×10 cm in the 65 % plot, and five in 10 cm in the 90 % plot. All plots were subjected to a simulated rainfall with an intensity of 90 mm hr-1 for 70 min. To achieve uniform antecedent moisture conditions, all plots were subjected to a 10- minute long simulated rainfall at an intensity of 90mm h-1 exactly one hour before the experiment. During the experiment, the runoff and sediment samples were gathered using the metal collector (placed at the plot outlet) at 5-minute intervals. In order to investigate the changes in runoff reduction efficiency in different treatments and different testing periods, statistical criteria of runoff reduction efficiency were used. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov, one-way ANOVA, and Duncan’s tests were used for data analysis. Results and Discussion The results indicated that the plant cover treatments were most effective in reducing runoff during the first 15 minutes of the experiments. However, their effectiveness decreased as the experiments progressed due to the soil's inability to pass water at a higher rate once the infiltration reached its final rate. The coverage ratio treatments (0, 35, 65, and 90 %) showed a significant difference in runoff generation (p <0.01). The bare plots had the highest average runoff generation and were classified into a separate group (a). The plots with 35, 65, and 90 % coverage ratios had average runoff rates of 0.329 mm min-1, 0.222 mm min-1, and 0.112 mm min-1, respectively, and were placed in separate groups as well. In the bare soil treatments, the high amount of rainfall drops on the soil surface without vegetation interception exceeded the infiltration rate and subsequently produced runoff. Additionally, soil sealing and crusting processes due to raindrop impacts could reduce infiltration and generate higher runoff. The effectiveness of runoff reduction was also evaluated at 35, 65, and 90 % alfalfa cover. The results showed that 65 and 90 % cover significantly reduced runoff production, but no significant difference was observed between the 35 and 65 % levels. Conclusion In this study, we evaluated the influence of alfalfa coverage ratios on runoff generation in experimental conditions subjected to artificial rainfall. We found that higher coverage of alfalfa was associated with a delay and reduction in runoff generation. While all the examined vegetation cover percentages demonstrated an acceptable performance in reducing runoff and sediment. Furthermore, we were able to determine a practical threshold for coverage ratio, which could result in a significant decrease in surface runoff production. We found that a minimum of 65% alfalfa coverage was necessary to achieve this reduction. This threshold could be considered a beneficial criterion for soil and water conservation practices, especially in arid areas where dense vegetation establishment can be difficult and more expensive. This study is also particularly important for dry and semi-arid regions that face challenges of drought and soil erosion. The use of alfalfa as a vegetative cover can help to conserve soil moisture, reduce erosion, and improve water quality in these areas. In addition, vegetation plays a crucial role in soil and water conservation, and alfalfa, being a perennial plant with a deep root system, is a suitable option for erosion and runoff control in various regions, especially in dry and semi-arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective］ Tb investigate the effects and applicability of different intercropping patterns of medicinal herbs on water, soil, and nutrient losses in young oil tea gardens on red soil slopes. Methods］ Runoff plot experiments were carried out in Jiangxi Province, a major province for cultivating traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with interplanting above-ground harvested medicinal herb of Ai pattern (YA), interplanting below-ground harvested medicinal herb of Yujin + vegetative hedges pattern (YY), traditional conservation measure of straw mulching + moisture furrow pattern (YC"), and clean tillage pattern for control (CK). Observation of runoff, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus losses under natural rainfall events, and comprehensive benefit evaluation of each pattern were carried out. Results] (1) All conservation measures significantly reduced water, soil, and nutrient losses in young oil tea plantations, except for the clean-till age mode. Compared with CK, the runoff reduction effects of YA, YC and YY amounted to 15.22%： 67.30% and 64.12%, respectively; the sediment reduction effects amounted to 72.63%, 97.19% and 98.19%, respectively; the decrease in total nitrogen (TN) loss was 57.86%, 96.53% and 95.87%, respectively; and the decrease in total phosphorus (TP) loss was 32.18%, 98.62% and 98.86%, respectively. (2) Under moderate rain, heavy rain and rainstorm, YY pattern all showed good soil and water conservation and nutrient interception effects, with runoff reduction effects and sediment reduction effects ranged from 45.11% to 83.25% and 96.08% to 99.02%, respectively. The nitrogen and phosphorus reduction effects ranged from 83.02% to 99.14% and 88.38% to 99.65%, respectively; whereas YA pattern only had a better nutrient interception effect under moderate and heavy rain, the soil and water conservation effect under heavy rain was not obvious. (3) Based on the TOPSTS model, the comprehensive benefits of the four patterns were evaluated and ranked as YY (0.48) A YC (().29) > YA (0.23) > CK (().()2). Conclusion] Below-ground harvesting of medicinal herb Yujin + plant hedge mode is the most economical and effective management measure to control soil erosion and nutrient losses of young oil tea plantation on red soil slope in this experiment. Selecting medicinal herbs with staggered harvesting period and erosion risk period will better utilize the ecological benefits of interplanting medicinal herbs, and can avoid additional nutrient losses of young oil tea plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Soil erosion has become an increasingly serious issue, drawing global attention. As one of the countries facing severe soil erosion in the world, China confronts significant ecological challenges. Against this backdrop, the country places great emphasis on soil conservation efforts, considering them a crucial component of ecological civilization construction. This study focuses on the carbon sink benefits of comprehensive soil conservation management in the loess hilly region and sandy slopes, using the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed in Youyu County, Shanxi Province, as a typical case for in-depth analysis. In terms of research methodology, an integrated monitoring approach combining fundamental data, measured data, and remote sensing data was developed. A comprehensive survey of the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed was conducted to categorize plant carbon pools and soil carbon pools, establish baseline scenarios, and utilize methods such as inverse distance spatial interpolation, sample calculation, and feature extraction to estimate forest carbon storage across different years and determine changes in soil and vegetation carbon storage. Simultaneously, data collection and preprocessing were carried out, including the gathering of fundamental data, field data collection, and internal data preprocessing. On this basis, a vegetation carbon storage model was constructed, and an assessment of soil carbon pool storage was conducted. The research results indicate that from 2002 to 2024, the continuous implementation of various soil conservation measures over 22 years has led to a significant increase in carbon storage within the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed. The vegetation carbon density of the entire small watershed increased from 14.66 t C/ha to 27.02 t C/ha, and the soil carbon density rose from 28.92 t C/ha to 32.48 t C/ha. The net carbon sink amount was 18,422.20 t C (corresponding to 67,548.08 t CO2e in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent). Populus simonii and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica significantly contribute to the carbon sink; however, due to partial degradation of Populus simonii, its net carbon sink amount is less than that of Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica. Additionally, the carbon sink capacity of the small watershed exhibits spatial differences influenced by conservation measures, with high carbon density areas primarily concentrated within the range of Populus simonii, while low carbon density areas are mainly found in shrub zones. The increase in carbon storage within the small watershed is primarily attributed to the contributions of vegetation and soil carbon storage, indicating that comprehensive soil erosion management has a significant carbon accumulation effect; moreover, the annual growth rate of vegetation carbon storage exceeds that of soil carbon storage, with the proportion of soil carbon storage increasing year by year. Furthermore, the vegetation carbon sink, soil carbon sink, and total carbon sink of the small watershed were separately calculated. In terms of benefit analysis, the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed offers ecological benefits such as increased forest coverage, carbon fixation and oxygen release, and biodiversity conservation; from an economic perspective, the value of carbon trading is substantial, promoting soil conservation and rural revitalization, with the total value of timber reaching 7.6 million yuan, of which the value of standing timber constitutes the largest proportion; social benefits include the improvement of environmental landscapes, stimulation of ecological tourism, and attraction of investment, with the Xiaonanshan Mountain Ecological Park receiving numerous visitors and generating significant tourism revenue. This research provides a theoretical basis and data foundation for comprehensive soil conservation management in project areas or small watersheds within the loess hilly and sandy slope regions, offering technical and methodological support for other soil conservation carbon sink projects in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

In order to explore the level of benefits, evolution patterns, and obstacle factors after the implementation of key soil and water con servation projects in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin, an evaluation index system for the comprehensive management benefits of soil and water conservation was constructed based on the theme framework of "water and soil conservation, ecology, economy, and society". The entropy weight TOPSIS and coupling coordination model were used to quantitatively evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution process of the comprehensive benefits of soil and water conservation in 9 cities and prefectures of the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2021, as well as the coupling coordination between subsystems. The obstacle degree model was introduced to identify the obstacle factors for improving the comprehensive benefits of soil and water conservation. The results show that from 2000 to 2021, the comprehensive management benefits of soil and water conservation in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin have been increasing year by year, transitioning from an extremely deteriorating state in 2000 to a good state in 2021; There were significant spatial differences in the benefits of comprehensive soil and water conservation management among the 9 cities and prefectures. Lanzhou, Baiyin, and Pingliang had higher benefits of comprehensive soil and water conservation management, but the gap between cities and states showed a good trend of narrowing year by year; The development level of water and soil conservation, ecological, economic, and social benefit systems all showed an increasing trend year by year, and the development level of ecological benefit systems lagged behind that of water and soil conservation, economic, and social benefit systems; The coupling coordination degree of the comprehensive management benefits system for soil and water conservation in the 9 cities and prefectures showed an increasing trend year by year, transitioning from a stage of mild imbalance to a stage of good coordination, and the spatial performance of the 9 cities and prefectures were relatively balanced; The main obstacles to the improvement of comprehensive soil and water conservation benefits in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin are the water production modulus, surface runoff depth, plant carbon sequestration, plant oxygen release, and per capita total power of agricultural machinery. Research has shown that the comprehensive management benefits of soil and water conservation in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin have become increasingly apparent over time, and the overall direction is constantly developing towards health, coordination, and balance. At the same time, there is still significant room for improvement in the comprehensive management of soil and water conservation and modernization of agricultural production conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-elevation and cold regions have harsh natural conditions with low temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation, which impede plant growth and maintenance. Therefore, soil and water conservation vegetation restoration models are of great significance. In this study, a site condition analysis was performed based on three main limiting factors, including climatic and meteorological, soil, and topographic and geomorphological factors, providing a basis for vegetation restoration. The study area was divided into different site types. After investigating the situation of nurseries distributed in places such as Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan, trees, shrubs, and grasses with ecological characteristics similar to those of the local vegetation, including strong stress resistance, good soil and water conservation benefits, and well-established artificial cultivation practices, were selected as alternative vegetation for late-stage planting of indigenous tree species. Combining the results of site condition analysis and site type classification, the configuration of trees, shrubs, and grasses for different off-site condition types and the corresponding greening methods are discussed, providing a scientific reference for ecological restoration in high-elevation and low-temperature regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although corn is the most important and nitrogen (N)-fertilized crop, there is a lack of long-term data on the effects of organic and inorganic N fertilizers on the N balance and losses for corn systems under different tillage approaches. From 2012 to 2023, we assessed the effects of the N source on the grain yields from cultivated continuous corn receiving irrigation at a site with minimal erosion in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, and compared these effects to no-till (NT) and strip till (ST) systems receiving inorganic N. An N balance accounting for N and carbon (C) sequestration found a system nitrogen use efficiency (NUESys) for organic N fertilizer (manure) with a tillage of 86.6%, which was higher than the NUESys of 62.6% with inorganic N fertilizer (enhanced efficiency fertilizer, EEF). Conventional tillage with manure use is a good management practice that contributed to higher grain yields (2 of 11 years), C sequestration (p < 0.05), soil organic N content (p < 0.05), and soil phosphorus (P) content than inorganic N fertilizer with tillage (p < 0.05). The tilled systems, whether receiving organic or inorganic N fertilizer, had higher yields and grain N content than the NT and ST systems receiving inorganic N fertilizer (p < 0.05). The grain production of the cultivated system receiving organic N fertilizer did not decrease with time, while the yields of the cultivated system receiving inorganic N fertilizer decreased with time (p < 0.05), suggesting that cultivated systems receiving organic N fertilizer may be more sustainable and better able to adapt to a changing climate. Additionally, a combination of manure (30% of N input) with EEF (70% of N input) contributed to a synergistic effect that increased the agronomic productivity (harvested grain yields). [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]

The variations in soil erosion significantly impact regional ecological security. Under rapid urbanisation, extensive ecological restoration and climate change, soil erosion development in the red soil region of southern China is ambiguous. Therefore, this study investigated the current (1980s–2020) and future (2050) erosion characteristics in a typical soil erosion control catchment (Changting section catchment) in this region by using the Cellular Automata Markov model and CMIP6 data to predict future scenarios and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation to estimate soil erosion. The results showed significant changes in the vegetation coverage of major land uses from 1980s to 2020, which was mainly caused by continuous soil and water conservation (SWC). The land use subtypes that were obtained by reclassifying land use based on the threshold of vegetation cover on soil erosion control, reflect a continuous transformation from those with poor SWC effectiveness to those with great SWC effectiveness. Therefore, the estimated soil erosion intensity continued to decrease from 1980s to 2020, and the contribution of land use/land cover (LULC) impacts ranged from 74%–195%. However, predictions of land use subtypes indicated that LULC may be stable after 2020; thus, soil erosion changed little when the climate was almost unchanged in 2050. Under climate change scenarios, soil erosion may increase by 111%–121%, and the contribution of precipitation impacts was 63%–66%. The major driving factor of soil erosion changes may shift from LULC to precipitation after 2020. Therefore, in the future, the potential for reducing soil erosion by vegetation restoration may be limited, and more engineering measures should be applied to address the erosion risk caused by climate changes. This study provides prospects for land use/land cover and soil erosion in the red soil region of southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black soil region experiences complex erosion due to natural processes and intense human activities, leading to soil degradation and adverse ecological and agricultural impacts. However, the complexities involved in quantifying regional erosion poses remarkable challenges in accurately assessing the current status of regional soil erosion for effective soil conservation. To solve this issue, we proposed a new method for monitoring soil erosion using Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology and machine learning algorithms within the Google Earth Engine platform. The new method not only enables regional-scale monitoring, but also ensures high accuracy in measurement (millimeter-level). The erosion susceptibility of the study area (Yanshou County, Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China) was also classified using random forest algorithms to refine the monitored and predicted soil erosion. The results indicate that the five-year (2016–2021) deformation in Yanshou County was −11.08 mm, with a significant mean cumulative deformation of −8.08 mm yr−1 occurring in 2017. The driving factor analysis shows that the region was subject to the compound effect of water and freeze–thaw erosion, closely related to crop phenological stages. The susceptibility analysis indicates that 73.3% of the region was susceptible to erosion, with a higher probability in river areas, at high altitudes, and on steep slopes. However, good vegetation cover can reduce the risk of soil erosion to some extent. This study offers a new perspective on monitoring regional soil erosion in the black soil region of China. The proposed method holds potential for future expansion to monitor soil erosion in a larger areas, thereby guiding the strategies development for protection of the agriculturally important black soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effectiveness of stone bunds in enhancing soil moisture, vegetation health, and crop yields in Ghana's semi-arid Upper East Region, an important area for agricultural productivity in West Africa. In this region, agricultural practices are heavily impacted by erratic rainfall and poor soil moisture retention, threatening food security. Despite the known benefits of traditional soil conservation practices like stone bunds, their effectiveness in this context has not been fully quantified. Field and remote sensing data were used to evaluate the influence of stone bunds on soil moisture dynamics, vegetation growth, and crop yield. Experimental plots with and without stone bunds were monitored for climate, soil water infiltration, and soil moisture and analyzed using the NDVI from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery over two growing seasons under sorghum production (2022–2023). The results indicated that stone bunds enhanced soil moisture retention and increased infiltration rates. The NDVI analysis consistently revealed higher vegetation health and growth in the plots with stone bunds, particularly during critical growth periods. The intermediate results of the conducted experiment indicated that stone bunds increased sorghum yields by over 35% compared to the control plots. The substantial agronomic benefits of stone bunds as a soil and water conservation strategy were evident, improving soil water infiltration, water retention, vegetation health, and crop yields. The findings support the broader adoption of stone bunds in semi-arid regions to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience against climate variability. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts and the integration of stone bunds with other sustainable farming practices to optimize rainfed agricultural outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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[Objective] This study explored the rainfall characteristics in loess hilly and gully regions and their impacts on runoff and sediment production on slopes of different land use types. [Method] From 2019 to 2021, runoff plots were set up in five different land use types including bare land, natural grassland, shrubland, farmland, and arbor land in the Hetonggou small watershed of Dalate Banner, Inner Mongolia. The rainfall characteristic indicators including rainfall, rainfall duration, maximum 30 minute rainfall intensity (I30), average rainfall intensity and rainfall erosivity were monitored. K-means clustering analysis was conducted using the rainfall characteristic indicators as variables to classify the erosive rainfalls. Then, the runoff depth and soil loss of different land use types in runoff plots were calculated, the impacts of different land use types and rainfall types on slope runoff and sediment production were analyzed, and the correlations of rainfall characteristics with total runoff depth and soil loss were evaluated. [Result] (1) From 2019 to 2021, the distribution of rainfalls in the Hetonggou small watershed was uneven, with a total of 128 rainfall occurrences, including 51 erosive rainfalls, accounting for 80.2% of the total.Erosive rainfalls were mainly concentrated from June to August. (2) Erosive rainfalls were divided into three categories of type I (heavy rainfall, long duration and high intensity), type II (moderate rainfall, moderate duration and moderate intensity) and type III (small rainfall, short duration and low intensity).Compared with type II and type III, type I rainfalls had a lower frequency of occurrence, but its average rainfall erosion was stronger. Under the same land use types, the depth of slope runoff and soil loss caused by type I rainfalls were significantly greater. (3) From 2019 to 2021, there were significant differences in the total runoff and sediment production characteristics of different land use types of runoff communities on slopes. The total runoff depth and total soil loss, in descending order, were bare land > farmland > natural grassland > shrubland > arbor land. (4) The various rainfall characteristic indicators were positively correlated with total runoff depth and total soil loss on slopes of different land use types. The main influencing factors were rainfall, rainfall intensity and I30. [Conclusion] In loess hilly and gully regions, rainfall, rainfall intensity and I30 were the main rainfall indicators affecting runoff and sediment production on slopes. Natural grasslands, arbor land and shrubland had better benefits from reducing runoff and sediment.Returning farmland to forests and grasslands on slopes was effective in reducing soil erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a major global environmental concern. Safeguarding soil and water resources requires a comprehensive understanding of erosion processes to proactively address and manage soil erosion. Accurately identifying key erosion features and implementing targeted soil and water conservation efforts are therefore imperative. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote-sensing technology offers a novel method for advancing soil erosion research. As UAV applications in this field continue to progress, it is essential to systematically review and compare recent developments in soil erosion research between China and other countries so as to anticipate future research directions. In this study, we used the CiteSpace software to perform a bibliometric analysis of 871 Chinese and English articles published from 2008 to 2022 that were indexed in the Web of Science core database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Using statistical data from these publication databases, CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and ArcGIS, visual network maps were generated to summarize the fundamental characteristics and research hotspots related to UAV use in soil erosion research. The results indicate that the overall trend of UAV use in soil erosion studies is increasing. Countries such as the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Australia have taken the lead, resulting in significant academic influences. Chinese researchers have built on mature research conducted abroad and are actively innovating, resulting in more publications and a growing academic impact. Globally, soil erosion research has predominantly focused on UAV photogrammetric technology and soil erosion mechanisms. Global research hotspots include the acquisition and integration of UAV and multi-source remote sensing data in erosion studies, innovative improvements in UAV-based erosion monitoring and information extraction algorithms, hydrological sediment connectivity and soil erosion model construction using UAV data as a source, and improvements to erosion disaster investigation, prevention, and comprehensive management of soil and water conservation based on UAV remote sensing data. Based on the current state of Chinese and international research, future studies should investigate data processing algorithms, establish precise evaluation and improvement methodologies, and strengthen multi-source and multi-scale data integration to establish the data foundation for understanding sedimentation mechanisms. Additionally, we recommend rationally arranging soil and water conservation measures based on erosion prevention mechanisms, as well as balancing erosion controls, ecological restoration, and sustainable production during the implementation of soil and water conservation efforts.

Abstract Objectives Recently, some developing countries are promoting foreign agricultural investments in Agriculture to exploit currently under-exploited land. Yet, the benefits to recipient countries remains less understood and inconclusive. The study sought to understand the association between proximity to a foreign agricultural investments (FAI) and adoption of soil and water conservation farming methods by smallholder farmers in Uganda. Methodology We used cross-sectional data collected from a total of 1,181 smallholder respondents, sampled through a multi-stage random sampling process resulting in three independent samples from South-western, Central and Northern Uganda. Using logistic regression analysis and pooled data, we study the association between proximity to a FAI and other factors that influence the adoption of soil and water conservation farming practices by smallholder farmers in Uganda. Results Descriptive results show that at the aggregate level proximity to a FAI, the education level of the farmer and ownership of information and communication assets (radio and mobile phone) are significantly different between adopter and non-adopters of soil and water conservation farming methods in the research area. The econometric findings of the study suggest that proximity to a foreign agricultural investments (FAI) has weak but significant spillovers on soil and water conservation farming practices of smallholder farmers it their vicinity with possible site specific variations that warrant more in-depth investigation. The effect of proximity to FAI on the adoption of soil and water conservation farming practices is complemented by the education level of the farmer and access to means of communication (radio, and in particular mobile phone set) indicating the importance of information and also broader socio-economic conditions. Recommendation We recommend policies that enhance increased exposure of smallholder farmers to FAI especially those that help promote rural digital penetration through increased band width, FM radios and affordable data packages.

[Objective] In order to clarify the law of sediment yield and sediment loss of different land use types under different rainfall types, and to evaluate the benefit of sediment reduction of different land use types under different rainfall types. [Methods] Based on the monitoring data of runoff and soil loss under natural rainfall conditions over 2015—2016 in 31 runoff plots located in the Loess Plateau of China the characteristics of sediment yield and loss in different land use types, including farmlands, abandoned lands, artificial grasslands, natural grasslands, shrublands and artificial forest lands were discussed. The efficiency of runoff and sediment reduction for each land use type under different rainfall types was determined. [Results] The runoff and soil loss of abandoned lands were the largest (30 mm, 86 t/hm2) and artificial forest lands were the smallest (8 mm, 24 t/hm2) under the annual rainfall scale, and there was no significant difference between other land use types. Through the application of duster analysis a total of 120 rainfall events were categorized into three distinct rainfall types based on criteria that included amount, duration, and maximum intensity of rainfall in a 30-minute period. That is, Rainfall Type I: characterised by moderate rainfall duration (749 min), moderate rainfall volume (35.4 mm), and moderate rainfall intensity (16.9 mm/h); Rainfall Type II: comprising short-duration rainfall (222 min), moderate rainfall volume (25.2 mm), and intense rainfall intensity (23.8 mm/h); Rainfall Type III: involving a long duration of rainfall (1 451 min), substantial rainfall volume (40.6 mm), but low intensity of rainfall (11.5 mm/h). When considering the impact of these types of rainfall within the given scale, the study observed the following trends, for the runoff coefficient, exhibiting Rainfall Type II > Rainfall Type III > Rainfall Type I, while for soil loss, exhibiting Rainfall Type II > Rainfall Type I > Rainfall Type III. The runoff coefficient of Rainfall Type I was significantly higher than that of other land use types, reaching 17.7%, which was 2.36 times that of artificial forest land. There were no significant difference in runoff coefficient under Rainfall Type II, and the average runoff coefficient was 19.9%. The runoff coefficient of abandoned lands, artificial grasslands, natural grasslands, and farmlands (average of 14.3%) was significantly higher than that of shrublands and artificial forest lands (averaging at 9.0%). The soil loss of famlands, artificial grasslands, shmblands and artificial forest lands under Rainfall Type II (3.94, 0.87, 1.06, 1.08 t/hm2) > Rainfall Type I (1.60, 0.60, 0.59, 0.63 t/hm2) > Rainfall Type III (0.09, 0.20, 0.06, 0.04 t/hm2). [Conclusion] In the Loess Plateau, the artificial forest land was the first choice to control soil and water loss effectively under the condition of medium-low rainfall intensity and medium-long duration rainfall, and the soil and water conservation effect of shrubland and grassland was better under short-duration heavy rainfall.

Extended Abstract Background: Soil erosion, a significant form of land degradation, poses severe challenges to humanity in different ecosystems. It serves as a comprehensive index for evaluating the development and sustainability of land management programs. Assessing the status and spatial extent of soil erosion has become crucial in developing countries. Biological management, a recommended and effective means of controlling soil erosion in the early stages of all processes, offers a practical solution. Biological methods, such as minimum tillage operations and limited intervention in nature, prove to be more cost-effective and efficient than structural measures. Despite these advantages, biological measures have not received adequate attention in soil erosion control. This research addresses this gap by applying biological management in the Kilanbar Watershed (Kermanshah Province, Iran), demonstrating its effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Methods: The layers of elevation from sea level, aspect, and slope steepness were prepared and combined in the geographic information system (GIS) software to prepare 38 land units. In the Kilanbar Watershed, 14 land units with the ability to perform biological management measures were extracted based on the expert and technical opinions of the watershed manager and considering different bases to improve the performance and decision-making of the units with an area of less than 300 ha. The Kilanbar Watershed is located in Ravansar City, west of Kermanshah Province. The study area is approximately 10798 ha. The highest and lowest elevation points of the watershed are 2183 and 1388 m above mean sea level, respectively. The mean annual precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity are 533 mm, 11.4 °C, and 45.1%, respectively. The status of soil erosion in each land unit was completed based on the scoring of the BLM form based on the visual and expert opinions, and a map of the erosion pattern was prepared in the land units. Ambrotropic and hyetographs were drawn using the 30-year precipitation and temperature data of the Ravansar synoptic station to determine the periods of drought and wet conditions and to identify suitable plants with the characteristics of the region. A climatic–agricultural map was prepared and integrated into the GIS using meteorological station data (temperature, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration), and plant species were selected according to ecological expectations for watershed biological measures. Results: According to the BLM form results, one and eight land units are in partial and low erosion conditions, respectively, and five other land units are in medium erosion conditions. According to the erosion pattern map, the majority of the studied area, about 70% of the watershed, is in a low and medium erosion state, which naturally confirms the high ability to use appropriate biological measures to control soil erosion. According to ambrothermic and hyetograph measurements, June to September were dry months, and precipitation changes were more significant than temperature changes from October to May. According to the climatic–agricultural map, the region is divided into five classes. Class 4 (4819.3 ha) and Class 1 (364.83 ha) had the largest and smallest areas, respectively. Finally, the zoning of suitable rangeland species in the watershed showed that rangeland species of Asteragalus ascendes, Avena fatua, Picnomon sp., Achillea millefolium, Bromus tomentellus, and Hordum blubosum dominantly covered the region. Based on the study results, appropriate plant species were introduced for the studied watershed. Accordingly, conservation and reclamation measures were recommended to improve land productivity and ecological conditions and avoid land use changes for the study area. The essential measures include vegetation in rangeland ecosystems aiming at preventing the role of the canopy cover from directly impacting raindrops on the soil surface, increasing water infiltration in the soil, stabilizing soil aggregates due to roots extension, increasing grazing capacity and livestock production, and increasing its efficiency and productivity with time. Conclusion: The findings of this study hold significant potential for the Kilanbar Watershed. The proposed biological erosion measures, tailored to the ecosystem's unique conditions, are effective, low-cost, and environmentally compatible. They offer a sustainable solution for managing soil and water resources in various ecosystems. Implementing these measures can significantly reduce soil erosion in the watershed, particularly in areas with low to moderate erosion status. This research is an essential initiative in applying biological erosion measures in the Kilanbar Watershed, demonstrating that soil erosion can be effectively and practically controlled in approximately 67% of the watershed through biological methods in the critical land-use areas of rangelands and agriculture. It is important to note that applying biological erosion measures requires comprehensive and integrated investigations, considering the different parts of the ecosystem. With these findings, the proposed approach in this research can be extended to other watersheds across the country, particularly those with slight to moderate erosion status, while maintaining the principle of comprehensiveness and respecting the unique conditions of each watershed.

Understanding the mechanisms and patterns of runoff generation in watersheds is fundamental to building hydrological and soil erosion models. It also provides important guidance for watershed water resources management and rational utilization. In order to reveal the in- fluence of vegetation restoration on the runoff production mechanism and model of the Loess Plateau, the Dongzhuanggou watershed, which is dominated by natural grassland restoration, and the Yangjiagou watershed, which is dominated by afforestation restorationin in the gullied loess plateaus were taken as research areas. The flood process lines and regression curves of two contrasting small catchments under different rainfall types were analyzed, and the change of runoff production pattern in the gullied region of loess plateau under vegetation restoration was studied. The results indicate that with the restoration of the watershed's vegetation and its eco-hydrological functions in these small water- sheds, annual runoff generation capacity decreases, while water retention capacity increases. Vegetation restoration effectively reduces peak flow and prolongs flood duration, especially the recession period of the flood, thereby achieving the effect of flood mitigation. Under the influence of vegetation restoration, the runoff generation pattern tends to shift from the traditional infiltration-excess runoff pattern to a shallow sub- surface saturation runoff pattern. This change demonstrates that vegetation restoration can effectively mitigate floods and thus play a significant role in flood control and disaster reduction. Additionally, it can efficiently transform generalized precipitation resources into soil water and interflow, regulate the seasonal distribution of streamflow, increase ecological water use, and promote the healthy and stable development of vegetation ecosystems in semi-arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resources such as soil and water are essential to agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid rain-fed areas, yet the impacts of managing these crucial natural resources on farm technical efficiency are little known. Using data from 400 households with 1031 plots, we examined the impacts of soil and water conservation measures (SWCMs) on the technical efficiency of farmers in the semi-arid Bundelkhand (central India). We estimated stochastic production frontiers, considering potential self-selection bias stemming from both observable and unobservable factors in the adoption of SWCMs at the farm level. The farm technical efficiency for adopters of SWCMs ranged from 0.68 to 0.72, and that for non-adopters ranged from 0.52 to 0.65, depending on how biases were controlled for. As the average efficiency is consistently higher for adopter farmers than the control group, promoting SWCMs could help to increase input use efficiency, especially in resource-deprived rain-fed systems in the semi-arid tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Geography is the property of Tropical Geography Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Water Conservancy Science & Techonlogy & Economy is the property of Water Conservancy Science & Technology & Economy Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Black soil erosion gullies pose a significant risk to the food security in the northeast of China, and the vast majority of them located in the cold environment. As a universal method of erosion gully control, the check dam faces the complex environmental threats of the freezing area. Confronting the issue of check dams in colder regions being unstable due to various factors like freezing, thawing, snowmelt and rainfall, a novel technology is introduced for managing black soil erosion gullies in cold regions, named ecological flexible gangue soil check dam. This check dam is composed of soil, soil filtering and anti-washout geosynthetics, gangue articulated blocks and plant protection, and offers benefits such as local materials, time efficiency, flexibility, stability, solid waste utilization, stone replacement, and advantageous cuttings,et al. This paper gives the design concept, the key parameters of the check dam and the crucial technologies for practical application, which constitutes a complete set of procedures. The results of field tests reveal that the deformation capacity of the ecological flexible gangue soil check dam is concentrated between -0.051 8 m and 0.030 7 m, within the acceptable range. Neither the channel before nor after the check dam widened, and the sediment deposition depth ranged between 17 cm and 67 cm. The soil erosion is significantly reduced. The vegetation coverage increased by 30% over the course of one year. This suggests the robust stability, governance effect, and substantial ecological advantages of the dam. The innovative ecological flexible gangue soil check dam surpasses the conventional check dam design by integrating eco-technology with organic engineering, offering fresh concepts and methods to manage erosion gully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)