Agricultural land abandonment is currently widely spread in Mediterranean countries and a further increase is expected. Previous research has shown that abandoned fields in semi-arid areas are more vulnerable to gully erosion. The absence of ploughing and slow vegetation recovery cause the formation of soil crusts with low infiltration rates, resulting in increased runoff and gully erosion risk. The objective of our study was to assess the extent and causes of erosion and terrace failure on abandoned fields and to discuss options for mitigation. The study was carried out in the Carcavo basin, a semi-arid catchment in southeast Spain. At catchment scale all abandoned fields were surveyed and characteristics of each field were described. Additionally we surveyed abandoned and cultivated terraces and used statistical analyses to determine the factors that induce terrace failure. At field scale we constructed a detailed digital elevation model (DEM) for an abandoned terrace field in order to calculate sediment losses since time of abandonment. The results revealed that more than half the abandoned fields had moderate to severe erosion and the statistical analysis showed that these fields had significantly steeper slopes, were terraced and had cereals as previous land use. Factors that increase the risk of terrace failure were land abandonment, steeper terrace slope, loam texture, valley-bottom position and shrubs on the terrace wall. The reconstructed erosion rate (87 ton ha − − − − −1 year − − − − −1 ) confirmed the importance of gully erosion on these abandoned terrace fields. Potential soil and water conservation practices to mitigate soil erosion after abandonment are: (1) maintenance of terrace walls, as a result more water is retained, which increases vegetation cover and consequently decreases erosion. (2) Revegetation with indigenous grass species on spots with concentrated flow, especially near terrace walls. ConclusionAbandonment of agricultural land is widespread and increasing in Mediterranean countries and can potentially lead to a considerable increase in erosion in semi-arid environments. Abandoned terrace fields are especially vulnerable because of gully erosion through the terrace walls. In the Carcavo basin more than half the abandoned fields have moderate to severe erosion and the calculated erosion rate is high. Land abandonment, steeper terrace slope, loam texture, valley bottom position, and shrubs on the terrace wall are factors that increase the risk of terrace failure. This and several other studies show that terracing, although intended as a conservation practice, actually enhances erosion, especially after abandonment. Construction of new terraces should therefore be carefully planned and be built according to sustainable design criteria and not in soils that are vulnerable to piping. To mitigate erosion on these abandoned fields the following soil and water conservation practices are possible: (1) maintenance of terrace walls in combination with increasing vegetation cover on the terrace,...

Wildlire management, surface mining, and regional planning historically have had conflicting missions. The cooperative public/private venture which created the Kobinson Forest and Cyprus-Amax Wildlife Management Areas is presented as an example of how a regional perspective encourages a symbiotic relationship among thcsc Functions. Wildlife management areas, as either an interim or final land use. are shown to incorporate development concepts which benefit the general public, the coal industry. and the environment. Examining the regional pattern or wildlife management areas and refuges confirms the appropriateness o f the subject S I~C for this use. It is suggested that the pattern of mined lands can be studied to identiry otlicr sites with potential to provide linkages between wildlife habitat areas and encourage rCcluiiation of such sites to the "fish and wildlife'' postmining land USC.Sucli rcclaniation strategies should be pursued within a long-term planning framcwork. More research is needed to recreate specific habitat types on drastically disturbed Iimd and planning is needed to assure that sensitive habitats or species arc loc;itcd away from i.oncs likely to undergo future development. Use of geographic information systems t o integate existing environmental information could make such studies more cffcctivc.

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The coal producing area of Appalachian Kentucky has a protect the public and allow bond release, maintains the potential for later development.Land later can be made available in response to development demands, contributing to a more diversified economy.

Abstract:The success of planning for use of surface mined land after the cessation of coal mining in Kentucky has been mixed and varied.