Improving stock unearthing method to measure soil erosion rates in vineyards

Rodrigo‐Comino, Jesús; Cerdà, Artemi

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.10.042

Cited by 47 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…However, the method has not yet been conducted with inter‐row measurements at large enough scales, deceasing its accuracy and representability. Therefore, we developed ISUM (improved stock unearthing method) to increase the accuracy of soil loss estimations and topsoil level mapping surveyed by SUM in the past by adding inter‐row measurement points (Rodrigo‐Comino and Cerdà, ). ISUM is an easy and inexpensive method to estimate erosion rates and spatial evolution of the topsoil level from pluri‐annual to pluri‐decennial time scales in vineyards (Rodrigo‐Comino et al ., , c).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connectivity assessment in Mediterranean vineyards using improved stock unearthing method, LiDAR and soil erosion field surveys

Rodrigo‐Comino

Keesstra

Cerdà

2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The interaction between processes and landforms is accelerated in vineyards due to bare tilled soils that enhance splash, runoff, and erosion. Traditionally, in order to assess these processes, the stock unearthing method (SUM) is considered a useful methodology that uses the graft union of the vine plant as passive bio-indicator of the topsoil level changes. However, SUM assumes that the topography between the rows is planar when development of a model of the current micro-topography is performed. Thus, we consider that there is a need to develop a new methodology (ISUM: improved SUM) that, by adding new measurements in the inter-row areas (at least 3), allows inclusion of the absent micro-topographical information of SUM. In this way, the main aim of this research was to estimate the micro-topographical changes and soil transport at three different slope positions (upper, middle and lower parts) in a 25-years-old vineyard in eastern Spain. LiDAR data were used to compare the connectivity processes at the catchment with the pedon scale. We obtained maps that showed topsoil level changes and detected soil depletion and accumulation signals. We estimated soil displacement rates of -1.6 Mg ha yr -1 (depletion), +2.8 Mg ha yr -1 and +13.3 Mg ha yr -1 (accumulation) at upper, middle and lower slope positions, respectively. The total average soil erosion rates in the inter-rows were -5.7 Mg ha -1 yr -1 . In the row areas, deposition of +10.5 Mg ha yr -1 was measured. Field erosion marks surveyed after each rainfall event gave insights to the connectivity at the inter-row and the slope scale. It was found that at the row scale there were sinks of sediments underneath the vines and sources in the inter-row parts, although they are the highest and lowest local topographical terrain, respectively. This is due to tillage erosion that redistributed the sediments. At the slope scale, the lower part of the slope collected sediments from the upper slope positions, which were transported along the middle part of the slope, as the measurement of ISUM and the field survey after intense rainfall events demonstrated. Connectivity of the flows along the whole slope were rare (twice), and along individual slope parts connectivity was found eight times, and 19 at the inter-row scale after 8 years of field observations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connectivity assessment in Mediterranean vineyards using improved stock unearthing method, LiDAR and soil erosion field surveys

Rodrigo‐Comino

Keesstra

Cerdà

2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…Another widely used method is time series analysis, which is a statistical method that requires a long-term data base, which is often not available in non-developed countries [20]. Therefore, it is necessary that in order to get the maximum information from limited data, more comprehensive tools are developed [21]. In this way, hydrological models are tools that may be able to simulate spatiotemporal variations of hydrological processes and enhance the understanding of land use changes [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Effects of Land Use Changes on Runoff and Nitrate Loads in the Talar River

Kavian

Mohammadi

Gholami

et al. 2018

Water

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This research surveyed the effects of land use changes on flow nitrate pollution in the Talar River (northern Iran), using Landsat images of 1991 and 2013 and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The results indicated that forest areas decreased by 14.9% and irrigated crops, dry land farming areas, range lands and residential areas increased by 46.8%, 31.1%, 4.7% and 17.5%, respectively. To calibrate and validate the studied period, the Nash Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R 2 ) were applied, ranging from 0.57 to 0.75 and from 0.62 to 0.76 for flow simulation and 0.84 and 0.63 and 0.75 and 0.83 for nitrate simulation, respectively. The results of land use scenarios indicated that respective water flow and nitrate loads increased by 34. 4% and 42.2% in 1991-2013 and may even increase by 42.3% and 55.9% in the simulated period of 2013-2050 in all sub-basins. It is likely that the main reason for these results was due to the increase in agricultural activities and the decrease in forestry areas. Our findings showed the useful combination of modelling techniques (land cover changes and SWAT) to develop valuable maps able to design correct land management plans and nature-based solutions for water quality of runoff water harvesting systems in the future.

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“…In Figure 2, a flowchart is shown in order to better explain how ISUM should be applied. The ISUM allows estimating soil mobilization changes, taking into account the union of a grafted plant and performing cross-sectional measurements in the inter-row areas [31] (Figure 2a). Previously, it was mandatory to confirm through observations in situ of new plantations, and with the farmers, that the graft union part did not vertically grow [45].…”

Section: Applying Isum (Improved Stock Unearthing Method) In Vineyardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is a need to improve methodologies applied to survey soil erosion rates both from a spatial and temporal point of view. One example can be the ISUM (Improved Stock Unearthing Method), which allows surveying long-term soil mobilization rates and providing information about the sediment spatial distribution [31]. However, when using ISUM, previous researchers sampled one inter-row of vines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Non-Sustainable Soil Erosion Rates in the Tierra de Barros Vineyards (Extremadura, Spain) Using an ISUM Update

et al. 2019

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Monitoring soil erosion processes and measuring soil and water yields allow supplying key information to achieve land degradation neutrality challenges. Vineyards are one of the most affected agricultural territories by soil erosion due to human and natural factors. However, the spatial variability of soil erosion, the number of sampling points, and plot size necessary to estimate accurate soil erosion rates remains unclear. In this research, we determine how many inter-rows should be surveyed to estimate the soil mobilization rates in the viticulture area of Tierra de Barros (Extremadura, SW Spain) using the Improved Stock Unearthing Method (ISUM). This method uses the graft union of the vines as a passive biomarker of the soil surface level changes since the time of plantation and inter-row measures. ISUM was applied to three inter-row and four rows of vines (5904 sampling points) in order to determine how many surfaces and transects must be surveyed as all the previous surveys were done with only one inter-row. The results showed average values of soil depletion reaching −11.4, −11.8, and −11.5 cm for the inter-rows 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The current soil surface level descended 11.6 cm in 20 years. The inter-rows 1, 2, and 3 with a total area of 302.4 m 2 each one (2016 points) recorded 71.4, 70.8, and 74.0 Mg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively. With the maximum number of sampling points (5904), 71.2 Mg ha −1 yr −1 were obtained. The spatial variability of the soil erosion was shown to be very small, with no statistically significant differences among inter-rows. This could be due to the effect of the soil profile homogenization as a consequence of the intense tillage. This research shows the potential predictability of ISUM in order to give an overall overview of the soil erosion process for vineyards that follow the same soil management system. We conclude that measuring one inter-row is enough to get an overview of soil erosion processes in vineyards when the vines are under the same intense tillage management and topographical conditions. Moreover, we demonstrated the high erosion rates in a vineyard within the viticultural region of the Tierra de Barros, which could be representative for similar vineyards with similar topographical conditions, soil properties, and a possible non-sustainable soil management system.

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Improving stock unearthing method to measure soil erosion rates in vineyards

Cited by 47 publications

References 59 publications

Connectivity assessment in Mediterranean vineyards using improved stock unearthing method, LiDAR and soil erosion field surveys

Connectivity assessment in Mediterranean vineyards using improved stock unearthing method, LiDAR and soil erosion field surveys

Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Effects of Land Use Changes on Runoff and Nitrate Loads in the Talar River

Estimating Non-Sustainable Soil Erosion Rates in the Tierra de Barros Vineyards (Extremadura, Spain) Using an ISUM Update

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