Long‐term land use/cover changes reduce soil erosion in an ionic rare‐earth mineral area of southern China

Abstract

Ecological restoration projects, such as the Grain‐to‐Green Program (GTGP) and the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP), have been implemented to improve vegetation cover since 1998. However, rapid urbanization has caused severe land use/cover (LUC) changes in the Dong River upstream basin. Therefore, it is urgent to study the long‐term (1999–2017) spatial–temporal variation of LUC and soil erosion since the implementation of GTGP and NFCP began in this area. Soil erosion and carbon sequestration were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and C‐fix model. During 1999–2017, forest decreased by 28,857.81 ha and built‐up area increased by 17,193.01 ha. This area experienced severe LUC change, but vegetation cover has been effectively improved. When the observation period was measured in years, vegetation cover had a greater impact on decreasing soil erosion (554.11 × 104 t yr−1) than rainfall, while in months, the impact of rainfall is greater (causing a dramatically rebound of soil erosion in 2014). Furthermore, high‐intensity human activities made soil erosion increased by 37.70% in Yuancheng District, whereas soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loss decreased by 49.96, 33.03, and 44.44%, respectively. Moreover, GTGP and NFCP also bring collateral benefits, carbon sequestered by vegetation increased from 99.11 × 106 to 124.38 × 106 t CO2, during 1999–2014. And vegetation was the major factor of increased carbon sequestration, rather than temperature or solar radiation. These results elaborate on the impact of LUC changes on spatial–temporal variation of soil erosion. And it can provide a reference for the formulation of soil and water conservation measures in the future.

Land use changes, degradation, and impact on ecosystem services in Asia and Southeast Asia

“…The study reveals shifts in land‐use types and their impacts on landscape patterns, including the drivers and consequences of land‐use changes in this region. Also, Huang et al (2021) report how long‐term land use/cover changes reduce soil erosion in Dong River upstream basin in Southern China. For example, they report that high‐intensity human activities increased soil erosion by 37.70% in Yuancheng District, whereas soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loss decreased by 49.96%, 33.03%, and 44.44%, respectively.…”

Effects of straw mixed mulch length and coverage on infiltration, soil and water loss of Loess Plateau slopes

“…Soil erosion is a serious threat to the security and sustainable development of human society, and this problem remains severe globally. China is one of the most erosion‐prone countries worldwide, and according to statistics, more than 50% of the land area of China still suffers soil erosion (Huang et al, 2021; Hancock et al, 2015; Pan et al, 2019; Schmiedel et al, 2017; Zhang et al, 2019). On the Loess Plateau in China, sloping land is the main type of cultivation land due to its topography.…”

The contribution rate of stem‐leaf and root of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to sediment and runoff reduction

“…Soil erosion can be a severe constraint on agricultural sustainability and is closely associated with the continuity, rise, and subsequent decline of civilizations (Huang et al, 2021; Montgomery, 2007; Yao, Zhang, Chen, et al, 2023). On the Loess Plateau, with a mean annual soil loss of 2000–2500 t km −2 , loose soil structure and long‐term cultivation activities have resulted in this region being one of the main sediment sources for the Yellow River (Liu, Xie, et al, 2020; Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al, 2022; Zhao et al, 2023).…”