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Soil Loss as Affected by Different Combinations of Surface Litter and Rock
Author(s) -
Benkobi Lakhdar,
Trlica M. J.,
Smith James L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1993.00472425002200040003x
Subject(s) - litter , topsoil , environmental science , vegetation (pathology) , loam , erosion , shrub , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , agronomy , soil water , geology , ecology , biology , geomorphology , medicine , geotechnical engineering , pathology
The effects of various surface cover types, their combinations, and bare ground on soil loss from a clay loam topsoil were studied on small plots in the laboratory using a rotating boom rainfall simulator. A total of 105 plots with various types and amounts of surface cover were exposed to simulated rainfall at 100 mm/h for 30 min. Cover treatments included herbaceous litter of sedges ( Carex spp.) and bluegrass ( Poa spp.), shrub litter of willows ( Salix spp.), small rocks, and mixtures of these cover types at several levels of cover (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) and bare ground (control). Experimental data for high intensity storm were used to develop an equation to quantify soil loss and surface cover relationships for a clay loam soil. Regression analysis indicated high correlation ( R 2 = 0.86) between soil loss and types and amounts of surface cover. Soil loss from bare plots was about 13 000 kg/ha. A surface cover proportion of about 0.60 for vegetation litter, and 0.85 for rock, would reduce soil loss to about 5000 kg/ha. Rocks were not as effective as vegetation litter in our experiment in protecting the soil from erosion. However, surface coverage of 100% with combinations of vegetation litter and rocks offered the best protection of the soil against erosion. This combination was better than either 100% vegetation litter cover or 100% rock cover alone. Rock in combination with vegetation litter may have increased roughness and allowed deposition of sediment.