Participatory soil and water conservation planning using an erosion mapping tool in the central highlands of Kenya

Despite several approaches that aimed at mobilising East African farmers to embrace soil and water conservation (SWC) activities, farmers hardly responded since they were seldom involved in the planning of SWC activities. Two tools that employ farmers' participation were developed and applied at Gikuuri catchment in Kenya. The first tool involved farmers to map soil erosion using their own indicators and determine the soil erosion status at catchment scale. This formed the basis upon which they undertook to plan for SWC measures at catchment scale. Farmers also predicted crop yield losses based on the soil erosion status. Farmers widely approved the soil erosion status map since their own indicators and perceptions were used. The second tool provided cash flow trends for a variety of SWC activities and farmer situations. Farmers can use land with a high, moderate or low erosion status and often have rather different socio‐economic settings. The net benefits over 5 yr for bench terraces, fanya juu terraces and grass strips were illustrated to assist farmers in making informed decisions on SWC adoption. The two tools increased awareness on the need for collective actions among farmers and showed fields that cause run‐on on downslope fields. The improved awareness of erosion problems and the related financial consequences increased farmers' willingness to share the investment costs for cut‐off drains. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Social and economic factors affecting the adoption of soil and water conservation in West Usambara highlands,Tanzania

Accelerated soil erosion is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in many parts of the Tanzanian highlands. Although several soil and water conservation technologies have been developed and promoted, the adoption of many recommended measures is minimal and soil erosion continues to be a problem. This research was conducted in order to determine the social and economic factors that influence adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in the West Usambara highlands, Tanzania. For this research a household survey, group discussions and transect walks were undertaken. A total of 104 households were interviewed and several fields were visited during the transect walks. Data was analysed with the use of cross‐tabulation, cluster analysis, factor analysis and chi‐squared methods. The results obtained indicate that involvement in off‐farm activities, insecure land tenure, location of fields and a lack of short‐term benefits from SWC are among the major factors that negatively influence adoption of SWC measures. Membership in farmer groups, level of education, contacts with extension agents and SWC programmes were found to be positively influencing the adoption of SWC measures. Recommendations to facilitate adoption of different SWC measures include: integration of social and economic factors into SWC plans; the creation of more awareness among farmers of soil‐erosion effects and long‐term benefits of SWC; the development of flexible SWC measures to cater for different farm patterns and a participatory approach to SWC at catchment level rather than at individual farmers' fields. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Water erosion assessment using farmers' indicators in the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

The contribution of local knowledge to ecological sciences has not been fully exploited: there is still a gap between the recognition of farmers' knowledge as valid and an effective use of such knowledge in activities aimed at sustainable development. This study explores the use of farmers' indicators of erosion for developing a rapid tool for water erosion assessment at field level in the West Usambara Mountains (Tanzania). Two extensive field surveys were conducted in the research area concurrently. One survey consisted of applying an established erosion assessment method, the Assessment of Current Erosion Damage (ACED). According to the erosion features observed, fields were classified into five erosion classes, from very slightly eroded to very severely eroded. The second survey consisted of recording the type and number of indicators of erosion listed by farmers and present in the fields. The number of farmers' indicators per field increased with erosion intensity, from less than four in slightly eroded fields to more than eight in severely eroded fields. All farmers' indicators were positively correlated to the ACED erosion assessment classes. However, two groups of farmers' indicators could be distinguished in terms of erosion assessment: strong indicators, which were observed in more than 70% of cases in severely eroded fields, and weak indicators, which were observed more frequently in slightly and moderately eroded fields. Weak indicators appeared to be indicative of other land degradation phenomena, such as chemical fertility decline. Strong indicators and number of indicators were used to create a field erosion assessment tool in the form of a classification tree. The tree was built using one half of the field survey data and validated using the other half. The tree consisted of a hierarchical sequence of questions. Presence of rills and number of farmers' indicators were the most important factors of the tree. The validation yielded a highly significant Spearman's rho correlation coefficient (0.81). The contingency table showed that more than 80% of very severely eroded fields were correctly classified, whereas most misclassification occurred among slightly and moderately eroded fields. Farmers include land degradation phenomena and soil fertility decline in their definition of soil erosion. Soil and water conservation planning should address this broader farmers' perception by including, e.g., soil fertility improvements beside soil conservation. The distinction between strong and weak indicators of erosion is important in recommending the right intervention in the right spot, e.g., by counteracting soil erosion where strong indicators are present and by improving chemical fertility where weak indicators are present. The classification tree is of empirical nature and may need adaptation before being applied to other areas. The proposed methodology can be easily replicated and showed a high potential to provide extensionists with a field tool for erosion assessment. The classification tree was a successful example of integrating different types of knowledge for enhancing the co-operation between stakeholders involved in the erosion-control activities.     

水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀现状分析简

针对全国水土保持区划中确定的22个具有水源涵养功能的基本功能区,利用第1次全国水利普查获取的水力侵蚀数据,分析这些区域的水力侵蚀现状.结果表明：1）水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀以轻中度侵蚀为主,超过80％,强烈、极强烈、剧烈面积分布较少,与全国基本状况相似;2）与第2次全国土壤侵蚀遥感调查成果相比,水源涵养基本功能区水力侵蚀整体上有所好转,水力侵蚀总面积减少3.75％,轻中度侵蚀面积大幅减少,减幅超过20％;3）水源涵养基本功能区局部地区水力侵蚀形势严峻,极强烈和剧烈侵蚀面积虽然不大,但是与第2次遥感调查成果相比,面积均有所增加,相对增幅较大,说明局部地区存在水力侵蚀恶化的现象.     

参与式方法在水土保持规划中的应用

 我国采取的水土流失治理仍是计划经济体制下的“从上而下”的方式。与水土流失及水土保持治理密切相关的农民群众,在治理过程中还是被动的参加,这从根本上影响了水土保持工作的成效。为此,在阐述“参与式”的理念、原则与方法的基础上,从前期准备、情况调查、规划设计,方案审批、实施计划、督查评估等方面提出了参与式方法在水土保持规划中的应用,为水土保持林业生态工程建设提供参考。     

水土保持功能评价及其在水土保持区划中的应用

随着国家对生态文明建设的日益重视,以及国家及地方主体功能区规划的实施,对于水土保持的功能研究也越来越多.结合全国水土保持规划工作的需要,提出水土保持功能的概念、类型确定原则和功能类型,阐述了水土保持基础功能和社会经济功能的评价方法,以及各基础功能的评价指标体系.以太行山东部山地丘陵区为例,举例说明水土保持功能评价的过程和结果.对全国水土保持区划三级区基础功能进行统计分析,明确各功能的区域比例,提出8个一级区水土保持工作主要方向,维护和提高区域水土保持功能将成为水土保持工作的重点和方向.     

对我国水土保持区划与规划中若干问题的认识

 土壤侵蚀分类分区、水土保持区划、水土流失重点防治区划分和生态自然修复区划是水土保持规划的重要基础工作。水土保持规划是以土壤侵蚀分类分区为科学依据,在大区域区划的原则指导下进行的,弄清土壤侵蚀分类分区、各类区划与规划之间的关系是做好水土保持前期工作的关键问题。因此,针对我国现行的水土保持区划和规划中存在的问题,着重从分析水土保持区划和规划的区别及联系入手,说明其相互关系,并提出相应的对策。     

水土保持效益评价指标研究

基于对陇东黄土高原部分地区的问卷调查和相关文献资料分析,发现大多数群众对水土流失综合治理事业及其各项措施具有很高的认同感,但参与治理的积极性不高,进而影响了综合治理的效果;小区域的水土保持工作虽有成效,但因非示范区、非项目区效果不明显,大尺度地域范围内综合治理的成效就有限。造成这些问题的一个重要原因是没有充分重视综合治理实施者的经济利益;因此,水土流失综合治理的评价,应将经济效益放在首位。利用综合治理的经济利益调动实施者的参与热情和积极性,把引导群众致富与其客观上所具有的生态效益和社会效益紧密结合,以达到综合治理目的。基于此,提出了综合治理效益评价指标体系。     

坡耕地植物篱在水土保持中的应用

 坡耕地植物篱种植模式是一种坡耕地可持续利用技术。结合已有研究成果,对坡耕地植物篱研究现状、效益等作了系统介绍。植物篱种植模式对改善土壤物理性质、提高土壤养分、减小坡耕地水土流失、防止土壤退化、促进农作物生长、增加作物产量、提供饲料、薪柴等方面具有良好的作用和效果,植物篱在坡耕地资源可持续利用中具有显著的生态效益和经济效益。对目前坡耕地植物篱认识上的问题及需要深入开展的工作进行了讨论,以促进我国植物篱技术和坡耕地整治的研究与发展。     

上海市水力侵蚀现状与水土保持措施分析

为研究上海市水土流失及措施现状,以第一次全国水利普查水土保持情况普查结果为基础,结合上海市基本情况,分析上海市水力侵蚀现状和水土保持措施情况。结果表明,上海市水土流失面积超过了200km^2,水土流失以河道两岸和湖泊沿岸的坍塌淤浅为主要特征,建设项目施工造成的人为水土流失也是上海市水土流失的一个重要方面。上海市中心城区水土保持措施较完善,但郊区部分河道还没有采取有效护坡措施,基本处于自然状态,很容易发生水土流失;因此,河道边坡和湖泊岸线的护岸整治、海岸滩涂的保滩促淤治理是上海市水土保持工作的重点,同时还应加强建设项目的监管和水土保持监测,以防止人为水土流失。     

水土保持的水环境效应研究

 非点源污染已成为我国很多湖库型水源地的主要污染源,给人们的生活和健康以及经济社会的可持续发展造成严重危害。水土保持措施是防治非点源污染,保护水源水质,保障饮水安全的重要手段。笔者界定了水土保持水环境效应的概念;将非点源污染的类型划分为农业型、水土流失型、农村生活型、城市径流型和降水降尘型;首次系统地揭示水土保持的水环境效应机制;定量分析小流域综合治理与区域综合治理水土保持的水环境效应。     

自然侵蚀量和容许土壤流失量与水土流失治理标准

在总结分析国内有关自然侵蚀量、容许土壤流失量研究成果的基础上,探讨自然侵蚀量与容许土壤流失量的关系,讨论制订水土流失治理标准的思路。认为水土流失治理标准的确定有3个参考值：1）标准值,即一定条件下的容许土壤流失量,是水土流失治理至少要达到的目标,且随着对不同土地利用类型的功能需求与可实施的最佳水土保持措施、以及所在水土流失类型区的侵蚀危害与治理约束条件的不同而不同;2）理想值,即正常自然侵蚀状态下的土壤流失量;3）极端值,即土壤流失量为0,不发生水土流失。水土流失治理应是先控制到现时生态环境与社会经济条件下的容许土壤流失量范围内,逐步达到自然正常侵蚀量或制止水土流失的发生;还应引入环境伦理、环境美学及景观设计等理念,最终实现土地的可持续利用、区域生态系统的健康稳定及人与自然的和谐友好发展。     

黑土区不同耕作措施的水土保持效益

为了探求黑土区坡耕地水土流失的有效防治措施,以吉林省伊通县毯子房小流域为典型试验研究区,采用野外观测与室内实验相结合的方法,对留茬、轮作和秸秆还田3种不同耕作措施下黑土区坡耕地的水土保持效益进行研究与分析。结果表明:1)对照处理产生径流量和泥沙量最大,秸秆还田产生侵蚀量最小,留茬、轮作和秸秆还田比对照处理径流量减少36.4%～66.7%,泥沙量减少75.2%～86.4%;2)与对照相比,留茬、轮作和秸秆还田3种不同措施下冲刷泥沙中土壤有机质质量分数分别减少56.6%,62.8%和81.4%,全氮质量分数分别减少53.3%,60.0%和80.0%,全磷质量分数减少38.5%,61.5%和84.6%,且不同处理下3种土壤养分流失总量均比对照减少85%以上。     

五花山水库主体工程设计水土保持评价

 工程设计的水土保持评价是编制水土保持方案的基础,其目的是从水土保持角度进一步论证工程选址、布局和施工组织设计是否合理,掌握工程建设可能造成的水土流失危害和对生态环境破坏程度,为项目水土流失防治科学布局提供依据。根据五花山水库工程的特征从下列5个方面进行评价:1)论证推荐方案的可行性、工程布局的合理性;2)论证取料场、堆料场选址的合理性;3)论证土石方利用的合理性,计算工程竣工后弃土弃渣量,提出排渣计划;4)对施工时序进行分析,掌握可能产生水土流失的区位、时段和施工环节,论证主体工程布设的措施是否能全面控制水土流失;5)评价主体工程设计中水土保持项目是否符合水土保持工程设计规范要求。     

水土保持的水环境质量效应研究进展

 随着点源污染逐步得到有效的控制,非点源污染对经济社会可持续发展的危害更加突显。根据水土流失与非点源污染的联动关系,界定了水土保持水环境质量效应的概念;将国内外与水土保持和水土流失有关的非点源污染研究归纳为3个方面:污染物运移的影响因子与机制分析、非点源污染模型的研发和非点源污染控制措施研究。对其研究进展分别进行了介绍和评述,并展望了发展趋势。     

极端降雨情形下黄土区水土保持治理的减沙效益估算

极端降雨情形下水土流失治理的效益评估对黄河治理具有重要意义,但由于缺乏有效的针对降雨事件尺度的定量评估方法,该问题长期存有争议.2017年陕西榆林"7·26"特大暴雨致灾严重,引发广泛关注.该研究提出了一种适用于事件尺度的减沙效益计算方法,并以岔巴沟流域为研究对象,计算流域水土保持治理在"7·26"暴雨事件中的减沙效益...     

黄土丘陵沟壑区水土流失治理模式、治理成本及效益分析——以米脂县高西沟流域为例

通过黄土丘陵沟壑区水土流失治理典型——陕北米脂县高西沟的水土流失治理措施配置模式、治理成本和治理效益分析,认为水土流失治理措施配置模式应由治理目标所决定,不同治理目标指导下的治理模式将产生不同的生态效益和经济效益;针对水土保持效益的多重性、连动性、交叉性和互动性等特点,提出水土保持效益评价原则;依据该原则,估算以粮食自给为目标的治理模式,其投入治理成本是65.70万元/km^2,5-6年内可收回成本;此时治理流域基本达到泥不下坡,水不出沟,林草覆盖率达到40%-50%,粮食自给,年经济收入3 000元/人左右的生态和经济效益。治理区虽全面治理达标,但经济收益仍远低于全国平均水平,单纯依靠水土保持难以达到全面小康,这是值得有关部门应深思的问题。     

龙须草水土保持效益研究

对龙须草地水土保持效益研究结果表明 ,与空旷地相比种植龙须草可降低土壤容重 0 .13g/cm3 ,增加土壤总孔隙度 4 .9% ,提高土层土壤贮水量 14 .9% ,年土壤侵蚀量 4 72 .7t/km2 ,比对照减少 94 .5 % ,生态效益和经济效益显著。     

红壤侵蚀区水土保持植物配置模式

 为探索中国南方红壤侵蚀严重区水土流失快速治理的方法和途径,在江西省的修水、宁都、石城等县花岗岩发育的红壤侵蚀区,对16种水土保持植物配置模式的植物生长状况、蓄水保土效益、改土增肥效益、经济效益4方面进行观测,通过建立评价模型,对不同人工植物群落配置模式的水土保持效益进行综合定量评价。结果表明:修水试验区马尾松+木荷+胡枝子+黄栀子、马尾松+木荷+泡桐+胡枝子,宁都试验区马尾松+木荷+胡枝子,石城试验区湿地松+枫香+胡枝子+硬骨草、湿地松+胡枝子+硬骨草和湿地松+胡枝子+百喜草配置模式各种效益表现优良,可以在同类地区大力推广。