IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i2p448-d1063207.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Conversion of Forest Hillslopes into Tea Fields Increases Soil Nutrient Losses through Surface Runoff

Author

Listed:
  • Yi Wang

    (College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China)

  • Xinliang Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, and Changsha Research Station for Agricultural & Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

  • Yantai Gan

    (College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China)

  • Yong Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Ying Zhao

    (College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China)

Abstract

The conversion of forest hillslopes into tea fields changes the slope structure, soil properties, and vegetation, which may increase the great variations in the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses through the surface runoff and induce agricultural non-point source pollution, particularly during the first years of conversion. Therefore, a natural forest system and a newly reclaimed tea system were compared to determine the land use conversion effects on the surface runoff and resulting N and P losses during 2013–2016. The results showed that the soil bulk density (BD) at all the depths and the saturated soil conductivities (Ks) in the surface soil were higher in the tea system than in the forest system, indicating that great land use conversion impacts soil’s physical and hydraulic properties. The annual surface runoff volumes and ratios were significantly higher in the tea system than in the forest system ( p < 0.05), and this increased surface runoff was largely attributed to the slope structure and soil property changes. The total P (TP), dissolved P (DP), and particle P (PP) concentrations in the surface runoff volumes were similar in the two systems, while the total N (TN) concentrations were higher in the tea system than in the forest system due to the high N fertilizer application rates in the tea system. The percentages of dissolved N (DN) in the TN and particle N (PN) in the TN were, respectively, lower and higher in the tea system than in the forest system, which was associated with increased soil erodibility due to the land use conversion. The mean annual N and P losses through the surface runoff were higher in the tea system (11.07 ± 4.03 kg N ha −1 yr −1 and 1.73 ± 0.19 kg P ha −1 yr −1 ) than in the forest system (4.51 ± 0.66 kg N ha −1 yr −1 and 0.78 ± 0.18 kg P ha −1 yr −1 ). The N and P losses exponentially correlated with the surface runoff in both systems; however, the coefficients of determination (R 2 ) were higher in the forest system than in the tea system, indicating that the exponential relationship between the surface runoff and the N and P losses should be more stable in the forest system than in the newly reclaimed tea system. Therefore, more effort should be dedicated to reducing the N and P losses though the surface runoff when forest hillslopes are converted into tea fields, particularly during the first three years of conversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Wang & Xinliang Liu & Yantai Gan & Yong Li & Ying Zhao, 2023. "Conversion of Forest Hillslopes into Tea Fields Increases Soil Nutrient Losses through Surface Runoff," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:448-:d:1063207
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/448/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/448/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deasy, Clare & Quinton, John N. & Silgram, Martyn & Bailey, Alison P. & Jackson, Bob & Stevens, Carly J., 2010. "Contributing understanding of mitigation options for phosphorus and sediment to a review of the efficacy of contemporary agricultural stewardship measures," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 105-109, February.
    2. Jayasuriya, Rohan T., 2003. "Economic assessment of technological change and land degradation in agriculture: application to the Sri Lanka tea sector," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 78(3), pages 405-423, December.
    3. Zhang, Qingwen & Liu, Dinghui & Cheng, Shanghong & Huang, Xinjun, 2016. "Combined effects of runoff and soil erodibility on available nitrogen losses from sloping farmland affected by agricultural practices," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 1-8.
    4. Janeau, J.-L. & Gillard, L.-C. & Grellier, S. & Jouquet, P. & Le, Thi Phuong Quynh & Luu, Thi Nguyet Minh & Ngo, Quoc Anh & Orange, D. & Pham, Dinh Rinh & Tran, Duc Toan & Tran, Sy Hai & Trinh, Anh Du, 2014. "Soil erosion, dissolved organic carbon and nutrient losses under different land use systems in a small catchment in northern Vietnam," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 314-323.
    5. Liu, Y. & Tao, Y. & Wan, K.Y. & Zhang, G.S. & Liu, D.B. & Xiong, G.Y. & Chen, F., 2012. "Runoff and nutrient losses in citrus orchards on sloping land subjected to different surface mulching practices in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 34-40.
    6. Kay, Paul & Edwards, Anthony C. & Foulger, Miles, 2009. "A review of the efficacy of contemporary agricultural stewardship measures for ameliorating water pollution problems of key concern to the UK water industry," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 99(2-3), pages 67-75, February.
    7. Masih, I. & Maskey, S. & Uhlenbrook, S. & Smakhtin, V., 2011. "Impact of upstream changes in rain-fed agriculture on downstream flow in a semi-arid basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 100(1), pages 36-45.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, Hongying & Zhu, Ningyuan & Qiao, Jun & Tang, Jun, 2024. "Evaluating the long-term effects of best management practices on pollution reduction and soil quality improvement in sloping farmland of the Three Gorges Reservoir area," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    2. Wang, Wei & Wu, Xiaohong & Yin, Chunmei & Xie, Xiaoli, 2019. "Nutrition loss through surface runoff from slope lands and its implications for agricultural management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 226-231.
    3. Okumah, Murat & Martin-Ortega, Julia & Novo, Paula, 2018. "Effects of awareness on farmers’ compliance with diffuse pollution mitigation measures: A conditional process modelling," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 36-45.
    4. Prem B. Parajuli & Priyantha Jayakody & Ying Ouyang, 2018. "Evaluation of Using Remote Sensing Evapotranspiration Data in SWAT," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(3), pages 985-996, February.
    5. Sheaves, Marcus & Brookes, Justin & Coles, Rob & Freckelton, Marnie & Groves, Paul & Johnston, Ross & Winberg, Pia, 2014. "Repair and revitalisation of Australia׳s tropical estuaries and coastal wetlands: Opportunities and constraints for the reinstatement of lost function and productivity," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 23-38.
    6. Li, Zhi-guo & Gu, Chi-ming & Zhang, Run-hua & Ibrahim, Mohamed & Zhang, Guo-shi & Wang, Li & Zhang, Run-qin & Chen, Fang & Liu, Yi, 2017. "The benefic effect induced by biochar on soil erosion and nutrient loss of slopping land under natural rainfall conditions in central China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 145-150.
    7. Sumaryanto & Sri Hery Susilowati & Fitri Nurfatriani & Herlina Tarigan & Erwidodo & Tahlim Sudaryanto & Henri Wira Perkasa, 2022. "Determinants of Farmers’ Behavior towards Land Conservation Practices in the Upper Citarum Watershed in West Java, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    8. Hao Cheng & Chen Lin & Liangjie Wang & Junfeng Xiong & Lingyun Peng & Chenxi Zhu, 2020. "The Influence of Different Forest Characteristics on Non-point Source Pollution: A Case Study at Chaohu Basin, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.
    9. Roberts, Anna M. & Pannell, David J. & Doole, Graeme & Vigiak, Olga, 2012. "Agricultural land management strategies to reduce phosphorus loads in the Gippsland Lakes, Australia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 11-22.
    10. Mingjie Qian & Wenxiang Zhou & Shufei Wang & Yuting Li & Yingui Cao, 2022. "The Influence of Soil Erodibility and Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity on Soil Nutrients in the Pingshuo Opencast Coalmine, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
    11. Dai, Cuiting & Liu, Yaojun & Wang, Tianwei & Li, Zhaoxia & Zhou, Yiwen, 2018. "Exploring optimal measures to reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses in southern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 41-48.
    12. repec:zbw:inwedp:542013 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Deasy, Clare & Quinton, John N. & Silgram, Martyn & Bailey, Alison P. & Jackson, Bob & Stevens, Carly J., 2010. "Contributing understanding of mitigation options for phosphorus and sediment to a review of the efficacy of contemporary agricultural stewardship measures," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 105-109, February.
    14. Rajesh Nune & Biju George & Pardhasaradhi Teluguntla & Andrew Western, 2014. "Relating Trends in Streamflow to Anthropogenic Influences: A Case Study of Himayat Sagar Catchment, India," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(6), pages 1579-1595, April.
    15. Okumah, Murat & Yeboah, Ata Senior & Bonyah, Sylvester Kwaku, 2020. "What matters most? Stakeholders’ perceptions of river water quality," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    16. Parajuli, P.B. & Jayakody, P. & Sassenrath, G.F. & Ouyang, Y., 2016. "Assessing the impacts of climate change and tillage practices on stream flow, crop and sediment yields from the Mississippi River Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 112-124.
    17. H. Zhang & Q. Liu & X. Yu & L. Wang, 2014. "Influences of mulching durations on soil erosion and nutrient losses in a peanut (Arachis hypogaea)-cultivated land," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(2), pages 1175-1187, June.
    18. Kunimitsu, Yoji, 2012. "Causative factors for changes in total factor productivity of Japanese agriculture under the era of climatic uncertainty," 2012 Annual Meeting, February 4-7, 2012, Birmingham, Alabama 119727, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    19. Minghao Mo & Zhao Liu & Jie Yang & Yuejun Song & Anguo Tu & Kaitao Liao & Jie Zhang, 2019. "Water and sediment runoff and soil moisture response to grass cover in sloping citrus land, Southern China," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 14(1), pages 10-21.
    20. Okeyo, A.I. & Mucheru-Muna, M. & Mugwe, J. & Ngetich, K.F. & Mugendi, D.N. & Diels, J. & Shisanya, C.A., 2014. "Effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on nutrient losses and maize yields in the central highlands of Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 52-58.
    21. Phu Nguyen-Van & Cyrielle Poiraud & Nguyen To-The, 2017. "Modeling farmers’ decisions on tea varieties in Vietnam: a multinomial logit analysis," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 48(3), pages 291-299, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:448-:d:1063207. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.