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Plot-Scale Runoff Generation and Sediment Loss on Different Forest and Other Land Floors at a Karst Yellow Soil Region in Southwest China

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  • Ruiwen Peng

    (Karst Institute, School of Geographic and Environments Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    GuiZhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Mountain Resources and Environment Remote Sensing Application, Guiyang 550025, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Han Deng

    (School of Data Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ruoshuang Li

    (School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yiqiu Li

    (Karst Institute, School of Geographic and Environments Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    GuiZhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Mountain Resources and Environment Remote Sensing Application, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Guangbin Yang

    (Karst Institute, School of Geographic and Environments Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    GuiZhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Mountain Resources and Environment Remote Sensing Application, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Ou Deng

    (Karst Institute, School of Geographic and Environments Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    GuiZhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Mountain Resources and Environment Remote Sensing Application, Guiyang 550025, China)

Abstract

Yellow soils developed in limestone weathering materials are representative on Guizhou Plateau, Southwest China. As one of the most important cultivated soils in Guizhou Province, karst yellow soils are generally thin and can be significantly damaged by mild soil erosion. This work used the structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the influence of various factors on runoff generation and sediment loss based on a long time series (2015–2020) of natural rainfall-runoff data and soil erosion data collected from 18 runoff plots in the karst yellow soil region of Southwest China, which reflects the erosion dynamics under natural conditions. Slope runoff plots are the most popular and efficient way to collect data on runoff generation and soil erosion. The findings show that: (1) There were 139 rainfall-runoff occurrences between 2015 and 2020, with moderate rain (10–25 mm) and heavy rain (25–50 mm) events making up the majority. Due to its high frequency and prolonged duration, heavy rain had the greatest impact on the overall rainfall erosivity R value (R). (2) Mean surface runoff (SR) values ranged from 17.37 mm to 133.90 mm, while mean sediment loss rates (SLR) ranged from 1.36 t·ha −1 ·a −1 to 23.49 t·ha −1 ·a −1 . SR and SLR can be successfully reduced by the forest floor. Broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, and orchard had mean SR values of 19.33%, 12.97%, 16.10%, and 33.38% of fallow land, respectively, and had mean SLR values of 6.90%, 5.79%, 6.34%, and 12.64% of fallow land, respectively. (3) SR generation at the plot scale was substantially linked with 30-min maximum rainfall intensity (I 30 ), while vegetation coverage (VC) and antecedent soil water content (ASW) showed negative direct inference on SR and runoff sediment concentration (RSC) according to SEM analysis. The VC and ASW showed the highest indirect impact on SLR. This study will serve as a scientific reference for the water and soil erosion management in karst yellow soil region and serve as a scientific guidance for regional land use in Southwest China.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruiwen Peng & Han Deng & Ruoshuang Li & Yiqiu Li & Guangbin Yang & Ou Deng, 2022. "Plot-Scale Runoff Generation and Sediment Loss on Different Forest and Other Land Floors at a Karst Yellow Soil Region in Southwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:57-:d:1009793
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qinghe Zhao & Yifan Zhang & Shanshan Xu & Xiaoyu Ji & Shuoqian Wang & Shengyan Ding, 2019. "Relationships between Riparian Vegetation Pattern and the Hydraulic Characteristics of Upslope Runoff," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, May.
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