1
|
Bordoni M, Vivaldi V, Giarola A, Valentino R, Bittelli M, Meisina C. Comparison between mechanical and hydrological reinforcement effects of cultivated plants on shallow slope stability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168999. [PMID: 38040361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Root reinforcement, provided by plants in soil, can be exerted by a mechanical effect, increasing soil shear strength for the presence of roots, or by a hydrological effect, induced by plant transpiration. No comparisons have been still carried out between mechanical and hydrological reinforcements on shallow slope stability in typical agroecosystems. This paper aims to compare these effects induced by sowed fields and vineyards and to assess their effects towards the shallow slope staibility. Root mechanical reinforcement has been assessed through Root Bundle Model-Weibull. Root hydrological reinforcement has been evaluated using an empirical relationship with monitored or modelled pore water pressure. Each reinforcement has been inserted in a stability model to quantify their impacts on susceptibility towards shallow landslides. Considering the same environment, corresponding to a typical agroecosystem of northern Italian Apennines, land use has significant effects on saturation degree and pore water pressure, influencing hydrological reinforcement. Root hydrological reinforcement effect is higher in summer, although rainfall-induced shallow landslides rarely occur in this period due to dry soil conditions. Instead, in wet and cold periods, when shallow landslides can develop more frequently, the stabilizing contribution of mechanical reinforcement is on average higher than the hydrological reinforcement. In vineyards, the hydrological reinforcement effect could be observed also during autumn, winter and spring periods, giving a contribution to slope stability also in these conditions. This situation occurs when plants uptake enough water from soil to reduce significantly pore water pressure, guaranteeing values of hydrological reinforcement of 1-3 kPa at 1 m from ground, in agreement with measured mechanical root reinforcement (up to 1.6 kPa). These results suggest that both hydrological and mechanical effects of vegetation deserve high regard in susceptibility towards shallow landslides, helping in selection of the best land uses to reduce probability of occurrence of these failures over large territories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Bordoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Valerio Vivaldi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Giarola
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Valentino
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Bittelli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Meisina
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Azevedo RP, Corinto LM, Peixoto DS, De Figueiredo T, Silveira GCD, Peche PM, Pio LAS, Pagliari PH, Curi N, Silva BM. Deep Tillage Strategies in Perennial Crop Installation: Structural Changes in Contrasting Soil Classes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2255. [PMID: 36079634 PMCID: PMC9460178 DOI: 10.3390/plants11172255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tillage modifies soil structure, which can be demonstrated by changes in the soil’s physical properties, such as penetration resistance (PR) and soil electrical resistivity (ρ). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of deep tillage strategies on three morphogenetically contrasting soil classes in the establishment of perennial crops regarding geophysical and physical-hydric properties. The experiment was conducted in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The tillage practices were evaluated in Typic Dystrustept, Rhodic Hapludult, and Rhodic Hapludox soil classes, and are described as follows: MT—plant hole; CT—furrow; SB—subsoiler; DT—rotary hoe tiller; and DT + calcium (Ca) (additional liming). Analyses of PR and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) were performed during the growing season and measurements were measured in plant rows of each experimental plot. Undisturbed soil samples were collected for analysis of soil bulk density (Bd) at three soil depths (0−0.20, 0.20−0.40, and 0.40−0.60 m) with morphological evaluation of soil structure (VESS). Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) for Bd and VESS and Pearson linear correlation analysis between Bd, ρ, and PR were performed. Soil class and its intrinsic attributes have an influence on the effect of tillage. The greatest effect on soil structure occurred in the treatments DT and DT + Ca that mixed the soil to a depth of 0.60 m. The ρ showed a positive correlation with Bd and with PR, highlighting that ERT may detect changes caused by cultivation practices, although ERT lacks the accuracy of PR. The soil response to different tillage systems and their effects on soil structure were found to be dependent on the soil class.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Passaglia Azevedo
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Lara Mota Corinto
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Devison Souza Peixoto
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Tomás De Figueiredo
- Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (ESA/IPB), Santa Apolonia Campus, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Gustavo Cesar Dias Silveira
- Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Maranha Peche
- Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Leila Aparecida Salles Pio
- Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo Humberto Pagliari
- Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, 23669 130th St., Lamberton, MN 56152, USA
| | - Nilton Curi
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Montoani Silva
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci 1001, Lavras CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brambilla M, Gatti F. No more silent (and uncoloured) springs in vineyards? Experimental evidence for positive impact of alternate inter‐row management on birds and butterflies. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Brambilla
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Environmental Science and Policy Dep., Via Celoria 26, I‐20133 Milano Italy
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, Settore biodiversità e aree protette, Via Pola 12, I‐20124 Milano Italy
| | - Francesco Gatti
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, Settore biodiversità e aree protette, Via Pola 12, I‐20124 Milano Italy
- Iolas ‐ Associazione per lo Studio e la Conservazione delle Farfalle – APS, Via Vignola 1/a, I‐27050 Ponte Nizza (PV) Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lei M, Cui Y, Ni J, Zhang G, Li Y, Wang H, Liu D, Yi S, Jin W, Zhou L. Temporal evolution of the hydromechanical properties of soil-root systems in a forest fire in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151165. [PMID: 34699832 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant roots generally enhance soil strength and stabilize slopes through hydro-mechanical effects, especially in forested areas prone to shallow slope failure. Forest fires can severely weaken the hydro-mechanical contribution of roots to slopes, however, the hydro-mechanical characteristics of soil-root systems (SRS) affected by wildfire remain poorly understood. To obtain insight into the post-fire hydro-mechanical characteristics of SRS, a subalpine conifer forested area in Sichuan Province, China that suffered a wildfire on March 30, 2019 was continuously monitored over two consecutive years. Samples from zones with different degrees of burn severity were collected and tests both for roots and SRS were performed. The results revealed a substantial decline in root number, which decreased by 46%-58% two years after the wildfire in the medium- and high-severity areas. The tensile strength tests indicated a reduction of root tensile strength by 36%-47% for roots with diameters less than 2 mm. The shear strength of the SRS determined from saturated direct shear tests strongly and had degraded by 55%-82% two years after the wildfire because of root death and reduced root reinforcement. The results of hydraulic conductivity tests over the same time period indicated an abrupt reduction of SRS hydraulic conductivity within several months after the fire owing to ash clogging and the formation of a hydrophobic layer. After more time had elapsed, however, hydraulic conductivity had increased unexpectedly by a factor of 2.2-3.2 greater than that of unburned soil. We attribute this observation to the formation of macropore flow pathways from decayed roots, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The findings presented here provide important insight into the temporal changes of the hydro-mechanical characteristics of SRS in burned areas and their associated mechanisms and could be a useful reference to better evaluate post-wildfire stability of subalpine conifer forest in similar environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Lei
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yifei Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Junjun Ni
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Guotao Zhang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yao Li
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Dingzhu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shujian Yi
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liqin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Short-Term Impact of Tillage on Soil and the Hydrological Response within a Fig (Ficus Carica) Orchard in Croatia. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12113295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tillage is well known to have impacts on soil properties and hydrological responses. This work aims to study the short-term impacts of tillage (0–3 months) on soil and hydrological responses in fig orchards located in Croatia. Understanding the soil hydrological response in the study area is crucial for soil management due to frequent autumn floods. The hydrological response was investigated using rainfall simulation experiments (58 mm h−1, for 30 min, over 0.785 m2 plots). The results show that the bulk density was significantly higher 3 months after tillage than at 0 and 1 months. The water holding capacity and amount of soil organic matter decreased with time. The water runoff and phosphorous loss (P loss) increased over time. The sediment concentration (SC) was significantly higher 3 months after tillage than in the previous monitoring periods, while sediment loss (SL) and carbon loss (C loss) were significantly lower 0 months after tillage than 3 months after tillage. Overall, there was an increase in soil erodibility with time (high SC, SL, C loss, and P loss), attributed to the precipitation patterns that increase the soil water content and therefore the hydrological response. Therefore, sustainable agricultural practices are needed to avoid sediment translocation and to mitigate floods and land degradation.
Collapse
|