Showing papers by "Artemi Cerdà published in 1998"

Soil aggregate stability under different Mediterranean vegetation types

Abstract: The influence of vegetation type on soil erodibility was studied by means of aggregate stability measurements using the Modified Emerson Water Dispersion Test (MEWDT), water-drop impacts (CND and TDI) and Ultrasonic Disruption (UD) methods on soils from north-facing slopes of the mountain range of La Serra Grossa in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Soils with similar characteristics but covered by the main plant species at the study area were selected. Quercus ilex woodland showed the most resistant soil aggregates followed by Q. coccifera and Pistacea lentiscus scrubland, Brachypodium retusum grassland and Pinus halepensis woodland. Aggregates developed beneath dwarf shrubs like Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Ulex parviflorus and Anthyllis cystisoides were least resistant. The different methods and tests applied are useful to study the soil aggregate stability. The MEWDT and TDI tests showed only minor differences between samples due to the high aggregate resistance and the low energy applied by these tests. CND and UD tests are considered to be more suitable for resistant Mediterranean soil developed on limestone due to the greater energy applied. Aggregates tested from an initially moist (pF1) condition were always more stable than air dried aggregates. Rangeland management after disturbances by fire, agriculture or grazing, etc. should try to establish natural woodland (Q. ilex) in order to get the most stable soil. Alternative vegetation cover to the climax vegetation that give high aggregate stability are Q. coccifera and P. lentiscus scrublands. Immediately after disturbance, B. retusum grassland seems to be the best option for soil protection.

Changes in overland flow and infiltration after a rangeland fire in a Mediterranean scrubland

Abstract: Changes in overland flow and infiltration after a wildfire (summer 1989) in a typical Mediterranean scrubland were measured during the winters of 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1995 by means of simulated rainfall. Infiltration increases gradually from 1990 (sixth months after the forest fire) to 1995 (five and a half years after the forest fire). Overland flow decreases from 45% of rainfall after the forest fire to less than 6% five and a half years later. The reduction in overland flow was greatest in the first two years after the fire because of the quick recovery of vegetation. The steady-state infiltration capacity increased every year after the fire. Runoff and infiltration changes are mainly determined by the gradual recovery of vegetation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The influence of aspect and vegetation on seasonal changes in erosion under rainfall simulation on a clay soil in Spain

Abstract: The seasonal and spatial variability of soil erosion under contrasting slope aspects in southeastern Spain was studied by performing and interpreting 84 rainfall simulation experiments conducted at an intensity of 55 mm h−1 during 1 h. The vegetated soils on the north-facing slope and the upper afforested parts had negligible sediment yield, runoff and erosion, while the bare soils on the south-facing slope had very high runoff rates. Runoff sediment concentration decreased over time during simulated rainfall events on the vegetated areas while it increased on the bare ones. Solute release decreased over time on both surface types. Seasonally, runoff sediment concentration was highest in autumn, decreasing in winter and spring, due to the exhaustion of erodible soil and the vegetation growth. Sediment concentrations increased slightly in summer when runoff and erosion rates where very low. Increasing seasonal variability corresponded with increasing runoff and soil loss rates. Key words: Runoff, soil loss...

The influence of geomorphological position and vegetation cover on the erosional and hydrological processes on a Mediterranean hillslope

Abstract: Soil erosion and runoff rates are assumed to be highly dependent on slope position. However, little knowledge exists about the hydrogeomorphological processes at the pedon scale that support this idea. In order to assess the hydrological and erosional behaviour of soils at different slope positions, simulated rainfall experiments (55 mm was applied during one hour) were carried out on a south-facing slope with underlying limestone in south-east Spain. In the mean terms, the erosion rates (9 g m2 hr−1) and the runoff coefficients (12%) were very low at the scale of measurement (0·25 m2). The slope position does not affect erosion rates when the measurements are carried out under extreme dry conditions during summer. The low runoff rates found in summer under thunderstorms of high intensity (5 year return period) and the runon into surfaces with higher infiltration rates resulted in no detectable direct surface runoff (Hortonian) at the slope scale. This implies that erosion as a consequence of surface overland flow will only take place during events of high magnitude (55 mm hr−1) and low frequency (>5 years). Vegetation is the most important factor determining the soil erosion and runoff rates within the slope. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Soil hydrological response under simulated rainfall in the Dehesa land system (Extremadura, SW Spain) under drought conditions

Abstract: Soil hydrology was investigated in the Guadelperalon experimental watershed in order to determine the influence of land use and vegetation cover on runoff and infiltration within the Dehesa land system. Five soil–vegetation units were selected: (1) tree cover, (2) sheep trials, (3) shrub cover, (4) hillslope grass and (5) bottom grass. The results of the simulated rainfall experiments performed at an intensity of 56·6 mm h−1 during one hour on plots of 0·25 m2, and the water drop penetration time test indicate the importance of water repellency in the Dehesa land system under drought conditions. Low infiltration rates (c. 9–44 mm h−1) were found everywhere except at shrub sites and in areas with low grazing pressure. Soil water repellency greatly reduced infiltration, especially beneath Quercus ilex canopies, where fast ponding and greater runoff rates were observed. The low vegetation cover as a consequence of a prolonged drought and grazing pressure, in conjunction with the soil water repellency, induces high runoff rates (15–70 per cent). In spite of this, macropore fluxes were found in different locations, beneath trees, on shrub-covered surfaces, as well as at sites with a dominance of herbaceous cover. Discontinuity of the runoff fluxes due to variations in hydrophobicity causes preferential flows and as a consequence deeper infiltration, especially where macropores are developed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Experimentos con lluvia simulada en la cuenca experimental de Guadalperalón. Norte de Extremadura. Primeros resultados

Abstract: The present work forms part of a research project carried out in the dehesas, a system of multiple landuse (grazing, forestry, etc.) which occupies large parts of South-West Iberian Peninsula, and consists of openly spaced evergreen woodland with pasture cover. First results of a study are presented which deal with the effect of low frequency, high magnitud rainstorms on soil loss, surface runoff and infiltration. Experiments were carried out using simulated rainfall of 53,6 mm and one hour duration over a closed plot of 0,25 m2. They reproduce the process of rainfall transformation into runoff at the pedon scale. The soils of the Guadalperalón study catchment are representative of the Extremenian dehesas, and are characterized by high runoff production as a consequence of low infiltration rates (27 mm h1) probably related with overgrazing. In spite of high surface flow soil loss is low (8,3 g m-2 h-1). The latter is owing to a moderately dense cover of pasture and litter, together with soil compaction caused by animal trampling. Large parts of the material transported by overland flow consist of organic matter, which gives rise to nutrient losses, and produces soil degradation in the long-term.