Land Use Effect on Surface Runoff and Soil Loss: Results of Plot-based Experiment along East-west Gradient in Subtropical China
Yang Zhenya
Rsearch Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China and Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hangzhou 311400, China
Zhou Benzhi *
Rsearch Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China and Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hangzhou 311400, China
Tong Ran
Rsearch Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China and Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hangzhou 311400, China
Li Aibo
Rsearch Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China and Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hangzhou 311400, China
Zhao Yamin
Rsearch Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China and Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hangzhou 311400, China
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Surface runoff and soil loss were monitored in six land use types: secondary broadleaved mixed forest (BL), coniferous plantation (CF), extensively managed bamboo plantation (EB), intensively managed bamboo plantation(IB), economic forest(EF) and farmland (FL) in the east (Fuyang, Zhejiang Province), central (Pingjiang, Hunan Province) and west (Muchuan, Sichuan Province) of China. The results showed that (1) there were significant differences of surface runoff among the land use types. The surface runoff and runoff coefficient of FL ranked highest, followed by EB, then CF, IB and EF, with BL as the lowest. The surface runoff and runoff coefficient of FL was about 2-7 times of that of BL. (2) the effects were similar of land use type on the soil loss: the BL had the lowest soil loss, followed by CF, EB, IB and the highest in FL. (3) The characteristics of soil erosion for different land use types were significantly different along the gradient from east to west. The surface runoff coefficient and soil loss on the eastern China was significantly lower than that on the west, which may be attributed to the different natural conditions, social and economical development stage and the resources investment into soil and water conservation.
Keywords: Land use, surface runoff, soil loss, subtropical China