Relevance of Integrated Air, Soil and Water Research Studies for the New Millennia

Our ecosystems are facing changes at a local andglobal scale because of human interventions. These transformations are a result of drastic urbanization, rapid industrialization, and natural resources exploitation to provide livelihoods and commodities for the increasing population. Recent global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic or cross-bordering conflicts are not delaying these changes. To understand these changes, increasing efforts of the scientific community to find sustainable solutions is vital as it is consistent financial support from governments and scientific agencies. Air, Soil and Water Research (ASW) Editorial Board envision multidisciplinary and transversal research as an interesting strategy to develop knowledge and useful datasets which can directly benefit society through efficient land management plans

Manure Effect on Soil–Plant Interactions in Capia Pepper Crops under Semiarid Climate Conditions

One of the biggest threats to agro-ecosystems, especially in arid and semiarid areas, is the deterioration of soil quality, which is associated with low soil organic matter levels. Despite the elevated volume of publications related to soil quality and crops, information about specific plants such as the Capia pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv.) with clear economic relevance in semiarid environments is missing. The aim of present study is to investigate the effects of different doses of manure on Capia pepper focusing on soil–plant interaction, soil quality, and plant yield in an experimental area located in Turkey. Key soil properties were monitored and relationships between plant and soil properties were evaluated using the principal component analysis (PCA). At the end of the first and second growing season, the effects of manure application on some plant and soil characteristics were statistically significant at different levels. According to the PCA result, 15 plant characteristics and 7 soil characteristics were grouped into five factors and defined 85.4% and 90.9% of the total variability in the population in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. Our research concluded that sustainable soil management such as the use of specific dose of manure improves soil quality and plant productivity.Yozgat Bozok University Application and Research Center of Project Coordination 6602b-ZF/18-17

Examining the Effectiveness of Catch Crops as a Nature‑Based Solution to Mitigate Surface Soil and Water Losses as an Environmental Regional Concern

Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA. This research was funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 603498 (RECARE project). Artemi Cerda thanks the Co-operative Research programme from the OECD (Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems) for its support with the 2016 CRP fellowship (OCDE TAD/CRP JA00088807).The main goal of this research was to conduct a biophysical, economic, social, and perception-based approach to foresee the solutions that could be used to mitigate the soil loss problem cost-effectively in “La Ribera del Xúquer” district (Valencia Region, Spain). To achieve these goals, a farmer perception survey was carried out, and an assessment of the biophysical impact of catch crops on soil organic matter, bulk density, steady-state infiltration rate (double-ring infiltrometer) and runoff generation, and soil erosion (rainfall simulation experiments) was carried out in 2016. For the biophysical approach, two paired plots, i.e., catch crops vs. glyphosate herbicide treatment (in advance, control plot), were selected under clementine citrus production. The results show that soil organic matter increased from 1.14 to 1.63%, and bulk density decreased from 1.47 to 1.27 g cm− 3 after 10 years of treatments using catch crops. They also facilitated higher infiltration rates from 16.7 to 171 mm h− 1 and a delay in runoff generation from 149 to 654 s for control and catch crop plots. Both runoff rates (from 50.6 to 3.1%) and soil erosion (from 3.9 to 0.04 Mg ha− 1 h− 1) were reduced once the catch crops were deployed in the field. After surveying (2018–2019), farmers stated the use of catch crops as a speck of dirt and a cause of possible loss of reputation when used. Moreover, farmers (N = 73) would accept the catch crops as an effective nature-based alternative only if a subsidy of 131.17€ ha− 1 would be paid. The survey results also demonstrated that the farmers' community would see catch crop more as a benefit for the planet's health and society. Few constraints, such as ageing of the farmers’ population, lack of education and negative perception for other management factors, are the critical detrimental factors for adopting catch crops as a nature-based solution to reduce soil and water losses. There is a need for an effective agrarian extension service to change the fate of the current agriculture and achieve sustainability by adopting new management strategies in contemporary agricultural practices.Universidad de Granada/CBUAEuropean Commission 603498Co-operative Research programme from the OECD (Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems) OCDE TAD/CRP JA0008880

Transforming 2D Radar Remote Sensor Information from a UAV into a 3D World-View

This research work was supported by the "European Regional Development Fund" (EFRE) in the context of the aim of "Investment in Growth and Employment" (IWB) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.Since unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been established in geoscience as a key and accessible tool, a wide range of applications are currently being developed. However, not only the design of UAVs themselves is vital to carry out an accurate investigation, but also the sensors and the data processing are key parts to be considered. Several publications including accurate sensors are taking part in pioneer research programs, but less is explained about how they were designed. Besides the commonly used sensors such as a camera, one of the most popular ones is radar. The advantages of a radar sensor to perform research in geosciences are the robustness, the ability to consider large distances and velocity measurements. Unfortunately, these sensors are often expensive and there is a lack of methodological papers that explain how to reduce these costs. To fill this gap, this article aims to show how: (i) we used a radar sensor from the automotive field; and (ii) it is possible to reconstruct a three-dimensional scenario with a UAV and a radar sensor. Our methodological approach proposes a total of eleven stages to process the radar data. To verify and validate the process, a real-world scenario reconstruction is presented with a system resolution reaching from two to three times the radar resolution. We conclude that this research will help the scientific community to include the use of radars in their research projects and programs, reducing costs and increasing accuracy.European Regional Development Fund" (EFRE) in the context of the aim of "Investment in Growth and Employment" (IWB) in Rhineland-Palatinate, German

Effect of plot size and precipitation magnitudes on the activation of soil erosion processes using simulated rainfall experiments in vineyards

Soil erosion is recognized as a threat to humankind and to natural ecosystems when sustainable limits are exceeded. Several researchers have used various tools, such as rainfall simulators, to assess extreme rainfall events and nonsustainable soil management practices. However, combinations of two different devices of different sizes has not been tested before, especially in vineyards. The aim is to verify whether plot size, connectivity processes and rainfall distribution affect the activation of soil erosion. In this research on soils cultivated with vineyards in the Moravia Region in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic, we have performed various rainfall simulation experiments with a small device (1 × 1 m) and with a large device (8 × 1 m). Our results show that the surface runoff was approximately 30% higher on the small plot than on the large plot. The large rainfall simulator produced sediment concentration that was up to 3 times higher, and soil loss that was up to 1.5 times higher, even when the surface runoff was 30%–50% lower for the large rainfall simulator. We therefore conclude that there is a clear influence of surface length and plot size on surface runoff, soil loss and sediment concentration activation. When planning their experiments, researchers need to consider that the type of device can have a drastic influence on the final results. Two devices subjected to the same rainfall intensity (60mmh−1) can produce very different results, e.g., depending on plot size and kinetic energy. Our results can be effectively used to plan soil protection measures and to inform local authorities about areas prone to flooding and about loss of sediments.Technology Agency of the Czech Republic TJ02000234Ministry of Agriculture, Czech Republic QK1810341 QK1910029 QK22010261Grant Agency of the Czech Technical University in Prague SGS 20/156/OHK1/3T/1

Designing grazing susceptibility to land degradation index (GSLDI) in hilly areas

Evaluation of grazing impacts on land degradation processes is a difficult task due to the heterogeneity and complex interacting factors involved. In this paper, we designed a new methodology based on a predictive index of grazing susceptibility to land degradation index (GSLDI) built on artificial intelligence to assess land degradation susceptibility in areas affected by small ruminants (SRs) of sheep and goats grazing. The data for model training, validation, and testing consisted of sampling points (erosion and no-erosion) taken from aerial imagery. Seventeen environmental factors (e.g., derivatives of the digital elevation model, small ruminants’ stock), and 55 subsequent attributes (e.g., classes/features) were assigned to each sampling point. The impact of SRs stock density on the land degradation process has been evaluated and estimated with two extreme SRs’ density scenarios: absence (no stock), and double density (overstocking). We applied the GSLDI methodology to the Curvature Subcarpathians, a region that experiences the highest erosion rates in Romania, and found that SRs grazing is not the major contributor to land degradation, accounting for only 4.6%. This methodology could be replicated in other steep slope grazing areas as a tool to assess and predict susceptible to land degradation, and to establish common strategies for sustainable landuse practices.Consiliul National al Cercetarii Stiintifice (CNCS) Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii (UEFISCDI) PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-118

Experimental Design of Nature-Based-Solution Considering the Interactions between Submerged Vegetation and Pile Group on the Structure of the River Flow on Sand Beds

Designing correct engineering infrastructures to reduce land degradation processes and considering natural elements to achieve this goal are key to correctly managing potential natural hazards affecting human activities and natural ecosystems. This research investigated the scour depth and velocity vectors around bridge piles with and without upstream vegetation protection. A Doppler velocity meter was used to measure velocity components in a channel 90 cm wide, 16 m long, and 60 cm high. Variable parameters were the number of bridge piles, the height, density, and width of vegetation upstream, as well as the distance between bridge piles. Using a triple pile group with a distance between piles of 10 cm and overall vegetation across the channel, the depth of the scour hole upstream of the first pile decreased by 40% compared to the single pile with no vegetation. This result shows the significant impact of using vegetation and pile groups to reduce scour around piles. Lower vertical velocity gradients, more consistent velocity vectors, reducing the downstream flow range, and restraining horseshoe vortexes and wake vortices were observed in utilizing vegetation. We confirmed that vegetation is an essential factor in changing the flow, transportation of sediment, and conserving ecological services in rivers

Cuantificación de los gradientes térmicos a nivel superficial a lo largo del Rheinland-Pfalz (Renania-Palatinado, Alemania)

A methodological sequence with calculations of atmospheric thermal gradients at surface level is proposed in this study. This methodology has been applied in the Rheinland-Pfalz state (Rhine-Palatinate, Germany), where we can observe interesting effects, such as the differences between the atmospheric state of high and valley areas. Thermic inversions at certain altitude intervals during particular months, thermic imbalances by external factors and keys for improving land management in different land uses have been detected. To define the thermal gradients, this paper will begin with a cluster analysis and calculations of linear estimates. Finally they will be represented in graphics with trend lines.En este estudio se propone una secuencia metodológica apoyada en el cálculo de gradientes térmicos atmosféricos a nivel de superficie. El trabajo es aplicado dentro del estado del Rheinland-Pfalz (Renania-Palatinado, Alemania), donde se observan interesantes resultados que muestran la aparición de diferencias entre el estado termométrico de la atmósfera en las áreas más elevadas y los fondos de valle. Se aprecian inversiones térmicas en algunos intervalos de altitud y meses concretos, desajustes por culpa de factores externos y claves para favorecer una correcta ordenación del territorio orientada a unos usos determinados del suelo. Para definir los gradientes térmicos, se parte de un análisis clúster y el cálculo de estimaciones lineales representadas finalmente en gráficas con líneas de tendencia.

Reseña de Key Concepts in Geomorphology

Datos Bibliográficos Nombres y apellidos de los coordinadores: Bierman, Paul R., y David R. Montgomery. Título de la obra: Key Concepts in Geomorphology Lugar donde se editó: EE.UU. Editorial: W. H. Freeman and Company Fecha de edición: 2019. Número de páginas: 500. ISBN-10: 1429238607

El método mejorado del tocón (ISUM) permite evaluar procesos de erosión del suelo en plantas injertadas utilizando medidas topográficas in situ

[EN] Policymakers, stakeholders and rural inhabitants must be aware of the relevance of soil erosion as an irreversible landdegradation process. This is key to achieve the land degradation neutrality challenge and the sustainability of humankindand natural ecosystems. Agricultural areas are being affected by soil erosion threatening soil quality and, subsequently,food security. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new techniques and methods visually friendly and easy to be accessedto survey and assess the soil erosion concerns. ISUM (Improve Stock Unearthing Method) is a well-contrasted procedureto estimate and map soil mobilisation and erosion rates. To achieve this goal, using the plant graft union as a biomarkerconducting in situ topographical measurements along perpendicular transects allow us to i) explain key factors related tothe activation of soil erosion processes such as tillage, the age of plantation, parent material or hillslope positions; ii)complete other well-contrasted methods such as RUSLE (Revised Soil Loss Equation), IC (Index of connectivity) orStructure from Motion; and, iii) identify hotspot areas affected by soil depletion, accumulation or mobilisation. In thisconference, we will show how we developed a new improvement of this method in different crops (vineyards, citrus,persimmons or almonds), under different environmental conditions (parent material, vine ages, soil management, or slopeangle) with diverse geomatic procedures (interpolation methods and geostatistical analysis, topographical measurementsand models) using GIS techniques.[ES] Los encargados de diseñar políticas, los trabajadores y los habitantes rurales deben ser conscientes de la relevancia de la erosión del suelo como un proceso irreversible de degradación de la tierra. Esto es clave para lograr la neutralidad en la degradación de la tierra y lograr la sostenibilidad para la humanidad y los ecosistemas naturales. Especialmente, las áreas agrícolas se ven afectadas por la erosión del suelo que amenaza la calidad del suelo y, posteriormente, la seguridad alimentaria. Por tanto, es necesario el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas atractivas visualmente, de fácil manejo y eficientes en la divulgación de los resultados. ISUM (Improve Stock Unearthing Method) es un procedimiento contrastado para estimar y cartografiar las tasas de movilización del suelo y los procesos de erosión. Para lograr este objetivo, el uso del injerto como biomarcador realizando mediciones topográficas in situ (cada 10 cm) a lo largo de transectos perpendiculares permite: i) explicar los factores de la activación de los procesos de erosión del suelo como la labranza, la edad de la plantación, material parental o posición en laderas; ii) complementar otros métodos bien contrastados como la RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation), IC (Índice de conectividad) o parcelas de erosión; y, iii) detectar áreas críticas afectadas por el agotamiento, acumulación o movilización del suelo. En esta conferencia, queremos mostrar cómo desarrollamos una nueva mejora de este método en diferentes cultivos (viñedos, cítricos, caquis, y almendros), bajo diferentes condiciones ambientales (roca madre, edades de la vid, manejo del suelo o pendiente) con diversos procedimientos geomáticos (métodos de interpolación y análisis geoestadístico, mediciones y modelos topográficos) mediante técnicas SIG.Rodrigo-Comino, J.; Terol, E.; Cerdà, A. (2021). Improved stock unearthing method (ISUM) allow to assess soil erosion processes in grafted plants using in situ topographical measurements. En Proceedings 3rd Congress in Geomatics Engineering. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 186-193. https://doi.org/10.4995/CiGeo2021.2021.13256OCS18619