Assessing the potential effect of different land cover management practices on sediment yield from an abandoned farmland catchment in the Spanish Pyrenees

  1. López-Vicente, Manuel. 1
  2. Lana-Renault, N. 2
  3. García-Ruiz, J.M. 3
  4. Navas, A. 1
  1. 1 Estación Experimental de Aula Dei
    info

    Estación Experimental de Aula Dei

    Zaragoza, España

    ROR https://ror.org/056a37x91

  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  3. 3 Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología
    info

    Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología

    Zaragoza, España

    ROR https://ror.org/039ssy097

Revista:
Journal of Soils and Sediments

ISSN: 1439-0108

Año de publicación: 2011

Volumen: 11

Número: 8

Páginas: 1440-1455

Tipo: Artículo

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DOI: 10.1007/S11368-011-0428-2 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-81355160578 WoS: WOS:000297257100014 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: Journal of Soils and Sediments

Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Resumen

Purpose: Sediment delivery from headwater catchments to reservoirs is a serious threat to reservoir sustainability and is a critical issue in Mediterranean environments where water resources are scarce. In this study we assessed the consequences of two landscape management scenarios (natural vegetation recovery and scrub clearance) on soil erosion and sediment yield. The results were analyzed in relation to predicted and measured rates of soil erosion and sediment yield, with the aim of promoting better management practices. Materials and methods: The study area was the Arnás River catchment (284 ha), which is located in the central Spanish Pyrenees; the area includes abandoned and poorly managed fields. The combination of the RUSLE and SEDD models of soil erosion and sediment delivery was evaluated in terms of its ability to predict annual rates of sediment yield, using field measurement data for seven water years at the gauging station. The consequences of natural plant succession in other areas of the Spanish Pyrenees and scrub clearance practices implemented by certain regional governments to increase grazing meadow areas and reduce the incidence of wildfires were spatially analyzed using GIS. The main sediment source areas were identified, and their specific and total sediment yields were calculated. Results and discussion: The predicted soil loss under existing conditions was 2.6 Mg ha-1 year-1, with 5% of the surface area affected by rates greater than 2 Mg. The measured sediment yield range was 69-534 Mg year-1. The maximum sediment yield detected was associated with an extraordinary debris flow. The predicted rates were strongly correlated to measured rates (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.72). The main sources were alluvial deposits [specific sediment yield (SSY) = 51 Mg ha-1 year-1], bare soil (SSY = 12), unpaved trails (SSY = 11), lots (SSY = 4), and pastures (SSY = 1). Under a scenario of vegetation recovery, decreases of 3%, 17%, and 16% in soil loss and sediment delivery and yield (respectively) are predicted, whereas increases of 15%, 5%, and 2% are predicted following scrub clearance practices. Conclusions: Coupling the RUSLE and SEDD models enabled estimation of annual values of soil erosion and sediment delivery in monitored and unmonitored catchments of small and medium size, making this approach a useful tool for risk analysis. Management practices that combine fire-risk control, by the implementation of scrub clearance practices, with the effects of plant succession on sediment production are suggested as the best management strategy. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.