Article (Scientific journals)
Effects of land use on annual runoff and soil loss in Europe and the Mediterranean: A meta-analysis of plot data
Maetens, W.; Vanmaercke, Matthias; Poesen, J. et al.
2012In Progress in Physical Geography, 36 (5), p. 599-653
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Keywords :
Europe; Mediterranean Region
Abstract :
[en] The largest currently compiled database of plot runoff and soil loss data in Europe and the Mediterranean was analysed to investigate effects of land use on annual soil loss (SL), annual runoff (R) and annual runoff coefficient (RC). This database comprises 227 plot-measuring sites in Europe and the Mediterranean, with SL for 1056 plots (PL) representing 7024 plot-years (PY) and R for 804 PL representing 5327 PY. Despite large data variability, continental-wide trends are observed. Construction sites have the highest mean annual RC (57%) and SL (325 Mg.ha -1.yr -1). Bare soil, vineyards and tree crops have high mean annual RC (5-10%) and SL (10-20 Mg.ha -1.yr -1). Cropland and fallow show similar mean annual RC (8.0 and 7.3%), but lower SL (6.5 and 5.8 Mg.ha -1.yr -1). Plots with (semi-)natural vegetation cover show lowest mean annual RC (<5%) and SL (<1 Mg.ha -1.yr -1). Plot length and slope gradient correlations with R and SL depend on land-use type and are not concurrent for R and SL. Most land-use types show positive correlations between annual R and SL. Plots in cold climates have higher annual RC than plots in temperate and pan-Mediterranean climates. Annual SL in the pan-Mediterranean is less than in temperate zones, due to stony or clayey soils having a low erodibility. Annual RC in the pan-Mediterranean was higher than in temperate zones. Annual R increases strongly with increasing annual precipitation (P) above 500 mm.yr -1, while annual SL was found to stabilize at P > 500 mm.yr -1. For shrubland, annual SL was found to decrease for P > 250-500 mm.yr -1, which is attributed to an accompanying increase in vegetation cover. However, no such trend was found for R. The results allow a rapid assessment of the impact of land-use changes on annual R, RC and SL, based on field-measured plot data. © The Author(s) 2012.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Maetens, W.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Vanmaercke, Matthias ;  Université de Liège > Département de géographie > Géographie physique et du quaternaire
Poesen, J.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Jankauskas, B.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Jankauskiene, G.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Ionita, I.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Effects of land use on annual runoff and soil loss in Europe and the Mediterranean: A meta-analysis of plot data
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Progress in Physical Geography
ISSN :
0309-1333
eISSN :
1477-0296
Publisher :
SAGE Publications, London, United Kingdom
Volume :
36
Issue :
5
Pages :
599-653
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 28 March 2017

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