RT Journal Article
T1 Simulating long-term soil redistribution generatedby different patterns of mouldboard ploughing inlandscapes of complex topography
A1 Alba Alonso, Saturnino de
AB In agricultural landscapes, translocation and redistribution of soil during tillage operations have been described as intensegeomorphic, soil degradation and erosion (mechanical or tillage erosion) processes. This paper presents the design andcalculation algorithms of the Soil Redistribution by Tillage (SORET) model. The SORET model is of the spatial distributiontype and can perform 3D simulations of soil redistribution in Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) on the field scale. It can predictsoil redistribution arising from different patterns of tillage in a given landscape via computer simulation of a single tillageoperation, and is also able to forecast the long-term effects of repeated operations. Using the model, simulationwasmade of thelong-term effects of three different patterns of tillage achieved using a mouldboard plough: (i) contouring, (ii) up–downslope,and (iii) downslope alone. TheDTMselectedwas a field of complex topography and up to 40% slope with a Calcic Haploxeralf(Calcic Luvisol) soil in Central Spain. Results indicate substantial differences in the effects of the three tillage patterns in termsof absolute soil erosion-accumulation rates and the spatial distribution of areas of soil loss and deposition. These findingsalso suggest complex interaction between topography and direction of tillage, which ultimately determines the intensity andpattern of soil redistribution. Repeated downslope tillage gave rise to most intense soil degradation by tillage erosion, with aneroded area of 62% of the DTM, and an average erosion rate of 27.8Mgha−1 per tillage operation. For contouring tillage, theeroded area was 59% of the total DTM and the average erosion rate was 16.7Mgha−1 per tillage operation; for up–downslopetillage, these variables were 67% and 15.1Mgha−1, respectively. The SORET model appears to be a useful tool for simulatingthe spatial variability of soil redistribution and soil erosion-accumulation rates determined by different patterns of tillage inthe long term. However, additional field data on the initial variability of soil properties are required if the effects of soilredistribution on soil degradation are to be adequately evaluated.
PB Elsevier Science B.V.
SN 0167-1987
YR 2003
FD 2003
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51084
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51084
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 2 may 2024