Impact of soil erosion and runoff on mountain slopes of Mediterranean agroecosystems

Abstract

Durán, Z.V.H., Rodríguez, P.C.R., Cuadros, T.S., Francia, M.J.R. 2014. Impact of soil erosion and runoff on mountain slopes of Mediterranean agroecosystems. Ecosistemas 23(1):66-72. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2014.23-1.12

Land degradation in Mediterranean agroecosystems implies the loss of current utility and reduction of its potential functions, by both natural processes and those specifically induced and intensified by human actions. The impact of erosion and runoff on different land-use types (LUT): farmland (olive, almond and cereal), forest (Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris), shrubland, grassland and abandoned farmland in Sierra Nevada (SE Spain) have been assessed. The erosion plots twice replicated were located on the slopes for each land-use type, monitoring the erosion and runoff rates for 22 rainfall events. According to the results of the present study the LUT consisting in P. halepensis and P. sylvestris significantly minimized soil erosion and runoff, in contrast to the abandoned farmland. In relation to farmland activity important impact of erosion has been found in olive plots than in almond and cereal. The shrubland generated intermediate erosion and runoff rates between Pinus trees and agriculture-grassland plots. Consequently, plant cover change is crucial in interpreting the productivity degradation of soils, as well as in planning sustainable strategies to mitigate soil degradation processes in Mediterranean agroecosystems.