Effects of erosion on soil productivity

Carter, D.L. (1986) Effects of erosion on soil productivity. In: Water Forum '86, World Water. Issues in Evolution, Vol. 2. pp. 1131-1138. American Society of Civil Engineers.

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Abstract

Research efforts across the United States have shown that soil
erosion decreases soil productivity. Erosion-caused crop production decreases
up to 50% have been measured with decreases of 15 to 30% commonly reported.
Furrow erosion on irrigated land redistributes topsoil, decreasing topsoil
depth on the upslope 33% and increases topsoil depth on lower 50 to 55% of
fields. Crop yields are decreased where topsoil depths are decreased, but
yields are not increased where topsoil depths are increased above the original
depth of 38 cm in a large study area representative of several million hectares
of furrow irrigated land. Crops vary in their sensitivity to decreases in
topsoil depth. Soil productivity of the entire study area was decreased at
least 25% by furrow erosion over 80 irrigation seasons. Technology is not
available to restore crop production to the potential level that would have
existed without erosion. Research and technology application are needed to
reduce or eliminate topsoil loss and redistribution by furrow irrigation to
preserve our soil resources in irrigated areas. Application of conservation
tillage to furrow irrigated land is suggested as the best known practice to
reduce furrow erosion.

Item Type:	Book Section
NWISRL Publication Number:	0611
Subjects:	Soil > Erosion Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2008 18:49
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2017 18:53
Item ID:	772
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/772