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Soil erosion is an important global phenomenon that can cause many impacts, like morphometry and hydrology alteration, land degradation and landslides. Moreover, soil loss has a significant effect on agricultural production by removing the most valuable and productive top soil’s profile, leading to a reduction in yields, which requires a high production budget. The detrimental impact of soil erosion has reached alarming levels due to the exacerbation of global warming and drought, particularly in the arid climates prevalent in Tunisia and Algeria and other regions of North Africa. The influence of these environmental factors has been especially evident in the catchment of Mellegue, where profound vegetation loss and drastic changes in land use and cover, including the expansion of urban areas and altered agricultural practices, have played a significant role in accelerating water-induced soil loss between 2002 and 2018. The ramifications of these developments on the fragile ecosystems of the region cannot be overlooked. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare soil losses between 2002 and 2018 in the catchment of Mellegue, which is a large cross-border basin commonly shared by Tunisian–Algerian countries. The assessment and mapping of soil erosion risk were carried out by employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). This widely recognised equation provided valuable insights into the potential for erosion. Additionally, changes in land use and land cover during the same period were thoroughly analysed to identify any factors that may have contributed to the observed risk. By integrating these various elements, a comprehensive understanding of soil erosion dynamics was achieved, facilitating informed decision-making for effective land management and conservation efforts. It requires diverse factors that are integrated into the erosion process, such as topography, soil erodibility, rainfall erosivity, anti-erosion cultivation practice and vegetation cover. The computation of the various equation factors was applied in a GIS environment, using ArcGIS desktop 10.4. The results show that the catchment has undergone significant soil water erosion where it exhibits the appearance of approximately 14,000 new areas vulnerable to erosion by water in 2018 compared to 2002. Average erosion risk has also increased from 1.58 t/ha/year in 2002 to 1.78 in 2018, leading to an increase in total estimated soil loss of 54,000 t/ha in 2018 compared to around 25,500 t/ha in 2002. Maps of erosion risk show that highly eroded areas are more frequent downstream of the basin. These maps can be helpful for decision-makers to make better sustainable management plans and for land use preservation.

The current erosion protection set up in the Czech Republic (CZ) is based on the long-term soil loss due to water erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The range of recommended values of tolerable soil loss by water varies among different authors and approaches, depending on the specific area and its parameters. It is, therefore, important to ask the following questions. What is the real range of soil loss by water erosion in CZ. To determine the range of soil loss, a model extrapolation was carried out. The model extrapolation was based on the results from two main experimental measurements. Both from the evaluated volume soil loss of real erosion events and field experiments based on measurements of erosion induced by artificial rainfall. The results of modelled extrapolation of the range of long-term soil loss are in the range 6.9–13.8 t/ha per year.

Topography critically affects the occurrence of soil erosion, and computing slope spectrum information entropy (SSIE) allows for the convenient mirroring of the patterns of macroscopic topographic variation. However, whether SSIE can be effectively utilized for the quantitative assessment of soil erosion across various types of water-erosion areas and the specific methodology for its application remain unclear. This study focused on the quantitative relationship between SSIE, the slope length and slope steepness (LS) factor within various types of water-erosion areas across different spatial scales in China using multi-source geographic information data and technical tools such as remote sensing and geographic information systems. The results revealed (1) clear consistency in the spatial patterns of SSIE and the LS factor, which both displayed a distinct three-step distribution pattern from south to north. (2) The power model (Y = A·X^B) demonstrated a superior capacity to explaining the relationship between SSIE and the LS factors compared to the linear or exponential models, as evidenced by a higher coefficient of determination (R2). R2 values of different evaluation units (second-grade water-erosion area, third-grade water-erosion area, 30 km × 30 km grid, and 15 km × 15 km grid) were 0.88, 0.88, 0.81, and 0.79, respectively. (3) Despite a range of variances across various spatial scale evaluation units and different types of water-erosion areas, no significant disparities were evident within the power model. These findings offer a new topographic factor that can be incorporated into models designed for the expedited evaluation of soil erosion rates across water-erosion areas. Information about the proximity of the SSIE to the LS factor is valuable for enhancing the practical utilization of SSIE in the quantitative evaluation of soil erosion.

Spatial assessment of soil erosion is essential for the adaptation of agricultural practices and monitoring of soil losses. In this sense, this study aims to assess the efficiency of magnetic susceptibility (MS) as a predictor of soil erodibility factors (K for USLE model; Ki and Kr for WEPP model) fora detailed mapping of Oxisols with different iron contents in northeastern São Paulo State, Brazil. This study was carried out in an area of 380 hectares under sugarcane cultivation in São Paulo State. Soil samples were collected in a sampling grid (150) and in a transect (86) and physical and chemical analyses and calculations of the erodibility factors/parameters K, Ki, and Kr were performed. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were calibrated using simple linear regression analysis to predict the factors/parameters K and Ki using MS as a predictor variable. The observed values of MS and the predicted values of the factors/parameters K, Ki, and Kr were submitted to geostatistical analysis for constructing maps. Magnetic susceptibility can be used as a predictor of erodibility factors (K for USLE model; Ki and Kr for WEPP model) for Oxisols with total iron content ranging from 1 to 20% Fe2O3, with a precision of up to 60% and an accuracy of up to 85%. The results can guide future studies on water erosion in a tropical environment using magnetic soil data as an environmental covariate in the modeling process for large areas.

This study assessed the impacts of the land use/cover (LULC) and climate changes on the runoff and sediment flows in the Megech watershed. The Geospatial Water Erosion Prediction Project (GeoWEPP) was used to assess LULC and climate changes’ impact on runoff, soil loss, and sediment yield. The QGIS 2.16.3 plugin module for land use change evaluation (MOLUSCE) tool with the cellular automata artificial neural network (CA-ANN) was used for LULC prediction based on historical data and exploratory maps. Two commonly used representative concentration pathways (RCPs)—4.5 and 8.5—were used for climate projection in the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s. The LULC prediction analysis showed an expansion of cropland and settlement areas, with the reduction in the forest and rangelands. The climate projections indicated an increase in maximum temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, particularly with increased wet months and reduced dry periods. The average annual soil loss and sediment yield rates were estimated to increase under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, with a more noticeable increase under RCP8.5. By integrating DEM, soil, land use, and climate data, we evaluated runoff, soil loss, and sediment yield changes on only land use/cover, only climate, and the combined impacts in the watershed. The results revealed that, under all combined scenarios, the sediment yield in the Megech Reservoir was projected to substantially increase by 23.28–41.01%, showing a potential loss of reservoir capacity. This study recommends strong climate adaptation and mitigation measures to alleviate the impact on land and water resources. It is possible to lessen the combined impacts of climate and LULC change through implementing best-management practices and adaptation strategies for the identified scenarios.

The drainage of asphalt pavement requires the use of a large amount of high-viscosity-modified asphalt, which faces the service environment under dynamic water erosion. The feasibility of recycling high-viscosity-modified asphalt should be investigated to facilitate sustainable infrastructure construction. This study used ultrasonic equipment to simulate dynamic water erosion test conditions and tested the adhesion performance of different types of recycled high-viscosity asphalt at various environmental temperatures. The adhesion energy index and microstructure of recycled high-viscosity asphalt were analyzed using the contact angle test and AFM test. The results demonstrate that the higher the environmental temperature, the worse the anti-stripping performance of recycled high-viscosity asphalt. From the perspective of adhesion performance indicators, a 6% recycling agent dosage is more conducive to restoring the performance of aged high-viscosity -modified asphalt. The AFM test showed that the microstructure of high-viscosity -modified asphalt represented significant changes with an increase in the recycling agent content, and the change in the adhesion force of recycled high-viscosity -modified asphalt was consistent with the results of macroscopic adhesion performance tests. This study illustrates the applicability of implementing regeneration technology for the recycling of aged drainage asphalt pavement.

The problem of soil water erosion is one of the primary causes of agro-pedological heritage degradation. The combined effect of natural factors and inappropriate human actions has weakened the soil, which seriously threatens the region’s fertile lands and soils, which can ultimately lead to an irreversible situation of desertification. This study focuses on analysis and mapping of the vulnerability to erosion in Oued el-Hai watershed, Algeria, based on a technical methodology that combines the universal soil loss equation (USLE) with the geographic information system (GIS) tools. The results are organized into three main classes of different rate values, from one area to another, depending on the influence of different factors that control the erosion process. The highest loss rate value is greater than 30 t·ha−1·yr−1 and covers 23.2% of the total area, mainly located in the mountainous areas with steep slopes. However, the minimum potential erosion rate value is mainly located on the plain, with an average of 10 t·ha−1·yr−1 covering 45.2% of the total area of the watershed. The estimate of potential water erosion has given alarming results. The total area of the watershed could lose a rate of 16.69 t·ha−1·yr−1 (on average) each year. The method and results described in this article are valuable for understanding the soil erosion risk and are useful for managing and planning land use that will avoid land degradation. Hence, the results of this study are considered an important document which constitutes a decision support tool in terms of the management and protection of natural resources.

Soil water erosion is frequently reported as serious problem in soils in Southeast Asia with tropical climates, and the variations in pH affect the development of the erosion. This study investigated the effects of changes in pH on soil water erosion based on changes in the physical properties of the simulated soils with pH adjusted from 2.0 to 10.0 through artificial rainfall tests. The zeta potential was entirely shifted to positive direction at each pH condition due to Al, Ca, and Mg. In the pH range of 6.0 to 2.0, the aggregation of soil particles resulting from the release of Al3+ from clay minerals and/or molecular attraction between soil particles caused the plastic index (IP) of the soil to decrease. The decrease in IP led to the development of soil water erosion at the pH range. When the pH exceeded 6.0, the repulsive force generated by the negative charges on soil particles decreased IP, resulting in accelerated erosion by water. The results suggest that changes in pH causes physical properties of the soil to change through changes of the zeta potential in the clayey soil rich in Al, Ca, and Mg, leading to the development of soil water erosion.

Soil erosion in the purple soil region presents severe challenges with complex driving mechanisms. At the same time, evaluation and prediction of runoff and sediment dynamics are lacking for natural vegetation restoration in bare areas. The Mann–Kendall and Pettitt tests were employed to identify abrupt shift points in runoff and sediment dynamics, utilizing monitoring data from the Suining Soil and Water Conservation Experimental Station over the period from 1984 to 2018. Therefore, the research periods were divided into a baseline period (1984–1992) and an evaluation period (1993–2018). Subsequently, encompassing rainfall, runoff, sediment, topography, soil properties, and vegetation parameters, a Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was established to quantify the reduction benefits of runoff and sediment during the period of forest restoration. We found that the calibrated WEPP model demonstrated satisfactory performance based on Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients (NSE > 0.5) and determination coefficients (R2 > 0.5) for runoff and sediment simulations. The WEPP model and double-mass curve analysis method revealed that forest restoration reduced runoff and sediment by more than 80%. It is recommended to implement artificial vegetation restoration before reaching the threshold for natural vegetation restoration to achieve soil and water conservation goals.

With severe soil and water erosion, the crucial ion-adsorption rare earth elements (REEs) have attracted much global attention. REEs play a vital role in tracing material sources and exploring sedimentary characteristics due to their unique and stable geochemistry properties. In the present work, three representational possible redeposition areas in western Fujian were selected as the study areas. The geochemical characteristics of REEs in the sediments of the study areas were evaluated to elucidate that REEs are the products of soil and water erosion and to assess their redeposition characteristics. In the research results, the properties of the parent rocks shown in the samples, together with the negative correlation between the content of REEs in the samples and altitude as well as the relief degree on the land surface (RDLS), fully indicate that the sediments in the study areas are the products of migration caused by soil erosion and redeposition in the downstream areas. At the same time, according to the widely applicable standard of rare earth resources exploitation, that is the boundary grade of ion-adsorption rare earth ore in southern China (∑REE = 500 mg·kg −1 ), we found that the content of REEs in the study areas was close to or exceeded this standard, and the maximum ∑REE of Guozhai Reservoir (869.11 mg·kg −1 ) was much larger than this standard. Therefore, the redeposited rare earth in Changting Country has high reuse potential under the current scarce resources.