The role of plant species on runoff and soil erosion in a Mediterranean shrubland
Por:
Cerda, Artemi, Lucas-Borja M.E., Franch-Pardo, Ivan, Ubeda, Xavier, Novara, Agata, Lopez-Vicente, Manuel, Popovic, Zorica, Pulido, Manuel
Publicada:
1 ene 2021
Resumen:
Shrubland is a Mediterranean biome characterized by densely growing evergreen shrubs adapted to fire events. To date, scientific research has focused on the impact of vegetation on soil erosion mainly through the control that plant biomass or plant cover exerts on sediment delivery and runoff discharge, being the individual plant species influence on hydrological and erosional processes not achieved in detail. The objective of this research is to determine: i) runoff and soil losses in a shrubland-covered rangeland at Sierra de Enguera, Spain; and ii) how four plant species affect soil and water losses. We measured soil cover, soil properties, runoff discharge and sediment yield under natural rainfall for five years (2010-2014) in a typical shrubland burnt in 1999. Four plant species were selected with 4 plots each: Ulex parviflorus Pourr., Pistacia lentiscus L., Quercus coccifera L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. Despite that the soil properties and plant cover did not exhibit statistically significant differences among plant species, the runoff discharge was lower on Q. coccifera (4.87%, SE 0.24) and P. lentiscus (6.24%, SE 0.51) than on U. parviflorus (13.41%, SE 0.58) and R. officinalis (13.84%, SE 1.23). Sediment concentrations were, respectively, 3.91, 4.33, 4.31 and 4.88 g l-1, and the differences between R. officinalis and the other species were statistically significant. The runoff discharge determined differences in soil erosion rates among the plant species with lower rates on P. lentiscus (1.36 Mg ha-1 y-1) and Q. coccifera (1.53 Mg ha-1 y-1), than on U. parviflorus (3.17 Mg ha-1 y-1) and R. officinalis (3.85 Mg ha-1 y-1). This long term in situ study indicated that Q. coccifera and P. lentiscus are more efficient in controlling runoff discharge and soil losses than U. parviflorus and R. officinalis one decade after a fire. We discuss these results in light of the recent findings by the scientific community of the role of the canopy cover (rainfall interception), soil macropore and root system, and the water repellency that control the hydrological response of the soil (e.g. runoff generation, infiltration). The information supplied by 5 years of research is relevant for restoration and rehabilitation programs and advise that Q. coccifera and P. lentiscus are the most efficient plant species to control soil and water losses within the Mediterranean shrubland. This is an applied science approach for a better management of rangelands. © 2021
Filiaciones:
Cerda, Artemi:
Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group, Department of Geography, Valencia University, Blasco Ibàñez, 28, Valencia, 46010, Spain
Cerda, A (Corresponding Author), Univ Valencia, Dept Geog, Soil Eros & Degradat Res Grp, Blasco Ibanez 28, Valencia 46010, Spain. Cerda, Artemi, Univ Valencia, Dept Geog, Soil Eros & Degradat Res Grp, Blasco Ibanez 28, Valencia 46010, Spain. Esteban Lucas-Borja, Manuel, Univ Castilla La Mancha, Escuela Tecn & Super Ingn Agronomos & Montes, Campus Univ S-N, Albacete 02071, Spain. Franch-Pardo, Ivan, Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Escuela Nacl Estudios Super, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico. Ubeda, X
Lucas-Borja M.E.:
Escuela Técnica y Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos y de Montes, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain
Franch-Pardo, Ivan:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Morelia, Michoacan 58190, Mexico
Ubeda, Xavier:
Grup de Recerca Ambiental Mediterrània (GRAM), Department of Geography, Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Geografia i Història, Montalegre 6, Barcelona, 08001, Spain
Novara, Agata:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Palermo, 90128, Italy
Lopez-Vicente, Manuel:
Group Aquaterra, Advanced Scientific Research Center, University of A Coruña, CICA-UDC, As Carballeiras s/n, Campus de Elviña, La Coruña, 15071, Spain
Popovic, Zorica:
Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
Pulido, Manuel:
GeoEnvironmental Research Group, University of Extremadura, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10071, Spain
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