Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma
Understanding small-scale hydrologic processes and the impact of soil conservation techniques are crucial in reducing runoff and sediment losses in semi-arid regions. This study was conducted in the Alto Ipanema River Basin, in Pernambuco State (Brazil). Soil and water dynamics were intensely monito...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2019-04-01
|
Series: | Water |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/792 |
id |
doaj-e89c6ea1a0f24575903aeb87887aa1cf |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-e89c6ea1a0f24575903aeb87887aa1cf2020-11-24T22:15:48ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412019-04-0111479210.3390/w11040792w11040792Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage PalmaIug Lopes0Abelardo A. A. Montenegro1João L. M. P. de Lima2Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Bahia State, Campus Bom Jesus da Lapa. Rodovia BR349, s/n, Zona Rural, Bom Jesus da Lapa 47600-000, BA, BrazilDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, Dois Irmãos, Recife 50910-130, PE, BrazilMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua da Matemática, 49, 3004-517 Coimbra, PortugalUnderstanding small-scale hydrologic processes and the impact of soil conservation techniques are crucial in reducing runoff and sediment losses in semi-arid regions. This study was conducted in the Alto Ipanema River Basin, in Pernambuco State (Brazil). Soil and water dynamics were intensely monitored in twelve experimental plots with different coverage conditions (plot with bare soil—Bare; plot with natural vegetation—Natur; plot with mulch—Mulch; plot with Cactus Palma—Palma). By far, bare soil conditions produced higher runoff and soil losses. Mulch cover was close to natural vegetation cover, but still presented higher runoff and sediment losses. Palma, which is a very popular spineless cactus for animal feed in the Brazilian semi-arid region, presented an intermediate hydrologic impact in controlling runoff, enhancing soil moisture, and also reducing soil losses. Experiments were conducted in one hydrologic year (2016/2017) at three different sites. They were intensely monitored and had the same number of plots. This enabled us to carry out a robust performance assessment of the two soil conservation practices adopted (Mulch and Palma), compared to natural vegetation cover and bare soil conditions. Such low-cost alternatives could be easily adopted by local farms in the region, and, hence, improve soil reclamation and regional resiliency in a water-scarce environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/792hillslopemulchCaatingaCactus Palmasoilrunoff generation |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Iug Lopes Abelardo A. A. Montenegro João L. M. P. de Lima |
spellingShingle |
Iug Lopes Abelardo A. A. Montenegro João L. M. P. de Lima Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma Water hillslope mulch Caatinga Cactus Palma soil runoff generation |
author_facet |
Iug Lopes Abelardo A. A. Montenegro João L. M. P. de Lima |
author_sort |
Iug Lopes |
title |
Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma |
title_short |
Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma |
title_full |
Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma |
title_fullStr |
Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma |
title_full_unstemmed |
Performance of Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Field Observations with Caatinga, Mulch, and Cactus Forage Palma |
title_sort |
performance of conservation techniques for semiarid environments: field observations with caatinga, mulch, and cactus forage palma |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Water |
issn |
2073-4441 |
publishDate |
2019-04-01 |
description |
Understanding small-scale hydrologic processes and the impact of soil conservation techniques are crucial in reducing runoff and sediment losses in semi-arid regions. This study was conducted in the Alto Ipanema River Basin, in Pernambuco State (Brazil). Soil and water dynamics were intensely monitored in twelve experimental plots with different coverage conditions (plot with bare soil—Bare; plot with natural vegetation—Natur; plot with mulch—Mulch; plot with Cactus Palma—Palma). By far, bare soil conditions produced higher runoff and soil losses. Mulch cover was close to natural vegetation cover, but still presented higher runoff and sediment losses. Palma, which is a very popular spineless cactus for animal feed in the Brazilian semi-arid region, presented an intermediate hydrologic impact in controlling runoff, enhancing soil moisture, and also reducing soil losses. Experiments were conducted in one hydrologic year (2016/2017) at three different sites. They were intensely monitored and had the same number of plots. This enabled us to carry out a robust performance assessment of the two soil conservation practices adopted (Mulch and Palma), compared to natural vegetation cover and bare soil conditions. Such low-cost alternatives could be easily adopted by local farms in the region, and, hence, improve soil reclamation and regional resiliency in a water-scarce environment. |
topic |
hillslope mulch Caatinga Cactus Palma soil runoff generation |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/792 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT iuglopes performanceofconservationtechniquesforsemiaridenvironmentsfieldobservationswithcaatingamulchandcactusforagepalma AT abelardoaamontenegro performanceofconservationtechniquesforsemiaridenvironmentsfieldobservationswithcaatingamulchandcactusforagepalma AT joaolmpdelima performanceofconservationtechniquesforsemiaridenvironmentsfieldobservationswithcaatingamulchandcactusforagepalma |
_version_ |
1725792902442909696 |