Soil & Water Res., 2024, 19(1):50-63 | DOI: 10.17221/110/2023-SWR

Erosion risk analysis in a changing climateOriginal Paper

Jan Prachowski ORCID...1, Jan Szturc ORCID...1, Josef Kučera ORCID...2, Jana Podhrázská ORCID...1,2*
1 Department of Applied and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
2 Department for Land Use Planning Brno, Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Brno, Czech Republic

Soil is an irreplaceable natural resource, with irreplaceable ecosystem functions. One of the greatest risks of soil degradation in the Czech Republic is accelerated erosion, which causes numerous damages to soil properties with negative impacts on the environment. The climate development in recent decades and its forecasts may further intensify these processes. This article deals with the analysis of the impacts of changes in selected climatic factors on the development of erosion processes, which in the conditions of the Czech Republic are influenced mainly by the development of precipitation in the growing season and the development of the values of erosion potential of water released by snowmelt in the winter (non-growing) period. The analysis was carried out on a total area of 459.5 km2, in different morphological and climatic conditions. The impact of climate change was assessed using historical and updated values of rain erosivity and snow erosion potential factors. The results show an increase in the risk of erosive loss in the growing season for all the analysed areas, while the values of erosive loss in the non-growing period differ from each other depending on the climatic and morphological conditions of the areas under study.

Keywords: climatic factors; erosion loss; snowmelt; vegetation period

Received: November 16, 2023; Revised: January 22, 2024; Accepted: January 24, 2024; Prepublished online: February 8, 2024; Published: February 15, 2024  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Prachowski J, Szturc J, Kučera J, Podhrázská J. Erosion risk analysis in a changing climate. Soil & Water Res. 2024;19(1):50-63. doi: 10.17221/110/2023-SWR.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Agroprojekt (1988): Soil Erosion Protection. Technical Directive, Brno. (in Czech)
    2. Anderson R., Bayer P.E., Edwards D. (2020): Climate change and the need for agricultural adaptation. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 56: 197-202. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Arnhold S., Lindner S., Lee B., Martin E., Kettering J., Nguyen T.T., Koellner T., Ok Y.S., Huwe B. (2014): Conventional and organic farming: Soil erosion and conservation potential for row crop cultivation. Geoderma, 219: 89-105. Go to original source...
    4. Bennett H., Chapline W. (1928): Soil Erosion a National Menace. Washington, D.C., US Department of Agriculture.
    5. Blaikie P. (1985): The Political Economy of Soil Erosion in Developing Countries. London, Longman Scientific & Technical.
    6. Borreli P., Robinson D.A., Panagos P., Lugato E., Yang J.E., Alewell C., Wuepper D., Montanarella L., Ballabio C. (2020): Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015-2070). PNAS, 117: 21994-22001. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Brannigan N., Mullan D., Vandaele K., Graham C., McKinley J., Meneely J. (2022): Modelling soil erosion by water under future climate change: Addressing methodological gaps. Catena, 216: 106403. Go to original source...
    8. Brázdil R., Dobrovolný P., Mikšovský J., Pišoft P., Trnka M., Možný M., Bálek J. (2022): Documentary-based climate reconstructions in the Czech Lands 1501-2020 CE and their European context. Climate of the Past, 18: 935-959. Go to original source...
    9. Butzer K.W. (1974): Accelerated soil erosion: A problem of man-land relationships. Perspectives on Environment, 13: 57-77.
    10. Cache T., Ramirez J.A., Molnar P., Ruiz-Villanueva V., Peleg N. (2023): Increased erosion in a pre-Alpine region contrasts with a future decrease in precipitation and snowmelt. Geomorphology, 436: 108782. Go to original source...
    11. Chen L., Rejesus R.M., Aglasan S., Hagen S.C., Salas W. (2022): The impact of cover crops on soil erosion in the US Midwest. Journal of Environmental Management, 323: 116168. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Ciampalini R., Constantine J.A., Walker-Springett K.J., Hales T.C., Ormerod S.J., Hall I.R. (2020): Modelling soil erosion responses to climate change in three catchments of Great Britain. Science of the Total Environment, 749: 141657. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Czech Globe (2016): Impacts of climate change on European and Czech agriculture and possible adaptation measures. Available on https://www.klimatickazmena.cz/cs/vse-o-klimaticke-zmene/dopady-zmeny-klimatu-na-eu-a-cr-zemedelstvi/ (in Czech)
    14. Doulabian S., Toosi A.S., Calbimonte G.H., Tousi E.G., Alaghmand S. (2021): Projected climate change impacts on soil erosion over Iran. Journal of Hydrology, 598: 126432. Go to original source...
    15. Dumbrovský M., Hošková V., Pavlík F., Uhrová J. (2008): Basic Topographic and Hydrologic Tools and Erosion Shear Calculation in Arc GIS. VUT Brno, Brno. (in Czech)
    16. Edwards B.L., Webb N.P., Brown D.P., Elias E., Peck D.E., Pierson F.B., Herrick J.E. (2019): Climate change impacts on wind and water erosion on US rangelands. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 74: 405-418. Go to original source...
    17. Eekhout J.P., de Vente J. (2022): Global impact of climate change on soil erosion and potential for adaptation through soil conservation. Earth-Science Reviews, 226: 103921. Go to original source...
    18. Garbrecht J.D., Nearing M.A., Steiner J.L., Zhang X.J., Nichols M.H. (2015): Can conservation trump impacts of climate change on soil erosion? An assessment from winter wheat cropland in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. Weather and Climate Extremes, 10: 32-39. Go to original source...
    19. Govers G., Van Oost K. (2000): USLE2D Homepage: Division of Geography of KU Leuven. Geography of KU Leuven. Available on: https://ees.kuleuven.be/eng/geography/modelling/usle2dhome/references/
    20. Hammerová A., Polcar A., Šimečková J., Jandák J. (2016): Risks of growing sugar beet on land endangered by erosion. Listy cukrovarnické a řepařské. 132: 375-379. (in Czech)
    21. Hossain A., Krupnik T.J., Timsina J., Mahboob M.G., Chaki A.K., Farooq M. (2020): Agricultural land degradation: Processes and problems undermining future food security. In: Fahad S., Hasanuzzaman M., Alam M., Ullah H., Saeed M., Ali Khan I., Adnan M. (eds.): Environment, Climate, Plant and Vegetation Growth. Cham, Springer International Publishing: 17-61. Go to original source...
    22. Issaka S., Ashraf M.A. (2017): Impact of soil erosion and degradation on water quality: A review. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, 1: 1-11. Go to original source...
    23. Jáchymová B., Krása J., Dostál T., Bauer M. (2017): The importance of catchment characteristics in terms of intensive erosion runoff formation threat level. Vodohospodářské technicko-ekonomické informace, 59: 17-26. (in Czech) Go to original source...
    24. Janeček M. et al. (2012): Protecting Agricultural Land from Erosion, Methodology. Prague, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. (in Czech)
    25. Janků J., Jehlička J., Heřmanová K., Toth D., Maitah M., Kozák J., Vopravil J., Vácha R., Jacko K., Herza T. (2022): An overview of a land evaluation in the context of ecosystem services. Soil and Water Research, 17: 1-14. Go to original source...
    26. Jansson J.K., Hofmockel K.S. (2020): Soil microbiomes and climate change. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 18: 35-46. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Jůva K., Tlapák V., Hrabal A. (1977): Protection of Soil, Vegetation, Water and Air. Prague, Státní zemědělské nakladatelství. (in Czech)
    28. Kadlec M., Toman F. (2002): Regionalisation of the vegetation cover factor C for the predominant cropping pattern. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 50: 83-90. (in Czech)
    29. Kadlec V., Žížala D., Novotný I., Heřmanovská D., Kapička J., Tippl M. (2014): Land consolidations as an effective instrument in soil conservation. Ekológia (Bratislava), 33: 188-200. Go to original source...
    30. Kapička J., Žížala D., Vít V., Novotný I. (2021): Agricultural Soil Erosion Monitoring - Final Report. Available on https://me.vumop.cz/docs/ZZ_monitoring_2022.pdf (in Czech)
    31. Knisel W.G. (1980): CREAMS: A Field Scale Model for Chemicals, Runoff, and Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems. Washington, Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration.
    32. Li Z., Fang H. (2016): Impacts of climate change on water erosion: A review. Earth-Science Reviews, 163: 94-117. Go to original source...
    33. Liu Q.J., Shi Z.H., Yu X.X., Zhang H.Y. (2014): Influence of microtopography, ridge geometry and rainfall intensity on soil erosion induced by contouring failure. Soil and Tillage Research, 136: 1-8. Go to original source...
    34. Mahmoodabadi M., Sajjadi S.A. (2016): Effects of rain intensity, slope gradient and particle size distribution on the relative contributions of splash and wash loads to rain-induced erosion. Geomorphology, 5: 77-84. Go to original source...
    35. Malenová P., Toman F. (2005): Impact of snowthawing on endangered range of soil erosion. In: Ryant P., Cerkal R., Středa T., Kapler P., Vejražka K. (eds.): MendelNet´05 Agro. Brno, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno.
    36. McCool D.K., Brown L.C., Foster G.R., Mutchler C.K., Mayer L.D. (1987): Revised slope steepness factor for the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Transactions of the ASAE, 30: 1387-1396. Go to original source...
    37. McCool D.K., Foster G.R., Mutchler C.K., Mayer L.D. (1989): Revised slope length factor for the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Transactions of the ASAE, 32: 1571-1576. Go to original source...
    38. Norton D., Shainberg I., Cihacek L., Edwards J.H. (1999): Erosion and soil chemical properties. In: Lal R. (ed.): Soil Quality and Soil Erosion. Ankeny, Soil and Water Conservation Society: 39-56. Go to original source...
    39. Panagos P., Ballabio C., Himics M., Scarpa S., Matthews F., Bogonos M., Poesen J., Borrelli P. (2021): Projections of soil loss by water erosion in Europe by 2050. Environmental Science & Policy, 124: 380-392. Go to original source...
    40. Parry M.L., Canziani O.F., Palutikof J.P., van der Linden P.J., Hanson C.E. (eds.) (2007): Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, Cambridge University.
    41. Pimentel D., Terhune E.C., Dyson-Hudson R., Rochereau S., Samis R., Smith E.A., Denman D., Reifschneider D., Shepard M. (1976): Land degradation: Effects on food and energy resources. Science, 194: 149-155. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    42. Podhrázská J., Kučera J., Karásek P., Křížek P., Dumbrov-ský M., Sobotková V. (2022): Procedures for assessing erosion intensity in the non-vegetation period and proposals for measures on agricultural land. Brno, VÚMOP. (in Czech)
    43. Pokladníková H., Toman F., Středa T. (2008): Negative impacts of snowmelting on the soil. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 56: 143-148. Go to original source...
    44. Preiti G., Antonio C., Porto P., Romeo M., Monti M., Bacchi M. (2022): Long-term effects of different arable cropping systems on surface erosion processes and C-factor in hilly Mediterranean environment. Soil and Tillage Research, 223: 105480. Go to original source...
    45. Regulation (2021): Regulation 240/2021 on the Protection of Agricultural Land from Erosion. Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic Pursuant to Act No. 334/1992 Coll., on the Protection of the Agricultural Soil Fund, as Amended by Act No. 41/2015 Coll. Available on https://www.mzp.cz/www/platnalegislativa.nsf/D144C1555B511BCEC125870D0030BD9B/%24file/VYHL_240_2021_OL.pdf
    46. Šarapatka B., Bednář M. (2015): Assessment of potential soil degradation on agricultural land in the Czech Republic. Journal of Environmental Quality, 44: 154-161. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    47. Šarapatka B., Bednář M. (2022): Rainfall erosivity impact on sustainable management of agricultural land in changing climate conditions. Land, 11: 467. Go to original source...
    48. Šarapatka B., Cap L., Bílá P. (2018): The varying effect of water erosion on chemical and biochemical soil properties in different parts of Chernozem slopes. Geoderma, 314: 20-26. Go to original source...
    49. Shen H.O., Wang D.L., Wen L.L., Zhao W.T., Zhang Y. (2020): Soil erosion and typical soil and water conservation measures on hillslopes in the Chinese Mollisol region. Eurasian Soil Science, 53: 1509-1519. Go to original source...
    50. Smolíková J. (2010): Soil erosion hazard zonation during snowmelt according to climatic conditions. [Ph.D. Thesis.] Brno, Mendel university in Brno, Faculty of Agriculture. (in Czech)
    51. SPÚ (2022): Methodological Guidance for the Implementation of Land Consolidation and Technical Standard for the Common Facilities Plan. Available on https://www.spucr.cz/pozemkove-upravy/pravni-predpisy-a-metodiky/metodicky-navod-k-provadeni-pozemkovych-uprav-a-technicky-standard-planu-spolecnych-zarizeni (in Czech)
    52. Středová H., Toman F. (2012): Erosion potential of snow cover in the Czech Republic. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 15: 117-124. Go to original source...
    53. Sun B., Ren F., Ding W., Zhang G., Huang J., Li J., Zhang L. (2021): Effects of freeze-thaw on soil properties and water erosion. Soil and Water Research, 16: 205-216. Go to original source...
    54. Tol R.S. (2018): The economic impacts of climate change. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 12: 4-25. Go to original source...
    55. Trnka M., Balek J., Štěpánek P., Zahradníček P., Možný M., Eitzinger J., Žalud Z., Formayer H., Turňa M., Nejedlík P., Semerádová D., Hlavinka P., Brázdil R. (2016a): Drought trends over part of Central Europe between 1961 and 2014. Climate Research, 70: 143-160. Go to original source...
    56. Trnka M., Semerádová D., Novotný I., Dumbrovský M., Drbal K., Pavlík F., Vopravil J., Stěpánková P., Vizina A., Bálek J., Hlavinka P., Bartošová L., Žalud Z. (2016b): Assessing the combined hazards of drought, soil erosion and local flooding on agricultural land: A Czech case study. Climate Research, 70: 231-249. Go to original source...
    57. Trnka M., Balek J., Brázdil R., Dubrovský M., Eitzinger J., Hlavinka P., Chuchma F., Možný M., Prášil I., Růžek P., Semerádová D., Štěpánek P., Zahradníček P., Žalud Z. (2021): Observed changes in the agroclimatic zones in the Czech Republic between 1961 and 2019. Plant Soil Environment, 67: 154-163. Go to original source...
    58. Vácha R., Čechmánková J., Duffková R., Fučík P., Horváthová V., Huislová P., Kabelka D., Kapička J., Khel T., Kincl D., Kulhavý Z., Novák P. R. N. D., Novotný I., Papaj V., Pelíšek I., Podhrázská J., Pochop M., Skála J., Srbek J., Tlapáková L., Vopravil J., Zajíček A. (2019): Soil - Our Wealth. Prague, Profi Press. (in Czech)
    59. Van Oost K., Govers G., De Alba S., Quine T. A. (2006): Tillage erosion: A review of controlling factors and implications for soil quality. Progress in Physical Geography, 30: 443-466. Go to original source...
    60. Verheijen R.G.A., Jones R.J.A., Rickson R.J., Smith C.J. (2009): Tolerable versus actual soil erosion rates in Europe. Earth-Science Reviews, 94: 23-38. Go to original source...
    61. VUMOP (2024): Erosion Protection Calculator. Výzkumný ústav meliorací a ochrany půd. Available on https://metadata.vumop.cz/record/basic/54c8933e-5a48-4b40-bf7d-13707f000001. (in Czech)
    62. Wang Q., Qi J., Qiu H., Li J., Cole J., Waldhoff S., Zhang X. (2021): Pronounced increases in future soil erosion and sediment deposition as influenced by freeze-thaw cycles in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Environmental Science & Technology, 55: 9905-9915. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    63. Wischmeier W.H., Smith D.D. (1965): Predicting Rainfall-erosion Losses from Cropland East of the Rocky Mountains: Guide for Selection of Practices for Soil and Water Conservation. Washington, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
    64. Wischmeier W.H., Smith D.D. (1978): Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses: A Guide to Conservation Planning. Washington, Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration.
    65. Wu X., Wang X. (2011): Spatial influence of geographical factors on soil erosion in Fuyang County, China. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 10: 2128-2133. Go to original source...
    66. Zachar D. (1982): Soil Erosion. Amsterdam, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content