On the hydro-geomorphology of steepland coffee farming: Runoff and surface erosion DOI Creative Commons
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón

Agricultural Water Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 289, P. 108568 - 108568

Published: Oct. 21, 2023

Soil compaction and natural vegetation removal associated to agriculture tends promote runoff soil erosion with potentially adverse onsite, downstream, global impacts. Although coffee farming represents a fraction of the world's harvested lands, it is vital crop for many developing nations where frequently cultivated on prone, high-relief, wet tropical landscapes. However, limited empirical data exists farm erosion. This article attends this need by describing results rainfall simulation experiments designed evaluate impact sun-grown coffee-farming precipitation excess, infiltration rates, surface overland flow. Results show that rates coffee-cultivated fields are ∼60 – 80% relative undisturbed forested slopes, cultivation increases one two orders magnitude depending presence or absence mulch weed cover. The suggests land unsustainable from both formation an agricultural productivity point view. Unsurfaced access roads display even greater than surfaces ∼10% soils up four-orders above background grading history slope. Farm-scale annualized ∼3–24 Mg ha-1 yr-1 actively used unpaved road abundance as account ∼99% net Implementing efficient control strategies farms therefore essential reduce their current impacts, but also future given worldwide surge in harvesting areas projected upcoming decades.

Language: Английский

Multi‐decadal sediment dynamics of a tropical watershed – The relative roles of surface erosion and shallow landsliding DOI
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón, Eugênio Arima

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(5)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Sedimentation represents a key risk to the world's artificial reservoirs upon which humans rely satisfy vital water needs. Improving our understanding of watershed sediment dynamics is crucial in managing reservoirs, particularly small, high‐standing tropical islands characterized by high yields. This study addresses such need comparing potential contributions from surface erosion on active cropland and rain‐driven shallow landsliding yields an reservoir Puerto Rico for 60‐year period. The relied various data sources including land cover landslide maps, high‐resolution digital elevation databases, long‐term rainfall bathymetric surveys document budget 43.9 km 2 watershed. Results indicate that delivery associated with may explain 47–79% 1,195 Mg −2 yr −1 long‐term, watershed‐scale average yield capable sustaining about 20%. Rainfall not directly cyclones appears be as important related named storms driving mobilization. As declined frequency days sufficient trigger landslides increased through time, relative importance consequently presently 85% rates remain well above background levels. current incidence this mostly forested linked its abundant (~1,980 mm ; ~0.92 triggering rains per year), topographic relief (~90% > 30°) road densities (19.4 ). Most roads are farm access largely represent legacy now abandoned agricultural activities, yet they still induce much slope instability generates significant quantities sediment.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Three Decades of Road and Trail Runoff andErosion Work in the Northeastern Caribbean –a Research Program Perspective DOI Open Access

Carlos E. Ramos Scharron,

Efrain E. Alicea,

Yasiel Figueroa Sanchez

et al.

Journal of the ASABE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 66(1), P. 35 - 45

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Highlights The infiltration capacities of unsurfaced roadways are frequently exceeded by rain intensity, promoting overland flow. Erosion rates from and cut slopes 10 1 to 4 times greater than on undisturbed hillslopes. Roads in steep, subtropical wet terranes may increase landslide erosion a factor 5 relative areas without roads. hydro-geomorphic impact roads is so prominent that they must be explicitly considered watershed assessments. ABSTRACT. key environmental concern the northeastern Caribbean because it can diminish soil productivity, damage infrastructure, threaten human life. Additionally, sediment released delivered streams where degrade water quality aquatic habitat, reduce reservoir storage capacity, critical marine resources such as sea grass beds coral reefs. Road has been region since 1990s, considerable body research conducted over last ~30 years. This article reviews findings identifies additional needs. In some tropical dry coastal watersheds US Virgin Islands Puerto Rico, unpaved foot or off-road vehicle trails primary sources. Watershed scale production these settings 0.3 3.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1, depending road density, 3 40 under conditions. wetter settings, like forested actively cultivated landscapes highland contributions include those farm but also croplands, streambanks, landslides. 15 60 with road-induced surface landslides accounting for 50% 95% total production. Designing management alternatives will require improve our understanding road-to-stream road-to-coast connectivity, develop effectiveness metrics applied practices, establish specific causes Keywords: Connectivity, Coral reefs, Landslides, Sedimentation, Surface erosion, Islands.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
A scenario modelling approach to assess management impacts on soil erosion in coffee systems in Central America DOI Creative Commons
Stefania Cerretelli, Edwin Castellanos, Sergio González‐Mollinedo

et al.

CATENA, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 228, P. 107182 - 107182

Published: May 5, 2023

Soil erosion is one of the major causes soil degradation worldwide, because it depletion organic carbon, nutrients, and water holding capacity. In Central America, coffee production vulnerable to since often occupies steep slopes with high annual precipitation. To assess management options control erosion, vegetation field data were collected from 90 Costa Rican 96 Guatemalan plantations, mainly shaded, distributed in six areas. was modelled using RUSLE (Revised Universal Loss Equation), integrating cover data, remote sensing data. Management scenarios developed role two principal strategies mitigating erosion: increasing cover, conservation practices. Average estimated rates 17 7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 predicted for plantations Rica Guatemala, respectively, representing between 23% 40% watershed within which they situated. If all achieved equivalent best 25% would be reduced by 7% 8% Guatemala. implemented practices, 11% 35% With combined a reduction 17% respectively. The or better vegetative varied among regions countries depending on current management, local climate, topography. These results show importance system practices moderating highland production, how analyses can identify priority different supporting more effective policies reduce erosion.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Analysis of the Role of Precipitation and Land Use on the Size of the Source Area of Shallow Landslides DOI Open Access
Alessia Giarola, Massimiliano Bordoni, Francesco Zucca

et al.

Water, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(19), P. 3340 - 3340

Published: Sept. 23, 2023

Rainfall-induced shallow landslides cause damage to human activities and infrastructureseach year, although the size of a landslide correlates that it causes, very few studies have previously investigated factors influence landslide. The aim this work was assess role precipitation land use in controlling source area rainfall-induced landslides. After ruling out impact slope angle bedrock lithology two selected catchments, investigated: statistical tests showed woodlands vineyards had statistically different distributions, possibly due hydrological behaviours between two. A correlation additionally found amount cumulated rainfall three days prior each analysed event. In both cases, an increase linked pore pressure. This study aimed fill existing gap research help implement policies at reducing size, consequently impact,

Language: Английский

Citations

5
On the hydro-geomorphology of steepland coffee farming: Runoff and surface erosion DOI Creative Commons
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón

Agricultural Water Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 289, P. 108568 - 108568

Published: Oct. 21, 2023

Soil compaction and natural vegetation removal associated to agriculture tends promote runoff soil erosion with potentially adverse onsite, downstream, global impacts. Although coffee farming represents a fraction of the world's harvested lands, it is vital crop for many developing nations where frequently cultivated on prone, high-relief, wet tropical landscapes. However, limited empirical data exists farm erosion. This article attends this need by describing results rainfall simulation experiments designed evaluate impact sun-grown coffee-farming precipitation excess, infiltration rates, surface overland flow. Results show that rates coffee-cultivated fields are ∼60 – 80% relative undisturbed forested slopes, cultivation increases one two orders magnitude depending presence or absence mulch weed cover. The suggests land unsustainable from both formation an agricultural productivity point view. Unsurfaced access roads display even greater than surfaces ∼10% soils up four-orders above background grading history slope. Farm-scale annualized ∼3–24 Mg ha-1 yr-1 actively used unpaved road abundance as account ∼99% net Implementing efficient control strategies farms therefore essential reduce their current impacts, but also future given worldwide surge in harvesting areas projected upcoming decades.

Language: Английский

Citations

1