Estimate of erosion risk on soils in the Vinodol Valley
Ivica KISIĆ, Ferdo BAŠIĆ, Milan MESIĆ, Anđelko BUTORAC
Pages: 199-211
Summary
Potential natural soil erosion by water was investigated on six soil units occurring in the studied area of the Vinodol valley.
According to the overall depth to the parent rock, soils were classified into three groups: medium deep (< 0,8 m - Fluvisol-colluvial soils, gleyic and Rendzina on colluvial drift), deep (0,8-1,2 m - colluvial soils with prevailing of soil material) and very deep soils (>1,2 m - Fluvisol, calcareous, gleyic; Gleys, hypogleyic and Gleys, amphigleyic). Tolerant soil loss for the studied area was estimated at 12 t/ha yearly for very deep and deep soils, and 8 t/ha yearly for medium deep soils. Rain erosiveness indicator was calculated for two meteorological stations (Bribir and Novi Vinodolski). Calculation and interpretation of the results were carried out using the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) method.
The obtained results point to the conclusion that the degree of erosion risk on alluvial-colluvial, alluvial carbonate and eugley, gleyic was insignificant till moderate. On colluvial and rendzina on colluvial drift erosion risk was high till extreme.
Results obtained in this research indicate that erosion on most soils of the Vinodol depression does not exceed tolerance (except colluvial and rendzina on colluvial drift). Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize that absolute priority in slowing down and further reducing erosional processes on all soil types on sloping terrains should be given to contour (across the slope) ploughing and, unfailingly, to leaving plant mulch on the soil surface in orchards and vineyards, or its ploughing-in in other agricultural production.
According to the overall depth to the parent rock, soils were classified into three groups: medium deep (< 0,8 m - Fluvisol-colluvial soils, gleyic and Rendzina on colluvial drift), deep (0,8-1,2 m - colluvial soils with prevailing of soil material) and very deep soils (>1,2 m - Fluvisol, calcareous, gleyic; Gleys, hypogleyic and Gleys, amphigleyic). Tolerant soil loss for the studied area was estimated at 12 t/ha yearly for very deep and deep soils, and 8 t/ha yearly for medium deep soils. Rain erosiveness indicator was calculated for two meteorological stations (Bribir and Novi Vinodolski). Calculation and interpretation of the results were carried out using the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) method.
The obtained results point to the conclusion that the degree of erosion risk on alluvial-colluvial, alluvial carbonate and eugley, gleyic was insignificant till moderate. On colluvial and rendzina on colluvial drift erosion risk was high till extreme.
Results obtained in this research indicate that erosion on most soils of the Vinodol depression does not exceed tolerance (except colluvial and rendzina on colluvial drift). Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize that absolute priority in slowing down and further reducing erosional processes on all soil types on sloping terrains should be given to contour (across the slope) ploughing and, unfailingly, to leaving plant mulch on the soil surface in orchards and vineyards, or its ploughing-in in other agricultural production.
Keywords
USLE; soil erodibility; potential erosion; risk of erosion; soil conservation
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