Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/224881

Title

Salinity and erosion: a preliminary investigation of soil erosion on a salinized hillslope

Author(s)

Neave, Mel;  Rayburg, Scott

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether increasing soil salinity levels promote higher rates of runoff induced erosion. Rainfall simulation experiments, with an average intensity of 75 mm h-1, were conducted on eight 1-m2 runoff plots in central New South Wales, Australia. A cross-design method was adopted using three soil salinity levels (low, medium and high) and two vegetation covers (<10% and >30%). Multiple regression analyses reveal that the sediment concentration of runoff is positively related to soil salinity levels and negatively related to vegetation cover (R 2 = 0.688; p > F = 0.048), suggesting a causal link between soil salinity and sediment mobilization. The results of this study will provide useful information to land managers seeking to redress salinity issues in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Publication type

Conference paper

Source

Proceedings of the Sediment Dynamics and the Hydromorphology of Fluvial Systems symposium, Dundee, Scotland, 02-07 July 2006 / John S. Rowan, Robert W. Duck and Alan Werritty (eds.), Vol. 306, pp. 531-539

Publication year

2006

Keyword(s)

Computer simulation;  Electrical conductivity;  Hillslope erosion;  Precipitation intensity;  Rainfall simulation;  Runoff;  Salinisation;  Salinity measurement;  Soil erosion;  Soils;  Vegetation cover

Publisher

International Association of Hydrological Sciences Press

ISSN

0144-7815 (series ISSN)

ISBN

9781901502688, 1901502686

Publisher URL

http://iahs.info/redbooks/306.htm

Copyright

Copyright © IAHS Press.

Peer reviewed