Assessment of the soil-protecting services of the forest ecosystem: a case study in Ilam catchment, Iran

Mahdavi, Ali; Motaharfard, Elham

doi:10.2478/fsmu-2023-0003

Abstract

The natural forests of western Iran play a key role in delivering services and goods to local society. Nonetheless, this forest ecosystem, despite its importance, is threatened by natural factors and anthropogenic activities, resulting in decreasing soil quality and soil erosion. The present research aimed to assess the effects of the forest ecosystems on soil erosion control in Ilam catchment in southwest Iran. For this purpose, after estimating the soil loss in natural conditions (NC), we predicted the amount of soil erosion under two scenarios: (i) convert natural forest with 20% canopy cover to destructed forest with 0% canopy cover (SC.1), (ii) increase forest cover by 40% (SC.2). Our results indicate that the estimated mean soil erosion was within the range of 9.36 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in irrigated and garden use to about 256 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in bare soils under NC. We found that when converting natural forest to destructed forest, the mean annual soil erosion rate increased 105.75 t ha^-1 yr^-1, 118.1 t ha^-1 yr^-1, and 19.57 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in the dense forest, sparse forest, and Agri-Forest use, respectively. These results show the protective effect of the forest against soil erosion.

References

Ahmadi, R., Kiadaliri, H., Mataji, A., Kafaki, S. 2014. Oak forest decline zonation using AHP model and GIS technique in Zagros forests of Ilam Province. – Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 4(3), 141–150.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aslam, B., Maqsoom, A., Alaloul, W.S., Musarat, M.A., Jabbar, T., Zafar, A. 2021. Soil erosion susceptibility mapping using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision approach: case of district Chitral, Pakistan. – Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 12(2), 1637–1649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2020.09.015.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Benaud, P., Anderson, K., Evans, M., Farrow, L., Glendel, M., James, M.R., Quine, T.A., Quinton, J.N., Rawlins, B., Rickson, R.J., Brazier, R.E. 2020. National-scale geodata describe widespread accelerated soil erosion. – Geoderma, 371, 114378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma. 2020.114378.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Berendse, F., van Ruijven, J., Jongejans, E., Keesstra, S. 2015. Loss of plant species diversity reduces soil erosion resistance. – Ecosystems, 18(5), 881–888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-015-9869-6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Beygi Heidarlou, H., Banj Shafiei, A., Erfanian, M., Tayyebi, A., Alijanpour, A. 2019. Effects of preservation policy on land use changes in Iranian Northern Zagros forests. – Land Use Policy, 81, 76–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.10.036.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Biddoccu, M., Guzmán, G., Capello, G., Thielke, T., Strauss, P., Winter, S., Zaller, J.G., Nicolai, A., Cluzeau, D., Popescu, D., Bunea, C., Hoble, A., Cavallo, E., Gómez, J.A. 2020. Evaluation of soil erosion risk and identification of soil cover and management factor (C) for RUSLE in European vineyards with different soil management. – International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 8(4), 337–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2020.07.003.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Blanco-Canqui, H., Lal, R. 2010. Soil erosion under forests. – Blanco-Canqui, H., Lal, R. (eds.). Principles of Soil Conservation and Management. Dordrecht, Springer, 321–344. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8709-7_12.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Borrelli, P., Panagos, P., Langhammer, J., Apostol, B., Schütt, B. 2016. Assessment of the cover changes and the soil loss potential in European forestland: first approach to derive indicators to capture the ecological impacts on soil-related forest ecosystems. – Ecological Indicators, 60, 1208–1220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.08.053.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Borrelli, P., Robinson, D.A., Fleischer, L.R., Lugato, E., Ballabio, C., Alewell, C., Meusburger, K., Modugno, S., Schütt, B., Ferro, V., Bagarello, V., Van Oost, K., Montanarella, L., Panagos, P. 2017. An assessment of the global impact of 21st century land use change on soil erosion. – Nature Communications, 8, 2013.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bozali, N. 2020. Assessment of the soil protection function of forest ecosystems using GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: a case study in Adiyaman, Turkey. – Global Ecology and Conservation, 24, e01271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01271.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Calitri, F., Sommer, M., van der Meij, M.W., Egli, M. 2020. Soil erosion along a transect in a forested catchment: recent or ancient processes? – Catena, 194, 104683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104683.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chang, Y., Zou, T., Yoshino, K., Luo, S., Zhou, S. 2019. Ecological policy benefit valuation based on public feedback: forest ecosystem services in Wuyishan nature reserve, China. – Science of The Total Environment, 673, 622–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.076.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gashaw, T., Worqlul, A.W., Dile, Y.T., Addisu, S., Bantider, A., Zeleke, G. 2020. Evaluating potential impacts of land management practices on soil erosion in the Gilgel Abay watershed, upper Blue Nile basin. – Heliyon, 6(8), e04777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04777.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ghazanfari, H., Namiranian, M., Sobhani, H., Mohajer, R.M. 2004. Traditional forest management and its application to encourage public participation for sustainable forest management in the Northern Zagros Mountain of Kurdistan Province, Iran. – Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 19(4), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/14004080410034074.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gholami, V., Sahour, H., Hadian Amri, M.A. 2021. Soil erosion modeling using erosion pins and artificial neural networks. – Catena, 196, 104902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104902.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ilstedt, U., Bargués Tobella, A., Bazié, H.R., Bayala, J., Verbeeten, E., Nyberg, G., Sanou, J., Benegas, L., Murdiyarso, D., Laudon, H., Sheil, D., Malmer, A. 2016. Intermediate tree cover can maximize groundwater recharge in the seasonally dry tropics. – Scientific Reports, 6, 21930. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep21930.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jazirehi, M.H., Rostaghi, E.M. 2003. Silviculture in Zagros. Tehran, Iran, University of Tehran Press. 520 pp.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jiang, L., Yao, Z., Liu, Z., Wu, S., Wang, R., Wang, L. 2015. Estimation of soil erosion in some sections of Lower Jinsha River based on RUSLE. – Natural Hazards, 76, 1831–1847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1569-6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kardavani, P. 2005. Conservation Soil. 8th Edition. Tehran, Tehran University Press. 264 pp. (In Persian).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Karimi Sangchini, E., Mohammadian Behbhani, A., Siroosi, H. 2009. Investigation of effective factors of erosion and sedimentation of the Zagros fold. Proceedings of the 5th National Conference on Watershed Management Science and Engineering of Iran, 22 April. Gorgan, 8 pp. (In Persian).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kayet, N., Pathak, K., Chakrabarty, A., Sahoo, S. 2018. Evaluation of soil loss estimation using the RUSLE model and SCS-CN method in hillslope mining areas. – International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.11.002.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kebede, Y.S., Endalamaw, N.T., Sinshaw, B.G., Atinkut, H.B. 2021. Modeling soil erosion using RUSLE and GIS at watershed level in the upper Beles, Ethiopia. – Environmental Challenges, 2, 100009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2020.100009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kindler, E. 2016. A comparison of the concepts: ecosystem services and forest functions to improve interdisciplinary exchange. – Forest Policy and Economics, 67, 52–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2016.03.011.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kooch, Y., Moghimian, N., Wirth, S., Haghverdi, K. 2020. Effects of shelterwood and single-tree cutting systems on topsoil quality and functions in northern Iranian forests. – Forest Ecology and Management, 468, 118188. https://doi.org/10.10167/j.foreco.2020.118188.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu, Y.-F., Liu, Y., Shi, Z.-H., López-Vicente, M., Wu, G.-L. 2020. Effectiveness of re-vegetated forest and grassland on soil erosion control in the semi-arid Loess Plateau. – Catena, 195, 104787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104787.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ma, E., Feng, Z., Zheng, Y. 2019. The effect of forest on soil erosion control based on remote sensing technology. – Ekoloji, 28(108), 2213–2217.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Miura, S., Amacher, M., Hofer, T., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Ernawati, Thackway, R. 2015. Protective functions and ecosystem services of global forests in the past quarter-century. – Forest Ecology and Management, 352, 35–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.03.039.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mobareghee, N. 2011. Estimating the value of conservation function of soil nutrient in forest ecosystems. – Environmental Researches, 1(2), 3–12.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mohammad, A.G., Adam, M.A. 2010. The impact of vegetative cover type on runoff and soil erosion under different land uses. – Catena, 81(2), 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2010.01.008.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mohammadi, S., Karimzadeh, H., Alizadeh, M. 2018. Spatial estimation of soil erosion in Iran using RUSLE model. – Iranian Journal of Ecohydrology, 5(2), 551–569.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Moore, I.D., Wilson, J.P. 1992. Length-slope factors for the revised universal soil loss equation: simplified method of estimation. – Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 47(5), 423–428.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Moradi, A., Taheri Abkenar, K., Afshar Mohammadian, M., Shabanian, N. 2017. Effects of dust on forest tree health in Zagros oak forests. – Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189, 549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6262-2.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Najm, Z., Keyhani, N., Rezaei, K., Nezamabad, A.N., Vaziri, S.H. 2013. Sediment yield and soil erosion assessment by using an empirical model of MPSIAC for Afjeh & Lavarak subwatersheds, Iran. – Earth Sciences, 2(1), 14–22. https//doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130201.13.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Noori, H., Siadatmousavi, S.M., Mojaradi, B. 2016. Assessment of sediment yield using RS and GIS at two sub-basins of Dez watershed, Iran. – International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 4(3), 199–206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.06.001.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Obiahu, O.H., Elias, E. 2020. Effect of land use land cover changes on the rate of soil erosion in the Upper Eyiohia river catchment of Afikpo North Area, Nigeria. – Environmental Challenges, 1, 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2020.100002.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pradeep, G.S., Krishnan, M.V.N., Vijith. H. 2015. Identification of critical soil erosion prone areas and annual average soil loss in an upland agricultural watershed of Western Ghats, using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and RUSLE techniques. – Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 8, 3697–3711. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1460-5.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Renard, K.G., Freimund, J.R. 1994. Using monthly precipitation data to estimate the R-factor in the revised USLE. – Journal of Hydrology, 157(1–4), 287–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(94)90110-4.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Renard, K.G., Foster G.R., Weesies, G.A., McCool, D.K., Yoder, D.C. 1997. Predicting soil erosion by water: a guide to conservation planning with the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). – Agriculture Handbook No. 703. Washington, DC, US Department of Agriculture. 404 pp.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rodrigues, A.R., Botequim, B., Tavares, C., Pécurto, P., Borges, J.G. 2020. Addressing soil protection concerns in forest ecosystem management under climate change. – Forest Ecosystems, 7, 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-020-00247-y.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sadeghi, M., Malekian, M., Khodakarami, L. 2017. Forest losses and gains in Kurdistan province, western Iran: where do we stand? – The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, 20(1), 51–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2016.07.001.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Song, Z., Seitz, S., Li, J., Goebes, P., Schmidt, K., Kühn, P., Shi, X., Scholten, T. 2019. Tree diversity reduced soil erosion by affecting tree canopy and biological soil crust development in a subtropical forest experiment. – Forest Ecology and Management, 444, 69–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.04.015.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sun, W., Shao, Q., Liu, J., Zhai, J. 2014. Assessing the effects of land use and topography on soil erosion on the Loess Plateau in China. – Catena, 121, 151–163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2014.05.009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tangestani, M.H. 2006. Comparison of EPM and PSIAC models in GIS for erosion and sediment yield assessment in a semi-arid environment: Afzar Catchment, Fars Province, Iran. – Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 27(5), 585–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.06.002.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Teng, M., Huang, C., Wang, P., Zeng, L., Zhou, Z., Xiao, W., Huang, Z., Liu, C. 2019. Impacts of forest restoration on soil erosion in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. – Science of The Total Environment, 697, 134164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134164.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Toy, T.J., Foster, G.R., Renard, K.G. 1999. RUSLE for mining, construction and reclamation lands. – Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 54(2), 462–467.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang, Z.-J., Jiao, J.-Y., Rayburg, S., Wang, Q.-L., Su, Y. 2016. Soil erosion resistance of “Grain for Green” vegetation types under extreme rainfall conditions on the Loess Plateau, China. – Catena, 141, 109–116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2016.02.025.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wischmeier, W.H., Smith, D.D. 1978. Predicting rainfall erosion losses. A guide to conservation planning. – Agriculture Handbook No. 537. Washington, DC, USDA, Science and Education Administration. 58 pp.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wisniewski, P., Märker, M. 2019. The role of soil-protecting forests in reducing soil erosion in young glacial landscapes of Northern-Central Poland. – Geoderma, 337, 1227–1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.11.035.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zarafshar, M., Bazot, S., Matinizadeh, M., Bordbar, S.K., Rousta, M.J., Kooch, Y., Enayati, K., Abbasi, A., Negahdarsaber, M. 2020. Do tree plantations or cultivated fields have the same ability to maintain soil quality as natural forests? – Applied Soil Ecology, 151, 103536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2020.103536.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Assessment of the soil-protecting services of the forest ecosystem: a case study in Ilam catchment, Iran

Abstract

Paradigm

My account