Lochschmidt, F. (2010): <b>Modellierung der Erosion sowie erosionsbedingter Nährstoffausträge (N, P, K) verschiedener Landnutzungssysteme in Südecuador</b> Dresden University of Technology, <i>diploma thesis</i>
Resource Description
Title:
Modellierung der Erosion sowie erosionsbedingter Nährstoffausträge (N, P, K) verschiedener Landnutzungssysteme in Südecuador
FOR816dw ID:
1150
Publication Date:
2010-06-01
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Frank Lochschmidt
Contact:
email:
webmaster <at> tropicalmountainforest.org
Abstract:
Wide parts oft the Ecuadorian highlands are characterized by soil erosion of different<br/>
severity levels, with partially significant effects on soil nutrient balances in the affected<br/>
land use systems. Against this background, especially the aspect of soil erosion was investigated<br/>
in this thesis, as part of the project ?Participatory soil fertility management:<br/>
Calculation of nutrient balances in different farm systems of the Ecuadorian Andes?. Soil<br/>
erosion was calculated for thirteen farms of three different agricultural systems in the<br/>
south of Ecuador. Furthermore, it was looked for possibilities of erosion protection to<br/>
model exemplarily with these scenarios. Simultaneously, the application of the modeling<br/>
program should be evaluated, because it is not a special erosion model.<br/>
Because of the small size of most of the farms and their high diversity of crown cultures,<br/>
the model NUTMON was used. For the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation), that is the<br/>
basis of erosion calculation with NUTMON, it was looked for alternative and regional<br/>
adapted methods of calculating the factors of the equation. Thereby, it was possible to<br/>
assign specific values to each unit of management.<br/>
The mean erosion rates on farm level were between 0,2 and 84 tons per hectare and year,<br/>
however, land use and relief vary strongly and had main influence on erosion. Soil<br/>
erosion is mainly responsible for negative nutrient balances of most of the farms. On the<br/>
supposition of different measures of erosion reduction (live mulching, mulching, improved<br/>
utilization of pasture), soil loss could be reduced up to 70%. Generally, annual<br/>
cultures showed the greatest potential for minimizing erosion, followed by permanent<br/>
cultures and pastures. NUTMON itself seems to be less suitable for calculation of erosion<br/>
rates of very small areas. Through the missing of exact calibration values, achieved in<br/>
field trials of the research area, it was difficult to evaluate the obtained results.
