IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i11p6058-d563770.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Hillslope Erosion Mitigation: An Experimental Proof of a Nature-Based Solution

Author

Listed:
  • Ciro Apollonio

    (DAFNE Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Andrea Petroselli

    (DEIM Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Flavia Tauro

    (DIBAF Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Manuela Cecconi

    (DI Department, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Chiara Biscarini

    (SHeC Center Sustainable Heritage Conservation, Università per Stranieri di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy)

  • Claudio Zarotti

    (PRATI ARMATI SRL, Opera, 20090 Milan, Italy)

  • Salvatore Grimaldi

    (DIBAF Department, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

Abstract

Soil erosion during rainfall events is affected by several factors, such as topography, soil type, land management, and vegetation cover. In this study, a series of tests investigates the influence of selected perennial herbaceous plants with a deep and strong rooting system, called MC1, on runoff generation and soil erosion. The tests on the investigated nature-based solution have been performed in the Cape Fear experimental hillslope with natural and artificial rainfall and for different vegetation heights. For all the experiments, runoff, soil moisture, and erosion data were observed and collected. The results obtained in this study suggest the following conclusions: (1) MC1 is effective in terms of soil erosion reduction already with a minimum vegetation height equal to 30 cm; (2) MC1 maximum efficiency, in terms of soil loss reduction, has been reached for a vegetation height equal to 70 cm; (3) In terms of the eroded material, the use of MC1 allows for a reduction of soil loss up to 300 times higher than the bare soil condition; (4) The use of MC1 allows for a reduction in the runoff coefficient up to 1/3 of the corresponding value in the bare soil condition.

Suggested Citation

  • Ciro Apollonio & Andrea Petroselli & Flavia Tauro & Manuela Cecconi & Chiara Biscarini & Claudio Zarotti & Salvatore Grimaldi, 2021. "Hillslope Erosion Mitigation: An Experimental Proof of a Nature-Based Solution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6058-:d:563770
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6058/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6058/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. R. L. Baumhardt & B. A. Stewart & U. M. Sainju, 2015. "North American Soil Degradation: Processes, Practices, and Mitigating Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Fabio Recanatesi & Andrea Petroselli, 2020. "Land Cover Change and Flood Risk in a Peri-Urban Environment of the Metropolitan Area of Rome (Italy)," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 34(14), pages 4399-4413, November.
    3. Silvia Stanchi & Odoardo Zecca & Csilla Hudek & Emanuele Pintaldi & Davide Viglietti & Michele E. D’Amico & Nicola Colombo & Davide Goslino & Marilisa Letey & Michele Freppaz, 2021. "Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Melanie Maxwald & Cesare Crocetti & Roberto Ferrari & Alessandro Petrone & Hans Peter Rauch & Federico Preti, 2020. "Soil and Water Bioengineering Applications in Central and South America: A Transferability Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-31, December.
    5. A. Guerra & J. Bezerra & M. Fullen & J. Mendonҫa & M. Jorge, 2015. "Erratum to: The effects of biological geotextiles on gully stabilization in São Luís, Brazil," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 77(2), pages 1417-1417, June.
    6. A. Guerra & J. Bezerra & M. Fullen & J. Mendonҫa & M. Jorge, 2015. "Erratum to: The effects of biological geotextiles on gully stabilization in São Luís, Brazil," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(1), pages 315-315, November.
    7. A. Guerra & J. Bezerra & M. Fullen & J. Mendonça & M. Jorge, 2015. "The effects of biological geotextiles on gully stabilization in São Luís, Brazil," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(3), pages 2625-2636, February.
    8. Saskia Keesstra & Gerben Mol & Jan De Leeuw & Joop Okx & Co Molenaar & Margot De Cleen & Saskia Visser, 2018. "Soil-Related Sustainable Development Goals: Four Concepts to Make Land Degradation Neutrality and Restoration Work," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-20, November.
    9. Ciro Apollonio & Gabriella Balacco & Antonio Novelli & Eufemia Tarantino & Alberto Ferruccio Piccinni, 2016. "Land Use Change Impact on Flooding Areas: The Case Study of Cervaro Basin (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-18, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chao Yang & Jianrong Fan & Jiali Liu & Fubao Xu & Xiyu Zhang, 2021. "Evaluating the Dominant Controls of Water Erosion in Three Dry Valley Types Using the RUSLE and Geodetector Method," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Mohamad Jahja & Ali Mudatstsir & Idawati Supu & Yayu Indriati Arifin & Jayanti Rauf & Masayuki Sakakibara & Tsutomu Yamaguchi & Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma & Ivana Butolo, 2024. "How Effective Are Palm-Fiber-Based Erosion Control Blankets (ECB) against Natural Rainfall?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri, 2022. "Sustainable Use of Nature-Based Solutions for Slope Protection and Erosion Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-3, February.
    4. Xinlan Liang & Jiawei Feng & Zhixin Ye & Lei Zhang & Jidong Li & Xiuyuan Lu & Sixiang Zhao & Qi Liu & Zicheng Zheng & Yong Wang, 2022. "The Effect of Soil Surface Mounds and Depressions on Runoff," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Nurnabi Meherul Alam & Chayna Jana & Debashis Mandal & Sunita Kumari Meena & Shashi Shekhar Shrimali & Uday Mandal & Sabyasachi Mitra & Gouranga Kar, 2022. "Applying Analytic Hierarchy Process for Identifying Best Management Practices in Erosion Risk Areas of Northwestern Himalayas," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Vidya Anderson & Manavvi Suneja & Jelena Dunjic, 2023. "Sensing and Measurement Techniques for Evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions: A State-of-the-Art Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-39, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Antonio Tomás Mozas-Calvache & Julio Antonio Calero González & Theo Guerra Dug & Tomas Manuel Fernández del Castillo, 2023. "Methodology for Determining Gully Widths in Multi-Temporal Studies in Olive Groves of Southern Spain," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Piotr Kacorzyk & Jacek Strojny & Barbara Białczyk, 2021. "The Impact of Biodegradable Geotextiles on the Effect of Sodding of Difficult Terrain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Davide Marino & Margherita Palmieri & Angelo Marucci & Mariangela Soraci & Antonio Barone & Silvia Pili, 2023. "Linking Flood Risk Mitigation and Food Security: An Analysis of Land-Use Change in the Metropolitan Area of Rome," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, January.
    4. Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri, 2022. "Sustainable Use of Nature-Based Solutions for Slope Protection and Erosion Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-3, February.
    5. Asghari, Shiva & Zeinalzadeh, Kamran & Kheirfam, Hossein & Habibzadeh Azar, Behnam, 2022. "The impact of cyanobacteria inoculation on soil hydraulic properties at the lab-scale experiment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    6. Elena A. Mikhailova & Garth R. Groshans & Christopher J. Post & Mark A. Schlautman & Gregory C. Post, 2019. "Valuation of Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in the Contiguous United States Based on the Avoided Social Cost of Carbon Emissions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-15, August.
    7. Maisa’a W. Shammout, 2023. "Calculation and Management of Water Supply and Demand under Land Use/Cover Changes in the Yarmouk River Basin Governorates in Jordan," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, July.
    8. Sheikh Adil Edrisi & Vishal Tripathi & Purushothaman Chirakkuzhyil Abhilash, 2019. "Performance Analysis and Soil Quality Indexing for Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Grown in Marginal and Degraded Land of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-19, April.
    9. Ilaria Zambon & Artemi Cerdà & Sirio Cividino & Luca Salvati, 2019. "The (Evolving) Vineyard’s Age Structure in the Valencian Community, Spain: A New Demographic Approach for Rural Development and Landscape Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, March.
    10. Ilaria Zambon & Artemi Cerdà & Filippo Gambella & Gianluca Egidi & Luca Salvati, 2019. "Industrial Sprawl and Residential Housing: Exploring the Interplay between Local Development and Land-Use Change in the Valencian Community, Spain," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-18, September.
    11. Fullana-Pericàs, Mateu & Conesa, Miquel À. & Douthe, Cyril & El Aou-ouad, Hanan & Ribas-Carbó, Miquel & Galmés, Jeroni, 2019. "Tomato landraces as a source to minimize yield losses and improve fruit quality under water deficit conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 1-1.
    12. Saskia Keesstra & Saskia Visser & Margot De Cleen, 2021. "Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality: A Robust Soil System Forms the Basis for Nature-Based Solutions," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-4, November.
    13. Zheng, Haijin & Nie, Xiaofei & Liu, Zhao & Mo, Minghao & Song, Yuejun, 2021. "Identifying optimal ridge practices under different rainfall types on runoff and soil loss from sloping farmland in a humid subtropical region of Southern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    14. Jesús Barrena-González & Jesús Rodrigo-Comino & Yeboah Gyasi-Agyei & Manuel Pulido Fernández & Artemi Cerdà, 2020. "Applying the RUSLE and ISUM in the Tierra de Barros Vineyards (Extremadura, Spain) to Estimate Soil Mobilisation Rates," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-17, March.
    15. Purushothaman Chirakkuzhyil Abhilash, 2021. "Restoring the Unrestored: Strategies for Restoring Global Land during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UN-DER)," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-19, February.
    16. Asmamaw A. Gebrehiwot & Leila Hashemi-Beni & Lyubov A. Kurkalova & Chyi L. Liang & Manoj K. Jha, 2022. "Using ABM to Study the Potential of Land Use Change for Mitigation of Food Deserts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-23, August.
    17. Rosa Rivieccio & Lorenzo Sallustio & Massimo Paolanti & Matteo Vizzarri & Marco Marchetti, 2017. "Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, January.
    18. Jong Mun Lee & Minji Park & Bae Kyung Park & Jiyeon Choi & Jinsun Kim & Kyunghyun Kim & Yongseok Kim, 2021. "Evaluation of Water Circulation by Modeling: An Example of Nonpoint Source Management in the Yeongsan River Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    19. Lucio Di Matteo & Alessandro Spigarelli & Sofia Ortenzi, 2020. "Processes in the Unsaturated Zone by Reliable Soil Water Content Estimation: Indications for Soil Water Management from a Sandy Soil Experimental Field in Central Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    20. Saskia Keesstra & Jeroen Veraart & Jan Verhagen & Saskia Visser & Marit Kragt & Vincent Linderhof & Wilfred Appelman & Jolanda van den Berg & Ayodeji Deolu-Ajayi & Annemarie Groot, 2023. "Nature-Based Solutions as Building Blocks for the Transition towards Sustainable Climate-Resilient Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6058-:d:563770. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.