Spatial heterogeneity of loess contour tilled microtopographic slope in rainfall erosion
2016
Huihui, Zhang | Na, Ta | Qingfeng, Zhang
Loess tilled surface is the geographical unit for the quantitative study of the soil erosion process. Contour tillage has been proved to be the most effictive measure for soil and water conservation in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Studies on the spatial heterogeneity of loess tilled surfaces will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of erosion evolution. For this, a laboratory experiment was performed on contour tilled sloping surfaces where the hydrological-erosive processes were simulated. At different erosion stages, point cloud measurements were made using a terrestrial laser scanning system (TLS); then the heterogeneity depending on detrending and directionality were analysed by both the semivariogram method and the rescaled range analysis method. Results showed that: (1) the fractal dimensions D S and D R were equivalent when determined from either the semivariogram method or the rescaled range analysis method, although the semivariogram method appears to be more reliable in identifying the specific stage of the erosion evolution process; (2) the contour tilled microtopographies had an anisotropy behavior depending on direction; (3) the fractal dimension (either D S or D R) in different erosion stages was less than 1.5, which indicates that the microtopography of the sloping surface exhibits characteristics of persistent fractional Brownian motion and positive spatial autocorrelation. Irrespective of tillage measure and slope percentage, the sloping surface can be regarded as having random roughness. The results reveals a quantitative relationship between microtopography and sloping erosion. Also, it may provide guidance for further studies regarding the spatial variability and heterogeneity of various tilled slopes on the microtopographic scale.
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