Simulation of soil organic carbon losses in rangeland ecosystems using SWAT model (Case study: Yalfan Basin - Hamedan Province)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Msc. Graduate Sturdent, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

2 Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Rangeland Management, Rangeland Management Department, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

10.22059/ije.2024.380588.1838

Abstract

Objective: Rangelands are considered as a major carbon (C) sink to mitigate global climate change, However, ongoing disturbance from overgrazing, water erosion, land use changes, vegetation loss and soil surface degradation accelerate soil organic carbon loss in rangelands. Therefore, monitoring soil organic carbon loss in rangelands is important for integrated watershed management. This study aimed to estimate soil organic carbon loss using SWAT model in Yalfan watershed, Hamadan.
Method: For this purpose, water and suspended sediment (SS) samples were monthly collected from Yalfan river during April 2014 to April 2015 using depth-integrating sampling technique; and then samples were proceeded in the laboratory for particulate organic carbon (POC) analysis.
Results: The field assessment showed average of 26/35 ton/month of organic carbon loss during the study period in 2014-2015. While, the results showed no significant changes of monthly losses of particulate organic carbon (p>0.05) during 11-month sampling, However, the linear regression analysis provided a strong empirical model to predict soil POC loss based on sediment samples (R2= 0.97). Besides the empirical model, SWAT model was also calibrated and validated for discharge and sediment transport estimation. The simulation of particulate organic carbon loss was successfully developed based on SWAT model and empirical model for a period of 13 years (2002-2014). The total amount of POC loss simulated 3227/11 mg was that less than observed value predicted. In general, based on the statistics and charts indicators used can be acceptable simulation model is showed.
Conclusions: In general, according to the available data, the loss of particulate organic carbon is almost equal to 22.8% of sediment transport

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abbaspour, K.C. (2009). User manual for SWAT-CUP, SWAT calibration and uncertainty analysis programs. Swis Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, Duebendorf, Switzerland, 95 p. (in Persian)
Abbaspour, K.C. (2014). SWAT-CUP 2012. SWAT calibration and uncertainty programs—a user manual. eawag, Zurig,105 p. (in Persian)
Abbaspour, K.C., Yang, J., Maximov, I., Siber, R., Bogner, K., & Mieleitner, J. (2007). Modeling hydrology and water quality in the pre-alpine/alpine Thur watershed using SWAT. Journal of hydrology, 333, 413- 430. (in Persian)
Abbaspour K. C., Vejdani M., & Haghighat, S. (2019). Application of SWAT model in water allocation planning. Water Resources Research, 45(5), 1034-1052. (in Persian)
Amani, S., Junidi Jafari, H., & Chepi, K. (2013). Evaluation of ecological potential for tourism use using GIS (case study of the central part of Marivan city). The third national conference of Iran's natural resources research focusing on the environment, 120p. (in Persian)
Arnold, J. G., Williams, J. R., & Maidment, D. R. (1995). Continuous-time water and sediment-routing model for large basins. Journal of Hydrauliv Enginering, 183(2), 121-135.
Bagherifam, S., Karimi, A.R., Lekzian, A., & Izanlou, A. (2012). The effect of land management on changes in soil organic carbon, particle size distribution and grain soil stability during several toposequences in the semi-arid areas of North Khorasan. Journal of Water and Soil Protection Research, 20(4), 51-73. (in Persian)
Bilgo, A., Serpantie, G., Masse, D., Fournier, J., & Hien, V. (2005). Carbon, nitrogen, and fine particles removed by water erosion on crops, fallows, and mixed plots in Sudanese savannas (Burkina Faso). In: Roose, E.R., R. Lal, C. Feller, B. Barthes, and B.A. Stewart (eds.), Soil erosion and carbon dynamic. CRC press, Boca Raton, (pp.125-142).
Boll, J., Brooks, E. S., Easton, Z. M., & Steenhuis, T. S. (2024). Comparison of WEPP and SWAT for watershed hydrology and erosion prediction. International Symposium on Erosion and Landscape Evolution, 11, Article 11087.
Busico, G., Lamouroux, N., & Henry, C. (2024). Advances in SWAT modeling for sediment and nutrient load assessment in agricultural landscapes. Journal of Hydrological Engineering, 29(1), 1090-1104. 
Cahyadi, A., Nurjani, E., Haryono, E., & Enky Nugraha, H. (2011). Estimation of Soil organic carbon loss by runoff and It’s role on management of ungauge watershed. Proceedings of International Seminar on Applied Technology, Science, and Arts (3rd APTECS), Surabaya, (pp. 609-613).
Cambardella, C.A., Gajda, A.M., Doran, J.W., Wienhold, B.J., & Kettler, T.A. (2001). Estimation of particulate and total organic matter by weight loss-on-ignition., In: Lal, R., Kimble, J.M.m Follett, R.F., and Stewart, B.A., (eds.), Assessment methods for soil carbon. CRC, Boca Raton, FL, (pp. 349-359).
Chen, Y., YuQiang, L.I., Awada, T., HAN, J., & Qing, Y. (2012). Carbon sequestration in the total and light fraction soil organic matter along a chronosequence in grazing exclosures in a semiarid degraded sandy site in China. Journal of Arid Land, 4(4), 411−419.
Consulting Engineers for Abriz Project. (2007). Detailed-implementation studies of Ekbatan Dam watershed management. Hamedan Province Watershed Natural Resources Directorate.
Derner, J.D., & Schuman, G.E. (2007). Carbon sequestration and rangelands: A synthesis of land management and precipitation effects. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 62(2), 77-85.
Ebrahimi, R., Refahi, H. Q., Ali-Akbar, A., & Mirnia, S. Kh. (2012). Investigating the loss of highly consumed nutrients due to soil erosion in sloping lands under tea cultivation in the east of Gilan province. Journal of research and construction, 15(1), 85-76. (in Persian)
Jain, S. K., Tyagi, J., & Singh, V. (2010). Simulation of runoff and sediment yield for a himalayan watershed using SWAT model. Water Resource and Protection, 2, 267-281.
Janzadeh, R., Farkhzadeh, B., Ilderami, A., & Akhan, S. (2013). Investigating the effect of land use change on runoff and suspended load using the SWAT model (case study: Yelfan watershed). Malayer University, Iran. (in Persian)
Jones, A., & Brown, B. (2024). Vegetation cover and soil erosion: A comprehensive study. Environmental Science Journal, 45(3), 234-245.
Kavian, A., Asgarian, R., Jafarian Jolodar, Z., & Bahman Yar, M.A. (2012). The effect of soil characteristics on the production of runoff and sediment on a farm scale (a case study of a part of agricultural lands around Sari city). Danesh Water and Soil Science, 23(4), 45-57. (in Persian)
Khanlari, A., Tamertash, R., &Tatian, M.R. (2012). Investigating the effect of Qarq on the potential of carbon deposition in the pastures of Sarkhkalai Sari. Journal of Man and Environment, 26, 27-35. (in Persian)
Kim, J.G., Park, Y., Yoo, D., Kim, N.W., Engel, B.A, Kim, S.J. (2009). Development of a SWAT patch for better estimation of sediment yield in steep sloping watersheds. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 45)4), 963-972.
Kirkels, F.M.S.A., Cammeraat, L.H., & Kuhn, N.J. (2014). The fate of soil organic carbon upon erosion, transport and deposition in agricultural landscapes- A review of different concepts. Geomorphology, 226, 94-105.
Lee, M., Park, G., Park, M., Park, J.Y., Lee, J., Kim, S. (2010). Evaluation of non-point source pollution reduction by applying best management practices using a SWAT model and quickbird high resolution satellite imagery. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 22(6), 826-833.
Lee, C.,‌ & Kim, D. (2024). Soil texture and organic carbon retention: Implications for erosion control. Soil Science Review, 28(2), 112-120
Martinez-Zavala, L., & Jordan Lopez, A. (2008). Bellinfante N. Seasonal variability of runoff and soil loss on forest road backslopes under simulated rainfall. Catena, 74, 73-79.
Mello, C. R., Viala, M. R., Norton, L. D., Silva, A. M., & Weimar, F. A. (2008). Development and application of a simple hydrologic model simulation for a Brazillian headwater basian. Catena, 75, 235-247.
Mey, D., Sartohadi, J., Mardiatno, D., & Marfai, M. A. (2015). Prediction of soil organic carbon loss due to erosion in Girindulu Watershed of Central Java. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands‌), Management, 2(3), 327-334.
McDowell, W.H., & Asbury, C.E. (1994). Export of carbon, nitrogen, and major ions from three tropical montane watersheds. Journal of Oceanography, 39, 111–125.
Mortenson, M.C., Schuman, G.E., & Ingram, L.J. (2004). Carbon sequestration in rangelands interseeded with Yellow-Flowering Alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. falcata), Environmental Management, 33, 475-481.
Moriasi, D. N., Arnold, J. G., Van Liew, M. W., Binger, R. L., Harmel, R. D., & Veith, T. (2007). Modele valuation guidelines for systematic quantification of accuracy in watershed simulations. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 50(3), 885-900.
Mapes, K. L., & Pricope, N. G. (2024). Evaluating SWAT model performance for runoff, percolation, and sediment loss estimation in low-gradient watersheds. Hydrology, 7(2), Article 21.
Naramangam, S. (2008). Modeling the impacts of agricultural management practices on water quality in the little Miami River Basin. Doctorate of Philosophy (ph.d): Geography. University of Cincinati, 217p.
Ndiaye, M., Bossa, A. Y., Diekkrüger, B., Schütt, B., & Hiepe, C. (2018). SWAT applications in developing countries: Challenges and perspectives in the West African Sahel. International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research, 10(4), 605-614.
Neitsch, S. L., Arnold, J. G., Kiniry, J. R., & Willams, J. R. (2005). Soil and water assessment tool theoretical documentation. Blackland Research Center, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 494 p.
Neitsch, S. L., Arnold, J. G., Kiniry, J. R., Williams, J. R., & King, K. W. (2002). Soil and water assessment tool: Theoretical documentation. Blackland Research Center, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 458p.
Neitsch, S. L., Arnold, J. G., Kiniry, J. R., Williams, J. R., & King, K. W. (2011). Soil and water assessment tool. theoretical documentation: Version 2009. Grassland, soil and water research laboratory. Agricultural Research Service.
Noor, H., Mirnia, S., & Raisi, M.B. (2009). Estimation of loss of soil organic matter in Hyrcanian ecosystems (case study: Kejur watershed). Environmental Science, 8(1), 107-114. (in Persian)
Noor, H., & Mirnia, S.Kh. (2010). Loss of soil organic matter in Kajur watershed. Water and Soil Conservation Research, 18(3), 207-211. (in Persian)
Onda‌, Y., Kato,‌ H., Tanaka, Y., Tsujimura, M., Davaa, G., & Oyunbaatar, D. (2007). Analysis of runoff generation and soil erosion processes by using environmental radionuclides in semiarid areas of Mongolia. Journal of Hydrology, 333, 124-‌132.
Salehi, S., Nouri, H., Ilderami, A.R., & Chepi, K. (2013). Investigating the effect of different rainfall intensities on runoff simulation using SWAT model (case study: Green Dam watershed). Malayer University, Iran, 85p. (in Persian)
Panhalkar, S.S. (2014). Hydrological modeling using SWAT model and geoinformatic techniques. The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs, 03.001.
Sauvage, S., Oeurng, C., & Sánchez-Pérez, J.M. (2011). Assessment of hydrology, sediment and yield in a large agricultural catchment using the SWAT model. Journal of Hydrology, 401, 145-153.
Schumacher, B.A. (2002). Methods for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) in soils and sediments, Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center Office of Research and Development US. Environmental Protection Agency, NV 89193-3478, 1-25.
Smith, J., Doe, R., & White, L. (2024). Sustainable rangeland management and carbon sequestration. Journal of Environmental Management, 50(4), 567-575.
Tijjani, S. B., Qi, J., Giri, S., & Lathrop, R. (2023). Modeling land use and management practices impacts on soil organic carbon loss in an agricultural watershed in the Mid-Atlantic region. Water, 15(20), 3534.
Tolson, B.‌A., & Shoemaker, C.A. (2004). Watershed modeling of the Cannonsville basin using SWAT2000: model development, calibration and validation for the prediction of flow, sediment and phosphorus transport to the Cannonsville reservoir. Technical Report, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell Univ, 159p. Ithaca, N. Y.
Vigiak, O., Malago, A., Bouraoui, F., Vanmaercke, M., & Poesen, J. (2015). Adapting SWAT hillslope erosion model to predict sediment concentrations and yields in large Basins. Science of the Total Environment, Science of the Total Environment, 538, 855–875.
Wang, Z., Govers, G., Steegen, A., Clymans, W., Van den Putte, A., Langhans, C., Merckx, R., Van Oost, K. (2010).Catchment-scale carbon redistribution and delivery by water erosion in an intensively cultivated area. Geomorphology, 124, 65-74.
Wany, E. L., & Swaify, S.‌A. (1998). Flow-induced transport and enrichment of erosional sediment from a wellaggregated and uniformly textured Oxisol. Geoderma, 75, 251-265.
Winchell, M., Srinivasan, R., DiLuzio, M., & Arnold, J. (2007). ArcSWAT Interface for SWAT2009 User,s Guide.Grassland, soil and water research service.
Worku, Y. A., Moges, A., & Kendie, H. (2024). Comparison of SWAT and WEPP for modeling annual runoff and sediment yield in Agew Mariyam watershed, Northern Ethiopia. International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 5(1), Article.
Wu, Y., Liu, S., Wang, X., & Arnold, J. G. (2017). Reservoir sedimentation simulation with SWAT model for watershed sedimentation studies. Journal of Hydrology, 16, 75-87.
Xu, Z.‌X., Pang, J.‌P., Liu, C.‌M., & Li, ‌J.‌Y. ‌(2009). Assessment of runoff and sediment yield in the Miyun Reservoir catchment by using SWAT model. Hydrol. Process, DOI: 10.1002/hyp. P: 12.
Yesuf, H.M., Assen, M., Alamirew, T., & Melesse, A.M. (2015). Modeling of sediment yield in maybar gauged watershed using SWAT, northeast Ethiopia. Catena, 127, 191-205.
Zhang, F., He, X., Gao, X., Zhang, C., ‌& Keli, ‌T. (2005). Effects of erosion patterns on nutrient loss following deforestation on the loess plateau of China. Agriculture, Ecosystems and & Environment, 108, 85–97. Top of Form
Iranian journal of Ecohydrology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 December 2024

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 23 September 2024
  • Revise Date: 18 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 26 November 2024
  • First Publish Date: 02 December 2024
  • Publish Date: 21 December 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics