With changing climate and increased frequency of wet weather extremes, increased attention is being directed towards understanding the resilience of agroecosystems and the goods and services they deliver. The world's most instrumented and monitored farm (the North Wyke Fam Platform - a UK National Bioscience Research Infrastructure) has been used to explore the resilience of sediment loss regulation delivered by lowland grazing livestock and arable systems under conventional best management. The robustness of water quality regulation was explored using exceedance of modern background (i.e. pre-World War II) net soil loss rates (i.e., sediment delivery) during both typical (2012-13, 2015-16) and the most extreme (2013-14, 2019-20, 2023-24) winters (December - February, inclusive), in terms of seasonal rainfall totals, over the past similar to decade. Exceedances of maximum modern background sediment loss rates from pasture were as high as 2.4X when scheduled ploughing and reseeding for sward improvement occurred immediately prior to the winters in question. Exceedances of maximum modern background sediment loss rates in the arable system (winter wheat and spring oats) were as high as 21.7X. Over the five monitored winters, the environmental damage costs for cumulative sediment loss from the permanent pasture system ranged from pound 163-203 and pound 197-245 ha(-1) to pound 321-421 and pound 386-507 ha(-1). Over the same five winters, environmental damage costs for cumulative sediment loss from catchments subjected to reseeding and, more latterly, arable conversion, ranged between pound 382-584 and pound 461-703 ha(-1) to pound 1978-2334 and pound 2384-2812 ha(-1). Our data provide valuable quantitative insight into the impacts of winter rainfall and land use on the resilience of sediment loss regulation.

Shield tunneling inevitably disturbs the surrounding soil, primarily resulting in changes in stress state, stress path, and strain. Modifications to certain parameters, such as shield thrust, shield friction, and soil loss, are made based on the elastic mechanics Mindlin solution and the mirror method, and a calculation expression for additional soil stresses induced by tunneling was derived. Additional soil stresses are calculated using the parameters of the Hangzhou Metro Kanji section. 3D principal stress paths and deviations of the principal stress axes near the tunnel crown, waist, and invert during shield tunneling were obtained by applying a transition matrix orthogonal transformation. These results are compared with experimental data to validate the theoretical solution's accuracy. The stress distribution along the tunneling direction and the 3D principal stress paths and deviations of the principal stress axes in the surrounding soil are determined. The results are as follows: The additional soil stresses along the tunneling direction follow a normal distribution and an S-shape. Under the combined influence of three construction mechanics factors, the shear stress component is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the normal stress and should not be neglected. During shield tunneling, the deviation angle of the principal stress axis at the tunnel crown changes from 90 degrees to 180 degrees, with little change in the magnitude of the principal stress. At the invert, the magnitude of the principal stress rapidly increases from 0.25 kPa to 8 kPa, with minimal deviation in the principal stress axis. At the shoulder, the principal stress variation and axis deviation are small. At the foot of the arch, the deviation angle of the major and minor principal stress axes is larger, while the magnitude of the principal stress slightly changes. At the waist, the deviation angle of the major principal stress is larger, and the magnitude of the minor principal stress significantly changes. A strategy for addressing changes in soil stress paths during shield tunnel construction is also proposed.

Soil erosion has both on-farm and off-farm effects. On-farm, reduced soil depth can decrease land productivity, while off-farm, sediment transfer can damage streams, lakes, and estuaries. Therefore, optimal soil erosion modeling is a crucial first step in soil erosion research. One of the most important aspects of this modeling is the accuracy and applicability of the soil erosion factors used. Various methods for calculating these factors are discussed in the literature, but no single method is universally accurate. After an extensive review of the literature, we propose using the existing revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) factors for global application. Additionally, we conducted a grassroots-level experiment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. RUSLE is identified as the most suitable model for global-scale soil erosion modeling. We evaluated the potential impacts of climate and land use and land cover (LULC) by utilizing shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) alongside projected LULC scenarios. A suitable general circulation model (GCM) was selected after comparing it with recorded data from a base period. This model was validated with experimental observations, confirming its effectiveness. This review article outlines the future direction of soil erosion modeling and provides recommendations.Graphical AbstractThe graphical abstract visually summarizes the comprehensive methodology and key findings associated with optimal soil erosion modeling and management. It highlights a structured approach, beginning with identifying optimal methods for assessing soil erosion factors: Rainfall and Runoff Erosivity (R), Soil Erodibility (K), Slope Length and Steepness (LS), Cover and Management (C), and Support Practice (P) integral components of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). It illustrates the detailed methodological framework, emphasizing selecting suitable climate models for projecting future R factors, combined with projected land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios derived from Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs). The scenarios shown range from lower emissions (SSP 126) to higher emissions (SSP 585), indicating progressive increases in future erosion risk. Moreover, it explicitly ties the research findings to policy recommendations, underscoring a holistic approach aligning soil conservation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): specifically, Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Zero Hunger (SDG 2). Suggested measures include integrating soil erosion control into broader policy frameworks, promoting sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry and contour plowing, and fostering policy integration and collaboration to enhance conservation effectiveness. Overall, the graphical abstract succinctly depicts how climate change, socio-economic dynamics, and LULC variations amplify future soil erosion risks, reinforcing the need for targeted, sustainable, and integrated soil conservation strategies globally.

Biomineralization technology is a promising method for soil cementation, enhancing its mechanical properties. However, its application in mitigating slope surface erosion caused by rainfall has not been fully explored. This study experimentally examined the feasibility of using plant-based enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (PEICP) to reduce slope surface rainfall erosion through simulated rainfall tests. The effects of biotreatment cycles (N) and rainfall intensity (Ri) on erosion resistance were evaluated. The results demonstrated that increasing the biotreatment cycles improved the bio-cementation level, as evidenced by enhanced surface strength, increased calcium carbonate content (CCC) and thicker crust layers. Specifically, as the biotreatment cycles (N) increased from 2 to 6, the crust layer thickness expanded from 5.2 mm to 15.7 mm, with surface strength rising from 38.3 kPa to 244.3 kPa. Likewise, the CCC increased significantly from 1.09% to 5.32%, further reinforcing the soil structure and enhancing erosion resistance. Slopes treated with six biotreatment cycles exhibited optimal erosion resistance across rainfall intensities ranging from 45 to 100 mm/h. Compared to untreated slopes, biotreated slopes showed significant reductions in soil loss, with a decrease to below 10% at N = 4 and near-complete erosion resistance at N = 6. These findings highlight the potential of PEICP technology for improving slope stability under rainfall conditions.

The damage caused by soil erosion to global ecosystems is undeniable. However, traditional research methods often do not consider the unique soil characteristics specific to China and rainfall intensity variability in different periods on vegetation, and relatively few research efforts have addressed the attribution analysis of soil erosion changes in tropical islands. Therefore, this study applied a modification of the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) to evaluate the monthly mean soil erosion modulus in Hainan Island over the past two decades, aiming to assess the potential soil erosion risk. The model demonstrated a relatively high R2, with validation results for the three basins yielding R2 values of 0.77, 0.64, and 0.78, respectively. The results indicated that the annual average soil erosion modulus was 92.76 thm-2year-1, and the monthly average soil erosion modulus was 7.73 thm-2month-1. The key months for soil erosion were May to October, which coincided with the rainy season, having an average erosion modulus of 8.11, 9.41, 14.49, 17.05, 18.33, and 15.36 thm-2month-1, respectively. September marked the most critical period for soil erosion. High-erosion-risk zones are predominantly distributed in the central and eastern sections of the study area, gradually extending into the southwest. The monthly average soil erosion modulus increased with rising elevation and slope. The monthly variation trend in rainfall erosivity factor had a greater impact on soil water erosion than vegetation cover and biological practice factor. The identification of dynamic factors is crucial in areas prone to soil erosion, as it provides a scientific underpinning for monitoring soil erosion and implementing comprehensive water erosion management in these regions.

Soil erosion in tropical environments causes environmental, social and economic damage. Canephora coffee crops are impacted by soil erosion and testing alternatives to mitigate this damage is a current need. This study aimed to evaluate the losses of sediment, organic carbon, nutrients and surface runoff caused by water erosion in between-rows spacing of Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner plants in management with and without cover crops, and the effect of the intensity of rains on sediment loss and the surface runoff. The management practices tested in between-rows spacing of coffee plants were: ES - exposed soil after manual weeding with a hoe; CC1- soil covered by palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) R.D.Webster] and nutsedge grass (Cyperus rotundus L.); and CC2- soil covered with purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea L.). Nine experimental plots were installed to measure losses of sediment, organic carbon, nutrients and surface runoff in the periods from September/2021 to March/2022 and from September to December/2022. The CC1 and CC2 reduced losses of sediment, organic carbon, nutrients and the volume of surface runoff from 37 to 86 % compared to ES. The increase in volume and rainfall intensities increased sediment loss and the surface runoff linearly, being more intense in ES management. The maintenance of the cover crops in between-rows spacing of coffee plants proved to be advantageous for mitigating losses of sediment, organic carbon, nutrients and surface runoff caused by water erosion, contributing to soil conservation and the sustainability of canephora coffee production.

The problem of unpaved road erosion is prominent in the Loess Plateau hilly and gully region. Unpaved roads contribute substantially to watershed sediment due to their high soil bulk density, low infiltration rates and extensive network. In this study, a field investigation was conducted on typical unpaved roads within a typical watershed in this region, focusing on assessing the damage state, annual soil loss and the factors influencing erosion in a comparatively wet year. The results showed that the soil erosion from unpaved roads was very severe, with an annual erosion intensity of 470 t hm(-2), following three heavy rain events and two rainstorm events in the summer of 2022. The main unpaved roads (MUR) suffered the most severe road erosion, with 22.2 % of road segments experiencing severe erosion with classical gullies. The erosion gullies on the road had an average depth of 16.1 cm and an average width of 36.5 cm, with the widest being 146.0 cm and the deepest being 174.0 cm. The road erosion intensity was significantly related to drainage area, road area, road length and coverage. Road erosion reduced significantly when the land use in the drainage areas of the road was covered with shrub or grass, or road surface was covered with grass or gravel. Our findings offer valuable insights for road construction and erosion prevention in similar terrains.

Soil erosion by water is a serious problem in Ethiopia, contributing to diminishing crop yields and food shortages. Apart from understanding the magnitude, risk, and spatial distribution of the problem, identifying erosion hotspot areas is essential for effectively reversing the problem. This study aims to identify erosion hotspots in the Gotu watershed, in northeastern Ethiopia, using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and incorporating local farmers' perspectives to prioritize conservation efforts. The RUSLE model reveals that 29,744.3 metric tons of soil is lost annually from the Gotu watershed, with an average loss of 65.3 to t ha(-)1 year(-)1. The main contributing factors to soil erosion in the watershed include undulating topography, loss of plant cover, and continuous cultivation. The highest soil loss rates (> 80 t ha(-)1 year(-)1) were found in the western, northern, and southern parts of the watershed, where cultivation occurs on moderate to steep slopes with sparse vegetation cover. These areas should be prioritized for conservation interventions. Farmers identified poor crop yields and damaged conservation structures as key indicators of soil erosion prevalence in the watershed. Increasing farmer's understanding of soil erosion and the importance of soil and water conservation is essential for effectively controlling soil erosion and improving food security in the area.

Erosive processes occur naturally and are essential for soil formation. However, they have been accelerated by anthropogenic actions, contributing to social, environmental, and economic damages. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology for the identification and quantification of soil loss using digital elevation models obtained through imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In the three selected study areas in Te & oacute;filo Otoni - MG, the generated models were compared before and after precipitation events. The annual erosivity factor can be classified as very low, indicating regional characteristics of low erosive potential. This work proposed different equations for the use of Digital Elevation Models as a data source for the identification and quantification of soil loss through water erosion. The results obtained indicate that flights conducted up to 70 meters contribute to mapping quality and highlight the need for further studies to calibrate the methodology for quantifying soil loss and making it replicable in different situations.

Soils provide habitat, regulation and utilization functions. Therefore, Germany aims to reduce soil sealing to 30 ha day - 1 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${-1}$$\end{document} by 2030 and to eliminate it by 2050. About 55 ha day - 1 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${-1}$$\end{document} of soil are damaged (average 2018-2021), but detailed information on its soil quality is lacking. This study proposes a new approach using geo-information and remote sensing data to assess agricultural soil loss in Lower Saxony and Brandenburg. Soil quality is assessed based on erosion resistance, runoff regulation, filter functions, yield potential and the M & uuml;ncheberg Soil Quality Rating from 2006 to 2015. Data from the German Soil Map at a scale of 1:200,000 (B & Uuml;K 200), climate, topography, CORINE Land Cover (CLC) and Imperviousness Layer (IMCC), both provided by the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), are used to generate information on soil functions, potentials and agricultural soil loss due to sealing. For the first time, soil losses under arable land are assessed spatially, quantitatively and qualitatively. An estimate of the qualitative loss of agricultural soil in Germany between 2006 and 2015 is obtained by intersecting the soil evaluation results with the quantitative soil loss according to IMCC. Between 2006 and 2015, about 73,300 ha of land were sealed in Germany, affecting about 37,000 ha of agricultural soils. This corresponds to a sealing rate of 11 ha per day for Germany. In Lower Saxony and Brandenburg, agricultural soils were sealed at a rate of 1.9 ha day - 1 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${-1}$$\end{document} and 0.8 ha day - 1 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${-1}$$\end{document} respectively, removing these soils from primary land use. In Lower Saxony, 75% of soils with moderate or better biotic yield potential have been removed from primary land use, while in Brandenburg this figure is as high as 88%. Implementing this approach can help decision-makers reassess sealed land and support Germany's sustainable development strategy.