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Reforestation of riverbanks needed to intercept soil loss from Brazilian sugar cane plantations
New forensic based study shows urgent need for increased tree planting
A new study using forensic techniques has concluded that soil loss from sugar cane plantations makes up the main proportion of sediments in three Brazilian rivers. The results confirm that retaining natural vegetation on riverbanks would be the best way to reduce soil erosion from farmland.
This study looked at sediment sources within three sub-catchments of the Ipojuca River in North-East Brazil. Both bed and suspended sediment samples were collected, and two types of sources were sampled: surface and subsurface. The samples were analysed for fingerprints that could be used to differentiate between differing land use patterns.
Surface (i.e., sugarcane croplands) sources contributed the highest proportions to suspended sediments in two of the sub-catchments. The quality of riverbank management had a noticeable impact on sediment profiles. Overall, say the researchers, sediment control management measures, such as the revegetation of riparian forests, need to be implemented to better control accelerated soil loss.
“With heavier rainfall expected under climate change, soil erosion due to water runoff will likely increase. Studies like this show the importance of improving riverbank management to help intercept sediment runoff for protecting river water quality.”
“Sugarcane a hugely important crop in the humid coastal areas of the state of Pernambuco in Brazil’s north-east,” said Rothamsted’s Prof Adie Collins who was involved with the study alongside partners at the Universidade Federal do Piauí, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. “With heavier rainfall expected under climate change, soil erosion due to water runoff will likely increase. Studies like this show the importance of improving riverbank management to help intercept sediment runoff for protecting river water quality.”
Although they generally contributed less than surface sources, subsurface sources (i.e., channel banks and unpaved roads) were nevertheless important. Here, channel banks were generally more important than unpaved roads, reflecting the existence of tall, uncovered bank faces formed by the river network, with limited vegetation protection.
Each sub-catchment demonstrated variations in sediment source contributions. Therefore, sub-catchment-specific sediment management measures need to be implemented. However, riparian forests revegetation, in compliance with current Brazilian legislation, could be an efficient common sediment control measure. This practice can stabilize riverbanks and reduce sediment inputs in the longer term. Currently, the law requires the maintenance of native vegetation protection areas with a fixed width along watercourses. Previous studies have reported that a 15 m wide filter strip of native forests between the stream bank and agricultural areas is sufficient to improve river system protection.
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Contacts
Prof. Adie Collins
Science Director
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