Publication: Procesos erosivos en suelos agrícolas bajo distintos manejos sostenibles: aproximación con diferentes metodologías
Authors
Carrillo López, Efraín
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Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
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Martínez-Mena García, María ; Boix Fayos, Carolina
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
Description
Abstract
El suelo es un recurso finito esencial, cuya degradación por erosión hídrica se ha convertido en uno de los principales problemas ambientales a nivel global, especialmente en zonas de agricultura intensiva. En España, y concretamente en la Región de Murcia, la combinación de suelos frágiles, climas extremos y prácticas de manejo inadecuadas ha generado un "hotspot" de erosión. Esta tesis doctoral analiza los efectos del manejo del suelo sobre los procesos erosivos en ambientes semiáridos, empleando diversos enfoques metodológicos.La investigación destaca que la elección de la metodología influye drásticamente en los resultados, debido a las diferencias en la escala espacio-temporal: i) Erosión Concentrada (Drones e Inventario): En cultivos de almendro, se identificaron regueros, cárcavas, movimientos en masa y una "forma mixta" de erosión. El inventario de campo resultó ser más preciso que el uso de drones, ya que estos últimos presentaron un alto error vertical. Las tasas medidas (hasta 179 t/ha/año) superaron con creces la capacidad de formación natural del suelo; ii) Durante diez años, se evaluó el impacto del laboreo en la erosión. Se registraron tasas mucho menores (0,01-0,49 t/ha/año); iii) Varillas de Erosión: Aplicadas en un gradiente de intensificación (natural-secano-regadío), permitieron diferenciar las fases de arranque y sedimentación, mostrando cómo la actividad agrícola incrementa la vulnerabilidad del terreno. Un hallazgo fundamental es la influencia crítica del manejo agrícola. La transición de ecosistemas naturales a usos intensivos aumentó la erosión neta hasta un 144% en regadío. Sin embargo, las Prácticas de Manejo Sostenible (SLM) demostraron ser herramientas eficaces: i) En Secano (Almendro y Cereal): El laboreo reducido y el abonado verde redujeron la escorrentía hasta en un 76% y la erosión entre un 76% y 86%. Además, mejoraron la retención de carbono orgánico y nutrientes (N y P), siendo efectivos incluso en eventos de lluvia de alta intensidad.; ii) Diversificación de Cultivos: La inclusión de especies como tápena o tomillo en secano redujo el arranque de material en más de un 60%; iii) En Regadío: La implementación es más compleja y requiere el rediseño de las características de las diversificaciones. La tesis concluye que es imprescindible un enfoque multimetodológico para obtener una visión fidedigna de la degradación, ya que cada método capta procesos distintos (laminares vs. concentrados). Los resultados avalan que las SLM no solo frenan la pérdida de suelo, sino que son aliadas clave en la mitigación del cambio climático y la protección de servicios ecosistémicos.Finalmente, se subraya que para lograr un cambio de paradigma en la gestión del suelo, es necesario superar barreras socioeconómicas mediante políticas como la PAC, que integren las necesidades de los agricultores y promuevan una ordenación del territorio que garantice la sostenibilidad de paisajes tan vulnerables como el de la Región de Murcia
Soil is an essential finite resource whose degradation by water erosion has become a major global environmental issue, particularly in intensive agricultural areas. In Spain, and specifically in the Region of Murcia, the combination of fragile soils, extreme climates, and inadequate management practices has created an erosion "hotspot." This doctoral thesis analyzes the effects of soil management on erosive processes in semi-arid environments using various methodological approaches.The research highlights that the choice of methodology drastically influences results due to differences in spatio-temporal scales: i) Concentrated Erosion (Drones and Inventory): In almond orchards, rills, gullies, mass movements, and a "mixed form" of erosion were identified. Field inventory proved more accurate than drone-based data, as the latter exhibited high vertical error. Measured rates (up to 179 t/ha/year) far exceeded natural soil formation capacity; ii) Erosion Plots: Over a ten-year period, the impact of tillage on erosion was evaluated, recording much lower rates (0.01-0.49 t/ha/year);iii) Erosion Pins: Applied across an intensification gradient (natural-rainfed-irrigated), these pins allowed for the differentiation of detachment and sedimentation phases, demonstrating how agricultural activity increases land vulnerability. A fundamental finding is the critical influence of agricultural management. Transitioning from natural ecosystems to intensive uses increased net erosion by up to 144% in irrigated systems. However, Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices proved to be effective tools: i) In Rainfed Systems (Almond and Cereal): Reduced tillage and green manure reduced runoff by up to 76% and erosion by 76% to 86%. Furthermore, they improved organic carbon and nutrient (N and P) retention, remaining effective even during high-intensity rainfall events; ii) Crop Diversification: Including species such as caper or thyme in rainfed systems reduced material detachment by more than 60%; iii) In Irrigated Systems: Implementation is more complex and requires a redesign of diversification characteristics. The thesis concludes that a multi-methodological approach is essential to obtain a reliable view of degradation, as each method captures different processes (interrill vs. concentrated erosion). The results confirm that SLM practices not only halt soil loss but are also key allies in climate change mitigation and the protection of ecosystem services.Finally, it is emphasized that achieving a paradigm shift in soil management requires overcoming socioeconomic barriers through policies like the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). Such policies must integrate farmers' needs and promote land-use planning that ensures the sustainability of landscapes as vulnerable as those in the Region of Murcia.
Soil is an essential finite resource whose degradation by water erosion has become a major global environmental issue, particularly in intensive agricultural areas. In Spain, and specifically in the Region of Murcia, the combination of fragile soils, extreme climates, and inadequate management practices has created an erosion "hotspot." This doctoral thesis analyzes the effects of soil management on erosive processes in semi-arid environments using various methodological approaches.The research highlights that the choice of methodology drastically influences results due to differences in spatio-temporal scales: i) Concentrated Erosion (Drones and Inventory): In almond orchards, rills, gullies, mass movements, and a "mixed form" of erosion were identified. Field inventory proved more accurate than drone-based data, as the latter exhibited high vertical error. Measured rates (up to 179 t/ha/year) far exceeded natural soil formation capacity; ii) Erosion Plots: Over a ten-year period, the impact of tillage on erosion was evaluated, recording much lower rates (0.01-0.49 t/ha/year);iii) Erosion Pins: Applied across an intensification gradient (natural-rainfed-irrigated), these pins allowed for the differentiation of detachment and sedimentation phases, demonstrating how agricultural activity increases land vulnerability. A fundamental finding is the critical influence of agricultural management. Transitioning from natural ecosystems to intensive uses increased net erosion by up to 144% in irrigated systems. However, Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices proved to be effective tools: i) In Rainfed Systems (Almond and Cereal): Reduced tillage and green manure reduced runoff by up to 76% and erosion by 76% to 86%. Furthermore, they improved organic carbon and nutrient (N and P) retention, remaining effective even during high-intensity rainfall events; ii) Crop Diversification: Including species such as caper or thyme in rainfed systems reduced material detachment by more than 60%; iii) In Irrigated Systems: Implementation is more complex and requires a redesign of diversification characteristics. The thesis concludes that a multi-methodological approach is essential to obtain a reliable view of degradation, as each method captures different processes (interrill vs. concentrated erosion). The results confirm that SLM practices not only halt soil loss but are also key allies in climate change mitigation and the protection of ecosystem services.Finally, it is emphasized that achieving a paradigm shift in soil management requires overcoming socioeconomic barriers through policies like the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). Such policies must integrate farmers' needs and promote land-use planning that ensures the sustainability of landscapes as vulnerable as those in the Region of Murcia.
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