ePLANETe Platform | Knowledge Environment Rapid Platform about Sustainable Development (KERPSD)

Riparian buffer strip with naturally recovered vegetation

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Riparian buffer strips refer to the permanent greening of arable land alongside streams and other water bodies. By slowing down runoff water from the land, they help to protect water bodies from diffuse pollution. Riparian buffer strips have multiple other environmental benefits, but disadvantages also.

Reduced tillage: no tillage in autumn

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Reduced tillage, involving no plowing in the autumn, preserves stubble or plant cover during the autumn and winter to prevent soil erosion, and particle and nutrient loss from cropland to watercourses.

Mulch-till

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Mulch-till is a method of farming that does not utilise a plough, and thus the soil is not turned over. Furthermore, at least 30% of the cultivated area remains covered with organic residues left over from the previous crop. There are multiple benefits to the soil and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced.

Coarse woody debris to slow streamflow

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Accumulating coarse woody debris in stream beds reduces flow velocity and levels of flood peaks. As a consequence the speed and energy of water flow is reduced, allowing greater deposition of sediments. In addition the technology has ecological advantages.

Strip-till

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Strip-till is a form of precision farming and conservation agriculture that combines minimum tillage in strips with no-till on the remainder of the field. The soil over the whole field is protected by a growing crop or mulch from sunlight, and especially from the direct impact of raindrops by providing permanent soil cover.

Subsoiling

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Subsoiling is defined as tillage below a depth of about 35-40 cm which doesn't invert the soil. It breaks up compacted layers to improve rooting and infiltration. Subsoiling is not needed on light soils, because these are rarely at risk of compaction.

Slope division for erosion control

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

A field at risk for erosion by water is divided so that a grass strip prevents soil loss and further damage to the field and the streets during a heavy rainfall.

Water retention/sediment capture pond

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Sediment capture ponds are constructed and located along networks of ditches which drain watersheds. They slow the velocity of water and cause the deposition of suspended materials. These ponds help to avoid sediment accumulation in the ditches themselves, and can decrease sediment and nutrient pollution of surface water bodies downstream.

Direct seeding

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

A cropping system which allows to plant the seeds directly into the soil without ploughing. The soil is covered with plant remainders.

Grass buffer zones alongside waterways in cropland

Submitted by Philippe Lanceleur on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:24

Grass buffer zones are established along waterways in cropland to reduce the surface runoff rate, and the amounts of sediment, nutrients and pesticides in the runoff.

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