engleski

The impact of vineyard´s abandonment on soil properties and hydrological processes. A study case in Ruwer-Mosel valley, Germany

Soil and water resources are affected by land use changes such as land abandonment on vineyards. Changes in water resources and soil water dynamics can result in sudden alterations in erosion rates and trigger land degradation. In this study, we examine the impact of land abandonment on soil properties and hydrological processes in two-paired plots: an active and an abandoned vineyard. Laboratory analyses were carried out to assess texture, antecedent soil moisture (w), stoniness, soil water content (SWC) and organic matter (OM). A Guelph permeameter was used to quantify the permeability (Per) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) at different slope positions and seasons (before and after the vintage). Results showed that soil texture and OM were highly modified after the abandonment, and as consequence soil hydrology. We observed a significnatly higher Per (26.8 mm h-1) and Kfs (8.4 mm h-1) in the active vineyard soil than in the abandoned one (Per of 14.2 mm h-1 and a Kfs of 5.4 mm h-1). The soils of the active vineyard showed a higher variability among seasons and slope positions. In the abandoned vineyard, the results showed a high correlation between Per and Kfs with gravel content and OM, and a negative correlation with the clay fraction. Natural re-vegetation improved soil water retention capacity. In the active vineyard, we could not find any relevant factor to explain the soil hydrological properties, and this may be attributed to the disturbance induced by human activities, such as machinery, trampling and the use of herbicides.

Vineyard ; Abandonment ; Permeability ; Saturated hydraulic conductivity

Special Section: Erosion and Lateral Surface Processes.