HR: 0800h
AN: H51H-0881    [Abstracts]
TI: Effects of Soil Erosion on Ecohydrology of Constructed Slopes From Opencast Coal Mining in a Mediterranean-Continental Environment.
AU: * Moreno, M
EM: mariano.moreno@uah.es
AF: Universidad de Alcala. Departamento de Ecologia., Fcc. Ciencias. Campus externo. Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.600., Alcala de Henares, Mad 28871, Spain
AU: Nicolau, J
AF: Universidad de Alcala. Departamento de Ecologia., Fcc. Ciencias. Campus externo. Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.600., Alcala de Henares, Mad 28871, Spain
AU: Espigares, T
AF: Universidad de Alcala. Departamento de Ecologia., Fcc. Ciencias. Campus externo. Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.600., Alcala de Henares, Mad 28871, Spain
AU: Merino, L
AF: Universidad de Alcala. Departamento de Ecologia., Fcc. Ciencias. Campus externo. Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.600., Alcala de Henares, Mad 28871, Spain
AB: Numerous works have revealed strong links between hydrological processes, soil moisture, and the structure and function of biological communities. Nevertheless, the influence of soil erosion on soil-water-plant interactions has been poorly documented, particularly on constructed slopes, wherein soil erosion has a key role for restoration success. The main objective of this work is to investigate the eco-hydrological implications of soil erosion on constructed slopes from the opencast coal mining in a Mediterranean-Continental environment: the Teruel coalfield (Spain). Water deficit is the main limiting factor for revegetation success in Mediterranean-Continental environments. Soil moisture in these artificial systems is controlled by feedback mechanisms between soil erosion and vegetation. Our hypothesis states that a major effect of soil erosion on plant communities deals with the increase of the climatic water deficit. Thus, the mechanisms involved are as follows: the crust formation, the reduction of soil superficial roughness and the efficient overland flow evacuation by means of rill network. The final result is a net reduction of water availability for plants through the increase of run-off and the decrease of infiltration and re- infiltration processes at slope scale. Moreover, the lack of vegetation development leads to increase run-off and soil erosion. This work has been carried out in five constructed slopes which were reclaimed with similar treatments and substrata, but differ in vegetation cover and erosion (from 0 up to 120 t/ha/year). These differences are mainly triggered by different amounts of run-on coming from external sources as mining tracks and banks. During 2005- 06 hydrological year, we monitored run-off and sediment yield as well as soil moisture and vegetation traits (cover, biomass, water potential) on these slopes. Our results reinforce the general hypothesis. In this way, on the least eroded slopes, biological control of hydrological processes leads to maximize infiltration rates, increasing the net water availability for plant growth. On the other hand, the most eroded slopes, physically controlled by intensive run-off generation, show the lowest water availabilities, increasing the water stress borne by vegetation during the end of spring and summer.
DE: 1813 Eco-hydrology
DE: 1815 Erosion
DE: 1826 Geomorphology: hillslope (1625)
DE: 1866 Soil moisture
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting