Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: The Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts
Sustainable Use of Soils and Water The Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts
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This book on the sustainable use of soils and water addressed a variety of issues related to the utopian desire for environmental sustainability and the deviations from this scene observed in the real world. Competing interests for land are frequently a factor in land degradation, especially where the adopted land uses do not conform with the land capability (the natural use of soil). The concerns of researchers about these matters are presented in the articles comprising this Special Issue book. Various approaches were used to assess the (im)balance between economic profit and environmental conservation in various regions, in addition to potential routes to bring landscapes back to a sustainable status being disclosed.
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Soil Hydrology for a Sustainable Land Management
Soil hydrology determines the water–soil–plant interactions in the Earth’s system because porous medium acts as an interface within the atmosphere and lithosphere; regulates main processes such as runoff discharge, aquifer recharge, movement of water, and solutes into the soil; and ultimately the amount of water retained and available for plants growth. Soil hydrology can be strongly affected by land management. Therefore, investigations aimed at assessing the impact of land management changes on soil hydrology are necessary, especially to optimize water resources. This Special Issue collects 12 original contributions addressing the state-of-the-art advances in soil hydrology for sustainable land management.
These contributions cover a wide range of topics including (i) the effects of land use change, (ii) water use efficiency, (iii) erosion risk, (iv) solute transport, and (v) new methods and devices for improved characterization of soil physical and hydraulic properties. They include both field and laboratory experiments as well as modelling studies. Different spatial scales, i.e., from field to regional scales, and a wide range of geographic regions are also covered. The collection of these manuscripts presented in this Special Issue provides a relevant knowledge contribution for effective saving water resources and sustainable land management.
Soil Hydrology for a Sustainable Land Management
Soil hydrology determines the water–soil–plant interactions in the Earth’s system because porous medium acts as an interface within the atmosphere and lithosphere; regulates main processes such as runoff discharge, aquifer recharge, movement of water, and solutes into the soil; and ultimately the amount of water retained and available for plants growth. Soil hydrology can be strongly affected by land management. Therefore, investigations aimed at assessing the impact of land management changes on soil hydrology are necessary, especially to optimize water resources. This Special Issue collects 12 original contributions addressing the state-of-the-art advances in soil hydrology for sustainable land management.
These contributions cover a wide range of topics including (i) the effects of land use change, (ii) water use efficiency, (iii) erosion risk, (iv) solute transport, and (v) new methods and devices for improved characterization of soil physical and hydraulic properties. They include both field and laboratory experiments as well as modelling studies. Different spatial scales, i.e., from field to regional scales, and a wide range of geographic regions are also covered. The collection of these manuscripts presented in this Special Issue provides a relevant knowledge contribution for effective saving water resources and sustainable land management.
Water Productivity of Irrigated Agriculture in India Potential areas for improvement
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to estimate water productivity in irrigated agriculture in selected basins in India; and to identify the drivers of change in water productivity in these regions.
Water Productivity of Irrigated Agriculture in India Potential areas for improvement
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to estimate water productivity in irrigated agriculture in selected basins in India; and to identify the drivers of change in water productivity in these regions.
Irrigation Engineering
Purpose of Irrigation
Some of the main purposes of irrigation are enlisted below:
1. To supply essential moisture for plant growth
2. Transportation of fertilizers (Fertigation)
3. To leach or dilute salts in the soil
4. To help in field preparation, dust control, etc.
5. Other benefits of irrigation include cooling the soil and atmosphere to create a more favorable environment for crop growth and frost control.
Irrigation Engineering
Purpose of Irrigation
Some of the main purposes of irrigation are enlisted below:
1. To supply essential moisture for plant growth
2. Transportation of fertilizers (Fertigation)
3. To leach or dilute salts in the soil
4. To help in field preparation, dust control, etc.
5. Other benefits of irrigation include cooling the soil and atmosphere to create a more favorable environment for crop growth and frost control.
Soil Water Flow And Irrigated Soil Water Balance In Response To Powder River Basin Coalbed Methane Product Water
In the soil columns experiment, A and B horizon materials from sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam soils were pre-treated with water having salinity and sodicity typical of PRB CBM water or of Powder River (PR) water currently used for irrigation in the basin. Tension infiltrometer measurements were used to determine infiltration flux, first using pre-treatment water, and subsequently deionized (DI) water, simulating rainwater. Measurements were compared by pre-treatment water, horizon, and soil type. Under pre-treatment water testing, the sandy loam and clay loam soils pre-treated with CBM water exhibited smaller infiltration flux values than when pre-treated with PR water. Only the sandy loam soil showed a greater decrease in infiltration flux with DI water on soils pre-treated with CBM relative to PR water pre-treated soils. There was no difference in infiltration flux decrease with DI water between A and B horizon soils, or between smectite and non-smectite soils.
Soil Water Flow And Irrigated Soil Water Balance In Response To Powder River Basin Coalbed Methane Product Water
In the soil columns experiment, A and B horizon materials from sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam soils were pre-treated with water having salinity and sodicity typical of PRB CBM water or of Powder River (PR) water currently used for irrigation in the basin. Tension infiltrometer measurements were used to determine infiltration flux, first using pre-treatment water, and subsequently deionized (DI) water, simulating rainwater. Measurements were compared by pre-treatment water, horizon, and soil type. Under pre-treatment water testing, the sandy loam and clay loam soils pre-treated with CBM water exhibited smaller infiltration flux values than when pre-treated with PR water. Only the sandy loam soil showed a greater decrease in infiltration flux with DI water on soils pre-treated with CBM relative to PR water pre-treated soils. There was no difference in infiltration flux decrease with DI water between A and B horizon soils, or between smectite and non-smectite soils.
Wastewater Use in Agriculture
Introduction
With increasing global population, the gap between the supply and demand for water is widening and is reaching such alarming levels that in some parts of the world it is posing a threat to human existence. Scientists around the globe are working on new ways of conserving water. It is an opportune time, to refocus on one of the ways to recycle water—through the reuse of urban wastewater, for irrigation and other purposes. This could release clean water for use in other sectors that need fresh water and provide water to sectors that can utilize wastewater e.g., for irrigation and other ecosystem services. In general, wastewater comprises liquid wastes generated by households, industry, commercial sources, as a result of daily usage, production, and consumption activities. Municipal treatment facilities are designed to treat raw wastewater to produce a liquid effluent of suitable quality that can be disposed to the natural surface waters with minimum impact on human health or the environment. The disposal of wastewater is a major problem faced by municipalities, particularly in the case of large metropolitan areas, with limited space for land[1]based treatment and disposal. On the other hand, wastewater is also a resource that can be applied for productive uses since wastewater contains nutrients that have the potential for use in agriculture, aquaculture, and other activities. In both developed and developing countries, the most prevalent practice is the application of municipal wastewater (both treated and untreated) to land. In developed countries where environmental standards are applied, much of the wastewater is treated prior to use for irrigation of fodder, fiber, and seed crops and, to a limited extent, for the irrigation of orchards, vineyards, and other crops. Other important uses of wastewater include, recharge of groundwater, landscaping (golf courses, freeways, playgrounds, schoolyards, and parks), industry, construction, dust control, wildlife habitat improvement and aquaculture. In developing countries, though standards are set, these are not always strictly adhered to. Wastewater, in its untreated form, is widely used for agriculture and aquaculture and has been the practice for centuries in countries such as China, India and Mexico. Thus, wastewater can be considered as both a resource and a problem. Wastewater and its nutrient content can be used extensively for irrigation and other ecosystem services. Its reuse can deliver positive benefits to the farming community, society, and municipalities. However, wastewater reuse also exacts negative externality effects on humans and ecological systems, which need to be identified and assessed. Before one can endorse wastewater irrigation as a means of increasing water supply for agriculture, a thorough analysis must be undertaken from an economic perspective as well. In this regard the comprehensive costs and benefits of such wastewater reuse should be evaluated. Conventional cost benefit analysis quite often fails to quantify and monetize externalities associated with wastewater reuse. Hence, environmental valuation techniques and other related tools should be employed to guide decision-making. Moreover, the economic effects of wastewater irrigation need to be evaluated not only from the social, economic, and ecological standpoint, but also from the sustainable development perspective. Pakistan is a case which illustrates this problem. Both treated and untreated municipal wastewater in the vicinity of large cities like Faisalabad is used for vegetable production. But, how safe is this practice? How does one tradeoff between the obvious benefits of this use and the costs associated with it?
Wastewater Use in Agriculture
Introduction
With increasing global population, the gap between the supply and demand for water is widening and is reaching such alarming levels that in some parts of the world it is posing a threat to human existence. Scientists around the globe are working on new ways of conserving water. It is an opportune time, to refocus on one of the ways to recycle water—through the reuse of urban wastewater, for irrigation and other purposes. This could release clean water for use in other sectors that need fresh water and provide water to sectors that can utilize wastewater e.g., for irrigation and other ecosystem services. In general, wastewater comprises liquid wastes generated by households, industry, commercial sources, as a result of daily usage, production, and consumption activities. Municipal treatment facilities are designed to treat raw wastewater to produce a liquid effluent of suitable quality that can be disposed to the natural surface waters with minimum impact on human health or the environment. The disposal of wastewater is a major problem faced by municipalities, particularly in the case of large metropolitan areas, with limited space for land[1]based treatment and disposal. On the other hand, wastewater is also a resource that can be applied for productive uses since wastewater contains nutrients that have the potential for use in agriculture, aquaculture, and other activities. In both developed and developing countries, the most prevalent practice is the application of municipal wastewater (both treated and untreated) to land. In developed countries where environmental standards are applied, much of the wastewater is treated prior to use for irrigation of fodder, fiber, and seed crops and, to a limited extent, for the irrigation of orchards, vineyards, and other crops. Other important uses of wastewater include, recharge of groundwater, landscaping (golf courses, freeways, playgrounds, schoolyards, and parks), industry, construction, dust control, wildlife habitat improvement and aquaculture. In developing countries, though standards are set, these are not always strictly adhered to. Wastewater, in its untreated form, is widely used for agriculture and aquaculture and has been the practice for centuries in countries such as China, India and Mexico. Thus, wastewater can be considered as both a resource and a problem. Wastewater and its nutrient content can be used extensively for irrigation and other ecosystem services. Its reuse can deliver positive benefits to the farming community, society, and municipalities. However, wastewater reuse also exacts negative externality effects on humans and ecological systems, which need to be identified and assessed. Before one can endorse wastewater irrigation as a means of increasing water supply for agriculture, a thorough analysis must be undertaken from an economic perspective as well. In this regard the comprehensive costs and benefits of such wastewater reuse should be evaluated. Conventional cost benefit analysis quite often fails to quantify and monetize externalities associated with wastewater reuse. Hence, environmental valuation techniques and other related tools should be employed to guide decision-making. Moreover, the economic effects of wastewater irrigation need to be evaluated not only from the social, economic, and ecological standpoint, but also from the sustainable development perspective. Pakistan is a case which illustrates this problem. Both treated and untreated municipal wastewater in the vicinity of large cities like Faisalabad is used for vegetable production. But, how safe is this practice? How does one tradeoff between the obvious benefits of this use and the costs associated with it?
Soil Water and Agronomic Productivity
The need for an efficient use of soil water is.also enhanced by the lack of availability of freshwater
supply for supplemental irrigation. Global water use for agriculture,.as a percentage of the total water
use,was 81.4% in 1900, 72.3% in 1950, 68.2% in 1975, and 56.7% in 2000. Global water use for urban
purposes (km 3/year) was 20 in 1900, 60 in 1950, 150 in 1975, and 440 in 2000. Similarly, global water
use (km 3/year) for industrial purposes was 30 in 1900, 190 in 1950, 630 in 1975, and 1900 in 2000
Availability of water for irrigation is also constrained by the diversion to fossil fuel production
and eutrophication/pollution of water resources. One liter of bioethanol production requires 3500L
of fresh water. Thus, there is a strong and prime need for conserving, recycling, and improving soil-
water resources to meet the food demands of the growing world population.
supply for supplemental irrigation. Global water use for agriculture,.as a percentage of the total water
use,was 81.4% in 1900, 72.3% in 1950, 68.2% in 1975, and 56.7% in 2000. Global water use for urban
purposes (km 3/year) was 20 in 1900, 60 in 1950, 150 in 1975, and 440 in 2000. Similarly, global water
use (km 3/year) for industrial purposes was 30 in 1900, 190 in 1950, 630 in 1975, and 1900 in 2000
Availability of water for irrigation is also constrained by the diversion to fossil fuel production
and eutrophication/pollution of water resources. One liter of bioethanol production requires 3500L
of fresh water. Thus, there is a strong and prime need for conserving, recycling, and improving soil-
water resources to meet the food demands of the growing world population.
Soil Water and Agronomic Productivity
The need for an efficient use of soil water is.also enhanced by the lack of availability of freshwater
supply for supplemental irrigation. Global water use for agriculture,.as a percentage of the total water
use,was 81.4% in 1900, 72.3% in 1950, 68.2% in 1975, and 56.7% in 2000. Global water use for urban
purposes (km 3/year) was 20 in 1900, 60 in 1950, 150 in 1975, and 440 in 2000. Similarly, global water
use (km 3/year) for industrial purposes was 30 in 1900, 190 in 1950, 630 in 1975, and 1900 in 2000
Availability of water for irrigation is also constrained by the diversion to fossil fuel production
and eutrophication/pollution of water resources. One liter of bioethanol production requires 3500L
of fresh water. Thus, there is a strong and prime need for conserving, recycling, and improving soil-
water resources to meet the food demands of the growing world population.
supply for supplemental irrigation. Global water use for agriculture,.as a percentage of the total water
use,was 81.4% in 1900, 72.3% in 1950, 68.2% in 1975, and 56.7% in 2000. Global water use for urban
purposes (km 3/year) was 20 in 1900, 60 in 1950, 150 in 1975, and 440 in 2000. Similarly, global water
use (km 3/year) for industrial purposes was 30 in 1900, 190 in 1950, 630 in 1975, and 1900 in 2000
Availability of water for irrigation is also constrained by the diversion to fossil fuel production
and eutrophication/pollution of water resources. One liter of bioethanol production requires 3500L
of fresh water. Thus, there is a strong and prime need for conserving, recycling, and improving soil-
water resources to meet the food demands of the growing world population.
Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture Good Practice Examples
Abstract
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems such as riverbank iltration and soil-aquifer treatment all involve the use of natural subsurface systems to improve the quality of recharged water (i.e., surface water, storm water, reclaimed water) before reuse (e.g. planned potable reuse). During MAR, water is either iniltrated via basins, subsurface injected or abstracted from wells adjacent to rivers. MAR systems represent an attractive option for augmenting and improving groundwater quality as well as for environmental management purposes. However, reuse systems designed for applications that involve human contact should include redundant barriers for pathogens that cause waterborne diseases. This case covers key aspects of a case study on virus removal at three full-scale MAR systems located in different regions of the United States (Arizona, Colorado, and California). MAR projects may be economically viable for developing countries; however, sustainable management is relevant to successfully maintain the attributes necessary for potable and non-potable water reuse.
Keywords: management, aquifer, recharge, removal, viruses
Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture Good Practice Examples
Abstract
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems such as riverbank iltration and soil-aquifer treatment all involve the use of natural subsurface systems to improve the quality of recharged water (i.e., surface water, storm water, reclaimed water) before reuse (e.g. planned potable reuse). During MAR, water is either iniltrated via basins, subsurface injected or abstracted from wells adjacent to rivers. MAR systems represent an attractive option for augmenting and improving groundwater quality as well as for environmental management purposes. However, reuse systems designed for applications that involve human contact should include redundant barriers for pathogens that cause waterborne diseases. This case covers key aspects of a case study on virus removal at three full-scale MAR systems located in different regions of the United States (Arizona, Colorado, and California). MAR projects may be economically viable for developing countries; however, sustainable management is relevant to successfully maintain the attributes necessary for potable and non-potable water reuse.
Keywords: management, aquifer, recharge, removal, viruses
Optimizing Plant Water Use Efficiency for a Sustainable Environment
The rising shortage of water resources in crop-producing regions worldwide and the need for irrigation optimisation call for sustainable water savings. The allocation of irrigation water will be an ever-increasing source of pressure because of vast agricultural demands under changing climatic conditions. Consequently, irrigation has to be closely linked with water-use efficiency with the aim of boosting productivity and improving food quality, singularly in those regions where problems of water shortages or collection and delivery are widespread. The present Special Issue (SI) showcases 19 original contributions, addressing water-use efficiency in the context of sustainable irrigation management to meet water scarcity conditions. These papers cover a wide range of subjects including (i) interaction mineral nutrition and irrigation in horticultural crops, (ii) sustainable irrigation in woody fruit crops, (iii) medicinal plants, (iv) industrial crops, and (v) other topics devoted to remote sensing techniques and crop water requirements, genotypes for drought tolerance, and agricultural management.
Optimizing Plant Water Use Efficiency for a Sustainable Environment
The rising shortage of water resources in crop-producing regions worldwide and the need for irrigation optimisation call for sustainable water savings. The allocation of irrigation water will be an ever-increasing source of pressure because of vast agricultural demands under changing climatic conditions. Consequently, irrigation has to be closely linked with water-use efficiency with the aim of boosting productivity and improving food quality, singularly in those regions where problems of water shortages or collection and delivery are widespread. The present Special Issue (SI) showcases 19 original contributions, addressing water-use efficiency in the context of sustainable irrigation management to meet water scarcity conditions. These papers cover a wide range of subjects including (i) interaction mineral nutrition and irrigation in horticultural crops, (ii) sustainable irrigation in woody fruit crops, (iii) medicinal plants, (iv) industrial crops, and (v) other topics devoted to remote sensing techniques and crop water requirements, genotypes for drought tolerance, and agricultural management.
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