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Evaluation of Land Use, Land Management and Soil Conservation Strategies to Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution Loads in the Three Gorges Region, China

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Abstract

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China and the subsequent impoundment of the Yangtze River have induced a major land use change in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, which fosters increased inputs of sediment and nutrients from diffuse sources into the water bodies. Several government programs have been implemented to mitigate high sediment and nutrient loads to the reservoir. However, institutional weaknesses and a focus on economic development have so far widely counteracted the effectiveness of these programs. In this study, the eco-hydrological model soil and water assessment tool is used to assess the effects of changes in fertilizer amounts and the conditions of bench terraces in the Xiangxi catchment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region on diffuse matter releases. With this, the study aims at identifying efficient management measures, which should have priority. The results show that a reduction of fertilizer amounts cannot reduce phosphorus loads considerably without inhibiting crop productivity. The condition of terraces in the catchment has a strong impact on soil erosion and phosphorus releases from agricultural areas. Hence, if economically feasible, programmes focusing on the construction and maintenance of terraces in the region should be implemented. Additionally, intercropping on corn fields as well as more efficient fertilization schemes for agricultural land were identified as potential instruments to reduce diffuse matter loads further. While the study was carried out in the Three Gorges Region, its findings may also beneficial for the reduction of water pollution in other mountainous areas with strong agricultural use.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the German Ministry of Education and Research for funding the Sino-German research cooperation YANGTZE-GEO II (grant number: 03G0827E), in which context this research work could be achieved. Many thanks to Prof. Dr. Jiang Tong from the Chinese Meteorological Administration for his help on acquiring climate and discharge data for the region. Special thanks go to Dr. Song Song and Dr. Naicheng Wu for all their help and support during the field stays in the Xiangxi catchment.

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  1. Department of Hydrology and Water Resources Management, University of Kiel, Institute for Natural Resource Conservation, Kiel, Germany

    Alexander Strehmel, Britta Schmalz & Nicola Fohrer

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  1. Alexander Strehmel
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Correspondence to Alexander Strehmel.

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Strehmel, A., Schmalz, B. & Fohrer, N. Evaluation of Land Use, Land Management and Soil Conservation Strategies to Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution Loads in the Three Gorges Region, China. Environmental Management 58, 906–921 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0758-3

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