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The role of forest stand density in controlling soil erosion: implications to sediment-related disasters in Japan

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Abstract

The role of forest stand density in controlling soil erosion was investigated in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The main objective was to compare soil erosion under different forest conditions including forest type, species composition, and stand density as influenced by thinning operations. Relative yield index (Ry) was used as an indicator of stand density to reflect the degree of management operations in the watershed. Eleven treatments were established based on the above forest conditions. Soil loss was collected in each of the 11 treatments after each rainfall event for a period of 1 year. The paper presents summary data on soil loss as affected by forest conditions and rainfall patterns. Findings showed that an appropriate forest management operation, which can be insured by stand density control, is needed to reduce soil loss. The present study plays an important role in clarifying technical processes related to soil erosion, while it helps linking these elements to current Japanese forestry issues and bringing new inputs to reducing sediment-related disasters in Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Environment and Disaster Management, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Bam H. N. Razafindrabe & Rajib Shaw

  2. Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Be605, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan

    Bin He

  3. Forest Engineering and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of The Ryukyus, 1 Sembaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Shoji Inoue

  4. Geo-Ecosystem Control and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Tarumi 3-5-7, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8566, Japan

    Tsugio Ezaki

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  1. Bam H. N. Razafindrabe
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  2. Bin He
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  3. Shoji Inoue
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Correspondence to Bam H. N. Razafindrabe.

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Razafindrabe, B.H.N., He, B., Inoue, S. et al. The role of forest stand density in controlling soil erosion: implications to sediment-related disasters in Japan. Environ Monit Assess 160, 337–354 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0699-2

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