Semiarid Soil and Water Conservation


Book Description

In this volume, the erosion and conservation measures discussed are, for the most part, those under unirrigated agriculture. The use of irrigation could cause significant changes in the growing seasons, and in the agricultural calendar, especially in the warmer climates where temperature is not a limiting factor. It is further noted that much of the material in this volume has been prepared with the developing countries of the so-called Third World in mind. In many of these countries there is a dearth of basic data, such as long-term hydrological records, detailed soil and topographic surveys, and experimental results for various types of erosion control measures. Some design procedures cannot be imitated or copied directly from those of the technologically more advanced countries. Consequently, emphasis will be placed, wherever possible, upon simple empirical methods of design, and approximate solutions within the limitations of the available data, technical possibilities, and financial resources of the Third World countries. Much of the numerical data and calculations will be presented in the metric system.




Soil and Water Conservation Advances in the United States


Book Description

Have agricultural management efforts begun in the desperation of the Dust Bowl brought us to where we need to be tomorrow? Questions about the environmental footprint of farming make this book required reading. Approximately 62% of the total U.S. land area is used for agriculture, and this land also provides critical ecosystem functions. Authors from each region of the continental United States describe the progress of soil and water conservation to date and visualize how agricultural production practices must change in future years to address the newest challenges.




Soil and Water Conservation in Semi-arid Areas


Book Description

The problems of agriculture in the semi-arid regions; Assessing the possibilities for improving agriculture; Soil conservation; Water conservation; Water harvesting and use; Applications of water conservation.




CONSERVATION TILLAGE


Book Description




Tillage for Soil and Water Conservation in the Semi-arid Tropics


Book Description

Chapter 3 gives a review of the various tillage systems as they may be applied for soil and water conservation, based the soil characteristics and on different mechanization levels.




Water Scarcity and Sustainable Agriculture in Semiarid Environment


Book Description

Water Scarcity and Sustainable Agriculture in Semiarid Environment: Tools, Strategies and Challenges for Woody Crops explores the complex relationship between water scarcity and climate change, agricultural water-use efficiency, crop-water stress management and modeling water scarcity in woody crops. Understanding these cause- and effect relationships and identifying the most appropriate responses are critical for sustainable crop production. The book focuses on Mediterranean environments to explain how to determine the most appropriate strategy and implement an effective plan; however, core concepts are translational to other regions. Informative for those working in agricultural water management, irrigation and drainage, crop physiology and sustainable agriculture. - Focuses on semi-arid crops including olive, vine, citrus, almonds, peach, nectarine, plum, subtropical fruits and others - Explores crop physiological responses to drought at plant, cellular and/or molecular levels - Presents tool options for assessing crop-water status and irrigation scheduling







Advances in Environmental Research


Book Description

This compilation opens by presenting a discussion on the main conditions for the successful start-up and operation of full-scale mainstream partial nitrification-anammox technology, advantages of partial nitrification-anammox technology over other technologies of wastewater treatment, and a description of the interactions among key microbial groups and their identification by using metagenomic approaches. Next, one study elucidates the performance of anammox hybrid reactors under various operating conditions to optimize and assess its efficacy and feasibility for nitrogen removal from wastewater. Four numbers of hybrid reactors conglomerating the dual advantages of attached and suspended growth were designed and investigated. The authors seek to produce a soil erosion susceptibility map with selected parameters including elevation, slope, aspect, slope curvature, stream power index, topographic wetness index, cover management factor, land use/land cover, rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, lineament density, distance from lineament, and distance from stream and drainage density. The weighted linear combination method is applied using remote sensing and geographical information system techniques in the Shiri river basin of Darjeeling, Himalaya. The following study addresses the financial and economic benefits of tourism, and whether these economic benefits are to the detriment of the natural environment. This is done by conducting an investigation into community fishing practices around Mnemba Island. Semi-structured interviews were held with Mnemba Island Lodge staff, local fishermen and local authorities involved in the fisheries around Mnemba Participatory observations were also used to support the data collected by the semi-structured interviews. The authors present data suggesting that of insolation is of high importance for the structuring of floodplain ecosystems because it has potential to impact floodplain lakes regardless of flooding. It is proposed that future investigations of floodplain aquatic habitats should take into account insolation effects other than those of hydrology. The closing chapter provides a brief review of anchovy characteristics, habitats, use, and eco-friendly treatment of anchovy waste/wastewater for reutilization. Anchovy is an attractive resource for the production of functional compounds such as antimutagenic, antifungal, antioxidant and antibacterial agents.




Looking After Our Land


Book Description

This book is about the main lessons to be learnt from new approaches to soil and water conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. It presents six case studies, two each from Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mali, where soil and water conservation, based on the participation of the local people, has resulted in some success.




Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities


Book Description

Food insecurity is a fundamental challenge to human welfare and economic growth in Africa. Low agricultural production leads to low incomes, poor nutrition, vulnerability to risk and threat and lack of empowerment. This book offers a comprehensive synthesis of agricultural research and development experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. The text highlights practical lessons from the sub-Saharan Africa region.