Land Use Effects on Soil Erosion and Phosphorus Loss in the Hilly Area of the Loess Plateau, China

The Loess Plateau is one of the most seriously eroded areas in the world. This study determined the effects on runoff, soil loss, and phosphorus loss of six land use systems in hillslope of the Loess Plateau: farmland, wasteland and four forest treatments (Seabuckthorn + poplar, immature seabuckthorn, mature seabuckthorn, and immature Chinese pine). Differences were significant (P<0.05) for runoff and erosion among treatments. Runoff, soil loss, and P loss occurred mainly during critical period (July). Three of the four forest treatments (Seabuckthorn + poplar, immature seabuckthorn, and mature seabuckthorn) were reasonable land uses in limiting runoff, soil loss, and have the positive impact on the environment. The results indicated that farmlands over 15° produce more runoff, soil loss, and total P loss, and they should be reforested.