Impact of Different Contour Hedgerows on Control of Nutrient, Soil and Water Loss on Slope Land in Danjiangkou Reservoir Region

Soil and water loss has been a major environmental problem in the Danjiangkou Reservoir region where slope farming is commonly practiced but the local topography is hilly. As the core water region for the "South-to-North Water Transfer Project", certain measures should be implemented to ensure the safe of water quality. In consideration of the poor socioeconomic position of local farmers, the application of the low cost contour hedgerows had been an important measure of the utilization and conservation of slope land. However, there is a lack of information on different contour hedgerows on control of nutrient, soil and water loss in Danjiangkou Reservoir region. Based on the wheat-maize rotation pattern, a runoff experiment was conducted on a sloping land with a gradient of 14° to investigate the impact of different contour hedgerows on control of nutrient, soil and water loss on sloping land in Danjiangkou Reservoir region. Results showed that hedgerows could notably reduce soil erosion and runoff soon after their establishment, the Lonicera japonica Thunb. hedgerow showed the best effect on it. All of the four tested hedgerows could reduce slope gradient in a certain extent, while Lonicera japonica Thunb. hedgerow exhibited the most obvious effect on it. Hedgerow treatments could effectively reduce soil nutrient loss. Results and findings of this paper will contribute towards a technical reference for the promotion and adoption of hedgerows in the Danjiangkou Reservoir region.