Ádám Kertész

Climate change and soil moisture: A case study

Abstract An important aspect of regional climate change is alteration in soil moisture availability. The EPIC (Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator — Sharpley and Williams, 1990) model is applied to estimate soil hydrology consequences in a representative subcatchment (24 km 2 ) of Lake Balaton, Hungary. The study is based on the soil hydrology parameters of the EPIC model, which exhibit a relatively fast response to the climate variations. To specify the regional climate scenario for Hungary in semi-annual time resolution, a statistical approach computing regression between regional and hemispherical mean climate characteristics is employed. The semi-annual scenarios are further refined by applying the principle of geographical analogy. This difference corresponds to a 0.5 °K increase of the hemispherical mean temperature, i.e. the climate after 20–40 years of monotonous warming (IPCC, 1996a). Diurnal statistical parameters which correspond to present (base-line) and future climates of the investigated site are finally introduced into the built-in weather generator of the EPIC model. A supplementary factor of variation in soil hydrology is crop-rotation, responsible for half of the standard deviations, as compared to the hypothetical maize monoculture experiment. Climate generated differences in transpiration, soil moisture content, and crop-available water during water stress days. In connection with the assumed warming, there is a general trend towards drought during the vegetation growing period.

Conservation Agriculture in Europe

Abstract The adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Europe varies according to the ecological regions of the continent. Although Europe is behind other countries in adoption of CA, the indicators for future progress are encouraging. The area where CA is applied is growing rapidly because of increasing environmental awareness, including soil protection, and because of the need to reduce production costs. The European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) plays an important role in the adoption and dissemination of CA practices, and in discussions involving CA and the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. Yield performance and stability, operating costs, environmental policies and programs of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and climate change will likely be the major driving forces defining the direction and for the extension of CA in Europe. The role of agriculture in climate change mitigation in the EU is discussed in the paper.

Application of GIS methods in soil erosion modelling

Abstract Soil erosion studies are of great importance, not only from a scientific, but also from a practical point of view. The most widely used assessment method is the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Three calculation methods are shown in the paper. The first method is only based on the USLE, whereas the two other calculation methods represent different estimations of soil loss by the USLE. In each case, soil loss assessment was carried out by GIS methods. ARC-INFO is used for the storage of the data layers on each factor controlling soil erosion. The main advantage of the GIS methodology is in providing quick information on the estimated value of soil loss for any part of the investigated area. The results obtained by the different calculations are slightly different. An evaluation of the results and of the methods is given in the discussion.

Contributions of biogeotextiles to sustainable development and soil conservation in developing countries: the BORASSUS Project.

Field and laboratory studies indicate that geotextile mats constructed from palm leaves are an effective, sustainable and economically viable soil conservation technique. The three-year (2005–08) EU-funded BORASSUS Project (Contract Number INCO-CT-2005-510745) is evaluating their long-term effectiveness in controlling soil erosion and assessing their sustainability and economic viability. These studies are in progress in 10 countries, both in the ‘industrial north’ (in Europe) and in the ‘developing south’ (Africa, South America and South-East Asia). This paper focuses on agro-environmental applications and potential in the ‘developing south’ (The Gambia, South Africa, Brazil, China, Thailand and Vietnam). Biogeotextiles offer potentially novel bioengineering solutions to environmental problems, including technologies for soil conservation, sustainable plant production and use of indigenous plants, improved ecosystem management, decreasing deforestation, improving agroforestry and cost-effective geotextile applications in diverse environments. Biogeotextiles may provide socio-economic platforms for sustainable development and the benefits for developing countries may include poverty alleviation, engagement of local people as stakeholders, employment for disadvantaged groups, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, earning hard currency, environmental education and local community involvement in land reclamation and environmental education programmes. These benefits are achieved through: (a) promotion of sustainable and environmentally-friendly palm agriculture to discourage deforestation, promoting both reforestation and agroforestry; (b) construction of palm geotextiles enabling development of a rural labour-intensive industry, particularly encouraging employment of socially-disadvantaged groups and (c) export of palm geotextiles to industrialized countries could earn hard currency for developing economies, based on the principles of fair trade.

Geomorphological mapping of landslides in Hungary with a case study on mapping Danubian bluffs

Abstract Mapping of landslides as a specialized branch of engineering geomorphological mapping aims at providing comprehensive information on landslides for planning and forecasting purposes revealing the role of the main factors controlling the processes. Mapping projects involve survey, inventory, evaluation and mapping of landslides at different scales. A case study dealing with landslide mapping along the Danube loess bluffs provides an understanding of the mapping concept and presents some conclusions on the influencing factors of mass movements.

Recent Landform Evolution in Hungary

Fluvial geomorphic processes (channel and floodplain evolution) are widespread in the extensive lowlands of Hungary. Since flow regulation in the nineteenth century, river channels have shown adjustments of considerable degree. Some agricultural areas in hills and low mountain basins are seriously affected by water erosion, particularly gully development on loess. Although all sand dunes have been stabilized by now, historically wind erosion has also been a major geomorphic agent in blown-sand areas. The areas affected by mass movements and karst processes are limited but their processes still operate – partly in function of the changing climatic conditions. Applied geomorphological research focuses on ever intensifying human impact on the landscape (particularly in mining districts), which has become the primary driver of recent geomorphic evolution in Hungary, too.

The Effect of Land Degradation on Ecosystem Services

Land degradation leads to very severe damages on the Earth. Global climate change and land use change are always present in the media and in scientific publications, though much less attention is paid to the degradation of the Earth surface. Land degradation is an interrelated process; other processes like global climate change, land use change and even population growth are strongly linked to it.

The Forests of Lake Balaton Catchment and Their Role in Soil Conservation

Among the land use categories the forests have a special and very important role in nature and environmental protection. The forest decreases the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, filters polluted air, isolates noise, mitigates temperature changes, diminishes soil temperature by 2-4 degrees ensuring even temperature conditions, lowers wind velocity, increases air humidity and has many more favourable effects on nature and society. The forests play an important role in the water regime of a given area. The large canopy surface slows down the velocity of the rain, most of the rain water remains in the forest and surface water will be converted to subsurface water. Forests protect the soil from drying out, they provide a special microclimate and have a positive climatic influence on the climate of the nearby areas. The above mentioned favourable effects of the forest are only a few out of a long series hereafter we will concentrate on the soil protecting effects.

Ravine and Gully Erosion in the Hilly Headwater Areas of Hungary

Ravine and gully development in the loess mantled hills of Hungary are caused by a combination of natural and anthropogenic processes, mainly trafficking and cultivation. In the non-loessial Cserhat Hills, gully erosion was linked to areas with less than 30%

Soil Erosion Modelling in Hungary

This paper summarises the efforts in Hungary to apply two soil erosion models (USLE and EPIC). The models were applied for various purposes: evaluating erosion and deposition hazards, land capability prediction and landscape sensitivity. The results of modelling and field measurements and perspectives for future applications are also treated.