Simulation of agricultural landscape catenas based on the analysis of hydrodynamic characteristics of the underlying surfaces of slope lands

Abstract

The agricultural landscape of slope lands is characterized by ecological instability and to ensure its equilibrium state a system of agronomic, melioration and environmental measures is carried out. Assessing the state of slope agricultural landscapes, it is necessary to take into account slope parameters, contour sizes, hydrological regime, types and varieties of soils, erosion processes, economic conditions, location, etc. Monitoring the above parameters will allow to detect hidden impacts or changes and restore the stability of the agricultural ecosystem early, for example, to maintain the hydrodynamic characteristics of the underlying surface for a certain period. Comprehensive research including methods of mathematical simulation and analysis carried out on the agricultural landscape catena is most effective. One of the fundamental scientific problems to be solved in this is to study and construct agricultural landscape catenas using the analysis of hydrodynamic characteristics of soil and vegetation cover of slope lands. It has been established that for compensatory melioration measures and engineering melioration systems planned on agricultural landscapes of slope lands, the following water flow rates occur: from 0.022 to 1.5 m/s for phytomelioration measures when slopes are rather steep; from 0.138 m/s for agricultural melioration measures at a slope of 0.08; and for traditional tillage rates exceed the critical ones and reach 0.8 m/s. According to the nomogram for determining the velocity diagram on a particular catchment slope, it is possible to assess and control anti-erosion melioration measures, revealing the actual speed regime of water flow in problem areas, and, therefore, it is possible to prevent erosion processes and preserve soil fertility on meliorated slope lands early.