Assessment of Integrated BMPs for Subbasin-Scale Soil Erosion Reduction Considering Spatially Distributed Farmland Characteristics

Jimin Lee, Seoro Lee, Woon Ji Park, Minhwan Shin and Kyoung Jae Lim ()
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Jimin Lee: Water Environmental Research Department, National Institute of Environment Research (NIER), Hwangyong-ro 42, Seogu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
Seoro Lee: Department of Regional Infrastructure Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea
Woon Ji Park: Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea
Minhwan Shin: EM Research Institute, Chuncheon-si 24408, Republic of Korea
Kyoung Jae Lim: Department of Regional Infrastructure Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Recent climate change has intensified extreme rainfall events, exacerbating soil erosion and agricultural nonpoint source pollution in South Korea’s steeply sloped farmlands. This study assessed soil erosion reduction measures by applying individual Best Management Practices (BMPs) in cropland and expanding upon existing management efforts through the implementation of additional BMPs aimed at further reducing soil erosion. Furthermore, priority management areas were identified based on soil erosion reduction efficiency within subbasins. For this evaluation, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was employed, with a spatially distributed Hydrological Response Unit (SD-HRU) module and calibrated Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) parameters tailored to Korean watershed conditions. Scenarios 1 and 2 were implemented in the study area to evaluate BMP effectiveness in controlling soil erosion and suspended sediment (SS) loads. Scenario 1 applied a set of BMPs already in place, while Scenario 2 involved the addition of supplementary BMPs to enhance soil erosion control. Scenario 1 resulted in a 34.6% reduction in annual soil erosion and a 35.0% decrease in SS concentration, whereas Scenario 2 achieved a 59.3% reduction in soil erosion and a 57.3% decrease in SS concentration. Subbasin-scale evaluations revealed considerable spatial variability in erosion control efficiency, ranging from 1.3% to 70.5%, highlighting the necessity for spatially targeted management strategies. These results underscore the importance of employing spatially adaptive BMP approaches and offer practical guidance for enhancing watershed sustainability, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme hydrometeorological events.

Keywords: best management practices (BMPs); modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE); spatially distributed hydrological response units (SD-HRUs); steep-slope farmland; subbasin prioritization; soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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