Applicability Analysis and Energy Quantification of Soil and Water Conservation Measures in the Northern Chinese Black Soil Region

Abstract

The effects of soil and water conservation measures on controlling soil erosion have been demonstrated. However, farmer perceptions regarding their applicability in black soil regions remain unclear. Although energy analysis theory provides a useful method for statistically assessing ecological consequences, its application to soil and water conservation remains limited. The objectives of this study were to analyze effectiveness, energy values, and farmer satisfaction with soil and water conservation measures, including contour ridges, straw turnover, agricultural protection forests, planted ridge belts, bench terrace, etc., through field investigations, questionnaire surveys, and energy analysis theory. The findings demonstrated that after implementing these measures on sloping farmlands in the northern Chinese black soil region, approximately 78% of the land remained intact, while 22% of the land was partially destroyed or completely destroyed. Only 72% of the surveyed farmers perceived control efficiency as medium or good, whereas 28% reported poor or low control efficiency. Nevertheless, 91% of the surveyed farmers were satisfied or very satisfied with these measures. The mean energy values were ranked as follows: bench terrace > planted ridge belt > ridge tillage > straw turnover > agricultural protection forest. The greatest variations in energy values occurred in the straw turnover (1.21 × 10⁸−2.81 × 10⁸ sej) and ridge tillage (2.34 × 10⁸–4.67 × 10⁸ sej) measures. Therefore, quantifying energy values enables a deeper assessment of spatial applicability and popularization for different soil and water conservation measures.