Rainfall-induced landslides are a major threat in the hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau. Landslide mapping via field investigations is challenging and impractical in this complex region because of its numerous gullies. In this paper, an algorithm based on an object-oriented method (OOA) has been developed to recognize loess landslides by combining spectral, textural, and morphometric information with auxiliary topographic parameters based on high-resolution multispectral satellite data (GF-1, 2 m) and a high-precision DEM (5 m). The quality percentage (QP) values were all greater than 0.80, and the kappa indices were all higher than 0.85, indicating good landslide detection with the proposed approach. We quantitatively analyze the spectral, textural, morphometric, and topographic properties of loess landslides. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is useful for discriminating landslides from vegetation cover and water areas. Morphometric parameters, such as elongation and roundness, can potentially improve the recognition capacity and facilitate the identification of roads. The combination of spectral properties in near-infrared regions, the textural variance from a grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and topographic elevation data can be used to effectively discriminate terraces and buildings. Furthermore, loess flows are separated from landslides based on topographic position data. This approach shows great potential for quickly producing accurate results for loess landslides that are induced by extreme rainfall events in the hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau, which will help decision makers improve landslide risk assessment, reduce the risk from landslide hazards and facilitate the application of more reliable disaster management strategies.

Soil water and nutrients are major factors limiting crop productivity. In the present study, soil water use efficiency (WUE) and crop yield of millet and soybean were investigated under nine fertilization regimes (no nitrogen (N) and no phosphorus (P) (CK), 120 kg ha⁻¹ N and no P (N1P0), 240 kg ha⁻¹ N and no P (N2P0), 45 kg ha⁻¹ P and no N (N0P1), 90 kg ha⁻¹ P and no N (N0P2), 120 kg ha⁻¹ N and 45 kg ha⁻¹ P (N1P1), 240 kg ha⁻¹ N and 45 kg ha⁻¹ P (N2P1), 120 kg ha⁻¹ N and 90 kg ha⁻¹ P (N1P2), 240 kg ha⁻¹ N and 90 kg ha⁻¹ P (N2P2)) in the Loess Plateau, China. We conducted fertilization experiments in two cultivation seasons and collected soil nutrient, water use, and crop yield data. Combined N and P fertilization resulted in the greatest increase in crop yield and WUE, followed by the single P fertilizer application, and single N fertilizer application. The control treatment, which consisted of neither P nor N fertilizer application, had the least effect on crop yield. The combined N and P fertilization increased soil organic matter (SOM) and soil total N, while soil water consumption increased in all treatments. SOM and total N content increased significantly when compared to the control conditions, by 27.1–81.3%, and 301.3–669.2%, respectively, only under combined N and P application. The combined N and P application promoted the formation of a favorable soil aggregate structure and improved soil microbial activity, which accelerated fertilizer use, and enhanced the capacity of soil to maintain fertilizer supply. Crop yield increased significantly in all treatments when compared to the control conditions, with soybean and millet yields increasing by 82.5–560.1% and 55–490.8%, respectively. The combined application of N and P fertilizers increased soil water consumption, improved soil WUE, and satisfied crop growth and development requirements. In addition, soil WUE was significantly positively correlated with crop yield. Our results provide a scientific basis for rational crop fertilization in semi-arid areas on the Loess Plateau.

Large‐scale coal mining not only disturbs natural landscapes but also alters catchment hydrological processes. Although investigating how mining activities such as open cut and/or underground mining change catchment baseflow is critical for understanding mining‐related hydrological mechanisms and for helping water resource management, published data on these changes have not been well documented. This study uses data‐driven approaches to examine how baseflow changes in four sets of paired catchments in the Hunter River Basin in Australia, which is one of the most intensive mining regions across the globe. The difference of cumulative anomaly percentage and double mass curves are used to detect the changes in baseflow and to identify the potential mining impacts. Our results show that underground mining has led to a decline in baseflow, while open cut mining has tended to increase baseflow, and significantly changed the baseflow trend for catchments where underground and open cut mining coexist. The mining impact signal, however, is on the top of regional climate change impacts that dominate baseflow annual variability. The data‐driven investigation cannot separate impacts due to multiple and overlapping disturbances of mining activities but provides insight and guidance for hydrological modeling to simulate mining impacts on hydrological regimes.

In recent years, soil erosion caused by water erosion has gradually increased due to the increase of extreme precipitation. In order to reduce soil erosion caused by extreme precipitation, it is necessary to monitor soil erosion and found out the factors that affect soil erosion under extreme precipitation. The objective of this study was to assess the amount of soil erosion, the damage degree of soil and water conservation measures and benefit evaluation under extreme precipitation in Henan Province. The results indicated that the ridges of terraces in two small watersheds had been damaged to varying degrees. Terraces, as one of soil and water conservation measures, can better preserve soil and water erosion under extreme precipitation. The amount of soil preserved in two small watersheds were 744.50t and 1121.01t. The amount of soil loss in two small watersheds were reduced by 67.67% and 78.63% when terraces existed. The soil conservation amount of vegetation restoration measures in two small watersheds were 2960.23t and 3320.36t. The amount of soil loss in two small watersheds were reduced by 89.27% and 90.98%, when vegetation restoration measures exist. Compared with soil and water conservation engineering measures, vegetation restoration measures can better reduce soil erosion caused by water erosion under extreme precipitation. In addition to the amount of rainfall, the soil and water conservation benefits of terraces were also affected by the width of the terrace, the slope of the terrace, and whether there were vegetation restoration measures in the terrace.