Understanding erosion processes on a larger scale: downstream
effects
Nowadays there are many research articles, publications and
recommendations on the implication and effectiveness of SWM measures for
sustainable land resource management. Several research articles in this
review explain the effectiveness and impact of SWC measures mainly at
plot and small-scale watersheds however; the evaluation should have
addressed both long-term and short-term impacts at medium or large-scale
watersheds for better understanding of landscape biophysical parameters.
Beside the insufficiency of the studies and recommendations, many policy
briefs, decisions, and planning and implementation of SWC measures have
been decided on, based on plot level and small-scale watershed
observations. A more profound understanding of the changes that involve
situation specific interactions among various factors at different
spatial and temporal scales is therefore needed (Lambin et al., 2003;
Veldkamp & Verburg, 2004). Larger scale studies can consider the
management effects in the whole landscape and it finally leads to
understand the connectivity of sediment and waters.