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Optimisation of models applied in sheet erosion equations could facilitate effective management of sheet erosion in the field, and sustainable agricultural production. To optimise the characterisation of sheet erosion on slope farmland in South China, the present study conducted field simulation rainfall experiments with vegetated and fallow soils. According to the results, sheet erosion rate first increased with an increase in rainfall duration and then stabilised. Exclusive P. vulgaris planting and P. vulgaris in combination with earthworms could reduce sheet erosion by 10–60%, and the combined method could better control sheet erosion. There were significant differences in erosion rate between mild and steep slopes, and light and heavy rain conditions. The influence of rain intensity on sheet erosion was greater than that of slope. Soil organic matter (SOM), rain intensity, and slope can be used to optimise sheet erosion equations of exposed slopes, and SOM and hydraulic parameters can be used to optimise sheet erosion equations in vegetated slopes. The results of the present study could facilitate the reduction of the time and space variability errors in the establishment of sheet erosion models for vegetated slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slow growth of the Chinese economy has led to a reduced number of environmental regulations. This study aims to establish whether China’s “new normal” economy can stimulate environment-biased technological progress to improve industrial land-use efficiency. First, we set up a two-sector theoretical model where in the new normal is treated as an exogenous variable to analyze the combined effects of technological progress, industrial land-use efficiency, and environmental regulations. Then, we establish a multi-index and multi-indicator constitutive equation, in which environment-biased technological progress is taken as an intermediate variable. The results show that the effects of weak environmental regulations on environment-biased technological progress are not significant and that China’s new normal economy can stimulate the progress of clean technology, thereby improving industrial land-use efficiency. Finally, foreign direct investment restricts the improvement of industrial land-use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that second-order equations were used to characterize the potassium release rate for 20 low-hilly ustisols derived from Quaternary red clay in Zhejiang province, China.