• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.118-130
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• 2007

The steep-sloped agricultural land was severely damaged by rainfall events during July and August every year. The objective of this study was to investigate an effects of intensive rainfall to the soil properties of the steep-sloped agricultural land. Survey sites including the Sacheon myeon area were located in Gangneung, those were severely damaged from a forest fire in April 2000. Surveys were taken at these sites after two years of forest fire and severe rainfall events in August 2002, which included an event that poured with 870 mm of rainfall in a day. After this storm, soil erosion, burying, and flooding were observed. Severe soil loss was found at lower soil-depths, greater slopes, longer slope lengths, and concave landscapes. Soil loss and land slides were often found at areas with having a coarser textures, higher bulk densities, lower water holding capacity, and lower rates of soil aggregation. Crop growth stagnation was found at the site of crop restoration because of low soil fertility and poor drainage caused by the abrupt textural changes. In conclusion, it is necessary to manage the steep-slope agricultural land based on environmental impact assessment data of macro morphological and physical characteristics by intensive rainfall.