We calculated disturbances and landscape-lowering rates across various timescales in a ~ 406 km² catchment in the Chilean Coastal Range. Intensive management of exotic tree plantations involves short rotational cycles (planting and harvesting by replanting clear-cuts) lasting 9–25 years, dense forestry road networks (increasing connectivity), and a recent increase in wildfires. Concurrently, persistent drought conditions and the high water demand of fast-growing trees reduce water availability.

This paper examines how an experimental mega-scale beach nourishment ("Sand Motor") contributes to creating favorable conditions for dune development. These conditions, involving a steady supply of wind-blown sand towards space where it can accumulate, are identified using publicly available remote sensing data. It is demonstrated that the Sand Motor supports a high potential for new dunes to develop, but human disturbances may hamper this development, which negatively impacts coastal safety.

Soils are vital resources put at risk by erosional loss. Evaluating agricultural effects on erosion is complicated where natural rates are high, as in central Nepal. This study infers erosion rates over thousands of years and compares these rates to those observed over the short term. Results suggest that effects of agriculture are small and that most erosion takes place through natural processes. However, present-day erosion on degraded lands is significantly faster than over the long term.