Field rainfall simulator studies on two clay soils of the Darling Downs, Queensland. III. An evaluation of current methods for deriving soil erodbilities (K factors)

Soil Research ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Loch
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Single Event ◽  
Erosion Process ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Runoff Rate ◽  
Simulated Rain ◽  
Soil Losses

Simulated rain has been widely used to derive soil erodibility (K) values for the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Because of concern that recent work using smaller plots may not give realistic results, this paper considers the effects of plot length and erosion process on values of K derived from rainfall simulator studies. It also highlights problems in the calculation of K from rainfall simulator data, using the factors of the USLE. Rainulator data on slope length/erosion process interactions were used to calculate soil losses and K for plot lengths of 10.7 and 22.5 m tilled up and down the slope, on two soils, both on 4% slope. K showed up to threefold variation with changes in plot length, because different erosion processes contributed to soil loss. The results also showed major differences between single-event and annual average responses of erosion to slope length, leading to the conclusion that the annual average factors of the USLE cannot be used to analyse single-event rainfall simulator data. Instead, rainfall simulator data must be converted to average annual soil losses, which can then be validly analysed, using the factors of the USLE, to derive K. The procedures presently used to calculate annual average soil losses from rainfall simulator data do not take into account erosion process/runoff rate interactions, and are therefore unsatisfactory. Single-event soil loss models may provide a means for producing better estimates of annual average soil losses suitable for the derivation of K.

Evaluation of the CREAMS model. II. Use of rainulator data to derive soil erodibility parameters and prediction of field soil losses using derived parameters

Soil Research ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 563 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Loch ◽  
DM Silburn ◽  
DM Freebairn
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Confidence Regions ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
Erosion Process ◽  
Erosion Model ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Soil Losses

The first paper of this series identified several parameters to which predictions of the CREAMS erosion model were sensitive. Two of these, soil erodibility parameters nbov and K, cannot be measured directly. Therefore, this paper reports procedures for deriving nbov and K for the CREAMS erosion model from rainulator data. The procedures identify confidence regions for best fit combinations of nbov and K. Fairly specific values of nbov were obtained, but a wide range of K values provided similar near-optimal predictions. Optimum regions of nbov and K for plots where rilling was the dominant erosion process were significantly different to those for plots dominated by rain-flow erosion for two of the three soils studied. The parameters derived from rainulator data were used to predict soil losses for field catchments on two clay soils, for conditions where surface cover by stubble was 110%. Measured rainfall and runoff were used as inputs to the model. For an Irving clay site, the model gave excellent prediction of field soil losses. For a Moola clay site, the larger soil losses were considerably underpredicted, because resistance to rilling on the rainulator plots resulted in lower K values than required for erosion events where rilling is fully developed. The need for parameters to be derived from data reflecting the erosion processes of importance to field soil loss is illustrated. Nonetheless, this study shows that parameters for the CREAMS model can be obtained satisfactorily from rainulator data, provided that the erosion processes studied are relevant, and that there is sufficient replication within the rainulator studies.

scholarly journals Soil Erosion Estimates in Arid Region: A Case Study of the Koutine Catchment, Southeastern Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6763
Author(s):  
Mongi Ben Zaied ◽  
Seifeddine Jomaa ◽  
Mohamed Ouessar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Soil Losses

Soil erosion remains one of the principal environmental problems in arid regions. This study aims to assess and quantify the variability of soil erosion in the Koutine catchment using the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. The Koutine catchment is located in an arid area in southeastern Tunisia and is characterized by an annual mean precipitation of less than 200 mm. The model was used to examine the influence of topography, extreme rainstorm intensity and soil texture on soil loss. The data used for model validation were obtained from field measurements by monitoring deposited sediment in settlement basins of 25 cisterns (a traditional water harvesting and storage technique) over 4 years, from 2015 to 2018. Results showed that slope is the most controlling factor of soil loss. The average annual soil loss in monitoring sites varies between 0.01 and 12.5 t/ha/y. The storm events inducing the largest soil losses occurred in the upstream part of the Koutine catchment with a maximum value of 7.3 t/ha per event. Soil erosion is highly affected by initial and preceding soil conditions. The RUSLE model reasonably reproduced (R2 = 0.81) the spatiotemporal variability of measured soil losses in the study catchment during the observation period. This study revealed the importance of using the cisterns in the data-scarce dry areas as a substitute for the classic soil erosion monitoring fields. Besides, combining modeling of outputs and field measurements could improve our physical understanding of soil erosion processes and their controlling factors in an arid catchment. The study results are beneficial for decision-makers to evaluate the existing soil conservation and water management plans, which can be further adjusted using appropriate soil erosion mitigation options based on scientific evidence.

Estimating storm erosion with a rainfall simulator

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Nolan ◽  
L. J. P. van Vliet ◽  
T. W. Goddard ◽  
T. K. Flesch
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Rainfall Erosivity ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Plot Size ◽  
Natural Rainfall

Interpreting soil loss from rainfall simulators is complicated by the uncertain relationship between simulated and natural rainstorms. Our objective was to develop and test a method for estimating soil loss from natural rainfall using a portable rainfall simulator (1 m2 plot size). Soil loss from 12 rainstorms was measured on 144-m2 plots with barley residue in conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and zero tillage (ZT) conditions. A corresponding "simulated" soil loss was calculated by matching the simulator erosivity to each storm's erosivity. High (140 mm h−1) and low (60 mm h−1) simulation intensities were examined. The best agreement between simulated and natural soil loss occurred using the low intensity, after making three adjustments. The first was to compensate for the 38% lower kinetic energy of the simulator compared with natural rain. The second was for the smaller slope length of the simulator plot. The third was to begin calculating simulator erosivity only after runoff began. After these adjustments, the simulated soil loss over all storms was 99% of the natural soil loss for CT, 112% for RT and 95% for ZT. Our results show that rainfall simulators can successfully estimate soil loss from natural rainfall events. Key words: Natural rainfall events, simulated rainfall, erosivity, tillage

GIS estimation of annual average soil loss rate from Hangar River watershed using RUSLE

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Mustefa ◽  
Fekadu Fufa ◽  
Wakjira Takala
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Loss Rate ◽  
Study Finding ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Rainfall Erosivity ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Soil Loss Rate

Abstract Currently, soil erosion is the major environmental problem in the Blue Nile, Hangar watershed in particular. This study aimed to estimate the spatially distributed mean annual soil erosion and map the most vulnerable areas in Hangar watershed using the revised universal soil loss equation. In this model, rainfall erosivity (R-factor), soil erodibility (K-factor), slope steepness and slope length (LS-factor), vegetative cover (C-factor), and conservation practice (P-factor) were considered as the influencing factors. Maps of these factors were generated and integrated in ArcGIS and then the annual average soil erosion rate was determined. The result of the analysis showed that the amount of soil loss from the study area ranges from 1 to 500 tha−1 yr−1 with an average annual soil loss rate of 32 tha−1 yr−1. Considering contour ploughing with terracing as a fully developed watershed management, the resulting soil loss rate was reduced from 32 to 19.2 tha−1 yr−1. Hence, applying contour ploughing with terracing effectively reduces the vulnerability of the watershed by 40%. Based on the spatial vulnerability of the watershed, most critical soil erosion areas were situated in the steepest part of the watershed. The result of the study finding is helpful for stakeholders to take appropriate mitigation measures.

scholarly journals Modelisation Du Risque D’érosion Hydrique Par L’équation Universelle Des Pertes En Terre Dans Le Rif Occidental: Cas Du Bassin Versant De Moulay Bouchta (Maroc)

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Zouagui ◽  
Mohamed Sabir ◽  
Mustapha Naimi ◽  
Mohamed Chikhaoui ◽  
Moncef Benmansour
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Erosion Rate ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Effect Of Support ◽  
Soil Losses

Soil erosion causes many environmental and socio-economic problems: loss of biodiversity, decrease in the productivity of agricultural land, siltation of dams and increased risk of flooding. It is therefore essential to establish a detailed evaluation of this process before any spatial planning. To evaluate the effects of soil erosion spatially and quantitatively in order to face this phenomenon, and propose the best conservation and land development strategies, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) coupled with a geographic information system (GIS) is applied. This model is a multiplication of the five erosion factors: the erosivity of the rain, the erodibility of the soil, the inclination and the slope length, the vegetation cover and the anti-erosion practices. The study area is the Moulay Bouchta watershed (7 889 ha), which is located in the western part of the Rif Mountains, is characterized by a complex and contrasting landscape. The resulting soil loss map shows an average erosion rate of 39.5 (t/ha/yr), 87% of the basin has an erosion rate above the tolerance threshold for soil loss (7 (t/ha/yr)). Soil losses per subbasin range from 16.2 to 81.4 (t/ha/yr). The amount of eroded soil is estimated at 311,591 (t/yr), corresponding to a specific degradation of 12.1 (t/ha/yr). In the absence of any erosion control, 25% of the soil losses would reach the new dam located a little upstream of the basin outlet, reducing its water mobilization capacity to 59,625 (m3/yr). The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to soil erosion factors shows a significant influence of topographic factor (LS) on soil erosion process, followed by the effect of support practices (P), then by soil erodibility (K).

scholarly journals Modeling of water erosion by the erosion potential method in a pilot subbasin in southern Minas Gerais

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Silva Tavares ◽  
Velibor Spalevic ◽  
Junior Cesar Avanzi ◽  
Denismar Alves Nogueira ◽  
Marx Leandro Naves Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Universal Soil Loss Equation ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Total Soil ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Soil Losses ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Soil losses due to water erosion threaten the sustainability of agriculture and the food security of current and future generations. This study estimated potential soil losses and sediment production under different types of land uses in a subbasin in the Municipality of Alfenas, southern Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The objective of this research was to evaluate the application of the Potential Erosion Method by the Intensity of Erosion and Drainage program and correlate the findings with the results obtained by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation as well as geoprocessing techniques and statistical analyses. In the Potential Erosion Method, the coefficient indicating the mean erosion intensity was 0.37, which corresponded to erosion category IV and indicated weak laminar erosion processes, and the total soil loss was 649.31 Mg year-1 and the mean was 1.46 Mg ha-1 year-1. These results were consistent in magnitude with those obtained in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, which estimated a mean soil loss of 1.52 Mg ha-1 year-1 and a total soil loss of 668.26 Mg year-1. The Potential Erosion Method suggests that 1.5% of the area presents potential soil losses above the soil loss tolerance limit, which ranged from 5.19 to 5.90 Mg ha-1 year-1, while the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation indicated that 7.3% of the area has potential soil losses above the limit. The maximum sediment discharge was 60 Mg year-1, meaning that 9.3% of the total soil loss reached the depositional areas of the river plains or watercourses. The Potential Erosion Method was efficient in the evaluation of water erosion in tropical soils, and the results were consistent with models widely employed in the estimation of soil losses. Thus, the model can support the evaluation of soil losses in Brazil and is a robust tool for evaluating the sustainability of agricultural activities.

Toward a framework for runoff and soil loss prediction using GUEST technology

Soil Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Yu ◽  
C. W. Rose ◽  
C. A. A. Ciesiolka ◽  
K. J. Coughlan ◽  
B. Fentie
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Rainfall Amount ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Total Runoff ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Loss Prediction ◽  
Runoff Rate

In recent years, a number of physically based models have been developed for soil loss predictions. GUEST is one such model based on fundamental physical principles and the current understanding of water erosion processes. GUEST is mainly used to determine a soil erodibility parameter. To apply the model in a predictive mode, the model is simplified in a physically meaningful manner for flow-driven erosion processes, and 2 essential hydrologic variables are identified, namely total runoff amount and an effective runoff rate. These variables are required to determine soil loss for individual runoff events. A simple water balance model was developed and used to predict runoff amount from rainfall amount. The efficiency of this runoff amount model in prediction was over 90% using field data. A 1-parameter regression model (r2 ~ 0·9) for the effective runoff rate was also established which uses peak rainfall intensity in addition to rainfall and runoff amounts. The prediction of peak rainfall intensity for a given rainfall amount and storm type was also sought. The field data were from Goomboorian, near Gympie, in south-east Queensland and these data were used to test and validate both models. Results overall are satisfactory and the approach adopted is promising. A framework for soil loss prediction is established within which individual parts can be further refined and improved.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Erosion Process from a Single-Stripe Laser-Scanned Topography: A Laboratory Case Study

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Chieh Wang ◽  
Chun-Chen Lai
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Erosion Process ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Scanning Method ◽  
Rainfall Duration ◽  
Loss Prediction ◽  
Stripe Laser

Topographies during the erosion process obtained from the single-stripe laser-scanning method may provide an accurate, but affordable, soil loss estimation based on high-precision digital elevation model (DEM) data. In this study, we used laboratory erosion experiments with a sloping flume, a rainfall simulator, and a stripe laser apparatus to evaluate topographic changes of soil surface and the erosion process. In the experiments, six slope gradients of the flume (5° to 30° with an increment of 5°) were used and the rainfall simulator generated a 30-min rainfall with the kinetic energy equivalent to 80 mm/h on average. The laser-scanned topography and sediment yield were collected every 5 min in each test. The difference between the DEMs from laser scans of different time steps was used to obtain the eroded soil volumes and the corresponding estimates of soil loss in mass. The results suggest that the collected sediment yield and eroded soil volume increased with rainfall duration and slope, and quantified equations are proposed for soil loss prediction using rainfall duration and slope. This study shows the applicability of the stripe laser-scanning method in soil loss prediction and erosion evaluation in a laboratory case study.

scholarly journals Influence of DEM Elaboration Methods on the USLE Model Topographical Factor Parameter on Steep Slopes

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 3540
Author(s):  
Edyta Kruk ◽  
Przemysław Klapa ◽  
Marek Ryczek ◽  
Krzysztof Ostrowski
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Laser Scanners

Runoff erosion is an important theme in hydrological investigations. Models assessing soil erosion are based on various algorithms that determine the relief coefficient using rasterized digital elevation models (DEMs). For evaluation of soil loss, the most-used model worldwide is the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation), where the most essential part is the LS parameter, which is, in turn, generated from two parameters: L (slope length coefficient) and S (slope inclination). The most significant limitation of LS is the difficulty in obtaining the data needed to generate detailed DEMs. We investigated three popular data generation methods: aerial photographs (AP), aerial laser scanning (ALS), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) by assessing the quality and effect of DEMs generated from each method over an area of 40 m × 200 m in Silesia, Poland. Additionally, the relationship between particular LSUSLE  parameter components was carried out based on its final distribution. Our results show that resolution strongly influences DEMs and the LSUSLE  parameters. We found a strong relationship between the degree of height data resolution and the accuracy level of the calculated parameters. Based on our investigations we confirmed the highest influence on the LSUSLE  came from the S parameter. Additionally, we concluded that in examinations over large areas, terrestrial laser scanners are not ideal; the benefits of their additional accuracy are outweighed by the additional time and labor consumption; in addition, terrestrial-based scans are sometimes not possible due to ground obstacles the limited scope of most lasers. Aerial photographs or point clouds generated by aerial laser scanners are sufficient for most purposes connected with surface flow, and further developments can be based on the use of these techniques for obtaining ground information for modeling erosion processes.

scholarly journals Soil Erosion and Controls in the Slope-Gully System of the Loess Plateau of China: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingbing Zhu ◽  
Zhengchao Zhou ◽  
Zhanbin Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Vegetation Pattern ◽  
Sediment Source ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Erosion Process ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Erosion Processes

The Loess Plateau has long been suffering from serious soil erosion of which erosion from the slope-gully system is now dominant. The slope-gully system is characterized with distinctive erosion distribution zones consisting of inner and inter gully areas wherein erosion patterns spatially vary, acting as both sediment source and the dominant sediment and water transport mechanism. In this paper, a substantial body of research is reviewed concentrating on the soil erosion processes and control practices in the slope-gully system. The inner gully area is identified as the main sediment source while runoff and sediment from the inter-gully upland is found to significantly affect down slope erosion processes. Correspondingly, the protective vegetation pattern and coverage should be strategically designed for different erosion zones with an emphasis on the critical vegetation cover and pattern to reduce sediment yield of the whole slope-gully system. Check-dam could change the base level of erosion and reduce the slope length of the gully side, which will further decrease the possibility and magnitude of gravity erosion. We concluded that understanding the erosion processes and implementing erosion practices for the slope-gully system are of importance and require more research efforts that emphasize: 1) the influence of upland runoff on erosion processes at downslope; 2) the relationship between hydraulic characteristics of overland flow and erosion process at a slope-gully system scale; 3) physical mechanisms of different vegetation patterns on the slope-gully erosion process.

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