Application of three erosion prediction models in the center of the Iberian Peninsula: incorporation and evaluation of new parameters with influence on soil losses / Aplicación de tres modelos de predicción de la erosión en el centro de la Península Ibérica: incorporación y evaluación de nuevos parámetros con influencia en las pérdidas de suelo

Abstract

Erosion prediction models are useful tools for assessing the impact of land use practices on soil and water conservation. These models are often used by environmental protection authorities for the establishment of guidelines. This study examines the application of three erosion models of different complexity to predict soil loss in a small basin located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, under a semi-arid Mediterranean climate. The models applied are: the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and an adaptation of the USLE model, which we have called AUSLE, to include soil characteristics not included in the original model. The average value of erosion at the watershed level obtained by the AUSLE model does not show significant differences with respect to the value obtained with RUSLE 1.06c, while the USLE shows an overestimation with respect to the other two models. The AUSLE model allows obtaining values similar to the more complex model (RUSLE) in a simple way, which makes it interesting for its application in conservation plans.