Abstract
Raindrop-impact-induced erosion starts when detachment of soil particles from the surface results from an expenditure of raindrop energy. Hence, rain kinetic energy is a widely used indicator of the potential ability of rain to detach soil. Although it is widely recognized that knowledge of rain kinetic energy plays a fundamental role in soil erosion studies, its direct evaluation is not straightforward. Commonly, this issue is overcome through indirect estimation using another widely measured hydrological variable, namely, rainfall intensity. However, it has been challenging to establish the best expression to relate kinetic energy to rainfall intensity. In this study, first, kinetic energy values were determined from measurements of an optical disdrometer. Measured kinetic energy values were then used to assess the applicability of the rainfall intensity relationship proposed for central Italy and those used in the major equations employed to estimate the mean annual soil loss, that is, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and its two revised versions (RUSLE and RUSLE2). Then, a new theoretical relationship was developed and its performance was compared with equations found in the literature.
Highlights
The phenomenon of soil erosion is due to the action of erosive agents that detach and transport individual particles from the soil mass [1]
Different limit values were assessed for different case studies by other existing between kinetic energy and empirical drop size distributions
To determine the most suitable KE–I relationship for the case study under analysis, the relationship existing between kinetic energy and empirical drop size distributions was investigated
Summary
The phenomenon of soil erosion is due to the action of erosive agents that detach and transport individual particles from the soil mass [1]. The Mediterranean region is more prone to erosion than northern Europe. The reason for this can be found in the long dry periods followed by heavy erosive rainfall events, falling on steep slopes with fragile soils. In northern Europe, the rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, resulting in less soil erosion [3]. On-site effects refer to the impoverishment of the soil directly affected by erosion. The erosive agents remove the top soil and affect croplands, lowering their productivity and quality by reducing the infiltration rates, water-holding capacity, nutrients, organic matter, and soil depth [5]. Off-site impacts refer to the effects of soil transport where the eroded soil ends its journey.
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