Changes in overland flow and sediment during simulated rainfall events on cropland in hilly areas of the Sichuan Basin, China

Abstract

Water and soil loss are the major causes of the land degradation in the hilly area of the Sichuan Basin, China, where purple soil (FAO, Calcaric Regosols) is widely distributed. Little research has been conducted on changes in overland flow and sediment during rain events on sloping cropland in this area. In this study, 45 artificial rainfall events were applied to five runoff plots with slopes of 9%, 18%, 27%, 36%, and 47%, respectively. Results showed that erosion processes on purple soil of sloping cropland are complex, because the sediment concentration changes with time under different situations. According to correlations between runoff discharge and sediment concentration, all erosion events were classified into three types: (1) positive correlation; (2) negative correlation; and (3) no correlation. Positive correlations were dominant, accounting for 60% of all events. Rainfall intensity, slope gradient, and tillage treatment were the main factors that influenced erosion events.