Abstract
As global warming intensifies, frequent extreme rainfall events cause severe soil erosion. However, the impact of extreme rainfall on erosion on karst slopes and its hydrodynamic mechanisms are still poorly understood. This study aims to examine how extreme rainfall events and slope gradient affect soil erosion on karst slopes and its underlying dynamic mechanisms. Simulation experiments were performed in a steel tank that mimicked the dual hydrological structure of a karst slope, using various rainfall intensities (50, 105, 115, 125, and 145 mm·h−1) and slope gradients (5°, 15°, and 25°). The results show that in the event of extreme rainfall (105 – 145 mm·h−1), there was a substantial increase in the surface runoff coefficient, rising from 48.85 % to 89.79 %, representing an 83.81 % increase. Surface erosion was found to be the predominant factor on the slope, contributing to 98.74 % to 99.98 % of the overall sediment output, while underground sediment coefficient ranged from only 0.02 % to 1.26 % under same conditions. The unit stream power emerged as the most suitable hydrodynamic parameter for characterizing surface sediment yield (SS), with a critical threshold of unit water flow power for surface erosion identified at 0.006 m·s−1. Constructing a surface erosion model (R2 = 0.969) based on runoff velocity, rain intensity, and slope yields higher accuracy than the model (R2 = 0.966) based solely on runoff modulus, rain intensity, and slope. For the most precise predictions, it is recommended to combine runoff modulus and velocity with rainfall intensity and slope when constructing the surface erosion prediction model(R2 > 0.999). This study enhances understanding of extreme rainfall’s effect on soil erosion in karst slopes and backs the creation of prediction models for such events. Our insights offer fresh perspectives for soil and water conservation, aiding in the formulation of precise erosion control strategies for karst slopes.
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