Impact of precipitation and runoff on ephemeral gully development in cultivated croplands

V Karimov,P Barnes,A Sheshukov

doi:10.5194/piahs-367-87-2015

Abstract

Abstract. The goal of this study was to estimate the impacts of precipitation and runoff on ephemeral gully development. A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2013 on an agricultural field near the city of McPherson in central Kansas, USA. Precipitation data were collected, and the gully headcut was measured every three to four weeks. The rainfall excess was calculated with the WEPP model, whereas headcut soil losses were estimated based on measurements. Headcut measurements showed that there was no gully development during rainfall events of short duration of high or low intensity. However, headcut propagation was clearly detected under saturated soil conditions for a three-day storm. This field study provides data to model the mechanics of ephemeral gully development. Further measurements of precipi-tation and gully morphology are needed for statistical analysis of gully erosion and the associated soil losses.

Highlights

Increasing global population has raised demand for higher productivity from agriculture
Many studies have theoretically evaluated soil erosion caused by ephemeral gullies
This research led to the development of soil erosion models, such as REGEM, EUROSEM and CREAMS (Alonso et al, 2002; Taguas et al, 2012; Morgan et al, 1998; Nachtergaele et al, 2001)

Summary

Introduction

Increasing global population has raised demand for higher productivity from agriculture. One of the issues that limit the productivity is soil loss due to wind and water erosion. Ephemeral gullies were reported to contribute to (in median) 40% of total soil loss due to water erosion (Poesen et al, 2003; Wilson et al, 2008; Taguas et al, 2012). Many studies have theoretically evaluated soil erosion caused by ephemeral gullies. This research led to the development of soil erosion models, such as REGEM, EUROSEM and CREAMS (Alonso et al, 2002; Taguas et al, 2012; Morgan et al, 1998; Nachtergaele et al., 2001). Other studies have focused on ephemeral gully development by conducting field experiments

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