Abstract
The application of geographical information systems (GIS) in modelling runoff and erosion in catchments offers considerable potential. Several examples illustrate simple GIS techniques to produce erosion hazard indices or erosion estimates using USLE-type models. Existing erosion models can also be loosely coupled to a GIS, such as the ANSWERS model. Furthermore, models can be fully integrated into a GIS by embedded coupling, such as the LISEM model. However, GIS raster-based erosion models do not necessarily produce better results than much simpler and partly lumped erosion models with ‘representative elements’, although they reproduce topography in more detail. The reasons for the disappointing results of spatial models must be sought in the uncertainty involved in estimating and measuring the large number of input variables at a catchment scale. There is a need for much simpler loosely coupled or embedded GIS erosion models simulating only the dominant processes operating in the catchment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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