Rainfall Erosivity in Soil Erosion Processes

Gianni Bellocchi,Nazzareno Diodato

doi:10.3390/w12030722

Gianni Bellocchi, Nazzareno Diodato

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12030722

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Abstract

Regional studies on the erosive power of rainfall patterns are still limited and the actual impacts that may follow on erosional and sedimentation processes are poorly understood. Given the several interrelated challenges of environmental management, it is also not always unclear what is relevant for the development of adaptive and integrated approaches facilitating sustainable water resource management. This editorial introduces the Special Issue entitled “Rainfall Erosivity in Soil Erosion Processes”, which offers options to fill some of these gaps. Three studies performed in China and Central Asia (by Duulatov et al., Water 2019, 11, 897, Xu et al., 2019, 11, 2429, Gu et al. 2020, 12, 200) show that the erosion potential of rainfall is increasing in this region, driving social, economic, and environmental consequences. In the same region (the Weibei Plateau in China), Fu et al. (Water 2019, 11, 1514) assessed the effect of raindrop energy on the splash distance and particle size distribution of aggregate splash erosion. In the Mediterranean, updated estimates of current and future rainfall erosivity for Greece are provided by Vantas et al. (Water 2020, 12, 687), while Diodato and Bellocchi (Water 2019, 11, 2306) reconstructed and investigated seasonal net erosion in an Italian catchment using parsimonious modelling. Then, this Special Issue includes two technologically oriented articles by Ricks at al. The first (Water 2019, 11, 2386) evaluated a large-scale rainfall simulator design to simulate rainfall with characteristics similar to natural rainfall. The data provided contribute to the information that may be useful for the government’s decision making when considering landscape changes caused by variations in the intensity of a rainfall event. The second article (Water 2020, 12, 515) illustrated a laboratory-scale test of mulching methods to protect against the discharge of sediment-laden stormwater from active construction sites (e.g., highway construction projects).

Highlights

IntroductionRainfall erosivity is a major driver of sediment and nutrient losses worldwide, which may leave farmers vulnerable to crop failures and lead to unstable equilibrium states in landscapes [1,2]
In the Mediterranean, updated estimates of current and future rainfall erosivity for Greece are provided by Vantas et al (Water 2020, 12, 687), while Diodato and Bellocchi (Water 2019, 11, 2306) reconstructed and investigated seasonal net erosion in an Italian catchment using parsimonious modelling
It is assumed that extreme storms and rainfall-runoff erosivity are becoming more frequent due to climate change [6]

Summary

Introduction

Rainfall erosivity is a major driver of sediment and nutrient losses worldwide, which may leave farmers vulnerable to crop failures and lead to unstable equilibrium states in landscapes [1,2]. Vulnerable areas may result in catastrophic regime shifts connected with the occurrence of damaging hydrological events [7]. This explains the continuing interest of scientists and engineers in the hydrological response of landscapes. Water 2020, 12, 722 of the cost (both financial and environmental) of neglecting the hydroclimatic forcing factors in relation to soil conservation systems and land-use planning. This Special Issue is an overview of the research and implications for environmental monitoring and policymaking, and encourages further methodological development

Special Issue Overview

Conclusions