Validation of the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) for Single Events and Discrete Periods

Abstract

The Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) makes annual or period estimates of wind erosion based on a single event wind erosion model that includes factors for wind and rainfall, soil roughness, the erodible fraction of soil, crusting, and surface residues. In this study we measured wind erosion and the factors used in RWEQ for 41 storm events at six locations. The maximum sediment transport (Qmax), critical field length (S) and field soil loss (SL) were calculated from the field measured data and estimated using the equations provided by RWEQ. RWEQ under-estimated Qmax and SL and over-estimated S. Simple linear regressions between observed and estimated Qmax, S and SL revealed significant (P<0.05) correlations for Qmax and SL. The correlation coefficients for Qmax and SL were 0.70 and 0.62, respectively. The calculated S was not significantly related to the estimated S.