Predicting unit plot soil loss in Sicily, south Italy

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.6621
• Publication Date: 2007-08-30T10:46:32Z
• Authors: V. Bagarello; G. V. Di Piazza; V. Ferro; G. Giordano
• Keywords: soil loss; USLE; erosivity index; 0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; 15. Life on land

Abstract Predicting soil loss is necessary to establish conservation measures. Variability of and hydrological parameters complicates mathematical simulation erosion processes. Methods for predicting unit plot in Sicily were developed by using 5 years data from replicated plots. At first, the variability water content, runoff, values collected at fixed dates or after an erosive event was investigated. The applicability Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) then tested. Finally, a method predict developed. Measurement decreased as mean increased above threshold value but it low also measured variable. predicted USLE lower than 48%. annual erodibility factor varied seven times whereas monthly between 1% 244% value. directly proportional erosivity index equal $Q_{\rm R}R_{\rm e}^{1{\cdot}609}$ , being Q R e runoff ratio single storm index. It concluded that relatively number replicates variable interest may be estimate both high particularly with applied order magnitude not usable shorter temporal scales. relationship estimating modified version USLE‐M, given includes exponent term. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.