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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #128919
Title: SOIL EROSION BY WATER AND TILLAGE

Author
item Romkens, Mathias
item GOVERS, G. - UNIV. OF LEUVEN, BELGIUM
item Dabney, Seth
item Bradford, Joe

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/1/2003
Citation: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 4 Physical Methods. SSSA Book Series, No. 5. 2002. p. 1621-1662.

Interpretive Summary: Soil erosion is a highly complicated phenomenon consisting of different modes and processes. Many scientists all over the world are engaged in soil erosion research at various levels of complexity, both in the field and laboratory. No standardized procedures and equipment are being used. USDA-ARS has been in the forefront of erosion research ever since the first natural runoff plots were established in the 1930s. The Soil Science Society of America is currently updating its 1982 second edition of the monograph on Methods of Soil Analysis. The new edition will have, for the first time, a chapter on soil erosion. This chapter covers a broad spectrum of measurement techniques of soil erosion by water and tillage, as well as prediction technologies that mainly were developed by ARS. This information will be very helpful and useful for the scientific community and for erosion specialists and researchers.

Technical Abstract: Soil erosion is a highly complicated phenomenon consisting of many processes. Each one of these processes often involves experimental measurements, and they are combined in calculation schemes to estimate the expected soil loss in a given field for a known set of topographic, soil, rainfall, and management conditions. This chapter discusses the experimental procedures and equipment used in field and laboratory studies. It also summarizes the main features of the RUSLE and WEPP prediction technologies.