Evaluation of WEPP for runoff and soil loss prediction at Gunnedah, NSW, Australia

It is important to use historical data to test physically based runoff and soil erosion prediction models as well as the method to estimate model parameters. WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) was validated for bare fallow and annual wheat treatments at Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Wheat stubble was either burned or mulched. Climate, soil, management, and runoff and soil loss data were collected for the period 1980–87 for 3 bare fallow plots, and 1950–74 for 10 annual wheat plots. Three slope lengths from 21 to 62 m were established for the treatment with stubble burned. Slope steepness varied from 8% to 9% at the site. Effective saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil erodibility parameters were estimated from measured soil properties. No further calibration of these parameters was attempted in order to assess the true potential of the model for runoff and soil loss predictions. WEPP worked well for the bare fallow plots with prediction efficiency of 0.97 for event runoff and soil losses. WEPP generally over-predicted the runoff, and consequently, the soil loss for annual wheat treatments for the site. WEPP was able to predict the effect of slope length on sediment concentration and soil loss for the site. CLIGEN, which provides the continuous climate input to WEPP, was found to produce adequately the mean daily rainfall, but produced higher than expected peak rainfall intensity, resulting in higher runoff and soil loss for all treatments.

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A validation test of WEPP to predict runoff and soil loss from a pineapple farm on a sandy soil in subtropical Queensland, Australia

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr99104 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 537 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

B. Yu ◽

C. A. A. Ciesiolka ◽

C. W. Rose ◽

K. J. Coughlan

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Slope Length ◽

Erosion Prediction ◽

Water Erosion Prediction Project ◽

Loss Prediction ◽

Sandy Slope ◽

Monthly Runoff ◽

Parameter Values ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss

Monthly runoff and soil loss simulated by WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) were compared with field observations on a pineapple farm in south-east Queensland for a 3-year period. The soil at the site is sandy. Slope length and steepness are 36m and 5.5%, respectively. Three treatments, namely bare, farmers’ conventional practice, and mulching of the furrows, were used. Infiltration and erodibility parameters were determined using WEPP-recommended equations and measurable soil properties. These parameters were also calibrated using the runoff and soil loss data for the bare plot only. Apart from the soil loss prediction for the mulching treatment, for which WEPP did not perform well, the average coefficient of efficiency in runoff and soil loss predictions was –0.02 using soil property-based parameter values and 0.66 using calibrated parameter values. The corresponding r 2 values are 0.57 and 0.81, respectively. On the whole, WEPP is able to reproduce the trend and variations in runoff and soil loss among different treatments for the site. Parameter values based on measurable soil properties would greatly under-estimate the runoff and soil loss for the site. Thus, use of WEPP outside its US database requires calibration with locally obtained data. It was also found that WEPP does not seem to model effectively the situation where there is considerable flow impediment with the furrows covered with mulch. We are unable to reject WEPP because the statistical performance indicators are reasonable for the site, and because the model is so complex that it is nearly impossible to pinpoint the source of discrepancy and articulate the model deficiency on physical grounds.

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Runooff ratio as a factor in the empirical modelling of soil erosion by individual rainstorms

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/s95085 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

P. I. A. Kinnell

Keyword(s):

Soil Loss ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Rill Erosion ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Empirical Modelling ◽

Control Practice ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Erosion Models ◽

Erosivity Index ◽

Bare Fallow

A number of factors that influence erosion have separate and differing effects on flow discharge and sediment concentration, depending on local conditions. Empirical erosion models that do not have mechanisms to help account for these separate and differing effects often lack the capacity to predict event erosion adequately in many locations. In this paper, the product of the EI30 index, the erosivity index used in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the revised version (RUSLE), and the runoff ratio (QR) is discussed in relation to its capacity to act as an event erosivity index where sheet and rill erosion occur either separately or together in a rainstorm. An analysis of runoff and soil loss data shows the index to be superior to the EI30 index as an event erosivity index for storms on bare fallow plots at Holly Springs, Mississippi. The inclusion of runoff as an independent term in the USLE/RUSLE results in a need to determine new values for the soil erodibility factor, K. Existing USLE/RUSLE equations for determining L and S (topographic factors), C (a crop and crop management factor), and P (an erosion control practice factor) may be used as first approximations provided that the values of the new index are determined for the unit plot condition. Since many of the factors that determine L, S, C, and P influence runoff, new methods to determine these parameters need to be developed in the future if the new index is to be used most effectively.

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The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. on soil loss prevention from cutslopes of a forest road

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/9/2012-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 58 (No. 8) ◽

pp. 337-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A. Parsakhoo ◽

M. Lotfalian ◽

A. Kavian ◽

S.A. Hosseini ◽

M. Demir

Keyword(s):

Soil Loss ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Forest Roads ◽

Northern Forest ◽

Forest Road ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss ◽

The City ◽

Runoff And Sedimentation

The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Bridon on runoff generation and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads were investigated. The study was conducted at the northern forest of Iran, about 30 km south of the city of Sari. Runoff and sedimentation after each rainfall simulation and chemical and physical soil properties were measured in 14 plots with an area of 0.48 m2. The obtained results indicate that the vegetation dominated by Philonotis marchica exhibited the higher runoff coefficient and soil loss, with averages of 27.25% and 92.40 g·m–2·h–1(gram per square meter per hour), respectively, in comparison to Rubus hyrcanus. For Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. the sediment concentration increased quickly at the beginning of rainfall simulations and after 10–12 min there was a fast decrease in sediment concentration. The peak of sediment concentration was for the Rubus hyrcanus L. in the 13th–15th min In conclusion, Rubus hyrcanus L. prevented or decreased the risk of runoff and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads in our study area.

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Combined effects of rainfall regime and plot length on runoff and soil loss in the Loess Plateau of China

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ◽

10.1017/s1755691018000531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 109 (3-4) ◽

pp. 397-406

Author(s):

Jianbo LIU ◽

Guangyao GAO ◽

Shuai WANG ◽

Bojie FU

Keyword(s):

Loess Plateau ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Rainfall Regime ◽

Runoff Coefficient ◽

Land Uses ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Slope Length ◽

Erosive Rainfall ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss ◽

Rainfall Regimes

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper was to study the interaction effects of rainfall regime and slope length on runoff and soil loss under different land uses. Event runoff and soil loss in forest, shrub and grass were measured in plots with lengths of 5, 9 and 13m in the Loess Plateau from 2008 to 2016. A total of 59 erosive rainfall events were recorded and classified into three rainfall regimes. Firstly, the results showed that the runoff coefficient was grass>shrub>forest, and soil loss was grass>forest>shrub, but the differences between forest and shrub in runoff and between grass and forest in soil loss did not reach significant levels. Secondly, rainfall regimes had an important effect on runoff and soil loss under different land uses. The lowest runoff coefficients and the highest soil loss in regime 2 were found in shrub and forest land, respectively, which differed from that of regime 1. In total, rainfall regime 1 had the highest runoff coefficient of 0.84–2.06%, followed by regime 3 with 0.33–0.88% and regime 2 with 0.04–0.06%. Soil loss in forest and grass land had a different order of regime 3>regime 1>regime 2. Thirdly, both the runoff coefficient and soil loss decreased with increasing plot length, while the effect of slope length on runoff/soil loss were influenced by land use type and rainfall regimes.

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SOIL EROSION LOSSES FROM WINTER RUNOFF IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss81-049 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 451-454 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L. J. P. VAN VLIET ◽

G. J. WALL

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Universal Soil Loss Equation ◽

Southern Ontario ◽

Winter Runoff ◽

Loss Prediction ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss ◽

Soil Loss Equation

Soil loss prediction models such as the universal soil loss equation do not usually reflect the influence of snowmelt events on annual soil loss estimates. Plot studies (2% and 6% slopes) conducted over three winters in Southern Ontario to measure runoff and soil loss from spring-plowed corn crops revealed that winter soil erosion losses represented up to 10% of annual soil loss.

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The effect of kinetic energy of excess rainfall on soil loss from non-vegetated plots

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9830445 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 445 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

PIA Kinnell

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Rainfall Intensity ◽

Acceptance Rate ◽

Slope Gradient ◽

The Difference ◽

Bare Fallow ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss ◽

Sheet Erosion

Data obtained from three 0.01 ha runoff and soil-loss plots, established with a bare fallow treatment on a yellow podzolic (Albaqualf) soil and slope gradient of 4.2%, were analysed in terms of the kinetic energy of raindrops and the efficiency of the use of that energy in generating soil loss. The results indicate that the difference between rainfall intensity and the average infiltration (acceptance) rate of the soil during an event can be used to estimate variations in the efficiency of use of rainfall energy in generating sheet erosion.

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Interrill and Rill Erosion on Hillslope

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.170-173.1344 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 170-173 ◽

pp. 1344-1347

Author(s):

Gang Liu ◽

Wen Nian Xu ◽

Qiong Zhang ◽

Zhen Yao Xia

Keyword(s):

Future Development ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Research Progress ◽

Rill Erosion ◽

Erosion Process ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Erosion Prediction ◽

Physically Based ◽

The Relationship

Interrill and rill erosion are commonly observed erosion processes to coexist on hillslope. Understanding of the interrill and rill erosion process is the key for the development of physically-based erosion prediction models. This paper reviewed the research progress of interrill and rill erosion, and the relationship between them. The shortages were also put forward. Finally, the trends for future development and questions are also discussed.

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The Use of Various Rainfall Simulators in the Determination of the Driving Forces of Changes in Sediment Concentration and Clay Enrichment

Water ◽

10.3390/w12102856 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2856

Author(s):

Judit Alexandra Szabó ◽

Csaba Centeri ◽

Boglárka Keller ◽

István Gábor Hatvani ◽

Zoltán Szalai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Loss ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Surface States ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Driving Factors ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss ◽

Field And Laboratory Conditions

Soil erosion is a complex, destructive process that endangers food security in many parts of the world; thus, its investigation is a key issue. While the measurement of interrill erosion is a necessity, the methods used to carry it out vary greatly, and the comparison of the results is often difficult. The present study aimed to examine the results of two rainfall simulators, testing their sensitivity to different environmental conditions. Plot-scale nozzle type rainfall simulation experiments were conducted on the same regosol under both field and laboratory conditions to compare the dominant driving factors of runoff and soil loss. In the course of the experiments, high-intensity rainfall, various slope gradients, and different soil surface states (moisture content, roughness, and crust state) were chosen as the response parameters, and their driving factors were sought. In terms of the overall erosion process, the runoff, and soil loss properties, we found an agreement between the simulators. However, in the field (a 6 m2 plot), the sediment concentration was related to the soil conditions and therefore its hydrological properties, whereas in the laboratory (a 0.5 m2 plot), slope steepness and rainfall intensity were the main driving factors. This, in turn, indicates that the design of a rainfall simulator may affect the results of the research it is intended for, even if the differences occasioned by various designs may be of a low order.

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The effect of furrow length on rain and irrigation-induced erosion on a vertisol in Australia

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9950833 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 833 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

C Carroll ◽

M Halpin ◽

K Bell ◽

J Mollison

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Canopy Closure ◽

Surface Cover ◽

Soil Movement ◽

Runoff Rate ◽

Peak Runoff ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss

Runoff and sediment movement were measured from irrigated furrows of different lengths on a Vertisol in central Queensland. Two farm properties (Denaro's and Roberts') were used to compare a short furrow length (SFL) and a long furrow length (LFL). At Denaro's farm, furrows were 241 and 482 m long, and at Roberts' farm they were 151 and 298 m long, with gradients of 1.0% and 1.3% respectively. Runoff and soil loss were measured from six furrows. At Denaro's farm, soil movement off the farm was measured at a taildrain outlet. Sediment concentration from both rainfall and irrigation declined when cultivation had ceased, soil in the furrows had consolidated and when the cotton canopy provided surface cover. Total soil loss from rainfall and irrigation was approximately 4-5 t ha-1. Rainstorms caused most of the seasonal soil loss, typically 3-4 t ha-1. The critical soil erosion period was between pre-plant irrigation and canopy closure. Soil surface cover, peak runoff rate and furrow length explained 97% of variance in soil loss caused by rainfall. Furrow length was not significant in the soil loss model for irrigation (r2 0.59).

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Runoff and soil loss responses of cultivated land managed with graded soil bunds of different ages in the Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

Ecological Processes ◽

10.1186/s13717-020-00270-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mengie Belayneh ◽

Teshome Yirgu ◽

Dereje Tsegaye

Keyword(s):

Water Conservation ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Formation Rate ◽

Summer Rainfall ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Runoff Coefficient ◽

Wide Range ◽

Gumara Watershed ◽

Runoff And Soil Loss

Abstract Background In view of a wide range of on-site and off-site impacts of soil erosion, different soil and water conservation measures have been implemented mainly over the last two decades in the Gumara watershed and Ethiopia at large. But their effects have not been sufficiently documented, and maintenance of structures received very little attention. This study investigated the effectiveness of graded soil bunds of zero and 11 years of age in reducing runoff and soil loss. Six hydrologically isolated experimental runoff plots (three treatments × two replicates) were prepared to observe rainfall, runoff, and sediment concentrations in the 2019 summer rainfall season (covering approximately 70% of the annual rainfall). Results Newly constructed soil bunds reduced runoff by 34.94 and 25.56% compared to the old and non-treated counterparts, respectively. Similarly, 59.6 and 48.3% soil loss reductions were observed. The amount of soil loss in non-treated plots was twice that from the new plots and even 1.6 times higher than that from the old-graded soil bund treatments. The rate of soil loss in the new- and old-graded soil bund-treated and non-treated plots was 23.5, 45.6, and 58.1 t ha−1 year−1, respectively. However, the effectiveness of the old soil bunds was much lower (only − 12.6 and − 21.7% in runoff and soil loss, respectively) than its new equivalent. Graded soil bunds, in its new form, reduced runoff, runoff coefficient, and soil loss significantly (P < 0.05). Regardless of the treatments, from the start of the rainy season to the end, runoff and runoff coefficient showed an increase, but sediment concentration decreased. Newly constructed soil bund is the most effective in reducing runoff and soil loss. Conclusion Graded soil bunds reduced runoff and soil loss significantly, but the rate even in the treated plots was very high when compared to both the soil loss tolerance (1–6 t ha−1 year−1) and formation rate (10–14 t ha−1 year−1) estimated for the area. Hence, these structures need to be supported by other measures such as grass strips, agro-forestry, and percolation ditches, for better results. Besides, regular maintenance by either removing sediments from bund furrows or increasing the bund height is recommended for sustained reduction of runoff and soil loss.

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