RAINFALL PATTERNS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNOFF AND EROSION LEVELS IN WEST-SIBERIAN CHERNOZEMS
Aims of the study are to identify: 1) the main regularities of surface runoff formation due to downpours and, 2) the extent of erosion processes on arable chernozems under conditions of dissected relief and extreme continental climate. Location and time of the study. Field observations were carried out in Kuznetsk depression and Near-Ob areas during 1968-1979 and 1984-1986 years correspondingly, in Near-Ob area from 1995 until now. Methodology. Summer precipitaion and its intensity were measured by using Hydrograph unit. Water infiltration in the field was studied by the method by Nesterov using a PVN-00 device. Main results. The influence of rainfall patterns and soil physical factors on the processes of soil erosion was studied in three large geomorphological regions in the South–South-East of Western Siberia. As regards climatic factors the data of meteorological stations were analyzed for historical rainfall patterns, including interannual variability and downpour recordings. Experimental data of water infiltration, runoff and soil loss were discussed for the main soils units: Greyzemic Phaeozems (Siltic), Luvic Chernozems (Siltic) and Haplic Chernozems (Siltic) with variable content of soil organic matter and erosion levels. Conclusions. In western Siberia, the greatest erosion hazard is represented by meltwater, not only by its total volume, but also by the speed of thaw. Heavy rains cause significant damage to agricultural land only locally, during early spring, when the soil is not protected by vegetation. In both cases, the permeability of the soils plays an important role in the resulting runoff volumes. The vulnerability to erosion in the studied area is as follows: Kuznetsk Basin> Predsalairie> Ob Region (no storm damage).