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Summer and winter regimes of runoff generation and soil erosion on cultivated loess soils (The Netherlands)
Author(s) -
Kwaad F. J. P. M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290160709
Subject(s) - surface runoff , environmental science , loess , hydrology (agriculture) , erosion , soil loss , soil water , soil conservation , erosion control , infiltration (hvac) , soil science , geology , geography , ecology , agriculture , meteorology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , geomorphology , biology
Monthly runoff and soil loss data of three fallow experimental plots are presented, comprising a summer and following winter season. The fallow plots were only tilled once, at the end of April. Summer runoff appeared to be controlled by rainfall intensity and conforms to the Horton model of overland flow generation. Winter runoff was primarily controlled by rainfall amount and conforms to the saturation or storage control model of runoff generation. Summer runoff volume was one fourth of winter runoff volume. Summer soil loss was twice as high as winter soil loss and was caused by high intensity, high energy rainfall. Winter soil loss was due to detachment limited erosion, caused by low intensity, low energy rainfall. Mean sediment concentration of winter runoff was one seventh of that of summer runoff. Implications for runoff and erosion of climatic change, involving increased rainfall amounts or intensities in summer or winter, are given.