Article (Scientific journals)
Predicting soil erosion and sediment yield at regional scales: Where do we stand?
De Vente, J.; Poesen, J.; Verstraeten, G. et al.
2013In Earth-Science Reviews, 127, p. 16-29
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
deVenteEtAl2013_ESR.pdf
Publisher postprint (564.09 kB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
Catchment scale; Global change; Model accuracy; Model validation; Scenario analysis; Soil erosion modelling
Abstract :
[en] Assessments of the implications of soil erosion require quantification of soil erosion rates (SE) and sediment yield (SSY) at regional scales under present and future climate and land use scenarios. A range of models is available to predict SE and SSY, but a critical evaluation of these models is lacking. Here, we evaluate 14 models based on 32 published studies and over 700 selected catchments. Evaluation criteria include: (1) prediction accuracy, (2) knowledge gain on dominant soil erosion processes, (3) data and calibration requirements, and (4) applicability in global change scenario studies. Results indicate that modelling of SE and SSY strongly depends on the spatial and temporal scales considered. In large catchments (>10,000km2), most accurate predictions of suspended sediment yield are obtained by nonlinear regression models like BQART, WBMsed, or Pelletier's model. For medium-sized catchments, best results are obtained by factorial scoring models like PSIAC, FSM and SSY Index, which also support identification of dominant erosion processes. Most other models (e.g., WATEM-SEDEM, AGNPS, LISEM, PESERA, and SWAT) represent only a selection of erosion and sediment transport processes. Consequently, these models only provide reliable results where the considered processes are indeed dominant. Identification of sediment sources and sinks requires spatially distributed models, which, on average, have lower model accuracy and require more input data and calibration efforts than spatially lumped models. Of these models, most accurate predictions with least data requirements were provided by SPADS and WATEM-SEDEM. Priorities for model development include: (1) simulation of point sources of sediment, (2) balancing model complexity and the quality of input data, (3) simulation of the impact of soil and water conservation measures, and (4) incorporation of dynamic land use and climate scenarios. Prediction of the impact of global change on SE and SSY in medium sized catchments is one of the main challenges in future model development. No single model fulfils all modelling objectives; a further integration of field observations and different model concepts is needed to obtain better contemporary and future predictions of SE and SSY. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
De Vente, J.;  Soil and Water Conservation Department, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, Spain, Desertification and Geoecology Department, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, Spanish National Research Council (EEZA-CSIC), Almeria, Spain
Poesen, J.;  Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Belgium
Verstraeten, G.;  Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Belgium
Govers, G.;  Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Belgium
Vanmaercke, Matthias ;  Université de Liège > Département de géographie > Géographie physique et du quaternaire
Van Rompaey, A.;  Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Belgium
Arabkhedri, M.;  Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Boix-Fayos, C.;  Soil and Water Conservation Department, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
Language :
English
Title :
Predicting soil erosion and sediment yield at regional scales: Where do we stand?
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Earth-Science Reviews
ISSN :
0012-8252
eISSN :
1872-6828
Publisher :
Elsevier Science
Volume :
127
Pages :
16-29
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 28 March 2017

Statistics


Number of views
90 (5 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
0 (0 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
306
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
263
OpenCitations
 
311

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi