The USLE-MM estimates event normalized plot soil loss, Ae,N, by an erosivity term given by the runoff coefficient, QR, times the single-storm erosion index, EI30, raised to an exponent b1 > 1. In this investigation, carried out at the three experi-mental sites of Bagnara, Masse and Sparacia, in Italy, the soundness of the USLE-MM scheme with a single exponent for the three sites was tested. The model was parame-terized both locally and considering all sites simultaneously. The performances of the fitted models were established by considering all erosive events and also by distin-guishing between events of different severity. The b1 exponent varied widely among the three sites (1.05 - 1.44) but using a common exponent (1.18) for these sites was possible. The Ae,N prediction accuracy increased in the passage from the smallest ero-sion events (Ae,N < 1 Mg ha-1, median error = 3.35) to the largest ones (Ae,N > 10 Mg ha-1, median error = 1.72). The QREI30 term was usable to both predict Ae,N and the ex-pected maximum uncertainty of this prediction. Development of a single USLE-MM model appears possible.
Checking generalization of the USLE-MM in central and South Italy
F. Todisco;L. Vergni
2018
Abstract
The USLE-MM estimates event normalized plot soil loss, Ae,N, by an erosivity term given by the runoff coefficient, QR, times the single-storm erosion index, EI30, raised to an exponent b1 > 1. In this investigation, carried out at the three experi-mental sites of Bagnara, Masse and Sparacia, in Italy, the soundness of the USLE-MM scheme with a single exponent for the three sites was tested. The model was parame-terized both locally and considering all sites simultaneously. The performances of the fitted models were established by considering all erosive events and also by distin-guishing between events of different severity. The b1 exponent varied widely among the three sites (1.05 - 1.44) but using a common exponent (1.18) for these sites was possible. The Ae,N prediction accuracy increased in the passage from the smallest ero-sion events (Ae,N < 1 Mg ha-1, median error = 3.35) to the largest ones (Ae,N > 10 Mg ha-1, median error = 1.72). The QREI30 term was usable to both predict Ae,N and the ex-pected maximum uncertainty of this prediction. Development of a single USLE-MM model appears possible.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
