| In Mediterranean agricultural fields, more research is needed to quantify soil loss
and to assess runoff generation caused by unsuitable land management strategies
(García-Díaz et al., 2017; Keesstra et al., 2016). Nowadays, farmers are increasing
the generation of rills and, consequently, enhancing several sub-processes related
to soil erosion by water such as headcut retreats, piping or cracks joint to mass
movements (Marzolff and Poesen, 2009; Poesen et al., 2003; Rodrigo Comino et
al., 2015). This complex problem under different spatiotemporal scales hinders a
reliable forecasting of its final consequences (Prasuhn, 2011; Salome et al., 2014).
Several researchers pay more attention to point observations, but no to general and
connected overviews of processes related to forms and the quantitative functioning of all
elements.
Therefore, the main goal of this study is to characterize and quantify the rill
erosion generated by these degradation processes. To achieve this goal, two runoff
experiments were carried out with two repetitions (dry and wet conditions) under extreme
conditions (Wirtz et al., 2013, 2012, 2010): a motor driven pump discharged a water
inflow up to ∼4.2 l s-1 maintained during between 4 and 6 minutes (≈1000 litres).
Additionally, a 3D-captation of the rill by an adapted SfM photogrammetry was performed
to assess: i) clear visible zonation of geomorphological (structural) connectivity
features; ii) runoff and sediment productions close to the catchment outlet under actual
conditions; iii) topsoil-subsoil interaction and crusting crucial for runoff generation; and,
iv) the area with evidence of (former) high erosion intensity now stable, but with
remnant.
García-Díaz, A., Bienes, R., Sastre, B., Novara, A., Gristina, L., Cerdà, A.,
2017. Nitrogen losses in vineyards under different types of soil groundcover. A field
runoff simulator approach in central Spain. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 236, 256–267.
doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.12.013
Keesstra, S., Pereira, P., Novara, A., Brevik, E.C., Azorin-Molina, C., Parras-Alcántara, L.,
Jordán, A., Cerdà, A., 2016. Effects of soil management techniques on soil water erosion in
apricot orchards. Sci. Total Environ. 551–552, 357–366. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.182
Marzolff, I., Poesen, J., 2009. The potential of 3D gully monitoring with GIS
using high-resolution aerial photography and a digital photogrammetry system.
Geomorphology, GIS and SDA applications in geomorphology 111, 48–60.
doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.05.047
Poesen, J., Nachtergaele, J., Verstraeten, G., Valentin, C., 2003. Gully erosion and
environmental change: importance and research needs. Catena, Gully Erosion and Global
Change 50, 91–133. doi:10.1016/S0341-8162(02)00143-1
Rodrigo Comino, J., Brings, C., Lassu, T., Iserloh, T., Senciales, J., Martínez Murillo, J.,
Ruiz Sinoga, J., Seeger, M., Ries, J., 2015. Rainfall and human activity impacts on soil losses
and rill erosion in vineyards (Ruwer Valley, Germany). Solid Earth 6, 823–837.
doi:10.5194/se-6-823-2015
Wirtz, S., Seeger, M., Ries, J.B., 2012. Field experiments for understanding and quantification
of rill erosion processes. Catena 91, 21–34. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2010.12.002
Wirtz, S., Seeger, M., Ries, J.B., 2010. The rill experiment as a method to approach a
quantification of rill erosion process activity. Z. Für Geomorphol. NF 54, 47–64.
Wirtz, S., Seeger, M., Zell, A., Wagner, C., Wagner, J.-F., Ries, J.B., 2013. Applicability
of Different Hydraulic Parameters to Describe Soil Detachment in Eroding Rills. PLoS ONE
8, 1–11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0064861 |