Stability of Agricultural Ecosystems: Documentation of a Simple Model for Soil Erosion Assessment

Morgan, R.P., Morgan, D.D., & Finney, H.J. (1982). Stability of Agricultural Ecosystems: Documentation of a Simple Model for Soil Erosion Assessment. IIASA Collaborative Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: CP-82-059

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Abstract

Documentation is presented of a model for assessing the stability of the soil erosion component of an agricultural ecosystem. The model uses a simplified version of the Meyer-Wischmeier approach to predict the annual rate of soil erosion by water on hillslopes and this is compared with the rates of weathering and top soil renewal to determine changes in the depth of the soil profile and the top soil or rooting layer. Erosion is taken to be the result of splash detachment and runoff transport. Splash detachment is related to rainfall energy and rainfall interception by the crop. Runoff volume and sediment transport capacity are estimated from equations first presented by Kirkby. The results of trials with the model in the Silsoe area of Bedfordshire, England, show that realistic values of runoff and erosion are obtained for a range of soil and crop conditions. The model can be used to assess the stability of the erosion system under existing landuse conditions and to determine what changes need to be made in the erosion system to produce stability when unstable conditions are predicted.

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