Using rainfall simulation and site measurements to predict annual interrill erodibility and phosphorus generation rates from unsealed forest roads: Validation against in-situ erosion measurements

Abstract

The measurement of soil erosion rates under natural rainfall conditions is costly and time consuming. Data provided by rainfall simulation and static site measurements can be used to predict erosion rates under natural conditions, however the accuracy of this method is largely untested. This is especially true for erosion rates from unsealed forest roads. In this study, the values for a range of erodibility indices calculated from rainfall simulation experiments are compared to observed erodibility index values from 1 year of detailed in-situ erosion monitoring of seven different forest road types. The prediction of phosphorus generation rates from rainfall simulation and/or soil sampling wa..