Estimating WEPP Cropland Erodibility Values From Soil Properties

Elliot, William J.; Flanagan, D. C.

doi:10.13031/ja.15218

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Both of these reasons may also be why adjusting E R did not provide significant improvement. These soil parameters commonly need to be calibrated because they were initially based on experiments using ridge tilled land, which are different from most agricultural practices in the United States (Elliot, 1990). In these experiments, rills occurred between the ridges and interrill erosion was assumed to occur on short slopes with high gradients (Elliot, 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These soil parameters commonly need to be calibrated because they were initially based on experiments using ridge tilled land, which are different from most agricultural practices in the United States (Elliot, 1990). In these experiments, rills occurred between the ridges and interrill erosion was assumed to occur on short slopes with high gradients (Elliot, 1990). Anache et al (2018) also calibrated several management inputs related to crop growth and residue cover, which Flanagan et al (2012) recommended if the crop yields and residue cover values are not accurately predicted or commonly used in WEPP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Calibration and validation of hillslope runoff and soil loss outputs from the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in Minnesota agricultural watersheds

Kohrell,

Mulla,

Gelder

2023

J American Water Resour Assoc

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There is growing interest in studying the impact of alternative agricultural management practices on runoff and soil loss under future climate change scenarios. In order to address this interest, it is important to demonstrate that runoff and soil loss can be accurately simulated under existing climates based on comparisons between modeled and experimental results. This study calibrates and validates the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model to quantify the accuracy of predicting growing season runoff and soil erosion in agricultural hillslopes based on comparisons with experimental data from five Minnesota hydrologic unit code 12 watersheds. In order to accurately predict runoff and soil erosion in each watershed, the baseline effective hydraulic conductivity (Kbe), interrill and rill erodibility (EIR and ER), and monthly precipitation standard deviations (Pstdev) were calibrated in WEPP using observed runoff and total suspended solids data from five Minnesota Discovery Farms field sites. Before calibration, Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and percent bias (PBIAS) values for predicted versus measured monthly average total runoff (Ravg‐T), runoff ratios (RRT), and total soil loss were generally not in acceptable ranges. After calibration, the NSE values showed very good fits between measured and predicted monthly Ravg‐T (0.64–0.98), RRT (0.66–0.93), and soil loss (0.58–0.80). PBIAS values were also within acceptable ranges for Ravg‐T and RRT (±25%) and soil loss (±55%), except for RRT at site BE1. NSE and PBIAS values during validation were within acceptable ranges, except for RRT at site BE1. These findings suggest that the WEPP hillslopes calibrated in this study are sufficiently robust to accurately predict monthly runoff and soil erosion in Minnesota agricultural fields during the growing season.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calibration and validation of hillslope runoff and soil loss outputs from the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in Minnesota agricultural watersheds

Kohrell,

Mulla,

Gelder

2023

J American Water Resour Assoc

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“…These soils are also (in)famously erodible; the dominant soil type, Palouse silt loam which is marked by a silt contents greater than 65% and very high interrill erodibility of 4.3 × 10 −6 kg s/m 4 (Elliot et al. 1989). The region has suffered some of the highest erosion rates globally at the height of CT farming (Duffin 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Soil Conservation Effectiveness: An Investigation of Spatial Targeting, Conservation Adoption, and Financial Incentives

Fowler

Boll

King

2022

J American Water Resour Assoc

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Identifying and treating erosion‐prone, critical source areas (CSA) presents the opportunity to effectively address erosion at a watershed scale. Social and financial drivers of conservation adoption, however have buffered implementation. An integrated systems understanding is needed to identify internal feedbacks and potential synergistic conservation policies. We simulate the physical, social, and financial incentive interactions with a high‐level system dynamics model to understand the conservation adoption and subsequent erosion behavior of the system. A Bass diffusion model integrated with physical modeling results enables the simulation of CSA, the diffusion of innovations, and payment for conservation practices. Land retirement and tillage reduction best management practices are assessed for the dryland wheat farming region in the Inland Pacific Northwest of the United States. Model utility was confirmed with quantitative land management data and qualitative local expertise. Historical, voluntary‐based efforts to reduce erosion suffer marginal returns. We conclude that: (1) All targeting of CSA reduces long‐term erosion rates; (2) The most effective use of conservation funds, however, occurs when the diffusion of innovation mechanism is reinforced by broad‐scale payments for tillage reduction; and (3) By identifying and utilizing positive feedback, our simulations suggest large gains in erosion reduction and conservation fund efficiency are possible.

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“…comm.). (Huffman et al 2013), Heiden with 2.0 (53.1% clay) and Frederick with 2.43 (58.3% clay) (Elliot and Flanagan 2023). Flanagan and Livingston (1995) give a mean Ki for clay soils in the USA of 2.15 (10 6 kg.s m −4 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WEPP interrill erodibility for clay soils in the crop lands of Northern NSW and Southern Queensland, Australia

Mark,

Bosomworth

2023

Soil Res.

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Context Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) soil erosion model parameters are rare for cultivated cropping soils in Australia. Aims Measure WEPP interrill erodibility (Ki) for cropping soils. Methods Plots were 50% side-slopes of row-crop furrows. Rainfall was applied for 30 min at 107 mm h−1 under a rainfall simulator, then at higher and lower rainfall intensities for 10 or 6 min. Several of these rainfall sequences were performed with drying between (events). Runoff, sediment concentrations and sediment sizes in runoff and the soil surface after rain and sediment settling velocities were measured. Soils were well-aggregated Vertosols and a Dermosol: clay 31–69%, silt ~20%. Settling velocities and undispersed particle size distributions for rainfall wet soil are provided for a range of soils in Supplemental Data, for use by WEPP users. Key results Runoff during 30 min and 54 mm of rain was 28–44 mm or 50–86% rainfall. Soil losses were 26–61 t ha−1 and sediment concentrations 67–127 g L−1. Infiltration, runoff, sediment concentration and soil losses were sometimes different for soils and events. Gatton and Emerald soils had lower soil losses and Cecilvale, Mywybilla and Narrabri soils had higher soil losses. Conclusions Mean Ki for Emerald and Gatton soils were significantly lower, 2 960 000 and 3 209 600 kg.s m−4, respectively. Ki values were not significantly different for the Cecilvale, Narrabri and Mywybilla soils, 3 900 000 kg.s m−4. Implications WEPP Ki values were like values found for USA cropping on clay soils. Sizes in the soil surface and sediment, and settling velocity distributions, were similar between soils but sediment sizes were finer.

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Estimating WEPP Cropland Erodibility Values From Soil Properties

Cited by 9 publications

References 42 publications

Calibration and validation of hillslope runoff and soil loss outputs from the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in Minnesota agricultural watersheds

Calibration and validation of hillslope runoff and soil loss outputs from the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in Minnesota agricultural watersheds

Evaluating Soil Conservation Effectiveness: An Investigation of Spatial Targeting, Conservation Adoption, and Financial Incentives

WEPP interrill erodibility for clay soils in the crop lands of Northern NSW and Southern Queensland, Australia

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