Rill development and its change rate: a field experiment under constant rainfall intensity

Rill erosion on an unpaved loess road surface: Effects and control

“…Generally, downstream of the slope surface, more water flow accumulates (Kou et al, 2021), and the erosion will deteriorate. On the other hand, Gatto (2000) concluded that the flow velocity of the rill channel would control the flow velocity and thus affect erosion.…”

“…The process of removing soil from its initial position is energy‐consuming, and downward gravity provides energy to the water flow to separate the soil (Kou et al, 2021). On steeper slopes, the soil materials of the rill channel suffer stronger shear stress (Fox & Bryan, 2000).…”

“…As erosion continues, the rill walls collapse, the rill bed deepens, and the hydraulics are altered, which in turn affects the erosive capacity of the rill area (Lawrence & Gatto, 2000). In addition, the retreat of the rill head will follow the route of the water flow (Kou et al, 2021). Essentially, the process of rill erosion depends on the hydraulic characteristics and transport capacity of the overland flow (Lei et al, 2001).…”

“…Once a rill is formed on a hillslope, soil erosion volume can increase threefold (Zhang et al, 2019). Therefore, rill erosion is seen as a sign of the onset of soil erosion (Kou et al, 2021).…”

“…Qin et al (2018) designed slopes with different gradients through laboratory experiments and concluded the rill network has experienced a rapid and complex evolution to a stable stage, and they also observed the subtle features of the deepening of the rill form at the initial stage and widening at the later stage. In addition, the multistage erosion rate and contour dynamic evolution of the rills can be quantified and drawn (Kou et al, 2021). However, the limited scope of the experiments and the sites allowed the previously acquired knowledge to be limited.…”