Using a Rainfall Simulator to Define the Effect of Soil Conservation Techniques on Soil Loss and Water Retention

Stašek, Jakub; Krása, J.; Mistr, Martin; Dostál, Tomáš; Devátý, Jan; Středa, Tomáš; Mikulka, J.

doi:10.3390/land12020431

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The experiments were carried out until steady state runoff conditions were obtained, with typical durations of 60–90 min and a constant rainfall intensity of 60 mm h −1 . Experiments here resulted in comparatively low rates of soil loss, probably due to the soil's high clay content. Experiments at site RI ( n = 38) are part of a long‐term experiment covering a range of crops and crop development stages for calculating the USLE management factors, which is described in detail by Stašek et al (2023). From this large dataset, only the bare soil reference plots maintained in parallel with the cropped plots were used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testing CASE: A new event‐based Morgan‐Morgan‐Finney‐type erosion model for different rainfall experimental scenarios

Brunner,

Weninger,

Schmaltz

et al. 2023

Hydrological Processes

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Every application of soil erosion models brings the need of proper parameterisation, that is, finding physically or conceptually plausible parameter values that allow a model to reproduce measured values. No universal approach for model parameterisation, calibration and validation exists, as it depends on the model, spatial and temporal resolution and the nature of the datasets used. We explored some existing options for parameterisation, calibration and validation for erosion modelling exemplary with a specific dataset and modelling approach. A new Morgan‐Morgan‐Finney (MMF)‐type model was developed, representing a balanced position between physically‐based and empirical modelling approaches. The resulting model termed ‘calculator for soil erosion’ (CASE), works in a spatially distributed way on the timescale of individual rainfall events. A dataset of 142 high‐intensity rainfall experiments in Central Europe (AT, HU, IT, CZ), covering various slopes, soil types and experimental designs was used for calibration and validation with a modified Monte‐Carlo approach. Subsequently, model parameter values were compared to parameter values obtained by alternative methods (measurements, pedotransfer functions, literature data). The model reproduced runoff and soil loss of the dataset in the validation setting with R2adj of 0.89 and 0.76, respectively. Satisfactory agreement for the water phase was found, with calibrated saturated hydraulic conductivity (ksat) values falling within the interquartile range of ksat predicted with 14 different pedotransfer functions, or being within one order of magnitude. The chosen approach also well reflected specific experimental setups contained in the dataset dealing with the effects of consecutive rainfall and different soil water conditions. For the sediment phase of the tested model agreement between calibrated cohesion, literature values and field measurements were only partially in line. The methods we explored may specifically be interesting for use with other MMF‐type models, or with similar datasets.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…D. Experiments at site RI (n = 38) are part of a long-term experiment covering a range of crops and crop development stages for calculating the USLE management factors, which is described in detail byStašek et al (2023). From this large dataset, only the bare soil reference plots maintained in parallel with the cropped plots were used.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing CASE: A new event‐based Morgan‐Morgan‐Finney‐type erosion model for different rainfall experimental scenarios

Brunner,

Weninger,

Schmaltz

et al. 2023

Hydrological Processes

Self Cite

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“…Rainfall simulators were introduced in the 1930s to study soil erosion [7]. Since then, they have been adapted to case studies with a focus on splash-erosion mechanisms [7][8][9][10][11][12][13], surface runoff [14][15][16], washoff [17], and the effects of rain on the physical and chemical properties of soils [18][19][20][21][22], pavements [23],…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large Laboratory Simulator of Natural Rainfall: From Drizzle to Storms

Bosio

Cagninei

Poggi

2023

Water

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Rainfall simulators are versatile research tools that facilitate studying rain events and the many related physical phenomena. This work describes the development and validation of an indoor, large-scale rainfall simulator comprising a rain module installed 10.4 m from ground level, a redistribution screen at an adjustable distance below the rain module, and an ultra-filtered-water recirculation system. The droplet formers installed in the rain module were selected to achieve a wide range of rain intensities. The simulator was calibrated and validated using local natural rainfall data collected with a disdrometer over 30 months. The height of the rain module allows terminal velocity to be reached at ground level. At the same time, the redistribution screen and the droplet formers guarantee the wide variability of simulated rainfall in terms of intensity and the size of the drops. As a result, we show that the rain simulator, with proper calibration of the screen’s position, can reproduce measured natural rainfall over a broad range of intensities with high spatial and temporal uniformity and kinetic energy.

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“…To decrease the erosion risk, many protective measures have been tested [1,12,13] that should prevent the removal of topsoil from agricultural land. The conventional technology of growing corn can be replaced or supplemented by alternative technologies: e.g., strip-till technology, effective on sloping land [14], which, however, requires different technical equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Reservoir Cultivation on Conventional Maize in Sandy-Loam Soil

Vejchar,

Velebil,

Kubín

et al. 2023

Agriculture

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Maize grown on sloped areas is susceptible to surface runoff and soil erosion, especially if traditional technology with tillage is employed. As a result, other solutions are being sought that address this risk and are acceptable to farmers. The combination of inter-row cultivation with the formation of small reservoirs appears to be a suitable alternative solution applicable in traditional corn cultivation. In the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, three plots of land in southern Bohemia, Czech Republic, were selected for testing, on which this approach was tested. During the field experiments, three variants were compared each year: inter-row cultivation with reservoirs, inter-row cultivation only, and a control without any mechanical intervention. All variants were subjected to rain simulation, from which the surface runoff was evaluated. The highest retention of runoff was manifested with reservoir cultivation by 2.4–4.2 min, compared to the cultivated variant, and 2–4.2 min compared to the control. This result would correspond to a difference of 5.7–9.8 mm retained precipitation and 4.6 to 7.3 mm, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity of the soil was evaluated after canopy closure. The lowest values were invariably reached in the reservoirs, up to 88% lower than with the cultivated variant and 79% lower than the control. The fresh matter yield of forage maize was shown to be inconclusively higher by up to 10% in 2020 and 2022 in cultivation with reservoirs. However, the dry matter yield was always lower in the variant with reservoirs compared to inter-row cultivation only. Overall, reservoir cultivation appears to be an effective method for the retention of rainwater on agricultural land with a slope up to 6° without a significant effect on the yield of maize.

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Using a Rainfall Simulator to Define the Effect of Soil Conservation Techniques on Soil Loss and Water Retention

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

Testing CASE: A new event‐based Morgan‐Morgan‐Finney‐type erosion model for different rainfall experimental scenarios

Testing CASE: A new event‐based Morgan‐Morgan‐Finney‐type erosion model for different rainfall experimental scenarios

Large Laboratory Simulator of Natural Rainfall: From Drizzle to Storms

The Effect of Reservoir Cultivation on Conventional Maize in Sandy-Loam Soil

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