Communicating risks to infrastructure due to soil erosion: A bottom‐up approach

Abstract

Soil erosion is a major problem worldwide, affecting natural, agricultural, and urban environments through its impact on flood risk, water quality, loss of topsoil, eutrophication of water bodies, sedimentation of waterways, and damage to infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and utility supply networks. Thus, there is a need to identify risks to infrastructure associated with erosion and interventions needed to reduce those risks. Further, inclusive ways of communicating about mitigation strategies with stakeholders such as farmers, land managers, and policymakers are essential if interventions are to be implemented. Applying the Decision‐Support Matrix approach, which combines hydrologic and geomorphic principles with participatory action research, a tool for Communicating and Visualising Erosion‐associated Risks to Infrastructure (CAVERTI) was developed in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders including farmers, private landowners, asset owners, and environmental organisations, focusing on a case‐study area in northern England. The CAVERTI tool synthesises process understanding gained from modelling with knowledge and experience of stakeholders to address the sediment transport problem. Tool development was collaborative, ensuring that the problems and solutions presented are easily recognised by practitioners and decision‐makers. The tool helps to assess, manage, and improve understanding of risk from a multistakeholder perspective and presents mitigation options. We argue that visualisation and communication tools codeveloped by researchers and stakeholders are the best means of influencing decision‐makers to invest in mitigation. The CAVERTI tool is designed to encourage farmers, land, and asset owners to act to reduce erosion, providing multiple benefits from protecting local infrastructure to reducing pollution of waterways.

Catchment systems engineering: An holistic approach to catchment management

“…As Raymond et al (2017) point out, success depends on engagement with multiple stakeholders and need to provide co-benefits that encompass social and economic interests. We thus argue for embedding partnerships with stakeholders in the approach (Hewett et al, 2009(Hewett et al, , 2010 and the use of co-produced decision support tools (Hewett et al, 2016;Hewett, Simpson, Wainwright, & Hudson, 2018).…”

Estimation of Soil Erosion in the Chaohu Lake Basin through Modified Soil Erodibility Combined with Gravel Content in the RUSLE Model

“…Soil erosion is a complex process influenced by a variety of natural and human-induced factors [70]. Five factors are considered to estimate soil erosion in the RUSLE model [71,72], namely rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover fraction (C), and support practice (P).…”

GUEST EDITORIAL—SPECIAL ISSUE: Mapping and modelling soil erosion to address societal challenges in a changing world

“…Waltner et al (2018) used reports from a farm management system to assess the precision of model‐based soil erosion risk maps in Hungary. Hewett, Simpson, and Wainwright (2018) developed a tool for communicating and visualizing erosion risk to infrastructure in Britain by combining hydrological, geomorphological, and participatory action research principles. Zolezzi, Bezzi, Spada, and Bozzarelli (2018) developed a low‐cost, repeatable methodology to quantify gully properties and to suggest appropriate mitigation measures in Uganda, combining observations with stakeholder interviews.…”