Evaluating the new soil erosion map of Hungary—A semiquantitative approach

Abstract

Soil erosion by water is one of the most significant forms of soil degradation globally, especially in Europe. A new soil erosion risk map of Hungary has been compiled and published recently, using the combined outputs of the Universal Soil Loss Equation and Pan‐European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment models. Our study aimed at providing evaluation of the map by using semiquantitative validation data obtained from the Hungarian Soil Degradation Subsystem of the National Environmental Information System. The Soil Degradation Subsystem database contained information at farm level as well as indicators based on laboratory data for 5‐ha representative plots. On the basis of the semiquantitative analysis, the map results align well with the farm‐based degradation data and provide viable information not only at the regional scale but also at the farm scale. However, indicators from representative plots did not support model results, indicating possible conflict between farm‐ and plot‐level data. Cross‐comparison of these indicators showed only limited correlation between farm‐ and plot‐level indicators.

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

“…Guzman et al (2018) used a combination of hydrological and erosion monitoring, soil erosion modelling, and participatory approaches (group discussion, transect walk, participatory mapping) to evaluate the most suitable methods for soil conservation planning in Ethiopia. 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.…”

Spatial analysis of changes and anomalies of intense rainfalls in Hungary

“…The ability of a precipitation event to destroy the soil surface and to generate runoff is called erosivity, which is proportional with the amount and intensity of the storm (Waltner, I. et al 2018). Rainfall erosivity (R factor) is generally calculated from these two properties according to the USLE (Wischmeier, W.H.…”

Mesoscale Mapping of Sediment Source Hotspots for Dam Sediment Management in Data-Sparse Semi-Arid Catchments

“…An alternative to validate results is to compare result with one or multiple models [102], as shown in Figure 7C,D. In A third possibility for validating mapping results where no validation data exist is an assessment by local expert knowledge or participatory mapping [20,21,104]. Accuracy of participatory mapping approaches is, among others, limited by: (i) diversity of definitions and approaches to participatory mapping; (ii) spatial attributes measured in participatory mapping; (iii) sampling, participation, and data quality; and (iv) relationships between participatory mapped attributes and physical places [105].…”