Medium-term evolution of some ephemeral gullies in Sicily (Italy)

Capra, Antonina; Spada, Carmelo La

doi:10.1016/j.still.2015.07.001

Cited by 32 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The soil loss rate was linearly correlated with the incremental increase in upslope drainage area (inflow plus rainfall rate), Figure , with coefficients of determination, R 2 , between 0.86 and 0.99. These results were consistent with the results of Cheng et al () and Capra & La Spada (), who emphasized the importance of upslope drainage area in causing EG erosion. The differences in three slope treatments also revealed the significance of slope gradient.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Ephemeral gullies (EGs) can be the dominate source of soil erosion in agricultural watersheds (Capra et al, ; United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, ; Wijdenes et al, ). EGs are larger than rills but smaller than permanent gullies (Capra & La Spada, ; Poesen et al., ) and defined as small channels eroded by concentrated flow that are filled by normal tillage only to be reformed again in the same location because of subsequent runoff events (Soil Science Society of America, ). The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service estimated that EGs typically contributed 30% to 100% of total soil loss in actively eroding areas in the U.S. (Bennett et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service estimated that EGs typically contributed 30% to 100% of total soil loss in actively eroding areas in the U.S. (Bennett et al, ). EG erosion also affects the loess belt and Mediterranean region of Western Europe, contributing more than half of the total soil erosion (Capra & La Spada, ; Casalí et al, ; Porto et al, ). In Australia, more than 80% of sediment deposited in the reservoirs come from EG erosion and channel erosion in the area with highly erodible soils (Hancock & Evans, ; Wasson et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upslope inflow, hillslope gradient and rainfall intensity impacts on ephemeral gully erosion

Zheng

Wilson

et al. 2017

Land Degrad Dev

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Ephemeral gullies (EGs) are major contributors to sediment loss and land degradation on cultivated lands. However, the topography and rainfall impacts on EG development processes are still unclear, especially on steep loessial hillslopes such as the Loess Plateau. A series of laboratory rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the impacts of topographic characteristics (3 typical slope gradients (S): 26.8%, 36.4%, and 46.6%; and 5 upslope drainage areas (A): 16, 32, 64, 96, and 128 m2) and rainfall intensities (3 representative erosive rainfall intensities 50, 75, and 100 mm hr−1) on EG erosion on a steep loessial hillslope. A large slope adjustable soil pan (8 m‐long, 2 m‐wide, and 0.6 m‐deep) and a side‐sprinkler rainfall simulation system were used in this study. The results showed that soil loss increased when rainfall intensity, slope, and upslope drainage area increased. Upslope topography and inflow had great impacts on downslope EG erosion, and the contribution percentages ranged from 52.2% to 74.1%, from 48.3% to 71.4%, and from 29.5% to 66.7% for the 50, 75, and 100 mm hr−1 rainfall treatments, respectively. Runoff velocities with upslope inflow were 22.7% to 79.4% larger than those without inflow, and the upslope inflow was more effective than rainfall intensity in increasing runoff velocities in EG channels, thus caused more soil erosion. Soil loss equation based on rainfall intensity and AS2 (product of the upslope drainage area and the square of the local slope gradient) was established and validated. The determination coefficient (R2) and Nash–Sutcliffe simulation efficiency (ENS) were 0.80 and 0.87, which showed satisfactory accuracy. This equation can be used to predict the EG erosion in various topographic and rainfall conditions on steep loessial hillslopes.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upslope inflow, hillslope gradient and rainfall intensity impacts on ephemeral gully erosion

Zheng

Wilson

et al. 2017

Land Degrad Dev

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“…(). These distinct hydrosedimentary responses at different sub‐catchments suggest that runoff generation and concentrated erosion processes are not only controlled by rainfall characteristics, but also by other relevant factors affecting the sensitivity of the agricultural catchments, such as management practice or the presence of soil conservation structures (Capra and La Spada, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The thresholds from which different processes of concentrated erosion initiate or develop do not depend only on topographical parameters, but also on many other relevant factors that interact in a complex way. Accordingly, rain characteristics such as magnitude, intensity or erosivity are determining factors controlling the formation and development of ephemeral gullies (Capra et al, 2009); together with lithology, soil properties, land-use or management measures (Poesen et al, 2002;Valentin et al, 2005;Knapen et al, 2007;Capra and La Spada, 2015). In order to incorporate these factors, other process-based models such as the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) and European Soil Erosion Model (EUROSEM) were developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating functional connectivity in a small agricultural catchment under contrasting flood events by using UAV

Calsamiglia

Gago

García-Comendador

et al. 2020

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Concentrated erosion, a major feature of land degradation, represents a serious problem for soil and water resources management and a threat to ecosystems. Understanding the internal mechanisms (de‐)coupling sediment pathways can improve the management and resilience of catchments. In this study, concentrated erosion and deposition forms were mapped accurately through field and aerial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) campaigns, in order to assess the evolution of connectivity pathways over a series of three contrasted and consecutive flood events occurring between October 2016 and January 2017 (return period ranging from 0.5 to 25 years) in a small Mediterranean agricultural catchment (Can Revull, Mallorca, Spain; 1.4 km2). In addition, a morphometric index of connectivity (IC) was used to identify the potential trajectories of different concentrated erosion forms and deposition areas. IC predictions were calibrated by identifying the optimal critical thresholds, i.e. those most consistent with field observations after each of the events studied. The results found that the index performed well in predicting the occurrence and the length/area of the different type of landforms, giving kappa (κ) coefficients of variation ranging between 0.21 and 0.92 and linear correlations R2 between 0.33 and 0.72. The type of landform affected the correspondence of IC predictions and field observations, with lower thresholds the greater the magnitude of their associated geomorphic processes. Rainfall magnitude proved to be a very important factor controlling the development of erosion and deposition landforms, with large differences in length/area between the contrasted events. The evolution of the observed trajectories revealed feedback dynamics between the structural and functional connectivity of the catchment, in which morphological changes determined the spatial distribution of the processes’ activity in the successive events and vice versa. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Assessment of soil factors controlling ephemeral gully erosion on agricultural fields

Barrio

Campo‐Bescós

Giménez

et al. 2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The soil factor is crucial in controlling and properly modeling the initiation and development of ephemeral gullies (EGs). Usually, EG initiation has been related to various soil properties (i.e. sealing, critical shear stress, moisture, texture, etc.); meanwhile, the total growth of each EG (erosion rate) has been linked with proper soil erodibility. But, despite the studies to determine the influence of soil erodibility on (ephemeral) gully erosion, a universal approach is still lacking. This is due to the complex relationship and interactions between soil properties and the erosive process. A feasible soil characterization of EG erosion prediction on a large scale should be based on simple, quick and inexpensive tests to perform. The objective of this study was to identify and assess the soil properties – easily and quickly to determine – which best reflect soil erodibility on EG erosion. Forty‐nine different physical–chemical soil properties that may participate in establishing soil erodibility were determined on agricultural soils affected by the formation of EGs in Spain and Italy. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and in the field (in the vicinity of the erosion paths). Because of its importance in controlling EG erosion, five variables related to antecedent moisture prior to the event that generated the gullies and two properties related to landscape topography were obtained for each situation. The most relevant variables were detected using multivariate analysis. The results defined 13 key variables: water content before the initiation of EGs, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, relative sealing index, two granulometric and organic matter indices, seal permeability, aggregates stability (three index), crust penetration resistance, shear strength and an erodibility index obtained from the Jet Test erosion apparatus. The latter is proposed as a useful technique to evaluate and predict soil loss caused by EG erosion. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Medium-term evolution of some ephemeral gullies in Sicily (Italy)

Cited by 32 publications

References 30 publications

Upslope inflow, hillslope gradient and rainfall intensity impacts on ephemeral gully erosion

Upslope inflow, hillslope gradient and rainfall intensity impacts on ephemeral gully erosion

Evaluating functional connectivity in a small agricultural catchment under contrasting flood events by using UAV

Assessment of soil factors controlling ephemeral gully erosion on agricultural fields

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