Estimating RUSLE's rainfall factor in the part of Italy with a Mediterranean rainfall regime

N. Diodato (1)

1 Monte Pino Naturalistic Observatory

The computation of the erosion index (EI), which is basic to the determination of the rainfall-runoff erosivity factor R of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), is tedious and time-consuming and requires a continuous record of rainfall intensity. In this study, a power equation(r² = 0.867) involving annual erosion index (EI_30-annual) in the Mediterranean part of Italy is obtained. Data from 12 raingauge stations are used to derive and then test a regional relationship for estimating the erosion index from only three rainfall parameters. Erosivity rainfall data derived from 5 additional stations are used for validation and critical examination. The empirical procedures give results which compare satisfactorily with relationships calibrated elsewhere.

Keywords: erosion index, rainfall, erosivity, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation

Domaines: Interfaces continentales, environnement; Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

N. Diodato. Estimating RUSLE's rainfall factor in the part of Italy with a Mediterranean rainfall regime. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 2004, 8 (1), pp.103-107. ⟨hal-00304798⟩