Advances in techniques to assess soil erodibility

Publication date: 14/06/2021
Extent: 40 pages

Contributions by: R. J. Rickson, E. Dowdeswell Downey, G. Alegbeleye and S. E. Cooper, Cranfield University, UK

Chapter synopsis: Soil erodibility is the susceptibility of soil to the erosive forces of rainsplash, runoff and wind. It is a significant factor in determining present and future soil erosion rates. Focusing on soil erosion by water, this chapter shows that erodibility is determined by static and dynamic soil properties that control a range of sub-processes affecting soil erosion, but there is no standardised test procedure, making comparison of erodibility assessment techniques and their results challenging. Most researchers agree that aggregate stability is the best indicator of soil erodibility. Selection of techniques to measure aggregate stability need to consider the type of disruptive forces and breakdown processes to which field aggregates are subjected. New indices must incorporate spatial and temporal variabilities in erodibility; the different erosion processes operating; the impact of climate change; and the role of soil biology. New analytical techniques such as computer aided tomography show promise in considering soil erodibility as a dynamic continuum operating over 3 dimensions.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2020.0079.14