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A review of soil erodibility in water and wind erosion research

  • Ecological Environment
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Abstract

Soil erodibility is an important index to evaluate the soil sensitivity to erosion. The research on soil erodibility is a crucial tache in understanding the mechanism of soil erosion. Soil erodibility can be evaluated by measuring soil physiochemical properties, scouring experiment, simulated rainfall experiment, plot experiment and wind tunnel experiment. We can use soil erosion model and nomogram to calculate soil erodibility. Many soil erodibility indices and formulae have been put forward. Soil erodibility is a complex concept, it is influenced by many factors, such as soil properties and human activities. Several obstacles restrict the research of soil erodibility. Firstly, the research on soil erodibility is mainly focused on farmland; Secondly, soil erodibility in different areas cannot be compared sufficiently; and thirdly, the research on soil erodibility in water-wind erosion is very scarce. In the prospective research, we should improve method to measure and calculate soil erodibility, strengthen the research on the mechanism of soil erodibility, and conduct research on soil erodibility by both water and wind agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster, the Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China

    Song Yang, Liu Lianyou, Yan Ping & Cao Tong

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  1. Song Yang
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  2. Liu Lianyou
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  3. Yan Ping
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  4. Cao Tong
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Correspondence to Song Yang.

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Foundation: The Ministry of Education of China, No. 104013

Author: Song Yang (1978-), Ph.D., specialized in soil erosion and arid environment.

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Song, Y., Liu, L., Yan, P. et al. A review of soil erodibility in water and wind erosion research. J. Geogr. Sci. 15, 167–176 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02872682

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