Evaluation of Monitored Erosion Events in the Context of Characteristics of Source Areas in Czech Conditions

Since the year 2012, nationwide monitoring of erosion on agricultural land has been carried out in the Czech Republic with more than 2,300 cases of erosion events recorded so far. The evaluation of the relationships between the actual manifestation of erosion and the characteristics of the 5600 erosion enclosed areas (EEAs), on which surface runoff develops after erosion-forming rainfall, are presented in this contribution. Most frequently grown crops during an erosion event include maize (49.8% of cases), rapeseed (13.7%), potatoes (8.1%) and sugar beets (2.1%). The distributions of affected erosion enclosed areas (EEAs) in terms of shares of soils with low susceptibility and medium susceptibility to compaction, drainage systems and contributing areas of critical points are bimodal; the low percentage (<10%) being more prominent than the high one (>90%). The percentage of hydrologic soil group B in EEA has the high share dominant over the low one. Unsurprisingly, erosion events have been recorded predominantly in EEAs with low forest cover and on arable land (share >90%). The distribution of EEAs across altitudes corresponds with the relief of the country. Obtained results will be used to validate the implementation of erosion-monitoring systems and for the adaptation of soil erosion prevention and mitigation measures in the sustainable land use policy.

Automated summary

Nationwide monitoring of erosion on agricultural land has been conducted in the Czech Republic since 2012, resulting in the recording of over 2,300 erosion events. This study examines the relationships between erosion manifestation and the characteristics of erosion enclosed areas (EEAs). Maize, rapeseed, potatoes, and sugar beets are the most frequently grown crops during erosion events. The distribution of affected EEAs in terms of soil susceptibility, drainage systems, and contributing areas is bimodal, with a higher percentage of low susceptibility and hydrologic soil group B dominating.