Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rainfall intensity and inflow rate effects on hillslope soil erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China is increasingly severe and directly affects national food security and sustainable development. However, few attempts have been made to create a clear distinction between the effects of rainfall and inflow on hillslope soil erosion. A laboratory study was conducted to discuss the roles and contributions of rainfall intensity and inflow rate to hillslope soil erosion and to fit equations based on variations of rainfall intensity and inflow rate (RI + IR) for soil erosion. A soil pan (8 m long, 1.5 m wide and 0.6 m deep and with an adjustable slope gradient of 0°–35°) was subjected to designed rainfall intensities (0, 50 and 100 mm h−1) and inflow rates (0, 50 and 100 mm h−1). The results showed that the effects of RI + IR treatments on hillslope soil loss were significantly greater than those on runoff. Furthermore, the effect of rainfall intensity on hillslope soil loss was significantly greater than the effect of inflow rate. Under the same total water supply, an increase in rainfall intensity resulted in greater average soil loss rates and stronger fluctuations in soil loss than an increase in the inflow rate. The occurrence of rill erosion significantly increased sediment transport capacity on the hillslope, which resulted in an increase in soil loss. Utilizing rainfall intensity and inflow rate, runoff and soil loss equations were generated and validated, and the performances of the two equations were satisfactory. Furthermore, it was determined that both equations are most applicable to the prediction of hillslope soil erosion under long rolling hillslope conditions. For the Mollisol region of Northeast China, the key factor affecting soil erosion on hillslopes is soil particle dispersion caused by rainfall. Therefore, taking measures to cover the soil, such as corn straw mulching, would effectively reduce rainfall erosivity and have significant positive effects on soil erosion prevention and control.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • An J, Zheng FL, Lu J, Li GF (2012) Investigating the role of raindrop impact on hydrodynamic mechanism of soil erosion under simulated rainfall conditions. Soil Sci 177(8):517–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • An J, Zheng FL, Römkens MJM, Li GF, Yang QS, Wen LL, Wang B (2013) The role of soil surface water regimes and raindrop impact on hillslope soil erosion and nutrient losses. Nat Hazards 67:411–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baird AJ, Thornes JB, Watts GP (1992) Overland flow. In: Parsons AJ, Abrahams AD (eds) Hydraulics and erosion mechanics. Taylor & Francis Group, London, pp 184–208

  • Bewket W, Sterk G (2003) Assessment of soil erosion in cultivated fields using a survey methodology for rills in the Chemoga watershed, Ethiopia. Agric Ecosyst Environ 97:81–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng QJ, Cai QG, Ma WJ (2008) Comparative study on rain splash erosion of representative soils in China. Chin Geogr Sci 18(2):155–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui M, Cai QG, Zhu AX, Fan HM (2007) Soil erosion along a long slope in the gentle hilly areas of black soil region in Northeast China. J Geogr Sci 17(3):375–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong YF, Wu YQ, Zhang TY, Yang W, Liu BY (2013) The sediment delivery ratio in a small catchment in the black soil region of Northeast China. Int J Sediment Res 28:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison WD (1944) Studies of raindrop erosion. Agric Eng 25:131–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison WD (1947a) Soil erosion study-part I. Agric Eng 28:145–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison WD (1947b) Soil erosion study-part II: soil detachment hazard by raindrop splash. Agric Eng 28:197–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison WD (1947c) Soil erosion study-part V: soil transport in the splash process. Agric Eng 28(349–351):353

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang HY, Sun LY, Qi DL, Cai QG (2012) Using 137Cs technique to quantify soil erosion and deposition rates in an agricultural catchment in the black soil region, Northeast China. Geomorphology 169–170:142–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fullen MA (1998) Effects of grass ley set-aside on runoff, erosion and organic matter levels in sandy soils in east Shropshire, UK. Soil Tillage Res 46:41–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guy BT, Dickinson WT, Rudra RP (1987) The roles of rainfall and runoff in the sediment transport capacity of interrill flow. Trans ASAE 30:1378–1386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han P, Ni JR, Li TH (2002) Headcut and bank landslip in rill erosion. J Basic Sci Eng 10(2):115–125 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang CC (1998) Sediment regime under different slope and surface hydrologic conditions. Soil Sci Soc Am J 62:423–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang CC, Well LK, Norton LD (1999) Sediment transport capacity and erosion processes: concept and reality. Earth Surf Process Landf 24:503–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby M (1990) A simulation model for desert runoff and erosion, vol 189. IAHS Publication, Wallingford, pp 87–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkanc SY, Ozyuvaci N, Hizal A (2008) Impacts of land use conversion on soil properties and soil erodibility. J Environ Biol 29:363–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Li ZW, Zhang GH, Geng R, Wang H (2015) Rill erodibility as influenced by soil and land use in a small watershed of the Loess Plateau, China. Biosyst Eng 129:248–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu GS (1996) Soil physical and chemical analysis and description of soil profiles. Standards Press of China, Beijing, pp 7–32 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu XB, Zhang XY, Wang YX, Sui YY, Zhang SL, Herbert SJ, Ding G (2010) Soil degradation: a problem threatening the sustainable development of agriculture in Northeast China. Plant Soil Environ 56:87–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu XB, Zhang SL, Zhang XY, Ding GW, Cruse RM (2011) Soil erosion control practices in Northeast China: a mini-review. Soil Tillage Res 117:44–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer LD (1981) How rainfall intensity affects interrill erosion. Transl ASABE 23:891–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash JE, Sutcliffe JV (1970) River flow forecasting through conceptual models: part I. A discussion of principles. J Hydrol 10(3):282–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parlange JY, Rose CW, Sander G (1981) Kinematic flow approximation of runoff on a plane: an exact analytical solution. J Hydrol 52:171–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons AJ, Stone PM (2006) Effects of intra-storm variations in rainfall intensity on interrill runoff and erosion. Catena 67:68–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J, Nachtergaele J, Verstraeten G, Valentin C (2003) Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs. Catena 50:91–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santhi C, Arnold JG, Williams JR, Hauck LM, Dugas WA (2001) Application of a watershed model to evaluate management effects on point and nonpoint source pollution. Trans ASAE 44:1559–1570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen HO, Zheng FL, Wen LL, Lu J, Jiang YL (2015) An experimental study of rill erosion and morphology. Geomorphology 231:193–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tayfur G, Kavvas ML (1994) Spatially averaged conservation equations for interacting rill-interrill area overland flows. J Hydraul Eng 120:1426–1448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker PH, Hutka J, Moss AJ, Kinnell PIA (1977) Use of a versatile experimental system for soil erosion studies. Soil Sci Soc Am J 41:610–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker PH, Kinnell PIA, Green P (1978) Transport of a noncohesive sandy mixture in rainfall and runoff experiments. Soil Sci Soc Am J 42:793–801

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZQ, Liu BY, Wang XY, Gao XF, Liu G (2009) Erosion effect on the productivity of black soil in Northeast China. Sci China Ser D Earth Sci 52(7):1005–1021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Zheng FL, Römkens MJM (2013) Comparison of soil erodibility factors in USLE, RUSLE2, EPIC and Dg models based on a Chinese soil erodibility database. Acta Agric Scand Sect B Soil Plant Sci 63:69–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu XZ, Xu Y, Chen SC, Xu SG, Zhang HW (2010) Soil loss and conservation in the black soil region of Northeast China: a retrospective study. Environ Sci Policy 13:793–800

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang XM, Zhang XP, Deng W, Fang HJ (2003) Black soil degradation by rainfall erosion in Jilin, China. Land Degrad Dev 14:409–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu SX, Shang JC, Zhao JS, Guo HC (2003) Factor analysis and dynamics of water quality of the Songhua River, Northeast China. Water Air Soil Pollut 144:159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuri SK, Zhang XY, Liu XB, Song CY, Richard MC (2011) Mollisols properties and changes in Ukraine and China. Chin Geogr Sci 21(3):257–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XK, Xu JH, Lu XQ, Deng YJ, Gao DW (1992) A study on the soil loss equation in Heilongjiang Province. Bull Soil Water Conserv 12(4):1–9 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang YG, Wu YQ, Liu BY, Zheng QH, Yin JY (2007) Characteristics and factors controlling the development of ephemeral gullies in cultivated catchments of black soil region, Northeast China. Soil Tillage Res 96:28–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng FL, Zhao J (2004) A brief introduction on the rainfall simulation laboratory and equipment. Res Soil Water Conserv 11(4):177–178 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng FL, Huang CC, Norton LD (2000) Vertical hydraulic gradient and run-on water and sediment effects on erosion processes and sediment regimes. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:4–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng FL, Xiao PQ, Gao XT (2004) Rill erosion process and rill flow hydraulic parameters. Int J Sediment Res 19(2):130–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou PH, Zhang XD, Tang KL (2000) Rainfall installation of simulated soil erosion experiment hall of the State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau. Bull Soil Water Conserv 20(4):27–30, 45 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41271299) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB407201).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Natural Resources and Environment, State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Leilei Wen, Fenli Zheng, Haiou Shen & Feng Bian

  2. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, CAS & MWR, No. 26, Xi’nong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Leilei Wen, Fenli Zheng, Haiou Shen, Feng Bian & Yiliang Jiang

  3. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Yiliang Jiang

Authors
  1. Leilei Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fenli Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haiou Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Feng Bian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yiliang Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fenli Zheng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wen, L., Zheng, F., Shen, H. et al. Rainfall intensity and inflow rate effects on hillslope soil erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China. Nat Hazards 79, 381–395 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1847-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1847-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation