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Spatial and seasonal dynamics of soil loss ratio in mountain rangelands of south-western Kyrgyzstan

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Abstract

Vegetation cover is the main factor of soil loss prevention. The C-factor of the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) was predicted with NDVI, ground data and exponential regression equation for mountain rangelands of Kyrgyzstan. Time series of C-factor, precipitation and temperature were decomposed into seasonal and trend components with STL (seasonal decomposition by loess) to assess their interrelations. C-factor, precipitation and temperature trend components indicated significant lagged correlation, whereas seasonal components indicated more complex relations with climate factors which can be promoting as well as limiting factors for vegetation development, depending on the season. Rainy springs and hot summers may increase soil loss dramatically, whereas warm and dry springs with rainy summers can decrease it. Steep slopes indicated higher soil loss ratio, whereas flat areas were better protected by vegetation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CEN Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Institute of Geography, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Maksim Kulikov, Udo Schickhoff & Peter Borchardt

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  1. Maksim Kulikov
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  2. Udo Schickhoff
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  3. Peter Borchardt
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Correspondence to Maksim Kulikov.

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2319-8705

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1502-936X

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2358-9933

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Kulikov, M., Schickhoff, U. & Borchardt, P. Spatial and seasonal dynamics of soil loss ratio in mountain rangelands of south-western Kyrgyzstan. J. Mt. Sci. 13, 316–329 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-3393-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-3393-6

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