Erosion and Sediment Transport: Finding Simplicity in a Complicated Erosion Model - Environmental Modelling: Finding Simplicity in Complexity - page 244

Rainfal l Rainfall excess

Crusting

Interception Surface storage

Structural
changes

Soil erodibilit y Roughness

Vegetation
effects

Slope
(gradient, length, form )

Water dept h

Overland
flow

Flow detachment

Rainsplash detachment

Suspended
sediment
transport

Rainsplash
transport

Unconcentrated
flow transport

Concentrated
flow transport

Rainsplash deposition Deposition from flow

Soil eroded from hillslope

Figure 15.1 Complexities of the soil erosion process. Modified from Quinton (2004) and Wainwright et al . (2008a).

be applied to predict patterns of erosion over a large
spatial extent. The results of using this model, MIRSED
(Brazier et al ., 2001a, b) are evaluated in terms of avail-
able observed data, which are also shown to be highly
variable, in space, reflecting the complexity of hillslope-
scale erosion processes and the interactions between land
use, soil type and topography that controls hillslope
erosion.

15.3 WEPP - The Water Erosion
Prediction Project

The spatially distributed, process-based Water Erosion
Prediction Project (WEPP) was initiated by the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1985 to
succeed the USLE (Universal Soil-Loss Equation) and