ABSTRACT

Soil erosion and sedimentation by water involve the processes of detachment, transport, and deposition of soil materials by rainfall and runoff. Major sources of sediment eroded from sloping land are interrill areas, rills, and gullies, with the relative contribution from each varying widely depending on the specific situation. Eroded sediment generally consists of both primary soil particles and aggregates, which greatly affect the size distribution, density, and stability of the sediment and, consequently, sediment transportation and deposition. The rate of soil erosion depends on various climatic, soil, topographic, and cultural factors. By identifying and quantifying such factors, erosion rates can be predicted more accurately and better soil conservation practices can be developed.