ABSTRACT
In the early 1980s, the Ministry of Agriculture in England and Wales took the decision to assess if water erosion was a problem, deciding to answer the question through field-based assessment rather than by using plot experiments. Although giving valuable information on the rates, frequency and extent of erosion, as well as delivery of sediment out of catchments, the results do not allow rates to be related to individual parameters, so that rates of erosion can be predicted. The results from the monitoring scheme explain why farmers think erosion is of little importance. The rates of erosion in England and Wales are compared with those measured in the field in other countries. Although, within any particular environment, mean and maximum rates cover a wide range of values, mean values generally relate well to climate and soils. Maximum values reflect rainfall intensities and amounts falling in rare storms. A field-based approach such as that described here provides a rapid and realistic way to assess erosion and the results can be validly compared across a wide range of environments. Such a technique can be used to monitor and evaluate soil conservation and development projects or programmes.
