Temporal sensitivity analysis of erosivity estimations in a high rainfall tropical island environment

Southern African geomorphology : looking back, moving forward

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

NEL, W.

Dept. of Geography and Environmental Science, Univ. of Fort Hare, Alice, Afrique du Sud

ANDERSON, R.L.

Dept. of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, Univ., Pretoria, Afrique du Sud

SUMNER, P.D.

Dept. of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, Univ., Pretoria, Afrique du Sud

BOOJHAWON, R.

Fac. of Science, Univ. of Mauritius, Reduit, Maurice

RUGHOOPUTH, S.D.D.V.

Fac. of Science, Univ. of Mauritius, Reduit, Maurice

DUNPUTH, B.H.J.

Mauritius Meteorological Services, Vacoas, Maurice

SUMNER, P.D.

Dept. of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, Univ., Pretoria, Afrique du Sud

NEL, W.

Dept. of Geography and Environmental Science, Univ. of Fort Hare, Alice, Afrique du Sud

HOLMES, P.J.

Dept. of Geography, Univ. of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Afrique du Sud

Description :
Using Mauritius as a case study, the value of high-resolution data versus long-term totals in erosivity calculations is investigated. Rainfall data between 2003 and 2008 from automated weather stations at 4 locations ( 2 on the west coast : Albion, Beaux Songes, and 2 in the Central Plateau : Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin) were analyzed. Rainfall erosivity for erosive events was calculated using different set interval data. When the Modified Fournier Index (MFI) was used to determine erosivity through annual and monthly rainfall totals, substantially higher erosivity than the Erosivity Index (EI) method was calculated in both regions. This stems from the large amount of non-erosive rainfall that is generated on Mauritius. The AA. suggest that for the computation of erosivity, rainfall data with the highest possible resolution should be utilised if available and that the application of annual and monthly rainfall totals to assess absolute soil erosion risk within a high rainfall tropical environment must be used with caution.

Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Geografiska annaler. Series A. Physical geography, issn : 0435-3676, 2013, vol. 95, n°. 4, p. 337-343, nombre de pages : 7, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Suede, Stockholm, Svenska sällskapet för antropologi och geografi

Langue :
Anglais