Evaluation and application of a portable rainfall simulator on subalpine grassland

Experiments in Earth surface process research

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

SCHINDLER WILDHABER, Y.

Inst. of Environmental geosciences, Univ., Basel, Suisse

BÄNNINGER, D.

Inst. of Environmental geosciences, Univ., Basel, Suisse

BURRI, K.

Swiss Federal Inst. for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Suisse

ALEWELL, C.

Inst. of Environmental geosciences, Univ., Basel, Suisse

Description :
One goal of this study was to assess the suitability of a novel field hybrid rainfall simulator (FH simulator) that combines characteristics of a spray nozzle and a drop former rain simulator (DF) for erosion research. Two soils with different textures were irrigated. A second goal of this study was to quantify the influence of vegetation and soil structure stability on soil erosion and runoff in a subalpine grassland area. The kinetic energy, drop size, triggered runoff and sediment yield of both rain simulators were comparable, but kinetic energy and drop size differed for both simulators from natural rain. The results demonstrate that vegetation cover plays a crucial role in alpine soils for soil structure stability and erosion.

Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2012, vol. 91, p. 56-62, nombre de pages : 7, Références bibliographiques : 52 ref.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais