Soil erosion by water (CLIM 028) - Assessment published Sep 2008

Justification for indicator selection

Climate change will influence soil erosion processes. Excess water due to intense or prolonged precipitation can cause tremendous damage to soil. Sheet-wash, rill and gully development can strip the topsoil from the land, thus effectively destroying the capability of the soil to provide economic or environmental services. Favis-Mortlock and Boardman (1995), using the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) model (Williams and Sharpley, 1989), found that a 7 % increase in precipitation could lead to a 26 % increase in erosion in the United Kingdom. In high mountain regions like the Alps, decreasing permafrost (observed and projected) can lead, for example, to more landslides with substantial impact on infrastructure (roads, railways, cable cars) and economic sectors like tourism.
Many of the soil erosion risk models contain a rainfall erosivity factor and a soil erodibility factor that reflect average-year precipitation conditions. However, currently available values for the rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility factors may inadequately represent low-probability return-period storms and the more frequent and intense storms under projected climate change.
The relationship between climate change and soil erosion is complex and needs to be better defined, investigated and monitored in order to have a clear picture of future trends. Measurements and models with more detailed temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation and impacts on soil erosion or risk of erosion should be developed, as should indicators for assessing appropriate measures.

Scientific references:

•  References Favis-Mortlock, D. T. and Boardman, J., 1995. Nonlinear responses of soil erosion to climate change: a modeling study on the UK South Downs. Catena 25: 365-387. IPCC, 2007a. Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Parry, M.L.; Canziani, O. F; Palutikof, J. P.; van der Linden, P.J. and Hanson, C. E. (eds.), Cambridge University Press,  Cambridge, UK, 7-22. Kirkby, M. J.; Jones, R. J. A.; Irvine, B.; Gobin, A.; Govers,  G.; Cerdan, O.; Van Rompaey, A. J. J.; Le Bissonnais, Y.; Daroussin, J.; King, D.; Montanarella, L.; Grimm, M.; Vieillefont, V.; Puigdefabregas, J.; Boer, M.; Kosmas, C.; Yassoglou, N.; Tsara, M.; Mantel, S.; Van Lynden, G. J. and Huting, J., 2004. Pan-European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment: The PESERA Map, Version 1 October 2003. Explanation of Special Publication Ispra 2004 No. 73 (S.P.I.04.73). European Soil Bureau Research Report No. 16, EUR 21176, 18 pp. and 1 map in ISO B1 format. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. Williams J. R.; Sharpley, A. N., 1989. Productivity Impact Calculator.