Characteristics of Soil Erodibility K Value and Its Influencing Factors in the Changyan Watershed, Southwest Hubei, China

Xiaofang Huang, Lirong Lin, Shuwen Ding, Zhengchao Tian, Xinyuan Zhu, Keren Wu and Yuanzhe Zhao
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Xiaofang Huang: Department of Ecology, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Lirong Lin: Department of Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Shuwen Ding: Department of Ecology, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Zhengchao Tian: Department of Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Xinyuan Zhu: Department of Ecology, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Keren Wu: Department of Resource and Environmental Information Engineering, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Yuanzhe Zhao: Department of Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Soil erodibility K factor is an important parameter for evaluating soil erosion vulnerability and is required for soil erosion prediction models. It is also necessary for soil and water conservation management. In this study, we investigated the spatial variability characteristics of soil erodibility K factor in a watershed (Changyan watershed with an area of 8.59 km 2 ) of Enshi, southwest of Hubei, China, and evaluated its influencing factors. The soil K values were determined by the EPIC model using the soil survey data across the watershed. Spatial K value prediction was conducted by regression-kriging using geographic data. We also assessed the effects of soil type, land use, and topography on the K value variations. The results showed that soil erodibility K values varied between 0.039–0.052 t·hm 2 ·h/(hm 2 ·MJ·mm) in the watershed with a block-like structure of spatial distribution. The soil erodibility, soil texture, and organic matter content all showed positive spatial autocorrelation. The spatial variability of the K value was related to soil type, land use, and topography. The calcareous soil had the greatest K value on average, followed by the paddy soil, the yellow-brown soil (an alfisol), the purple soil (an inceptisol), and the fluvo-aquic soil (an entisol). The soil K factor showed a negative correlation with the sand content but was positively related to soil silt and clay contents. Forest soils had a greater ability to resist to erosion compared to the cultivated soils. The soil K values increased with increasing slope and showed a decreasing trend with increasing altitude.

Keywords: soil erodibility; EPIC model; spatial variability; watershed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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