water erosion
Introduction
water erosion or water erosion is a flow of water that carries away rocks, causing land to flatten or its surface to wear away.
Factors that make it up
The segregation, transport and sedimentation of soil particles by raindrops and surface runoff define the process of water erosion. This is affected by several factors, such as climate, soil, vegetation and topography.
Climatic factors play an important role in water erosion, with precipitation being "Precipitation (meteorology)"), both in its intensity and duration, the triggering element of the process. However, the relationship between the characteristics of rainfall, infiltration, runoff and soil loss is very complex.[1].
The erosion caused by the drop of water is the product of the kinetic energy of the water particle on soil particles that break up due to the impact of the rain drops.[2].
Some soil characteristics such as its aggregation, texture, infiltration capacity, among others, affect its erodibility.
Although the influence of vegetation on water erosion varies with the time of year, crop, degree of coverage, root development, etc., we can consider that its effect is directly related to interception, runoff speed and infiltration.
Topography influences the process through slope. Its length, magnitude and shape must be considered.
The process of water erosion
The phenomenon of erosion is defined as a process of wear, transport and deposition of particles of the soil mass.
Sedimentation, the process of deposition of eroded and transported material, sometimes occurs far from the place of origin, and can cause as much or more damage than the erosion itself.[3].
The impact of raindrops and runoff represent the external agents that work to overcome the cohesion of the particles of the soil mass and cause their transport.
Once the infiltration and surface storage capacity is satisfied, runoff begins, dragging loose particles and those that its very force disaggregates.