Validating the Kinematic Wave Approach for Rapid Soil Erosion Assessment and Improved BMP Site Selection to Enhance Training Land Sustainability

摘要

The rapid gully erosion prediction model, nLS+, was calibrated and validated at several military installations to identify areas of erosion potential and optimal locations for siting erosion-preventing best management practices. The model is operated using a geographic information system with input data from commonly available landcover datasets and digital elevation models. The computed model output is a unitless estimate of the energy of surface runoff water with the relationship between actual gully locations and accumulated energy then used to make predictions. Data acquisition and preparation times are minimal compared to existing watershed erosion models. While the nLS+ model can be effective in identifying the location of existing gullies, it can also be operated in a forecasting mode to assess the impact of future or planned military training exercises on the formation of new gullies. Using this approach, land managers can quickly evaluate gully potential across their training areas while saving significant time normally spent on ground and air surveys.