RAINFALL EROSIVITY FACTORS FOR SELECTED ISLANDS IN THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

摘要

Soil erosion is a major source of pollution in the tropical islands of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). These islands are small, with limited resources, and are heavily dependent on a high quality marine environment both as a source of food and as an attraction for tourism. To implement soil erosion control practices for these islands requires having quantitative values for the factors that contribute to soil erosion. One of these contributing factors is the rainfall erosivity factor (R). In this study, we developed rainfall erosivity (R) factors for the islands of Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap. Using correlation analysis, long-term 30-minute and 60-minute rainfall data were used to develop storm erosion indices (EI_(30)). From these EI_(30) indexes, the monthly, yearly, and average annual R factors were calculated for each island.