Soil erosion is widely acknowledged as a global problem but attempts to measure and estimate its significance are frustrated by our inability to develop reliable, cheap and easy methods of assessment. The limitations of qualitative methods such as GLASOD, errors and inaccuracies inherent in modelling based on small-scale plot experiments, and problems with 137Cs approaches, mean that alternative strategies are required. For runoff-related erosion on arable land we propose the use of a well-tried estimation technique: volumetric measurement of rills, gullies and fans. Amounts of wash and interrill erosion can also be estimated. This approach allows for the estimation of erosion rates at the field scale, rather than relying on extrapolations from plot-based data. Measurements are based on sampling the population of rills and gullies and can be adapted to the aims of the project for ‘broad-brush’ or detailed data. Monitoring of large areas to produce regional assessments of erosion risk is frequently required and volumetric estimates provide these data. Thus predictions of the extent, frequency and amounts of erosion can be made and the vulnerability of particular crops becomes clear.

中文翻译：

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田间径流土壤侵蚀的测量、估计和监测：特别参考英国的挑战和可能性

土壤侵蚀被广泛认为是一个全球性问题，但由于我们无法开发可靠、廉价和简单的评估方法，试图衡量和估计其重要性的努力受挫。GLASOD 等定性方法的局限性、基于小规模绘图实验的建模固有的错误和不准确性以及 137Cs 方法的问题，意味着需要替代策略。对于耕地与径流相关的侵蚀，我们建议使用一种久经考验的估算技术：小溪、沟壑和风扇的体积测量。还可以估计冲刷和间沟侵蚀量。这种方法允许在现场规模上估计侵蚀率，而不是依赖于基于地块的数据的推断。测量基于对小溪和沟壑的总体抽样，并且可以根据“粗略”或详细数据的项目目标进行调整。经常需要对大面积进行监测以产生侵蚀风险的区域评估，并且体积估计提供这些数据。因此，可以预测侵蚀的程度、频率和数量，并使特定作物的脆弱性变得清晰。