Global erosion and suspended sediment runoff of the Earth

Abstract

Solid runoff (estimated by annual specific discharge) is considered to be one of most unbiassed way to erosion rate evaluation. After the specific discharge value calculated for largest rivers, all the landscape zones are subdivided into 5 groups differing in the erosion rate. The latter is mainly controlled by degree of cultivation and by liquid runoff. Zonal and azonal factors impact on the erosion rate is discussed.

Two models of erosion processes are developed: natural and natural-anthropogenous; the choice of a model depends on prevalence of channel (fluvial) or areal (sheet and gully wash) erosion.