After reading this article you will learn about the hydrologic cycle and its components. Runoff, a potential carrier of nutrients and sediment to streams and lakes is best described in the science of hydrology. Two basic physical principles governing the amount and distribution of water on the earth are those of mass conservation and energy conservation. These principles, along with [...]
Factors affecting runoff may be divided into those associated with the precipitation, and the watershed characteristics. Factor # 1. Precipitation: Since by far the largest portion of precipitation occurs as rain, and the rainfall directly affects soil erosion, the characteristics of rainstorm and intensity, duration and frequency of rainfall are of interest in describing the runoff. (a) Characteristics of Rainstorm: [...]
Wind erosion is mainly a surface phenomenon and is influenced directly by wind velocity in various strata near the ground through which soil particles rise in saltation. Therefore, a brief discussion about wind structure near the ground would be necessary for understanding the mechanics of soil movement by wind. Wind Structure Near the Ground: The erosion causing wind is always [...]