2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Development of precision estimation method of rainfall erosivity for better understanding of soil erosion in data-sparse regions
| Project/Area Number |
19K13434
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| Research Institution | Tottori University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | Rainfall intensity / Rainfall erosivity / Satellite rainfall / Soil erosion |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Rainfall erosivity model was developed based on the relation between multi-year average rainfall erosivity compiled from gauge-based measurements and modified Fournier index calculated based on satellite rainfall data.
The mean rate of soil loss by water erosion in Ethiopia was estimated as 16.5 t ha－1 yr－1, with an annual gross soil loss of 1.9 billion t, of which the net soil loss was estimated as ca. 410 million t. About 25% of Ethiopia (28 million ha) has soil loss rates > 10 t ha－1 yr－1, which is higher than the tolerable soil loss limits estimated for Ethiopia. Implementation of land-cover- and agroecology-specific land management practices in areas where soil loss rate >10 t ha－1 yr－1 could reduce the mean soil loss rate by 68%.
A proxy measure was developed to estimate the cost of land degradation in the sub-Saharan Africa. The estimated total ecosystem services loss due to land degradation was US$56 billion year－1.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
So far, the research activity is progressing rather smoothly as I was able to collect rainfall data before the rainy season of 2019 and also purchased the daily rainfall data which is necessary for evaluation of satellite rainfall estimates.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Future research activities include:
1. Install additional monitoring stations and maintain existing ones.
2. Continue analysis of rainfall erosivity by integrating improved satellite rainfall estimates and erosivity models.
3. Present research findings in international conferences.
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| Causes of Carryover |
One of the reasons to carry over some of the FY2020 budget to the next fiscal year was that travel expenses to study site and conference presentation were canceled because of travel restrictions following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The budget usage plan for FY2021 including the carried-over budget is to cover travel expenses to study site and conference presentation as well
as to purchase additional instruments for the research purpose.
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