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Research Project: Understanding Ecological, Hydrological, and Erosion Processes in the Semiarid Southwest to Improve Watershed Management

Location: Southwest Watershed Research Center

Title: Advances in soil erosion research: mechanism, modeling and applications - A Special Issue in honor of Dr. Mark Nearing

Author
item Polyakov, Viktor
item Baffaut, Claire
item FERRO, V. - University Of Palermo Italy
item Van Pelt, Robert - Scott

Submitted to: International Soil and Water Conservation Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2023
Publication Date: 9/29/2023
Citation: Polyakov, V.O., Baffaut, C., Ferro, V., Van Pelt, R.S. 2023. Advances in soil erosion research: mechanism, modeling and applications - A Special Issue in honor of Dr. Mark Nearing. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. 11(4):589-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2023.08.006.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2023.08.006

Interpretive Summary: This Special Issue is a multidisciplinary publication combining articles focusing on the latest developments in soil erosion research in the following four themes: understanding physical erosion processes; quantifying soil erosion rates in the field; runoff and soil erosion modeling; and climatic trends, ecosystem change, and conservation practices. The issue brought together 14 contributions by a diverse group of researchers from six countries in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Technical Abstract: Long-term sustainability of soils is one of the critical challenges facing humanity. Soil erosion is an intrinsic geomorphological process, which if accelerated can threaten natural ecosystems and agriculture through loss of productivity, sedimentation, and associated pollution. Conservation efforts to mitigate these problems require changes in management practices and large investments. This puts special emphasis on understanding physical processes driving soil erosion, developing techniques for accurate estimation of erosion rates and its on-site and off-site impacts, as well as developing new modeling, prediction, and management tools. This Special Issue was organized to honor Dr. Mark Nearing and his valuable contributions to the study of soil erosion and soil conservation. Mark Nearing received a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering (1986) and an M.S. degree in Soil Science (1984) from Purdue University, and worked as a scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service for 35 years. He studied a broad spectrum of soil erosion and conservation topics, including mechanics of erosion processes, field measurement of erosion rates, development and testing of erosion prediction models, and evaluating the effects of climate change on soil degradation. Dr. Nearing’s most recent work was focused on semi-arid rangeland environments. His vast body of knowledge and research findings is reflected in nearly 300 scientific publications.