3
Future potential changes in rainfall erosivity can be projected using the precipitation data obtained from general climate models (GCMs) under different greenhouse
gas emission scenarios that follow the various Representative Concentration
Pathways (RCPs) of CMIP5. More than 50 GCMs are currently available for environmental studies (Panagos et al. 2017a). The use of GCMs has indicated that the
changes in precipitation patterns impact soil erosion in several ways, as well as the
changes in rainfall erosivity (Plangoen et al. 2013). Several scholars have separately
studied the changes in erosivity (Almagro et al. 2017) and also conducted combined
studies on erosivity and soil erosion (Amanambu et al. 2019; Teng et al. 2018) in
different parts of the globe using GCMs. The changes in rainfall erosivity were
directly related to the impact of climate change on soil erosion (Nearing 2001), as
the levels of erosivity are expected to change in response to climate change
(Amanambu et al. 2019).
1.3 Soil Erosion Processes and Models
Soil is a fragile resource that requires time to recover. Without soil, agricultural
production is inconceivable, and the improvement of the well-being of the people is
impossible (Mamytov and Roychenko 1961). Soils are subject to water erosion,
which leads to their degradation (Riquetti et al. 2020). Today, soil erosion is one of
the most severe environmental problems that the world is facing. Soil erosion by
water is by far the most important type of soil erosion, which affects ~125 million
km
2
of land surface worldwide (Borrelli et al. 2017). Among the continents, Asia
ranks third in terms of the severity of soil erosion (Borrelli et al. 2017). However,
with the changing climate, the problem of soil erosion could be exacerbated and
must be addressed.
Soil erosion is the combination of natural and anthropogenic processes that cause
changes in soil functions in the geosystem; quantitative and qualitative degradation
of soil composition, properties, and regimes; and decline in the natural and economic significance of lands (Khitrov et al. 2007). Soil degradation also causes huge
economic damage, disrupts the ecological balance, and worsens the social conditions of the people’s lives (Dobrovolsky 2002). The scientifically grounded and
rational use of lands largely depends on the correct identification and establishment
of the degree or category of erosion of the soil cover and accurate accounting for
their correct nomenclature and classification.
Land degradation is a global environmental crisis that is threatening agricultural
areas at an alarming rate. Global communities are mostly aware of this crisis, along
with energy crisis and global warming, as it directly impacts the production of food
for people. Land degradation occurs when natural or human-made processes reduce
the ability of the earth to support crops, livestock, and organisms. The soil is the
earth’s fragile skin, without which life on earth will be unsustainable (Pimentel 2006).
Agriculture is the leading economic resource in Central Asia. It accounts for
10–45% of its gross domestic product (GDP), which employs between 20 and 50%
1.3 Soil Erosion Processes and Models
Future potential changes in rainfall erosivity can be projected using the precipitation data obtained from general climate models (GCMs) under different greenhouse
gas emission scenarios that follow the various Representative Concentration
Pathways (RCPs) of CMIP5. More than 50 GCMs are currently available for environmental studies (Panagos et al. 2017a). The use of GCMs has indicated that the
changes in precipitation patterns impact soil erosion in several ways, as well as the
changes in rainfall erosivity (Plangoen et al. 2013). Several scholars have separately
studied the changes in erosivity (Almagro et al. 2017) and also conducted combined
studies on erosivity and soil erosion (Amanambu et al. 2019; Teng et al. 2018) in
different parts of the globe using GCMs. The changes in rainfall erosivity were
directly related to the impact of climate change on soil erosion (Nearing 2001), as
the levels of erosivity are expected to change in response to climate change
(Amanambu et al. 2019).
1.3 Soil Erosion Processes and Models
Soil is a fragile resource that requires time to recover. Without soil, agricultural
production is inconceivable, and the improvement of the well-being of the people is
impossible (Mamytov and Roychenko 1961). Soils are subject to water erosion,
which leads to their degradation (Riquetti et al. 2020). Today, soil erosion is one of
the most severe environmental problems that the world is facing. Soil erosion by
water is by far the most important type of soil erosion, which affects ~125 million
km
2
of land surface worldwide (Borrelli et al. 2017). Among the continents, Asia
ranks third in terms of the severity of soil erosion (Borrelli et al. 2017). However,
with the changing climate, the problem of soil erosion could be exacerbated and
must be addressed.
Soil erosion is the combination of natural and anthropogenic processes that cause
changes in soil functions in the geosystem; quantitative and qualitative degradation
of soil composition, properties, and regimes; and decline in the natural and economic significance of lands (Khitrov et al. 2007). Soil degradation also causes huge
economic damage, disrupts the ecological balance, and worsens the social conditions of the people’s lives (Dobrovolsky 2002). The scientifically grounded and
rational use of lands largely depends on the correct identification and establishment
of the degree or category of erosion of the soil cover and accurate accounting for
their correct nomenclature and classification.
Land degradation is a global environmental crisis that is threatening agricultural
areas at an alarming rate. Global communities are mostly aware of this crisis, along
with energy crisis and global warming, as it directly impacts the production of food
for people. Land degradation occurs when natural or human-made processes reduce
the ability of the earth to support crops, livestock, and organisms. The soil is the
earth’s fragile skin, without which life on earth will be unsustainable (Pimentel 2006).
Agriculture is the leading economic resource in Central Asia. It accounts for
10–45% of its gross domestic product (GDP), which employs between 20 and 50%
1.3 Soil Erosion Processes and Models