HYDROPHYSICAL CONCEPT OF SOIL-EROSION

A large number of various empirical correlation and theoretical models have been suggested to describe the dependence between soil loss and basic erosion factors. No one of them, however, can explain the entire spectrum of numerous (and at times contradictory) experimental and fi eld data. A hydrophysical concept of soil erosion and sediment transpo rt suggested by the authors is based on three postulates. The corollar ies from these postulates can explain the whole diversity of data obta ined earlier. The correctness of the postulates is also confirmed by s pecially designed experiments. The suggested concept can be used for p hysical validation of the models of erosion and sediment transport by hillslope water flows.