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.