Seasonal variation in soil erodibility, illustrated using sand-based sitesin western Anatolia

Investigations of soil erodibility (K-factors of the Universal Soil Loss Eq uation) and its seasonal dependence were performed using artificial rainfal l on selected sites with sandy soil in Western Anatolia. Comparisons betwee n summer and winter trials showed considerable differences with respect to measurements of surface runoff, sediment content and soil loss. From the factor complex responsible for these observations, mainly the infl uence of soil moisture (as level of soil moisture before the start of each experiment, and also from the point of view that depending on seasons typic al soil moisture conditions exist) on surface runoff and on aggregate stabi lity was debated. The examples of our predominantly sandy soils demonstrated that an accurate description of their erodibility should not overlook a consideration of th e seasonality of K-factors.