Golosov et al. (2026) Field Verification of Erosion Models Based on Studies of Five Small Catchments on the Central Russian Upland

Identification

• Journal: Eurasian Soil Science
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-30
• Authors: V. N. Golosov, A. P. Zhidkin
• DOI: 10.1134/s1064229325602951

Research Groups

• Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
• Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, Moscow, Russia

Short Summary

This study verified the WaTEM/SEDEM (for rainfall runoff) and a modified State Hydrological Institute (SHI) model (for snowmelt runoff) against field assessments using soil truncation and radiocesium methods across five small arable catchments on the Central Russian Upland. It found good agreement for average long-term soil erosion rates but identified significant discrepancies in sediment redeposition estimates, particularly in uncultivated areas.

Objective

• To verify the accuracy of WaTEM/SEDEM (for rainfall runoff) and a modified SHI model (for snowmelt runoff) in calculating soil erosion rates and sediment redistribution against field-based estimates (soil truncation and radiocesium methods) across five small arable catchments on the Central Russian Upland.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Five small arable catchments (88–98% arable land) located in different parts of the Central Russian Upland. Catchment areas vary, with slope lengths ranging from 250 m to 700 m.
• Temporal Scale: Field assessments covered long periods: 170 to 270 years for the soil truncation method (entire period of cultivation) and approximately 35-40 years (since May 1986, post-Chernobyl period) for the radiocesium method. Model calculations provided average annual estimates.

Methodology and Data

• Models used:
  • WaTEM/SEDEM (for rainfall runoff)
  • Modified version of the State Hydrological Institute (SHI) model (for snowmelt runoff)
• Data sources:
  • Field methods: Soil Truncation (ST) method, Radiocesium (137Cs) method.
  • Input for models: Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), soil property data (organic matter content, particle size distribution), Global Rainfall Erosivity database (R-factor), meteorological observations (annual precipitation, snow water storage).
  • Historical data: General Land Survey plans, historical materials (for plowing duration), satellite images.
  • Soil surveys: Auger and soil pits at 417 survey points.

Main Results

• A good agreement was found between modeled and measured average long-term soil erosion rates, with deviations ranging from 3% to 22%, comparable to field method accuracy.
• The modeled proportion of sediment redeposition within arable land (average 26%) was close to the average field estimate (20%) across all catchments (excluding one outlier), but showed significant discrepancies for individual catchments (e.g., 16% modeled vs 46% field for Khvoshchin Log; 41% modeled vs 8% field for Prostornoe).
• Estimates of sediment redeposition on uncultivated slopes and in dry valley bottoms by WaTEM/SEDEM were considered semi-quantitative, often exceeding field estimates by a factor of 1.2–4.7.
• The spatial location of sediment accumulation areas within arable land and on grassed areas was reproduced with errors by WaTEM/SEDEM.
• Snowmelt runoff contributed a minor share (6–8%) to total soil losses.
• Model accuracy was higher for catchments with steep arable slopes and clearly defined, short hollows (Petrovka, Spokoevka, Khvoshchin Log) compared to those with flatter relief (Prostornoe, Lomovets).
• A significant limitation of the models is the absence of a block for calculating soil losses from ephemeral gullies, which can contribute over 60% of total water erosion losses in hollows.

Contributions

• This study provides pioneering large-scale verification of WaTEM/SEDEM and a modified SHI erosion model in Russia, addressing a significant research gap.
• It offers a comprehensive, multi-method assessment of model reliability and limitations for various erosion-accumulation processes under the specific conditions of the Central Russian Upland.
• The research quantifies the uncertainties associated with both modeling and field methods, highlighting the importance of factors like DEM resolution, ephemeral gully erosion, and vegetation parameters for accurate predictions.
• It contributes valuable insights for the application of erosion models in agricultural regions with complex topography and varying land use histories.

Funding

• Russian Science Foundation, project no. 22-17-00071-П

Citation

@article{Golosov2026Field,
  author = {Golosov, V. N. and Zhidkin, A. P.},
  title = {Field Verification of Erosion Models Based on Studies of Five Small Catchments on the Central Russian Upland},
  journal = {Eurasian Soil Science},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1134/s1064229325602951},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1134/s1064229325602951}
}