| Description |
Soil erosion by water is one of the most widespread forms of soil degradation in Europe. The indicator soil erosion estimates the soil loss by water erosion processes (rain splash, sheetwash and rills) for different land cover types which are based on the Corine Land Cover nomenclature: Agricultural areas and natural grassland, split in the latter two land cover types: i) Agricultural areas excluding pastures ii) Pastures and natural grassland The figures of the affected area are represented in tonnes per hectares per year. The erosion rate comprises the whole estimated erosion > 0 tonnes/hectare/year. The affected area considers only potentially erosive-prone land, meaning that artificial, sandy, rocky and icy surfaces as well as wetlands and water bodies are not included in the area on which the indicator is based. Data on soil erosion are published under agreement with the data provider - Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC - ISPRA). These data represent the soil erosion rates by water estimated on the basis of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) empirical computer model. Reference metadata: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/aei_pr_soiler_esms.htm Soil erosion (by water and wind) can be defined as the wearing away of the land surface by physical forces such as rainfall, flowing water, wind, ice, temperature change, gravity or other natural or anthropogenic agents that abrade, detach and remove soil or geological material from one point on the earth's surface to be deposited elsewhere. When used in the context of pressures on soil, erosion refers to accelerated loss of soil as a result of anthropogenic activity, in excess of accepted rates of natural soil formation. The main factors affecting the rates of soil erosion by water are precipitation, soil type, topography, land use and land management. [...] |