Incorporating biological soil crusts into the B factor to enhance the accuracy of soil erosion models in drylands
Data files
Nov 20, 2025 version files 32.30 KB
Abstract
Accurately predicting soil loss is crucial for the ecological environment protection in drylands. Biological soil crust (biocrust), which is widespread surface coverings in dryland ecosystems, can significantly reduce soil loss on slopes. However, the existing soil erosion models often inadequately account for the effect of biocrust, which may lead to overestimation of soil loss in areas covered by biocrust. Accordingly, we analyzed the relationship between the soil loss ratio (SLR) and biocrust coverage through the soil loss data from 18 simulated rainfall experiments. Subsequently, we incorporated the biocrust factor into the B factor of the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE). In addition, we used the soil loss data from six-year natural rainfall to investigate the relationship between soil loss and biocrust coverage under natural rainfall conditions and verified the revised CSLE model. The results showed that soil loss decreased with the increase in biocrust coverage under natural rainfall conditions, and the degree of decrement was related to the effective rainfall. There was a significant negative exponential function relationship between the SLR and biocrust coverage. Based on this, the BBSC was developed as a sub-factor of the B factor in the CSLE, with the formula BBSC = 0.8417e-0.0688C (R² = 0.880, P < 0.01). Compared with the classic CSLE, the prediction accuracy of the revised CSLE was significantly enhanced. This study verified the importance and practicality of revising the erosion model so as to consider the effect of biocrust on soil loss and provided valuable reference for the revision of erosion models in drylands covered by biocrust, such as the Loess Plateau in China.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tdz08kq8k
Description of the data and file structure
We observed the soil erosion process influenced by biological soil crusts. Through simulated rainfall experiments with biological soil crusts of different coverage, we revised the CSLE model. Moreover, based on a six - year natural rainfall monitoring experiment, we verified the revised model. The results prove the feasibility of our revision method and the reliability of the revised model.
The data are derived from two types of rainfall experiments.
- In the simulated rainfall experiment, the rainfall intensity was 90 mm/h and the duration was 1 h. The plot size was 10 m × 2.1 m. The experimental treatments were biological soil crusts with different coverage rates.
- The natural rainfall experiment included six - year soil loss data. The plot size was 6 m × 3 m. The surface treatments were biological soil crusts and vascular plants with different coverage rates.
Files and variables
File: Effect_of_biocrust_coverage_on_soil_loss_and_model_revision.xlsx
Description:
We analyzed the relationship between soil loss and biological soil crust coverage under different rainfall and surface cover conditions, as well as the prediction results of soil loss by the revised model and the classical model. Specifically, Result-1 shows the relationship between the coverage of biological soil crusts and the amount of soil loss under simulated rainfall conditions; Result-2 presents the relationship between the coverage of biological soil crusts and the amount of soil loss under natural rainfall conditions in different years; Result-3 reveals the relationship between the coverage of biological soil crusts and the amount of soil loss when biological soil crusts and vascular plants co - exist; Result-4 depicts the relationship between the coverage of biological soil crusts and the soil loss ratio; Result-5 shows the measured values of soil loss on slopes covered with biological soil crusts of different coverage rates after the first revision, as well as the simulated values before and after the revision; Result-6 presents the measured values of soil loss on slopes covered with biological soil crusts of different coverage rates after the second revision, along with the simulated values before and after the revision.
Variables
Name: Results-1. Under simulated rainfall conditions, the soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages.
- Bare soil (g·m-2): The average soil loss amount of plots without biocrust cover.
- 15% biocrust coverage（g·m-2）: The average soil loss amount of the plots with a biocrust coverage of 15%.
- 30% biocrust coverage（g·m-2）: The average soil loss amount of the plots with a biocrust coverage of 30%.
- 45% biocrust coverage（g·m-2）: The average soil loss amount of the plots with a biocrust coverage of 45%.
- 60% biocrust coverage（g·m-2）: The average soil loss amount of the plots with a biocrust coverage of 60%.
- 75% biocrust coverage（g·m-2）: The average soil loss amount of the plots with a biocrust coverage of 75%.
Name: Results-2. Under natural rainfall conditions, the soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages in different years.
- 2021: The soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages in 2021.
- 2022: The soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages in 2022.
- biocrust coverage (%): The average coverage of biocrusts.
- Sediment yield rate (g·m-2·a-1): The average sediment yield per unit area per unit time.
Name: Results-3. Under natural rainfall conditions, the sediment yield of biocrusts with different coverages.
- biocrust coverage (%): The average coverage of biocrusts.
- Sediment yield rate (g·m-2·a-1): The average sediment yield per unit area per unit time.
Name: Results-4. The soil loss ratios of biocrusts with different coverages.
- SLR: Soil loss ratios.
Name: Results-5. The effect after the initial model revision.
- Measured values (t·hm-2·a-1): The measured soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages.
- Unrevised simulated values (t·hm-2·a-1): The simulated values of sediment yield of biocrusts with different coverages by the unrevised model.
- Revised simulated values (t·hm-2·a-1): The simulated values of sediment yield of biocrusts with different coverages by the revised model.
Name: Results-6. The effect of the model after the second revision.
- Measured values (t·hm-2·a-1): The measured soil loss amounts of biocrusts with different coverages.
- Unrevised simulated values (t·hm-2·a-1): The simulated values of sediment yield of biocrusts with different coverages by the unrevised model.
- Revised simulated values (t·hm-2·a-1): The simulated values of sediment yield of biocrusts with different coverages by the revised model.