The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm-scale forcing. Using a high-resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40-km-long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection-permitting numerical weather model for storm-scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub-cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub-cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm-scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return-period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.

The evaluation of erosion risk in dry areas is challenging because erosion is often an outcome of individual rainstorms and is highly dependent on rainfall spatiotemporal patterns and on local land-use and topography. This study integrates a hybrid erosion model with rainfall data from high-resolution weather radar to simulate soil erosion during 22 high-intensity flash-flood generating rainstorms in a Mediterranean watershed (69 km2). We examine erosion over individual hillslopes and their spatial average over the watershed, representing intra-watershed and watershed-scale erosion, respectively. Our objectives are to: (a) determine how intra-watershed erosion corresponds to various physiographic factors (rainfall, land-use, topography); (b) determine which of these factors contributes to intra-watershed erosion the most; (c) quantify the effect of temporal variations in rainfall intensities on storm-scale erosion in relation to land-use type. We use for the first time a hybrid erosion model (K2-RHEM-DWEPP) based on the watershed-scale KINEROS2 model, that integrates the hillslope-scale Dynamic WEPP (DWEPP) and RHEM models, which were individually developed to represent erosion processes in croplands and rangelands, respectively. Watershed-scale storm erosion is best correlated with spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensities (R2 = 0.58), and the correlation decreases for longer durations (R2 ≤ 0.54). When the spatially-averaged 10-minutes maximum intensity is multiplied by the area that contributes sediment, a better correlation with watershed-scale erosion is observed (R2 = 0.75). Hillslope erosion rates are higher when both rainfall intensities and topographic slopes are high, while land-use has a second-order effect. Higher storms maximal intensities result in higher hillslope erosion rates, especially over croplands. Our conclusions are useful to target locations for conservation practices and to better understand the effects of climate change on soil erosion.