Soil erosion models that have been found superior in literature, sometimes becomes inferior, if experiment is based steep slopes (>12%).
In natural conditions, sometimes it become very difficult to choose the model which is superior than the others in terms of data requirement and performance.
I uploaded a couple of studies that might be of interest in my list on Researchgate. Hazel Pistol Erosion Plot Study and Sediment from a Small Ephemeral Gully. In the latter study, I used the methods described by Dissmeyer reference, but on small gully catchment. I have used the cloth filter fence methods on both hill slopes and the small catchments. In most cases, the hillslopes did not produce enough sediment to effectively measure the sediment loss. One might add a separate layer of sediment cloth to capture the sediment and physically remove it for weighing. In areas with substantial hillslope erosion, you might try ground based LiDAR to help measure the surface adjustments through time.
We suggest to combine qulitative methode and quantitative approach.
Geomorphologic mapping using GIS And DEM, image high resolution like geoey image, hydrologic models assessment of soil erosion applied to small watershed.
I am versed primarily in the RUSLE model for not necessarily accuracy but to use to help compare land use and activity practices and treatment options for projects and land management plans. WEPP is more accurate, but has more data demands when I was interested. By now, WEPP may have more user friendly interfaces that could prove helpful, and it’s interface with LiDAR might produce improved water and sediment routing results with less ground based detail.
In natural conditions, such as forest lands, the soils tend to be more resilient due to organic accumulation, root networks contributing macropores. When using the models such as RUSLE, providing the appropriate cover and practices factors can make a big difference. Since the USLE was developed primarily on agricultural lands, that might need consideration if evaluating undisturbed ForestS, which often have very low natural erosion rates unless recently disturbed by severe wildfire, etc.
Thank you Dr. William F. Hansen for this information. I really appreciate this methodologies. Could I get a reference paper or anything which could help me to understand cloth filter fencing.
So, I haven't actually done this kind of work, so can offer no helpful advice in its execution. However, using Structure from Motion photogrammetry might offer a way forward for you. This a technique by which you can create small scale DEMs and do DEM differencing to determine movement/change in a landscape. The software and hardware you need has become much more affordable and accessible over the last 5 years or so. You can collect the photos with handheld cameras or drones. A nice overview of the approach is found in the attached paper. Good luck!
My suggestion is to measure it in the field and then use that info to calibrate and validate your model. You might underestimate this suggestion, but a calibrated and validated model (independently of its nature) is a very valuable tool for soil erosion assessment.
In my personal experience, I was able to achieve a very good model performance in steep burned slopes with Morgan-Morgan-Finney, but both PESERA and RUSLE presented good efficiency indicators too. I have attached a paper in which I apply all of them
( Article Predicting the effectiveness of different mulching technique...
) if you would like to know more about it just let me know.
There are many different field and laboratory-based methods available to researchers for measuring or quantifying soil erosion rates. I would recommend you to utilize Landscape evolution models (LEMs) such as CHILD and SIBERIA that is capable of predicting both erosion and deposition at the hillslope and catchment scale efficiently and accurately. LEMs are the next generation of models that can provide information on both erosion and deposition both at the hillslope and catchment scale.
For more details you can refer to our recent paper:
Article The Role of Landscape Morphology on Soil Moisture Variabilit...
If you are more interested in this then please let me know I would be happy to discuss it with you.
There are also some isotope-based (cesium-137 and beryllium-10) methods for measuring or quantifying soil erosion rates. These methods are capable of detecting short-term erosion rates on hillslopes. I have attached a related paper.