Publication: Erosión y desertificación.-Characteristics and distribution of soil piping erosion in loess-derived soils of Belgium
Authors
Verachtert, Els ; Van Den Eeckhaut, Miet ; Poesen, Jean ; Deckers, Seppe
item.page.secondaryauthor
Universidad de Murcia
item.page.director
Publisher
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/other
Description
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Subsurface erosion (piping, tunnel erosion) in non-karstic landscapes has been considered
of little importance compared to sheet and gully erosion for a long time. Although the basic
factors responsible for piping in certain environments are well understood, there is still
uncertainty about the topographic and soil properties inducing subsurface pipe development
in loess-derived soils under temperate climate. Therefore, this research aims at
understanding the factors controlling the occurrence of piping erosion in the loess-derived
soils of the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium). Analysis of orthophotos as well as field surveys
were conducted to detect the sites with piping in the study area. Enquiries among farmers
and technical services were carried out. In total, 114 sites (parcels) with 301 collapsed soil
pipes were found in a 179 km² study area. For each site with piping, data was collected on
possible controlling factors: topographic parameters, land use, lithology and soil type. Land
use plays an important role as 94% of the sites with piping are found under pasture.
Furthermore, the probability of piping increases rapidly on slopes with gradients exceeding
8%. The areas with the Aalbeke Member, a relatively thin layer of homogenous blue massive
clays, under the shallow loess cover are most prone to piping. Over 28% of the sites with
piping are located on this lithologic layer, while this layer covers only 8% of the study area.
The rest of the sites with piping are located on two lithologic layers containing clay as well as
silt and sand.
publication.page.subject
Citation
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Este ítem está sujeto a una licencia Creative Commons. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/