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Potential changes in rainfall erosivity under climate change in southeastern United States
  • Bijoychandra Takhellambam
Bijoychandra Takhellambam
Auburn University

Corresponding Author:bijoychandra2007@gmail.com

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Abstract

Climate change will amplify erosion rates as erosive power of rainfall will likely increase due to change in rainfall characteristics (e.g., energy, intensity, duration as well as frequency). According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment report (IPCC AR4), it is projected that by mid-21st Century, the rainfall across southeastern US will both increase and decrease in intensity, which will substantially affect rainfall erosivity. Few studies have estimated the impact of climate change (e.g., rainfall intensity) on rainfall erosivity across US and around the world. However, previously published erosion indices have discrepancies due to differences in methodologies (e.g., primarily omission of small and low rainfall intensity) adopted in those studies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate change in erosion indices for the period 2030-2059 using the benchmark rainfall indices established for southeastern region of US. Hourly precipitation data were retrieved from NA-CORDEX under Representative concentration pathways (RCP) 8.5. Results on change in erosion indices as a result of climate change will be presented.