@article {Boardman46, author = {John Boardman}, title = {An average soil erosion rate for Europe: Myth or reality?}, volume = {53}, number = {1}, pages = {46--50}, year = {1998}, publisher = {Soil and Water Conservation Society}, abstract = {A recent proposal for an average erosion rate for Europe is challenged. The proposed figure is shown to be derived by a tortuous route from plot experiments in Belgium. The original researcher, A. Bollinne, was careful not to extrapolate his results; subsequent workers have not been so circumspect. Further, the concept of an average rate for any continental-size area{\textemdash}Europe or North America{\textemdash}is unsound, because rates vary vary in time and space. There is also a shortage of reliable data for anything other than small areas. Plot experiments are a poor basis for regional generalization: monitoring schemes are preferred but are uncommon. The proposed average rate has no basis in reality but is already being widely quoted{\textemdash}a myth is perpetuated.}, issn = {0022-4561}, URL = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/53/1/46}, eprint = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/53/1/46.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation} }