PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - John Boardman
TI  - An average soil erosion rate for Europe: Myth or reality?
DP  - 1998 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 46--50
VI  - 53
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/53/1/46.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/53/1/46.full
AB  - 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—Europe or North America—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—a myth is perpetuated.