Surface sealing as influenced by slope angle and position of simulated stones in the top layer of loose sediments

The influence of five different slope angles and two different positions of simulated stones in the top layer of a sandy and a silty sediment on surface sealing intensity is examined in the laboratory. Sealing intensity is assessed by studying changes of percolation rate through a sediment layer with simulated rainfall duration and by measuring cohesion of the 5 mm thick upper sediment layer, a measure of seal strength, by means of a torvane. Slope has a negative influence on sealing intensity. For a constant per cent of simulated stone cover, sealing intensity is lowest in the case of stones placed on the sediment surface compared to the case of stones pushed into the surface layer. Explanations for these findings are given and some implications are further discussed.     

Overland flow generation and continuity on stone-covered soil surfaces

The influence of stone cover on the generation and continuity of overland flow is a function of several variables, primarily stone size, distance (spacing) between stones, and stone position (on top of the soil surface or partially embedded). The initial hypothesis of the present study were that stone size affects overland flow generation by inducing ‘concentration overland flow’ and that the distance between stones affects overland flow continuity. With respect to stone size and distance between stones, opposing results have been found in the literature. Accordingly, the present paper reports on laboratory experiments which were conducted to investigate, systematically, the effect on overland flow of stone size, distance between stones, and stone position. The main conclusions were:

• 1 Stone cover tended to induce overland flow, relative to bare soil. Small stones, however, especially in a low-cover percentage setting, and when resting on top of the soil surface, produced less overland flow than bare soil.
• 2 Overland flow was positively related to stone size, but inversely related to distance between stones.
• 3 Overland flow yield was always greater when stones were embedded than when on top of the soil surface.
• 4 The effect of stone size on increasing the degree of overland flow was of greater significance than the effect of the distance between stones on reducing overland flow.

     

Stone movement through snow creep, 1963–75 mount twynam,snowy mountains,Australia

On the backwall of Twynam East Cirque selected stones moving through snow creep were marked and their movements from 1963 to 1975 measured. Their annual movements varied markedly between 1963 and 1970 but thereafter little. The percentage of stones failing to move varied reciprocally with snow thickness over a snow course in a comparable site near Spencers Creek. The annual mean movement, ranging from 7·6 to 36·3 cm, correlated strongly with Spencers Creek snow thickness. Frequent occurrence of annual movements of intermediate value characterise the process. Snow surface maps with 2m contours for 1964, 1974 and 1975 permitted determination of snow slope at the stone positions and of snow thickness by subtraction of ground heights. A 2 m contour ground surface map was also the basis for hillslope angles at stone positions. Basal area and area transverse to snow movement were calculated from measurements of the three principal axes of the stones. The vertical angles and directions of their abrasion tracks were measured. Rank correlation of stone movements with hillslope and snow slope was usually not significant but with track angle was so in most years. Track angle and direction are controlled partly by hillslope and partly by local rock geometry. Movements correlated inversely with stone basal area on which frictional drag depends. Correlation with stone transverse area was weak and inverse; this may be due to snow tending to move round larger stones. In most years there was significant correlation with snow thickness and basal stress (calculated from snow thickness and snow slope). However, the amount of ‘explanation’ associated with all the independent variables was small and the experiments revealed an importance of surface roughness at various scales in controlling stone movement which was much greater than expected from direct observation.     

Clast exposure on boulder-covered desert slopes

Variation in the degree of clast exposure on stony desert slopes is examined in an area of northeast Jordan. Geological influences on the characteristics of stone mantles are modified by relative slope position. Observations that the nature of the surface stone cover changes downslope because of the transport and accumulation of the underlying substrate are confirmed by quantitative analysis. An elliptic function is described as a means of estimating relative clast exposure from simple field measurements of clast dimensions. There are no significant differences in mean clast exposure between the four main basalt lithologies of the study area, but a distinctive pattern of clast exposure catenas can be identified. Convex slopes maintain relatively high levels of clast exposure from crest to toe. About two-thirds of the variation in clast exposure is accounted for by lithology and four slope variables: relative relief, slope length, gradient and curvature. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alignment of stone‐pavement clasts by unconcentrated overland flow – implications of numerical and physical modelling

The crucial role of stone pavements in arid environments for aeolian or alluvial processes and as numerical dating tools is increasingly acknowledged. This role is based on the assumption that stone pavements are stable landforms, formed gradually over time and predominantly by vertical processes. However, this is challenged by evidence of stone‐pavement clast reworking or burial. Bimodal, mostly slope aspect‐symmetrical clast orientation is a frequent phenomenon in various study areas. It implies that stone pavements may be influenced by unidirectional lateral processes besides vertical ones. Here, the finding of lateral processes contributing to stone‐pavement evolution is supported by numerical modelling and physical experiments. These unequivocally show that unconcentrated overland flow can transport clasts to form a closely packed stone mosaic with characteristics similar to those of natural stone pavements. The commonly observed length‐axes orientation angle of 40 ± 14° for natural stone‐pavement clasts is consistently reproduced by angle‐dependent force equilibrium. Monte Carlo runs confirm the natural scatter and allow characterization of the control parameters of clast orientation. The model explains up to 70% of the natural variance. It is further validated by flume experiments, which confirm model predictions of single object orientation angles. Experiments with multiple objects yield artificial stone pavements with properties similar to those found in the field. The unidirectional lateral process acting on natural stone pavements requires the presence of a vesicular horizon. This underlines the tight genetic coupling of this common epipedon feature and the clast cover. The presented findings highlight the role of stone pavements as process and environment proxies. However, stone pavements represent information since the last surface disturbance only. This has to be considered when using them as age indicators. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laboratory frost sorting by needle ice: a pilot experiment on the effects of stone size and extent of surface stone cover

Sorted patterned ground is ubiquitous where gravelly fine soil experiences freeze–thaw cycles, but experimental studies have rarely been successful in reproducing such patterns. This article reports an attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns by repeating needle‐ice formation, which simulates frost sorting in regions dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Six full‐scale laboratory models were tested. They consisted of near‐saturated volcanic fine soil topped by small stones of uniform size; the models explored a range of stone size (~6, ~12, ~17 and ~22 mm) and surface abundance (20, 40 and 60% cover). The stones were placed in a grid on the surface. These models were subjected to 20–30 temperature excursions between 10 °C and ?5 °C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns were visually traced by photogrammetry. A data logging system continuously monitored vertical soil displacements, soil temperatures and moistures at different depths. All experimental runs displayed needle‐ice formation (2–3 cm in height) and resulting displacement of stones. The soil domains tended to heave faster and higher than the stones, leading to outward movement of the former and concentration of the stones. In plan view, smaller stones showed relatively fast and long‐lasting movements, while larger stones stabilized after the first five cycles. The 20% stone cover produced stone islands, whereas the 40% cover resulted in sorted labyrinths (a circle‐island complex) that may represent incipient sorted circles. The average diameter or spacing of these forms are 12–13 cm, being comparable to those in the field. The experiments imply that needle‐ice activity promotes rapid formation of sorted patterns, although the formation of well‐defined sorted circles may require hundreds of diurnal frost heave cycles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Runoff generative process and runoff yield from arid talus mantled slopes

Previous works dealing with the influence of a stone cover on runoff yield showed that runoff, attributed to the sealing effect of the topsoil by raindrops impact, was negatively related to the per cent of stone cover and stone size. These works were conducted on gentle slopes (3–11·5 degree) with a per cent of stone cover generally lower than 50 per cent, and composed of gravels. The present study deals with the runoff yield of steep talus slopes (26–36 degree) whose per cent of stone cover is very high (90–100 per cent), composed of cobbles and boulders. Three stimulated rainstorms were performed at various rainfall. intensities and durations on each one of six plots representative of the North eastern sector of Sinai. Although the contiguous stony cover prevented surface sealing by raindrops impact, runoff developed quite quickly on most slopes, and reached at peak discharge, after approximately ten minutes, up to 56 per cent of the rainfall. Differences between plots, in time lag, peak discharge and other hydrological variables, could be attributed mainly to the properties of the upper stony layer, with stone size as the most influential factor. Contrary to previous works, a positive relationship, was obtained between stone size to runoff yield. The result is explained by the process of water concentration. Each cobble and boulder behaves, on a smaller scale, like a bare rocky surface and yields per unit area water amounts beyond the infiltration rate of the limited uncovered areas. For a given stony cover the effect of water concentration is quicker with the big blocks than with gravels. A series of graphs trying to relate theoretically the relative importance of sealing and water concentration processes in runoff generation, at various conditions of stone cover and stone size, is proposed. The graphs enable to reconcile the results of the present study with those of previous works.     

Stone cover and slope factors influencing hillside surface runoff and infiltration: laboratory investigation

In this study, laboratory rainfall simulation in an extensive area was used to study the infiltration, and interception and storage from surface runoff in points with different stone cover percentages (0, 10, 20 and 30%) and slopes (5°, 10° and 20°). The experimental results of this study showed that the interrelationships among the slope, stone cover percentage, groundwater level, surface runoff amount, and interception and storage of the ponds were varied and irregular. No systematic patterns were detected for the change in the groundwater level, surface runoff amount, and interception and storage of the ponds with different stone cover percentages at different slopes and no threshold values were apparent. For a 5° slope, if the stone cover percentage was increased, the amount of surface runoff was reduced, the infiltration and the groundwater level experienced no significant change, and the interception and storage of the ponds increased. For a 10° slope, if the stone cover percentage was increased, the amount of surface runoff increased, the infiltration decreased, the groundwater level experienced no significant change or decreased slightly at certain points, and the interception and storage of the ponds increased. For a 20° slope, if the stone cover percentage was increased, the amount of runoff increased, the infiltration decreased, the groundwater level experienced no significant change or decreased slightly at certain points, and the interception and storage of the ponds increased. With or without stone cover, when the hydraulic conductivity of the top material is close to that of fine sand or laterite, an increase in the slope gradient decreased the amount of surface runoff and increased the storage amount of the ponds. As for the stone distribution, an interlaced style showed better performance in the interception and storage of ponds than that of a regular style. There was no significant change in the groundwater level. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

寿山石的成矿地质条件和矿物组成

长期研究表明,寿山石的成矿地质条件主要受地层、构造、火山机构和火山成矿等综合作用控制。寿山石的矿物成分主要为地开石、高岭石和叶蜡石。因寿山石的成矿地质条件、矿物组成和产出部位的不同,形成色彩绚丽、命名异样、品种繁多、分类殊异。但通常以其成因、产状和历史传统分为田坑石、山坑石和水坑石三类。为便于识别、研究和讨论,将寿山石的主要品种及其特征一并简介。     

Frost sorting on slopes by needle ice: A laboratory simulation on the effect of slope gradient

Following a previous attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns on a level surface, we report the results of a full‐scale laboratory simulation on frost sorting produced by needle ice activity on inclined surfaces. Four models, with different slope gradients (5°, 7°, 9°, 11°), were designed. Stones 6 mm in diameter placed in a grid covered 20% of the surface of frost‐susceptible water‐saturated soil. These models were subjected to 20–40 freeze–thaw cycles between 10°C and ?5°C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns was visually traced by photogrammetry. Needle ice growth and collapse induced downslope movement and concentrations of stones. A model produced incipient sorted circles on a 5° slope, whereas it resulted in three distinct sorted stripes on a 7° slope. The average diameter or spacing of these forms is 9.7–19.4 cm, comparable to those in the field dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Surface parallel displacements of stone markers were traced with motion analysis software. The observed downslope stone displacements agree with those expected assuming that surface soil and stones move by repeated heaving perpendicular to the surface and vertical settlement due to gravity, although the growth of curved needle adds complexity to the overall displacements. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organic litter: dominance over stones as a source of interrill flow roughness on low‐gradient desert slopes at Fowlers Gap,arid western NSW,Australia

Thirty‐six runoff plot experiments provide data on flow depths, speeds, and Darcy–Weisbach friction coefficients (f) on bare soil surfaces, and surfaces to which were added sufficient extra plant litter or surface stones to provide projected cover of 5, 10 and 20 per cent. Precision flow depth data were derived with a computer‐controlled gantry and needle gauge for two different discharges for each plot treatment. Taking a fixed flow intensity (Reynolds number, Re = 150) for purposes of comparison shows means of f = 17·7 for bare soil surfaces, f = 11·4 for added stone treatments, and f = 23·8 for added litter treatments. Many individual values of f for stone treatments are lower than for the bare soil surface, but all litter treatments show increases in fcompared to bare soil. The lowering of f in stone treatments relates to the submerged volume that the stones occupied, and the associated concentration of flow onto a smaller part of the plot surface. This leads to locally higher flow intensities and lower frictional drag along threads of flow that the obstacles create. Litter causes higher frictional drag because the particles are smaller, and, for the same cover fraction, are 100 times more numerous and provide 20 times the edge or perimeter length. Along these edges, which in total exceed 2·5 m g^?1 (equivalent to 500 m m^?2 for a loading of 2 t ha^?1), surface tension draws up water from between the litter particles. This reduces flow depth there, and as a consequence of the lower flow intensity, frictional drag rises. Furthermore, no clear passage remains for the establishment of flow threads. These findings apply to shallow interrill flows in which litter is largely immobile. The key new result from these experiments is that under these conditions, a 20 per cent cover of organic litter can generate interrill frictional retardation that exceeds by nearly 41 per cent that of a bare soil surface, and twice that contributed by the same cover fraction of surface stones. Even greater dominance by litter can be anticipated at the many dryland sites where litter covers exceed those tested here. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stone chute development on a limestone scree

The modification of limestone scree slopes in North Yorkshire takes the form of downslope trains of finer stones. These features, termed stone chutes, usually coincide with a narrow defile in the limestone scar above. Investigations of four stone chutes below Raven Scar in Twisleton Dale revealed intermittent downslope movement of stones. On these coarse limestone screes, where there is insufficient fine material for debris flow formation, stone chutes are the visible evidence of slope evolution.     

Relation of sediment transport capacity to stone cover and size in rain‐impacted interrill flow

This study examines how the sediment transport capacity of interrill overland flow varies with stone cover and stone size at two flow intensities. Six series of flume experiments were conducted on two slopes (2° and 10°) with stones of three sizes (28·0, 45·5 and 91·3 mm) serving as roughness elements. Bed sediment size, water discharge and simulated rainfall intensity were the same in all experiments. It was found (1) that transport capacity is positively related to stone size, with the relation becoming stronger as stone cover increases and flow intensity decreases; and (2) that transport capacity is negatively related to stone cover at the high flow intensity and curvilinearly related to stone cover at the low flow intensity. The curvilinear relations are concave‐upward with the lowest transport capacities occurring at stone covers between 0·40 and 0·60. The highest transport capacities are found at stone covers of 0 and 1, with the transport capacity being greater at the former stone cover than at the latter. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of slope angle and aspect on plant cover and species richness in a humid Mediterranean badland

Soil erosion is one of the most severe land degradation processes in the Mediterranean region. Although badlands occupy a relatively small fraction of the Mediterranean area, their erosion rates are very high. Many studies have investigated to what extent vegetation controls soil erosion rates. This study, however, deals with the impact of erosion on vegetation establishment. In semi‐arid badlands of the Mediterranean, soil water availability constitutes the main limiting factor for vegetation development. As a consequence, south‐facing slopes are typically less vegetated due to a very large water stress. However, these findings do not necessarily apply to humid badlands. The main objective of this paper is to determine the topographic thresholds for plant colonization in relation to slope aspect and to assess the spatial patterns of vegetation cover and species richness. We surveyed 179 plots on highly eroded badland slopes in the Central Pyrenees. We defined four aspect classes subdivided into slope angle classes. Colonization success was expressed in terms of vegetation cover and species richness. Slope angle thresholds for plant colonization were identified for each slope aspect class by means of binary logistic regressions. The results show that a critical slope angle exists below which plants colonize the badland slopes. Below this critical slope angle, plant cover and species richness increase with a decreasing slope angle. The largest critical slope angles in humid badlands are observed on south‐facing slopes, which contrasts with the results obtained in semi‐arid badlands. North‐facing slopes however are characterized by a reduced overall vegetation cover and species richness, and lower topographic threshold values. The possible underlying processes responsible for this slope‐aspect discrepancy in vegetation characteristics are discussed in terms of environmental variables that control regolith development, weathering and erosion processes. Moreover, possible restoration strategies through the use of vegetation in highly degraded environments are highlighted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical modelling of rainfall‐ and snowmelt‐induced erosion of stony slope underlain by permafrost

Physical modelling experiments have been carried out in a cold room to test on a small scale, the effects of water supply during the thaw of an experimental slope with permafrost. Permafrost was maintained at depth and a thin active layer was frozen and thawed from the surface. Data from the experiments relate to two different conditions, first with moderate rainfall, and second with heavy rainfall during the thaw period. When moderate rainfall is applied during thaw phases, the experimental slope is slightly degraded. At the scale of the experiment, erosion processes involve frost jacking of the coarse blocks, frost creep and gelifluction that induce slow and gradual down slope displacements of the active layer, but also small landslides leading to large but slow mass movements with short displacements. Changes in experimental slope morphology are marked by the initiation of a small‐scale drainage network and the development of a little crest line which shows a progressive upslope migration. With such boundary conditions, there is not enough water supply to evacuate downslope the whole of the eroded material and a topographic smoothing is observed. When heavy rainfall is applied during thaw periods, rapid mass wasting (small mud‐flows and debris flows) become prominent. Slope failures are largely controlled by the water saturation of the active layer and by the occurrence of steeper slopes. At the scale of the experiment, rates of erosion and maximum incision increase by about 100% leading to significant slope degradation with marked and specific scars comparable to gullying. These morphological changes are dependant on both the size and the frequency of catastrophic events. These experiments provide detailed data that could improve the knowledge of the physical parameters that control the initiation, at a small‐scale, of erosion processes on periglacial slopes with a thin active layer and/or with thin cover of mobilizable slope deposits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A scree slope rockfall model

Certain observed characteristics of scree slopes; namely concavity of profile, straight slope angle less than the angle of repose, and good size sorting of particles, are not consistent with an angle of repose model for accumulation. An alternative model is proposed based upon rockfall and surface stone movement and is tested against experimental data of particle movement in the field. It is found that the mechanical model of stone movement generated adequately explains the motion of particles on scree slopes and that it is in keeping with the characteristics of many screes. The static features of some Isle of Skye screes were also measured and the straight-concave slope form with good downslope sorting of material, characteristic of the rockfall process, was found to be present.     

Which way do you lean? Using slope aspect variations to understand Critical Zone processes and feedbacks

Soil‐mantled pole‐facing hillslopes on Earth tend to be steeper, wetter, and have more vegetation cover compared with adjacent equator‐facing hillslopes. These and other slope aspect controls are often the consequence of feedbacks among hydrologic, ecologic, pedogenic, and geomorphic processes triggered by spatial variations in mean annual insolation. In this paper we review the state of knowledge on slope aspect controls of Critical Zone (CZ) processes using the latitudinal and elevational dependence of topographic asymmetry as a motivating observation. At relatively low latitudes and elevations, pole‐facing hillslopes tend to be steeper. At higher latitudes and elevations this pattern reverses. We reproduce this pattern using an empirical model based on parsimonious functions of latitude, an aridity index, mean‐annual temperature, and slope gradient. Using this empirical model and the literature as guides, we present a conceptual model for the slope‐aspect‐driven CZ feedbacks that generate asymmetry in water‐limited and temperature‐limited end‐member cases. In this conceptual model the dominant factor driving slope aspect differences at relatively low latitudes and elevations is the difference in mean‐annual soil moisture. The dominant factor at higher latitudes and elevations is temperature limitation on vegetation growth. In water‐limited cases, we propose that higher mean‐annual soil moisture on pole‐facing hillslopes drives higher soil production rates, higher water storage potential, more vegetation cover, faster dust deposition, and lower erosional efficiency in a positive feedback. At higher latitudes and elevations, pole‐facing hillslopes tend to have less vegetation cover, greater erosional efficiency, and gentler slopes, thus reversing the pattern of asymmetry found at lower latitudes and elevations. Our conceptual model emphasizes the linkages among short‐ and long‐timescale processes and across CZ sub‐disciplines; it also points to opportunities to further understand how CZ processes interact. We also demonstrate the importance of paleoclimatic conditions and non‐climatic factors in influencing slope aspect variations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paraglacial gullying of sediment‐mantled slopes: a case study of Colletthøgda,Kongsfjorden area,West Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

This paper evaluates the paraglacial evolution of a sediment‐mantled slope in a polar maritime environment. The intensity of paraglacial processes is estimated through quantification of erosion and dating of field sectors with the help of photographic archives. Gully erosion has been estimated using morphometric parameters and by surveys of vegetation cover. The rapid melting of dead‐ice cores controls gully formation. This leads to slope form modification: gully profile gradients are reduced from a mean of 35° to a mean ranging between 10° and 15°. Profile evolution results from the collapse of glacier lateral moraine. All data (mean slope angle of individual gullies, frequency distribution of slope angles, fractional distance to the apex, gullying index, volume of debris mobilized, vertical erosion rate) tend to increase with increasing deglaciation age and the duration of paraglacial activity. Vegetation colonization is a response to stabilization of the ground surface and the drying up of the ground surface due to dead‐ice melting. The full sequence of paraglacial slope adjustment (gully incision‐stabilization) may occur rapidly at the study site, i.e. within two decades. Finally, a lateral morphogenic sequence is proposed showing the importance of paraglacial processes at the onset of the deglaciation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地震减灾工程下格宾石笼拦挡坝支护技术研究

鉴于格宾石笼护岸、护坡等优质特性,对其应用至地震减灾工程进行研究。经分析可知,格宾石笼主要利用双绞合六边形金属网片组合为箱笼,再装填石料堆筑构成防护整体;格宾石笼具有高强度耐久性、透水性、整体性与柔韧性和施工过程简单便利等特征。依据格宾石笼构造与特性分析,分别将地震减灾工程下格宾石笼拦挡坝施工划分为格宾石笼护基与格宾石笼护坡两部分进行研究。利用测量放线、挖掘基础、规整地基、铺垫反滤层、格宾放置与连接、支顶加固、石料装填封盖等步骤实现格宾石笼护基施工。通过削坡、铺设土工布、砂砾垫层、安装网箱、装填石料和封盖等步骤实现格宾石笼护坡施工。分别在冲击力、位移和能量三方面验证格宾石笼拦挡坝支护技术,实验结果表明,冲击力和坝体自身材料性质有关联,格宾拦挡坝材料属于柔性材料,冲击力由此减小,耗费冲击力能量效果十分明显;坝体可以利用整个结构全部能量承担很大负载;格宾石笼拦挡坝体耗能效果显然优于浆砌石坝。     

Comparison of the effects of litter covering and incorporation on infiltration and soil erosion under simulated rainfall

Plant litter can either cover on soil surface or be incorporated into top-soil layer in natural ecosystems. Their effects on infiltration and soil erosion are likely quite different. This study was performed to compare the effects of litter covering on soil surface and being incorporated into top-soil layer on infiltration and soil erosion under simulated rainfall. Four litter types (needle-leaf, broad-leaf, brush, and herb) were collected from fields and applied to cover on soil surface or to be incorporated into top-soil layer (5 cm) at the same rate (0.2 kg/m²). The simulated rainfalls (40 and 80 mm/hr) were run at two slope angles (10° and 20°). The results showed that the mean infiltration rate of litter covering treatment was 1.4 times as great as that of litter incorporated. Litter covering enhanced infiltration via protecting surface from soil sealing. Whereas, litter incorporation affected infiltration by its water repellency. Soil erosion of litter incorporated treatment was 5.4 times as large as that of litter covered treatment, which was attributed to the changes in surface litter coverage and soil erosion resistance. Litter type affected soil erosion through the variations in litter coverage and litter morphology. For litter covering treatment, litter coverage can explain the major variance of soil loss on the slopes. Whereas, for litter incorporated treatment, both the influences of litter coverage and litter length on soil erosion resistance were considered necessary to well explain the variance of soil loss. The results also showed that the benefits of litter to control soil erosion declined with rainfall intensity and slope gradient for both covering and incorporated treatments. The results of this study are helpful to understand the mechanisms of litter influencing hydrological and erosion processes on hillslopes.