RillGrow 2 Soil Erosion Model

The RillGrow 2 model similarly uses data for initial microtopography of an unrilled area to predict rill patterns, as well as flow/sediment transport characteristics. While it represents the processes of flow and erosion more realistically than does RillGrow 1, it is still a relatively simple model.

An early version of RillGrow 2 was described in Favis-Mortlock et al. (1998b; 2000). The model has now been developed further: deposition and splash redistribution are now modelled.

Also, several validation studies have been carried out. In these, simulated rill patterns and data for flow rate/depth etc. are compared with real-world rill data from small plots and flumes.The results are very encouraging, and are currently being written up.

Rill network simulated by RillGrow 2 using NSERL data

A rill network simulated by RillGrow 2, using data from a flume experiment by Jose Gomez and Mark Nearing at the USDA-ARS National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory. Click for a larger img.

Favis-Mortlock et al. (2001) and Favis-Mortlock and De Boer (2003) discuss the potential future applicability of this self-organising systems approach for modelling erosion and landscape development at a range of scales.

Some examples of output from RillGrow 2 can be seen on this page.

RillGrow 2 is available for download. The zipfile includes a Windows™ 32-bit executable and sample data.

This simulated rill network (also by RillGrow 2) is based on data from the University of Leicester

This simulated rill network (again from RillGrow 2) uses data from a flume experiment carried out by Tony Parsons and Bruces Lascelles, who were then at the University of Leicester, UK. Click for a larger img.