Abstract

Adequate modelling of soil erosion is important for conservation planning, especially in developing countries where there is increasing competition for limited soil resources. In this study, the RUSLE, EPIC and WEPP models were used to estimate soil erosion from small grain production in south-central Chile, a region having a Mediterranean type climate and volcanic soils with distinctive properties compared to non-volcanic soils. The models were compared for their consistency with historical rates of erosion and those calculated using the previously calibrated USLE model. Of the models, WEPP permitted the most adequate parameterization for both climate and volcanic soil, and calculated erosion rates that were in overall agreement with field and USLE values.