Rock fragments I. Their effect on runoff, erosion and soil properties under field conditions

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Abstract
The effects of different sizes, amounts, and positions of rock fragments on soil properties and erosion were studied in experimental plots (10 treatments including bare soils and soils under natural vegetation, with 3 replicates each) installed on a hillslope.Over five events, the largest amounts of runoff were from bare soils containing abundant rock fragments, either partially embedded on the surface or incorporated in the upper part of the soil. Stoneless soils gave smaller amounts, and the smallest runoffs were measured on soils under natural vegetation. Generally, large rock fragments (cobbles) caused greater runoff than smaller fragments (coarse gravel). However, soils with appreciable amounts of coarse gravel on the surface generated considerable runoff under rainfalls of low intensity and long duration, but smaller amounts at greater rainfall intensities.Sediment loss was greater from soils with cobbles than from soils containing coarse gravel; vegetation greatly decreased sediment loss from both.In a 12‐month period, the organic matter content of the soils decreased by 15.5 to 23.0%, decreasing soil aggregate stability. The organic matter content was greater in the collected sediments than in the soil.