Evaluation of RUSLE and spatial assessment of agricultural soil erosion in Finland

Agricultural soil erosion has negative effects on surface water quality and aquatic ecosystems. A major impediment to agricultural management in Finland been the lack of high-resolution country-scale data spatial distribution erosion. As a result, mitigation measures have targeted with limited information. Therefore, we evaluated performance widely used RUSLE model against measurements from experimental fields, produce two-metre resolution crop independent estimate for all lands Finland, analysed over different scales. showed skill (R2 = 0.76, NSE 0.72) estimating observed at fields (55–2100 kg ha−1 yr−1) but large errors (mean: −134 yr−1, 90% range: −711 218 yr−1). The evaluation, however, suggests that performs similarly as elsewhere. analysis developed data, turn, revealed high regions, it how varies between sub-catchment within field parcels. For example, high-erosion areas concentrated proximity bodies were identified within-field parcel Altogether, results demonstrate predictive high-latitude conditions, fill earlier gap erosion, provide information targeting measures, considerably improve understanding Finland.