A classification of water erosion models according to their geospatial characteristics

In this review, an extensive inventory in the literature of water erosion modelling from a geospatial point of view has been conducted. Concepts of scale, spatiality and complexity are clarified in a theoretical background. Spatial scale, temporal scale and spatial methodologies have been addressed as the most determining geospatial properties underlying water erosion modelling. Use of GIS has been pointed out as facilitating data mixing and model rescaling and thus increasing complexity in datamethod relations significantly. Setting spatial scale, temporal scale and spatial methodology as classification criteria, eighty two water erosion models were identified and classified into eight categories. Thus, a complete overview of water erosion models has become available in a single table. An extra alphabetical list is also annexed. The biggest share of the models is found in the category of the mechanistic pathway-type event-based models for watershed to landscape scales. Geospatial innovations considered as milestones in water erosion modelling are discussed. For manipulating scale efficiently, two promising spatial theories are suggested for further exploitation in the future: hierarchy theory and fractals theory. Regarding erosion applications, uncertainty analysis within GIS is considered to be appropriate for improving performance of erosion models.