An Average Soil Erosion Rate for Europe: Myth or Reality?. Boardman, J. 53(1):46–50.
Paper abstract bibtex A recent proposal for an average erosion rate for Europe is challenged. The proposed figure is shown to be derived by a tortuous route from plot experiments in Belgium. The original researcher, A. Bollinne, was careful not to extrapolate his results; subsequent workers have not been so circumspect. Further, the concept of an average rate for any continental-size area – Europe or North America – is unsound, because rates vary vary in time and space. There is also a shortage of reliable data for anything other than small areas. Plot experiments are a poor basis for regional generalization: monitoring schemes are preferred but are uncommon. The proposed average rate has no basis in reality but is already being widely quoted – a myth is perpetuated.
@article{boardmanAverageSoilErosion1998,
title = {An Average Soil Erosion Rate for {{Europe}}: {{Myth}} or Reality?},
author = {Boardman, John},
date = {1998-01},
journaltitle = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation},
volume = {53},
pages = {46--50},
issn = {1941-3300},
url = {http://www.jswconline.org/content/53/1/46.short},
abstract = {A recent proposal for an average erosion rate for Europe is challenged. The proposed figure is shown to be derived by a tortuous route from plot experiments in Belgium. The original researcher, A. Bollinne, was careful not to extrapolate his results; subsequent workers have not been so circumspect. Further, the concept of an average rate for any continental-size area -- Europe or North America -- is unsound, because rates vary vary in time and space. There is also a shortage of reliable data for anything other than small areas. Plot experiments are a poor basis for regional generalization: monitoring schemes are preferred but are uncommon. The proposed average rate has no basis in reality but is already being widely quoted -- a myth is perpetuated.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13400483,citation-metrics,data-lineage,data-provenance,myths,precisely-wrong,reproducible-research,research-metrics},
number = {1}
}