Criteria for studying splash erosion in a burnt area cheaply

This study is a basic guide for young researchers studying splash erosion in a burnt area when the budget available for carrying out the research is limited. An attempt has been made at compensating the lack of funding with imaginative solutions for inexpensive, but comprehensive and exhaustive, scientific work.The study describes in detail the various parameters involved in splash erosion that have to be dealt with in such a research project. First, the characteristics of rain must be studied, especially in relation to raindrop size and fall velocity. Second, the soil must be described in terms of its structure and composition, as well as with reference to the size of aggregates and the organic matter they contain. It is also necessary to obtain information on the intensity of the fire, considering the type of vegetation in the area before and after the wildfire. Finally, the paper also includes descriptions of the devices for measuring splash erosion, as well as recommendations about how to build them and install them in the study zone using inexpensive material and simple techniques. This will show that it is possible to carry out a preliminary assessment of splash erosion without excessive funding. Of course, a more important budget would result in more detailed studies.