Climate change induces more extreme precipitation events, which increase the amount of soil loss. There are continuous requests from the decision-makers in the European Union to provide data on soil loss; the question is, which ones should we use? The paper presents the results of USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation), RUSLE (Revised USLE), USLE-M (USLE-Modified) and EPIC (Erosion-Productivity Impact Calculator) modelling, based on rainfall simulations performed in the Koppány Valley, Hungary. Soil losses were measured during low-, moderate- and high-intensity rainfalls on cultivated soils formed on loess. The soil erodibility values were calculated by the equations of the applied soil erosion models and ranged from 0.0028 to 0.0087 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for the USLE-related models. EPIC produced larger values. The coefficient of determination resulted in an acceptable correlation between the measured and calculated values only in the case of USLE-M. Based on other statistical indicators (e.g., NSEI, RMSE, PBIAS and relative error), RUSLE, USLE and USLE-M resulted in the best performance. Overall, regardless of being non-physically based models, USLE-type models seem to produce accurate soil erodibility values, thus modelling outputs.

Soil erosion is a complex, destructive process that endangers food security in many parts of the world; thus, its investigation is a key issue. While the measurement of interrill erosion is a necessity, the methods used to carry it out vary greatly, and the comparison of the results is often difficult. The present study aimed to examine the results of two rainfall simulators, testing their sensitivity to different environmental conditions. Plot-scale nozzle type rainfall simulation experiments were conducted on the same regosol under both field and laboratory conditions to compare the dominant driving factors of runoff and soil loss. In the course of the experiments, high-intensity rainfall, various slope gradients, and different soil surface states (moisture content, roughness, and crust state) were chosen as the response parameters, and their driving factors were sought. In terms of the overall erosion process, the runoff, and soil loss properties, we found an agreement between the simulators. However, in the field (a 6 m² plot), the sediment concentration was related to the soil conditions and therefore its hydrological properties, whereas in the laboratory (a 0.5 m² plot), slope steepness and rainfall intensity were the main driving factors. This, in turn, indicates that the design of a rainfall simulator may affect the results of the research it is intended for, even if the differences occasioned by various designs may be of a low order.

Invasive species such as black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) cause several problems in conserving semi-natural forests in Europe. The selective browsing of ungulates can be a prominent regulating factor in the spread of black locusts. We set out a 4 year-long experiment in a fenced area of a Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) – sessile oak (Quercus petraea) forest in Hungary to 1) evaluate short-term responses of black locust saplings to simulated browsing; 2) identify the effects of browsing and soil conditions on the competition between black locust and oak saplings. We hypothesized that clipping treatments would reduce the growth and vitality of black locusts and indirectly enhance oak sapling development. Vegetation patches were designated to separate oak saplings with treated and intact black locust saplings, and without black locust. After the first round of treatments in September 2014, clipped black locusts compensated for height and shoot loss. The summer drought in 2015 reduced the survival of black locusts independently of the clipping and many saplings disappeared from previously occupied plots. In addition, the effects of the second clipping treatment in September 2015 have significantly slowed down, even hindering further growth of the clipped saplings. Soil nitrogen level was not higher in black locust plots, but low pH and significant soil compaction could be limiting factors for all saplings. Our results did not confirm any significant inhibitory effect of black locust on oak sapling development, but sessile oak had increased height growth compared to Turkey oak in black locust plots. It seems that browsing is only a secondary factor that influences the growth and competitiveness of black locusts since only repeated browsing after a heavy drought period could prevent black locust saplings from compensating for their losses.