摘要：Experiments were conducted using a soil-mantled flume subjected to simulated rain and downstream baselevellowering to quantify the evolution of rill networks. Results show that: (1) headcuts formed by baselevel lowering were theprimary drivers of rill incision and network development, and the communication of this wave of degradation occurredvery quickly through the landscape, (2) rill networks extended upstream by headcut erosion, where channels bifurcatedand filled the available space, (3) rill incision, channel development, and peaks in sediment efflux occurred episodically,linked directly to the downstream baselevel adjustments, and (4) sediment discharge and rill drainage density approachedasymptotic values with time following baselevel adjustments despite continuous application of rainfall. These findingshave important implications for the prediction of soil loss, rill network development, and landscape evolution whereheadcut erosion can occur.
关键词：rill erosion; rill networks; headcuts; simulated rainfall; digital elevation models
