Eroded Soils of the Lower Swansea Valley

Summary The investigation attempts to ascertain rates and amounts of soil erosion from a small unvegetated area (120m×15m). Measurements from markers embedded in the soil indicate a removal of 10 mm per annum on 5°C slopes, 32 mm per annum on 45°C slopes, and 43 mm per annum on 62°C slopes. A sediment trap indicated that in a week when there was 56·8 mm rain, approximately 60 g/sq m was eroded. Results of the work are used in an explanation of the eroded soils of a much larger area, known as the Lower Swansea Valley.