Editing Soil erosion (section)

===Climate===
The [[Quantity|amount]] and [[Intensity mapping|intensity]] of [[rainfall|precipitation]] is the main [[Climate|climatic factor]] [[governing]] soil erosion by water. The [[Relationship science|relationship]] is particularly strong if heavy rainfall occurs at times when, or in locations where, the soil's surface is not well protected by [[vegetation]]. This might be during periods when [[agriculture|agricultural activities]] leave the soil bare, or in [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] regions where vegetation is naturally sparse. Wind erosion requires strong winds, particularly during times of drought when vegetation is sparse and soil is dry (and so is more erodible). Other climatic factors such as average temperature and temperature range may also affect erosion, via their effects on vegetation and soil properties. In general, given similar vegetation and ecosystems, areas with more precipitation (especially high-intensity rainfall), more wind, or more storms are expected to have more erosion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raindrops Keep Falling: Understanding and Managing Water Erosion : USDA ARS |url=https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/utm/raindrops-keep-falling-understanding-and-managing-water-erosion |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.ars.usda.gov}}</ref>

In some areas of the world (e.g. the [[Midwestern United States]] and the [[Amazon rainforest|Amazon Rainforest]]), rainfall intensity is the primary determinant of erosivity, with higher intensity rainfall generally resulting in more soil erosion by water. The size and velocity of [[rain drop]]s is also an important factor. Larger and higher-velocity rain drops have greater [[kinetic energy]], and thus their impact will displace soil particles by larger distances than smaller, slower-moving rain drops.<ref>{{cite book|author=Blanco, Humberto|author2=Lal, Rattan|name-list-style=amp|chapter=Water erosion|title=Principles of Soil Conservation and Management|publisher=Springer|year=2010|isbn=978-90-481-8529-0|pages=29–31|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wj3690PbDY0C&pg=PA29}}</ref>

In other regions of the world (e.g. [[western Europe]]), runoff and erosion result from relatively low intensities of [[Precipitation types#Stratiform|stratiform rainfall]] falling onto previously saturated soil. In such situations, rainfall amount rather than intensity is the main factor determining the severity of soil erosion by water.<ref>Boardman, John & Poesen, Jean. Soil Erosion in Europe. John Wiley & Sons. {{ISBN|978-0-470-85911-7}}</ref>