DROP CHARACTERISTICS AND EROSIVITY OF RAINFALL IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Raindrop samples were collected over a 2 year period (1977 1979) at the University of Ife Campus (Southwestern Nigeria) for analysis of raindrop potential of rainstorms. Similar relationships presently used in the predictive universal soil loss equation were substantially different and under estimated the energy load and erosive potential of rainstorms of the study area at rainfall intensities of 120mm/hr and less. Higher rainfall erosivity, compared to temperate and subtropical regions, was attributed to greater proportion of large raindrop sizes (3mm and more) and high rainfall intensities.