The prior
studies were completed in semi-arid and Mediterranean climates, and
agreed on the positive correlation between erosion and precipitation intensity.
This study was completed in a humid climate, suggesting that
precipitation intensity is less important than duration and accumulation
in a humid climate and that during the early portion of a precipitation
event infiltration is sufficient to produce little surface runoff, but as precipitation
continues and accumulation increases, erosion is induced by
surface runoff.