A review on urban soil water erosion

Accelerated soil water erosion is one of the major global environmental problems that adversely affect both rural and urban areas. While many investigations have been initiated to efficiently understand and effectively manage water erosion problems in agricultural areas, specific knowledge on urban water erosion is less pronounced. This paper aims at providing an overview of the extent at which erosion dynamics processes have been explored in urban areas. Based on the last decade’s publications, the majority (64%) of studies were conducted in the developed world, mostly in humid subtropical and humid continental climate regions. Furthermore, researchers largely concentrated on off site erosion, focusing on contaminated sediments and on stream erosion. The employed methods were mostly traditional approaches (81% of all articles) compared to modern methods of remote sensing and modelling. This review identifies limitations in methods employed, and gaps in focal research topics and urban-specific management strategies. In particular, the paper argues that approaches oriented towards minimising the risks from water erosion in urban areas are urgently needed. The review findings are expected to be of interest to researchers, urban planners and environmental related managers.