This research was carried out to determine the influence of rainfall intensity and soil physico-chemical properties on erosion behavior of 11 representative soil samples from the badlands of the Dahanghale area in northeastern Iran. Soil textures were loamy to silty loamy, with a very heterogeneous surface gravel and vegetation cover. The research was studied under two simulated rainfall intensities: 37 and 48 mm h-1 for 10- and 25-year return periods, respectively, during 30 minutes. The results revealed that gypsiferous red beds (Ngr) parent material develops the most erodible surfaces while conglomerate (Pgc) contributes the least sediment yield. Values of mean measured soil loss varied from 30.3 to 559.1 g m-2 for rain storms of 37 mm h-1, and under rain storms of 48 mm h-1 the values of mean soil loss varied from 62.4 to 1,135.9 g m-2. The soil loss significantly increased as rainfall intensity increased. Finally, the results of research showed that the nature of parent rocks and rainfall intensity can greatly affect soil erosion processes. Based on the finding of research we can conclude that some physico-chemical properties of study soils and soil vegetation and rock fragment cover are suitable indicators for predicting soil loss in the Dahanghale watershed.

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