DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/27.3.5107

2026, 27 (3)   p. 748-765

Danijela JUNGIĆ, Stjepan HUSNJAK, Vladimir KUŠAN, Ivona ZIŽA, Mario SRAKA

Abstract

Soil erosion by water is the most significant and dangerous process of soil degradation and loss. The flysch area of Istria is one of the most vulnerable regions to soil erosion by water in Croatia. The CORINE model for the period 1995–2024 was used to assess the risk of soil erosion by water in the Pazin area, and climate data (mean annual rainfall and air temperature) were analysed for three subperiods: 1995–2004, 2005–2014, and 2015–2024. Climate change was particularly evident in the third subperiod compared to the first, with 138.6 mm more rainfall and a 0.8 °C increase in temperature. The rainfall erosivity index increased from 6 (1981-1995) to 8 (1995-2024). A high potential risk of soil erosion by water was identified on 87.2% of the flysch zone area, moderate on 11.3%, and low on 1.5%. The actual risk of erosion was decreased and was high on 13% of the area, moderate on 77.9%, and low on 9.1%. On cultivated land, the potential risk of soil erosion by water matches the actual risk. When the potential risk of erosion increases to moderate and high on cultivated land, the actual risk of soil erosion by water rises by one and two classes, respectively. If abandoned land were converted into arable land, the areas with the actual risk of erosion would increase to 47.2%. In addition to vegetation cover and land use, it is essential to combine other anti-erosion soil protection methods (conservation, agrotechnical, and recovery). The maps of the potential and actual risk of soil erosion by water provide an important basis for further planning and land management aimed at sustainable development, rational use, and soil protection against erosion damage.

Keywords

potential and actual risk, CORINE, Istria, rainfall regime, land use

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