Form and Process; Norwegian studies in the interaction between overland flow and soil surface.

Soil loss from agriculture poses a threat to water quality and aquatic ecological system, freshwater and coastal systems alike. Agriculture is a major driver for accelerated erosion, and the sector is therefore a major stakeholder in any process that reduces the delivery of sediment and solute from land to water. In order to be able to do so, research is required to recommend soil conservation strategies that are both effective and efficient. Effective, because measures should result in significant reductions of sediment delivery rates; even under changing climatic conditions. Efficient, because measures often require monetary investments and they should not reduce the productivity of agricultural land beyond a certain degree. In order for measures and strategies to be effective and efficient, research is required to study the cause-effect chains that form the erosion process. Process knowledge enables researchers to provide informed advice to land users and policy makers and thereby assist in the design and rollout of measures that are good for the aquatic environment and for the farming community.