Rainfall changes and rainfall erosivity increase in the Algarve (Portugal)

There is evidence that, between hydrological years 1931/2 and 1990/ 1, rainfall changed in the Algarve. There was an annual rainfall increase (+9%) and a 7% increase in rainfall during the rainy period (October to February). Both trends were statistically confirmed by parametric and nonparametric procedures. ll erosivity and land degradation are related to rainfall regime. The Algarveʹs rainfall erosivity increase (+17%) was more pronounced than annual and seasonal rainfall changes.