R-factor for Slovakia

The presented dataset provides a spatial estimate of the rainfall erosivity factor (R-factor) for the territory of Slovakia, representing a key climatic input to the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE/RUSLE) framework. The dataset is derived from updated national-scale analyses based on high-quality precipitation measurements from pluviographic and automatic rain gauge networks. The underlying methodology builds upon published local erosivity estimates calibrated using sub-hourly rainfall data, ensuring robust representation of rainfall intensity characteristics critical for erosivity assessment. The R-factor layer reflects integrating recent observations over the period 1995-2024. The dataset is based primarily on the results reported in: Styk, J., & Pálka, B. (2024): Updating the digital layer of R-factor (USLE rainfall erosivity factor) for the territory of Slovakia. Pedosphere Research, 4(2), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.64122/j.pedosres.2024.04.05 and builds upon earlier national-scale work: Onderka, M., & Pecho, J. (2019): Update of the erosive rain factor in Slovakia using data from the period 1961–2009. Contributions to Geophysics and Geodesy, 49(3), 355–371. https://doi.org/10.2478/congeo-2019-0018 The resulting gridded product captures the spatial variability of rainfall erosivity driven by Slovakia’s complex topography and precipitation regimes. It is suitable for applications in soil erosion modelling, land management, hydrological studies, and climate impact assessments. Key characteristics: Variable: Rainfall erosivity factor (R-factor; MJ·mm·ha⁻¹·h⁻¹·yr⁻¹) Spatial domain: Slovakia Temporal representativeness: 1995–2024 Input data: High-resolution pluviographic and automatic rain gauge observations Methodological basis: Published national calibration of erosivity using intensity-based rainfall metrics Format: Gridded raster (GeoTIFF or equivalent)