Analysis of relations between water erosion features and effective parameters on their intensity and spatial patterns (Case study: Baleghli chay watershed, Ardebil, Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Scientific Member, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Soil erosion results from an interaction of several parameters, which vary in space and time. Awareness of
environmental changes and their impact on the intensity and spatial pattern of water erosion can effectively help in
recognition of erosional reactions versus the affecting factors. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of
a methodology based on present knowledge and available data, for evaluation of water erosion behavior and risk as
well as an estimation of soil erosion. Accordingly, based on the conducted research on different types of water
erosion in some areas of Baleghli Chay Watershed, between two hydrometric gauging stations were studied, with an
exclusion of erosion due to mass movements. Four major types of water erosion namely: sheet, rill, channel and
streambank which play a considerable role in sediment yields of the area, were separately studied. In order to
determine the inter-effects of erosive factors, the study was conducted using multivariate statistical tests. For each
erosion type, an individual model was then presented. The results indicated complex and different interactions
between the likelihood of water erosion and environmental changes in the study area. Sheet and rill erosions act
differently from channel erosion while streambank erosion is completely different from others. Therefore, a study of
individual types of water erosion can help in recognition of accelerating factors that effectively influence water
erosion, and consequently to come up with appropriate models.

Keywords

Desert
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
December 2008
Pages 117-127

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