Soil Erosion Susceptibility Assessment of the Lower Himachal Himalayan Watershed

Assessment of erosion status of a watershed is an essential prerequisite for integrated watershed management. It not only assists in chalking out suitable soil and water conservation measures to arrest erosion and conserve water but also helps in devising best management practices to enhance biomass production in watersheds. Keeping this in view, the present study has been undertaken by involving geospatial-statistical techniques to determine the critical and priority areas for soil and water conservation in Suketi watershed of the lower Himachal Himalayan region. A novel weighted sum analysis technique was used for ranking each of hydrological unit by obtaining the weightages from various morphometric parameters. This technique offers dynamic, effective and sustainable approach over traditional prioritization methods in which significance of each parameter were considered equally. Considering this approach, sub-watersheds were delineated into low, medium and high priority zones. The results illustrate that about 52 % of sub-watersheds of Suketi watershed are in moderate to high erosion and runoff susceptible zones. Therefore, these potential areas can be considered for preferential soil and water conservation planning. The results obtained from the study will be useful for various stakeholders such as agriculturists, water resource managers, conservation measures planners and decision policy makers for better management practices and decision making. The geospatial-statistical technique can be used for effective estimation of erosion status of watersheds leading to watershed prioritization for taking up soil and water conservation measures in watershed systems. Finally, this technique can be very useful in remote, rugged and inaccessible watersheds with absence of soil erosion and runoff monitoring.     

Identification and prioritization of sub-watersheds for land and water management using InVEST SDR model: Rmelriver basin,Tunisia

Tunisia presents many favorable conditions for the outbreak of water erosion because of its climatic and physical characteristics. This phenomenon represents a serious threat to the natural resources of soil and water. The aim of the present study is to identify the most vulnerable areas in order to help managers implement an effective management program. Thematic layers and parameters were integrated in the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Trade-offs) SDR (Sediment Delivery Ratio). Soil loss and sediment yield were calculated by the model and compared to observed data. The Rmel river basin was divided into 17 sub-watersheds using the dam axis as the main outlet. Results reveal that approximately 60% of the basin presents soil loss more than 5 ton/ha/year. Soil erosion map demonstrates that soil erosion risk increases with increased slope gradient, especially in agricultural lands. Sub-catchment prioritizations have been fixed based on soil erosion risk. Results show that sub-catchment 16 presents the highest soil loss with a value of 65 ton/ha/year. Sub-catchment presenting high soil erosion risk needs to give a high priority in conservation planning.     

Prioritization of subwatersheds based on quantitative morphometric analysis in lower Bhavani basin,Tamil Nadu,India using DEM and GIS techniques

Watershed prioritization is one of the most important processes in natural resource management system especially in areas of sustainable watershed development and planning. Morphometric characteristics are the viable entity to understand the hydrological behavior of the subwatershed. For prioritization of subwatershed, morphometric analysis was utilized by using the linear, areal, and relief aspects of the drainage basin. In this context, remote sensing and GIS has been proved to be an efficient tool to identify the morphological features. The Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps, satellite data IRS-LISS III, and Cartosat DEM data were utilized to understand the drainage pattern and also for prioritization of subwatershed areas. The prioritization of subwatershed has been attempted using novel and quantitative approaches based on compound parameter ranking for soil erosion. Lower compound factors were chosen as the most feasible for soil erosion. Based on the observation, eight subwatersheds with a higher degree of the slope were severely prone to soil erosion and remaining 21 subwatersheds occur in low-lying areas that can be developed as sustainable watersheds. The identified subwatershed requires immediate soil remediation and water conservation measures for efficient watershed planning and management. The proposed study might be helpful for resource planners, government agencies, private sectors, and other stake holders to take up soil conservation measures and fixation of water-harvesting structures for better decision making.     

Spatial distribution of soil erosion and suspended sediment transport rate for Chou-Shui river basin

In this study, a Physiographic Soil Erosion–Deposition Model (PSED) is applied for better management of a watershed. The PSED model can effectively evaluate the key parameters of watershed management: surface runoff discharge, suspended sediment transport rate, quantity of soil erosion, and spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition. A basin usually contains multiple watersheds. These watersheds may have complex topography and heterogeneous physiographic properties. The PSED model, containing a physiographic rainfall-runoff model and a basin scale erosion–deposition model, can simulate the physical mechanism of the entire erosion process based on a detailed calculation of bed-load transportation, surface soil entrainment, and the deposition mechanism. With the assistance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the PSED model can handle and analyze extremely large hydrologic and physiographic datasets and simulate the physical erosion process without the need for simplification. We verified the PSED model using three typhoon events and 40 rainfall events. The application of PSED to Chou-Shui River basin shows that the PSED model can accurately estimate discharge hydrographs, suspended sediment transport rates, and sediment yield. Additionally, we obtained reasonable quantities of soil erosion as well as the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition. The results show that the PSED model is capable of calculating spatially distributed soil erosion and suspended sediment transport rates for a basin with multiple watersheds even if these watersheds have complex topography and heterogeneous physiographic properties.     

Geospatial assessment of soil erosion intensity and sediment yield: a case study of Potohar Region,Pakistan

Estimation of spatial extent of soil erosion, one of the most serious forms of land degradation, is critical because soil erosion has serious implications on soil fertility, water ecosystem, crop productivity and landscape beauty. The primary objective of the current study was to assess and map the soil erosion intensity and sedimentation yield of Potohar region of Pakistan. Potohar is the rainfed region with truncated and complex topography lying at the top of the Indus Basin, the world’s largest irrigation networks of canals and barrages. Spatially explicit Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Model integrated with Remote Sensing-GIS techniques was used for detecting/mapping of erosion prone areas and quantification of soil losses. The results show that the Potohar region is highly susceptible to soil erosion with an average annual soil loss of 19 tons ha^?1 year^?1 of which the maximum erosion (70–208 tons ha^?1 year^?1) was near the river channels and hilly areas. The sediment yield due to the erosion is as high as 148 tons ha^?1 year^?1 with an average of 4.3 tons ha^?1 year^?1. It was found that 2.06% of the total area falls under severe soil erosion, 13.34% under high erosion, 15.35% under moderate soil erosion while 69.25% of the area lies in the low (tolerable) soil erosion. Chakwal and Jhelum districts of the region are seriously affected by erosion owing to their topography and soil properties. The information generated in this study is a step forward towards proper planning and implementation of strategies to control the erosion and for protection of natural resources. It is, hence, necessary that suitable water harvesting structures be made to control water to prevent soil erosion and provision of water in the lean season in this region. Tree plantation and other erosion control practices such as strip cropping can also minimize soil erosion in this region.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000211

Arid and semi-arid regions are susceptible to high levels of erosion.A rapid and cost effective methodological erosion assessment for these regions is required to describe and monitor the processes that control erosion.This study uses remote sensing to describe the contribution of several factors that control erosion.Topography,land use,vegetation density,soil properties and climatic proxies are used to determine erosion risk and to provide basic maps of water and soil conservation practices. A hierarchi...     

Measurement of debris mass changes and assessment of the dam-break flood potential of earthquake-triggered Hattian landslide dam

The Hattian landslide, which was triggered by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, formed one of largest landslide dams in the world and it has posed a serious threat of flooding to people living in the lower reach of the Jhelum River. In order to understand deformation occurring in the body of the dam, physical measurements using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) were conducted. Gradual deformation and slowly developing backward erosion initially were observed, leading eventually to a sudden creation of a deep hollow on the downstream slope of the landslide dam. The dimensions of this eroded gully were determined by laser scanning, and the results showed a significant loss of soil volume and a large change in the body of the dam. A breach formation model was used to predict the outflow hydrograph generated by constant downcutting of dam during a breaching event. A run-off analysis of the outflow hydrograph was conducted to evaluate inundation levels of flood waves in case the dam is breached. Hazardous downstream locations were identified near the junction of the Karli and Jhelum Rivers, suggesting a need for early warning system in order to avoid loss of lives.     

桂江流域土壤侵蚀估算及其时空特征分析

桂江流域的水土流失现状研究对珠江三角洲的水生态安全有重要的现实意义。采用修正的通用土壤流失方程（RUSLE）估算了桂江流域的土壤侵蚀模数与年侵蚀总量,分析流域内土壤侵蚀的时空分布特征,探讨了影响该区域土壤侵蚀强度的自然与人文因素。结果表明,桂江流域51.8%的地表都在发生不同程度的土壤侵蚀。从全流域平均土壤侵蚀强度来看,属于中度侵蚀。从土壤侵蚀面积来看,约85%的地表处于微度、轻度与中度侵蚀。4-6月的全流域平均土壤侵蚀强度最大,侵蚀总量也是最大的。流域的土壤侵蚀主要发生在高程在30~600m的低山丘陵-高地地貌区内的林地与耕地中。流域内岩溶区的土壤侵蚀强度随着石漠化程度从无到中度逐渐增加,轻、中度石漠化区的土壤侵蚀强度达到强度侵蚀等级。      

GIS based morphometric evaluation of Chimmini and Mupily watersheds, parts of Western Ghats, Thrissur District, Kerala, India

GIS and Remote Sensing have proved to be an indispensible tool in morphometric analysis. The identification of morphometric properties based on a geographic information system (GIS) was carried out in two watersheds in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. These watersheds are parts of Western Ghats, which is an ecologically sensitive area. Quantitative geomorphometric analysis was carried out for the Chimmini and Mupily watersheds independently by estimating their (a) linear aspects like stream number, stream order, stream length, mean stream length, stream length ratio, bifurcation ratio, length of overland flow, drainage pattern (b) aerial aspects like circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density and (c) relief aspects like basin relief, relief ratio, relative relief and ruggedness number. The drainage areas of Chimmini and Mupily watersheds are 140 and 122 km² respectively and show patterns of dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage. The Chimmini watershed was classified as a sixth order drainage basin, whereas Mupily watershed was classified as a fifth order basin. The stream order of the basin was predominantly controlled by physiographic and structural conditions. The increase in the stream length ratio from lower to higher order suggests that the study area has reached a mature geomorphic stage. The development of stream segments is affected by rainfall and local lithology of the watersheds. The slope of both watersheds varied from 0° to 50° and 0° to 42° respectively and the slope variation is chiefly controlled by the local geology and erosion cycles. Moreover, these studies are useful for planning rain water harvesting and watershed management.     

An extraction,analysis, and prioritization of Asna river sub-basins,based on geomorphometric parameters using geospatial tools

The Asna river basin is located in Hingoli and Nanded districts of Marathwada region of Maharashtra. A geomorphometric analysis is an important method for the investigation and management of natural resources of watershed. The geomorphometric analysis of Asna river basin classifies three sub-basins that have been delineated using GIS and remote sensing through measurements of linear, aerial, and relief aspects. The Asna river basin comprises an area of 1187 km² with seventh-order drainage pattern. As per Strahler classification, the upper part of the basin shows dendritic to sub-dendritic and the lower part exhibits parallel to sub-parallel drainage pattern. The total numbers of stream segments are 2422 and length of streams is 2187.92 km. The bifurcation value ranges from 1.26 to 5.58 indicating that there are no structural disturbances. The form factor value (0.49) indicates that the shape of the basin is moderately circular. The high values of drainage density, stream frequency, and low infiltration number indicate the high runoff due to impermeable lithology. The slope of the basin varies from 1 to 32.2%, terrain elevation ranges from 333 to 551 m, and overall relief of the basin is 218 m amsl. River sub-basin prioritization has an immense importance in natural resource management, especially in semi-arid regions. The present study is an attempt to prioritize the sub-basins of Asna river based on geomorphometric parameters. The weightage is assigned to different morphometric parameters of sub-basins based on erosion potential. The Asna river sub-basins have been classified into three categories as high, medium, and low on the basis of priorities for soil and water conservation. It is confirmed that sub-basin I is characterized as highly vulnerable to erosion and has high sedimentation load; sub-basin II has low priority, i.e., very low erodibility; and sub-basin III is of moderate type. The morphometric analysis and prioritization methods can be applied to hydrological studies in surface as well as subsurface water, climatic studies, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharging sites, and watershed management.     

漓江流域水土流失特征及其侵蚀影响因子典型分析

选择漓江流域及其典型岩溶小流域为研究对象,通过遥感数据综合分析和地面路线验证调查与定点监测相结合的方法,对漓江流域岩溶区和非岩溶区的水土流失特征进行了研究,并重点分析岩溶区内典型小流域——寨底小流域侵蚀影响因子对水土流失的影响。研究结果表明:漓江流域水土流失以中度和轻度等级为主,约占流域面积的29.9%;流域内岩溶区与非岩溶区的水土流失表现出一定的差异性,岩溶区以中度、极强烈和轻度等级水土流失为主,水土流失面积约占岩溶面积的53%;非岩溶区中度和轻度等级水土流失分别占非岩溶区面积的12.4%和10.4%。高程、坡度、植被覆盖、土地利用等因子对岩溶小流域土壤侵蚀面积和侵蚀量比例的影响表现出明显的差异性和独特性,这四种影响因子中的高程(300,500] m,坡度[15°,25°]、植被覆盖度≤20%、土地利用为工矿用地等对岩溶小流域土壤侵蚀的影响最大,是寨底岩溶小流域水土流失治理中应重点考虑的因素。      

山丘平圩混合区小流域水文分析计算方法研究

洪水灾害常常给社会造成严重的经济损失,小流域洪水汇流速度快,易对下游造成瞬时毁灭性灾害,采取有效的小流域治理措施是必须的。根据山丘平圩区小流域特点分析比较设计洪水的计算方法,推荐采用瞬时单位线法,同时对小流域分片设计洪水组合进行了研究分析。以团结河流域上段治理为例进行具体分析,计算出该流域20年一遇防洪设计流量为472.60m3/s,为类似该地区的山丘、平原、圩区混合区设计洪水分析总结经验,提供参考,具有现实意义。     

Soil erosion modeling of a Himalayan watershed using RS and GIS

Employing the remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS), an assessment of sediment yield from Dikrong river basin of Arunachal Pradesh (India) has been presented in this paper. For prediction of soil erosion, the Morgan-Morgan and Finney (MMF) model and the universal soil loss equation (USLE) have been utilized at a spatial grid scale of 100 m × 100 m, an operational unit. The average annual soil loss from the Dikrong river basin is estimated as 75.66 and 57.06 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ using MMF and USLE models, respectively. The watershed area falling under the identified very high, severe, and very severe zones of soil erosion need immediate attention for soil conservation.     

Soil conservation and sustainable eco-environment in the Loess Plateau of China

The Loess Plateau is well known to the world because of its thick loess and severe soil erosion. Loess is a highly erosion-prone soil that is considerably susceptible to water erosion. The Loess Plateau also has a long cultivation history, hence population growth, vegetation degeneration serious soil and water loss were obviously problems on Loess Plateau. This article analyzes several strategies of soil and water conservation on the Loess Plateau, such as terracing, planting trees, natural vegetation rehabilitation and construction of warp land dams. Different periods had different strategies of soil and water conservation and each strategy had its characteristics and effects. Finally, the research directions and future perspectives of the Loess Plateau were discussed, including the strategies of sustainable eco-environment of Loess Plateau in China.     

黔中喀斯特丘原区小河水库沉积物的 矿物磁性特征及其土壤侵蚀意义 *

对贵州中部小河水库的沉积物柱芯XS-1进行矿物磁性分析(χ_lf,ARM,IRM_20mT,SIRM 和IRM_-300mT)并计算了HIRM,χ_ARM 和χ_ARM/SIRM。主要根据沉积物的矿物磁性特征, 将这一岩芯的主要部分划分为11个小段。 通过解译这些矿物磁性参数,结合完成的¹³⁷ Cs、粒度、TOC和C/N比值分析结果,定性地推测了过去45年(1960~2005年)小河水库所在汇水流域内的土壤侵蚀变化。在此基础上,通过对各阶段平均磁性参数的主成分分析,得到各阶段土壤侵蚀的相对强度变化的定量信息,并结合人类活动和降水资料初步探讨了影响土壤侵蚀的相对强度变化的主要因素。结果表明,1960~1968年、1973~1974 年和1998~2000 年是小河流域内土壤侵蚀最为严重的3个阶段。1960~1968年人类砍伐树木是造成该阶段土壤侵蚀强烈的主要原因,而1973~1974年和1998~2000年流域内土壤侵蚀强烈则是由于降水的偏多造成的。1968年以来,夏季降水是影响土壤侵蚀变化的主要因素。     

Watershed-Estuary Coupling in Pacific Panama: Isotopic Evidence of Forest and Pasture Land Covers on Watersheds and Marine Contributions to Suspended Particulate Matter in Mangrove Estuaries

Tropical estuaries are increasingly altered by inputs from watersheds subject to widespread deforestation, as well as by globally driven hydrodynamic changes in adjoining seas. To assess contributions of C4 and C3 plants (from pasture and forest vegetation cover, respectively) to particulates exported from Pacific Panama watersheds, we measured δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in suspended particulate matter (SPM) within eight mangrove estuaries whose watersheds differed in degree of conversion from forest to pasture land cover. These measurements also allowed evaluation of down-estuary transformations and the relative marine influence on transport and exchanges of particles between land, estuary, and sea. Imprint of watershed mosaic was detectable in δ¹³C of SPM within upper reaches of estuaries but disappeared down-estuary. Detectably heavier δ¹³C suggested that C4 plants contributed to SPM in upper reaches of estuaries. δ¹³C signatures were sufficiently sensitive to reveal presence of a small, but still detectable, contribution by C4 grasses to SPM. Influence of heavier marine-derived sources increased down-estuary, erasing terrestrial imprints. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in SPM, and in mangrove species present, became enriched down-estuary, likely from increased inputs of particulates bearing heavier signatures from upwelled waters. In this tropical Pacific region, estuarine particulates are subject to increasing shifts in land cover as deforestation increases, and to global-scale changes in hydrodynamic forcing of upwelled waters.     

Regional soil erosion risk mapping using RUSLE,GIS, and remote sensing: a case study in Miyun Watershed,North China

This paper applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), remote-sensing technique, and geographic information system (GIS) to map the soil erosion risk in Miyun Watershed, North China. The soil erosion parameters were evaluated in different ways: the R factor map was developed from the rainfall data, the K factor map was obtained from the soil map, the C factor map was generated based on a back propagation (BP) neural network method of Landsat ETM+ data with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.929 to the field collected data, and a digital elevation model (DEM) with a spatial resolution of 30 m was derived from topographical map at the scale of 1:50,000 to develop the LS factor map. P factor map was assumed as 1 for the watershed because only a very small area has conservation practices. By integrating the six factor maps in GIS through pixel-based computing, the spatial distribution of soil loss in the upper watershed of Miyun reservoir was obtained by the RUSLE model. The results showed that the annual average soil loss for the upper watershed of Miyun reservoir was 9.86 t ha⁻¹ ya⁻¹ in 2005, and the area of 47.5 km² (0.3%) experiences extremely severe erosion risk, which needs suitable conservation measures to be adopted on a priority basis. The spatial distribution of erosion risk classes was 66.88% very low, 21.90% low, 6.19% moderate, 2.90% severe, and 1.84% very severe. Among all counties and cities in the study area, Huairou County is in the extremely severe level of soil erosion risk, about 39.6% of land suffer from soil erosion, while Guyuan County in the very low level of soil erosion risk suffered from 17.79% of soil erosion in 2005. Therefore, the areas which are in the extremely severe level of soil erosion risk need immediate attention from soil conservation point of view.     

三峡大坝建成后长江输沙量的减少及其对长江三角洲的影响

三峡大坝建成之后,大量泥沙滞留于库区,出库泥沙量减少,坝下河床冲刷而提供相当数量的泥沙,支流湖泊供沙也发生变化,这将使进入河口地区的泥沙有所减少。三峡大坝以上长江干流和支流建设新的大坝,南水北调、封山育林、退耕还林以及减少水土流失都将进一步减少长江进入河口地区的泥沙。由此估计,三峡大坝建成后的百年内长江输入河口地区的泥沙约为2.0×10⁸～2.5×10⁸t/a;冰后期长江三角洲形成和发育期间的长江年均输沙量为1.84×10⁸～2.28×10⁸t。二者的数值相当接近,然而与近50年的观测(4.33×10⁸t/a)相差甚远,长江流域的气候变化和人类活动可能是造成这一现象的原因。文章着重说明中国和长江上游人口的增长、种植作物的改变可能是水土流失、长江泥沙量增长的主要原因。     

三峡大坝建成后长江输沙量的减少及其对长江三角洲的影响

三峡大坝建成之后,大量泥沙滞留于库区,出库泥沙量减少,坝下河床冲刷而提供相当数量的泥沙,支流湖泊供沙也发生变化,这将使进入河口地区的泥沙有所减少。三峡大坝以上长江干流和支流建设新的大坝,南水北调、封山育林、退耕还林以及减少水土流失都将进一步减少长江进入河口地区的泥沙。由此估计,三峡大坝建成后的百年内长江输入河口地区的泥沙约为2.0×10⁸～2.5×10⁸t/a;冰后期长江三角洲形成和发育期间的长江年均输沙量为1.84×10⁸～2.28×10⁸t。二者的数值相当接近,然而与近50年的观测(4.33×10⁸t/a)相差甚远,长江流域的气候变化和人类活动可能是造成这一现象的原因。文章着重说明中国和长江上游人口的增长、种植作物的改变可能是水土流失、长江泥沙量增长的主要原因。     

承德伊逊河钒钛磁铁矿小流域土壤重金属地球化学基线及生态风险累积效应

以承德市伊逊河红旗钒钛磁铁矿小流域为例,通过参比元素标准化法、垂向剖面似背景值法确定小流域矿集区土壤12种重金属的地球化学基线,并与不同空间尺度流域的重金属地球化学基线进行对比;采用确定的基线值结合地累积指数法、地统计学、生态风险指数法和GIS叠加法对流域土壤重金属潜在生态风险和累积程度进行了评价。结果表明:钒钛磁铁矿矿致异常元素地球化学基线值具有明显的流域尺度效应,其值随着流域空间尺度的缩小而升高;在已开采矿集区小流域土壤重金属污染生态风险评价时,可选取其上一级流域地球化学基线值作为标准。伊逊河红旗矿集区小流域V、Ti、Co、Ni和Cr元素基线值高于滦河流域,As、Pb、Zn和Cd元素基线值与滦河流域相近,Mn和Hg元素基线值略低于滦河流域,Cu元素基线值略高于滦河流域。表层土壤重金属污染累积程度由强至弱为:Cu>Cr>Ti>Cd>Co>V>Ni>Zn>As>Hg>Mn>Pb;表层土壤重金属综合潜在生态风险指数RI范围为65.89～237.70,总体生态风险水平属低风险水平。深层土壤重金属总体污染累积程度和综合潜在生态...