Seasonal patterns of suspended sediment load and erosion-transport assessment in a Mediterranean basin

ABSTRACT

To assess seasonal patterns of suspended sediment load and its erosion–transport interactions, 17 years of river monitoring data from the Isser River Basin (northwest Algeria) were studied, considering continuous and event-scale approaches. The results show significant differences in sediment yield and transport processes between dry and wet periods. A rate of 8 t ha^?1 year^?1 was estimated from continuous analysis, with values of 4.3 and 13 t ha^?1 year^?1 for wet and dry periods, respectively. Estimates of soil delivery ratio pointed to higher values during dry periods and the dominance of hillslope erosion processes. At the event scale, the hysteresis loops confirmed these seasonal patterns in transport dynamics. The calibration of the MUSLE model highlighted the severity of rainfall during the dry period. These results emphasize the importance of seasonality in erosion and transport processes with special relevance in terms of climate change predictions.     

Impact of water and soil conservation (WSC) strategies in improving water balance and soil production in Algeria: options to alleviate the negative impacts of climate change

In Algeria, water and soil, vital resources of production, are currently experiencing degradation in terms of quantity and quality. The deficit of rainfall, the frequency and intensity of droughts, and torrential rains exacerbate growing water stress and erosion phenomenon. These conditions involve adaptation strategies and the development of management techniques for the scarcity of excess water. The strategies for the conservation and management of water and soil (WSC) will be one option, among others, to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. In this sense and to highlight the strategies of WSC, we identified the different techniques of conservation of water and soil; we evaluated their effectiveness and suitability and identified some trends in these techniques. This evaluation has shown the positive role of these techniques in controlling water and conserving natural environments and suitability to the harsh conditions of semi-arid and arid areas.