Determination of effective factors on the occurrence of digitated gully erosion in the AghEmam(2) watershed

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Maryam Mohammad Ebrahimi ¹
• mohammad reza javadi ¹
• mehdi vafakhah ²

¹ Nour Branch, Islamic Azad University

² Tarbiat Modares University

https://doi.org/10.22067/jsw.v30i6.42860

Abstract

Introduction: Soil erosion by water is one of the most important processes of land degradation, especially in semi-arid areas. Among different types of the soil erosion, gully erosion accounts as one of the most critical processes which can cause soil destruction, changes in landscape and water resources filling of reservoir of dams,decrease in water transport capacity of rivers and agricultural lands destruction in the lowland areas. Based on the Posen definition, gully is a river with high slope walls and an erosive high slope and active head which occurs by erosion resulted from the surface flow (usually during or after high density rainfalls). Different factors play role in occurrence and development of gullies and sediment production resulted of this kind of erosion which includes slope, amount and distribution of rainfall intensity, construction operations, vegetable cover destruction, land-use change, unsuitable utilization, and susceptibility of bed materials to the erosion and flood. Considering the importance of gully erosion and the way of its occurrence and development and its control, more comprehensive studies are needed to be done. Although, some studies have done in this subject that some of them are depicted below:
Rinkez et al showed that gully erosion is further occurred in soils with high exchangeable sodium percentage and sodium absorption ratio and they depicted that these two factors are important indices for soil diffusion amount in gullies. Buma and imson investigated factors such as electricity conductivity, calcium carbonate percentage, and the type of clay mineral in white, brown, and gray samples of marl in the Peter area, Spain. According to their results, factors such as electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio had high correlation with erosivity of the Bad Lands.
Material and Methods: Agh Emam(2) watershed is located between 55º 42´ 53˝ to 55º 45´ 43˝ eastern longitudes and 37º 41´ 01˝ to 37º 46´ 19˝ northern latitudes in the east parts of the Golestan province with an area of 2,595 hectares. Arab gharehaji rural is considered as the most important area which is located at the outlet of the basin. In current study, at first, frame work and total surface of the area were investigated by field observations and 9 digitated gullies were observed during field observations. Then, spatial position of each gully was determined by using global positioning system and map of gully distribution was obtained for the study area. Then, by overlaying this map on lithology, slope degree and altitude maps of the study area, the mentioned characteristics were determined for the gullies. After sampling from the soil, they were carried to the lab and clay percentage, silt percentage, sand percentage, saturation humid percentage, electrical conductivity, acidity, organic matter percentage, exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium absorption ratio, percentage of neutrophil materials for two considered depths were measured. Then, two statistical tests were applied in order to determine the significance and or non- significance of different physical and chemical characteristics of the soil which are compare means of two statistical populations and t-Student tests. Also, a non- parametric (chi-square) test was used in order to determine the statistical analysis of the effect of non-soil factors of occurrence of digitated gullies including slope classes, altitude classes, lithology and land use.
Results: Initial investigations of the field observations, aerial photos and satellite images showed that different factors play role in the occurrence of digitated gully in the study area. So, physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, slope classes, altitude classes, lithology and land use were investigated in current study.
A: Results of the effective physical and chemical characteristics of the surface and sub- surface soil on the occurrence of digitated gully erosion
Results showed that, there wasn’t statistically significant difference between the percentages of sand, electrical conductivity, organic matter and lime, out of the digitated gully erosion (upland of the gully and beholder area) and their amounts in surface soils in the digitated gully, but, there was significant difference for silt, clay, saturated humidity percentage, cation- exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage and sodium absorption ratio. Also, the results showed that there wasn’t statistically significant difference between the sand percentage, silt percentage, clay percentage, acidity, organic material and lime in sub- surface soils out of the digitated gully erosion (upland of the gully and beholder area) and their amounts in sub- surface soils in the digitated gully, but, there was significant difference for saturated humidity percentage, electrical conductivity, cation- exchange capacity, sodium absorption ratio and exchangeable sodium percentage.
B: Results of the role of non- soil effective factors on the occurrence of the digitated gully erosion
The results of the non- parametric Chi- Square test of the effect of slope classes, altitude classes, lithology and landuse on the occurrence of digitated gullies showed that only lithology affected the occurrence of the digitated gullies. The results of current study are compatible with the results of Ghoddusi and Davoodirad, ZareMehrjerdi et al, Servati et al, Shadfar et al, Khuje et al, Rahi et al, Bayati Khatibi et al, Sayadi and Tashakkori.
Conclusion: Totally, it can be said that saturated humidity percentage, cation- exchange capacity, sodium absorption ratio and exchangeable sodium percentage as soil factors had effective role on gully erosion occurrence in the study area, while, lithology was effective among the non- soil factors. Therefore, considering these factors is necessary in order to control the erosion.

Keywords

• lithology
• landuse
• Gully erosion
• Physical and chemical characteristics of the soil

20.1001.1.20084757.1395.30.6.17.7

References

1- Abdi P. 2009. Investigation of gully erosion characteristics on formation of Gomishan Abad Watershed of Zanjan. P1967-1970. Proceeding of the 11th soil science congress, 13-15 Jul. 2009.Gorgan, Iran.

2- Ahmadi H., Mohammady A., Ghoduosi J., and Salajegheh A. 2007. Management of Land form Gully by means investigation of effective factors and model presentation for long progressive potential gullies(Case study: Hableh Rood).P.243-246. Proceeding of the 4th Management of watersheds Conference. 8-10 Jul. 2007. Tehran, Iran. (In Persian).

3- Arabghashaee Z., Niknami Davoud., Shadfar S., and Moieni A. 2011. Gully erosion mapping on Toghrood Watershed of Firoozkooh. Journal of Geographical Land, 8(31):107-119. (In Persian with English Abstract).

4- Avni Y. 2005. Gully incision as a key factor in desertification in an arid environment, the Negev High lands.Catena, 63:185-220.

5- Bayati Khatibi M., Rajabi M., and Karami F. 2011. Investigation of topographic thresholds and analyzing role of surface materials on gully development in the hill slope of semi arid areas (Case study: Shoorchay).Geography and Environmental Planning Journal, 41(1):15-34. (In Persian with English Abstract).

6- Bou kheir R., Chorowicz J., Abdollah C., and Dhont D. 2008. Soil and bed rock distribution estimated from gully form and frequency: A GIS-based decision-tree model form Lebanon. Geomorphology, 93:482-492.

7- Bouma N.A., and Imeson A.C. 2000. Investigation of relationships between measured field indicators and erosion processes on Badland surface at petrer, Spain. Catena, 40:147-171.

8- Dadkhah M. 2007. Identification of affect of some effective factors on Gully erosion development in Loess regions (A Case Study: Arab ghareh Haji Watershed, Golestan Province). Msc thesis of Shahid Beheshti University. (In Persian).

9- Davoudi Rad E., Soufi M., and Najimi A. 2010. Investigation on Climate exchange of Gully region area and characteristic of Gully morphology in Markazi province. p 78-81. Proceeding of the 4th sediment and erosion congress, 9-11 sep. 2010. Gorgan, Iran.

10- Distefano C., Ferro V., Pampalone V., and Sanzone F. 2013. Field investigation of rill and ephemeral gully erosion in the Sparacia experimental area, South Italy. Catena, 75:226-234.

11- Feiznia S., Heshmati M., Ahmadi H., and Ghoduosi J. 2007. Investigation of gully erosion in Marly Agha-Jari formation in Zagross (Case study: Ghasre-Shirin, Kermanshah). Journal of Watershed Management Research (Pajouhesh & Sazandegi), 74:32-40. (In Persian with English Abstract).

12- Ghadiri H. 1991. Soil erosion. Chamran University Publication.450PP. (In Persian).

13- Ghoduosi J., and Davoudi Rad E. 2005. Effect of physical and chemical soil properties on gully erosion occurrence and that's morphology.p.7-8. Proceeding of the 2end soil and sediment conference. 4-6 Sep. 2005. Tehran, Iran. (In Persian with English Abstract).

14- Jafari Gorzin B., Domehri R. A., Safaei M., and Ahmadian S.H. 2007. Introducing some models for predicting gully volume growth (A case studies in Sorkh-Abad watershed – Mazandaran province).Journal ofPajouhesh & Sazandegi, 75:108- 117. (In Persian with English Abstract).

15- Jafarai Gorzin B., and Kavian A. 2009. Assessment of Gully Erosion Occurrence in Sorkh-Abad Watershed Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System. Watershed Management Science & Engineering Journal, 3(7):1-13. (In Persian).

16- Karimi M. 1998. Investigation of effective factors on Gully erosion and to recommendation the suitable method for that's control in zahan region of ghaen. Msc thesis of natural resources, Tarbiat Modarres University. (In Persian with English Abstract).

17- Khazaei M., Shafiee A., and Molaei A. 2012. Investigation of Effective factors on gully Development in Maroon Watershed. Journal of soil researches, 26(2): 153-163. (In Persian).

18- Khojeh J., Ghoduosi J., and R Esmaili. 2012. Investigation of the Relation of Soil Physiochemical Characteristics and Initiation and Expansion of Gully Erosion in Temer Ghareh Ghozi Watershed, Golestan Province. Journal of Watershed Management Research (Scientific and Research), 5(9):27-41. (In Persian with English Abstract).

19- Maghsoudi M., Shadfar S., and Abasi M. 2012. Mapping of Land sensitive for Gully erosion on Zavarian Watershed of Qom Province. Quantitative of Geomorphology Researches Journal, 2:35-52. (In Persian).

20- Mortezaee Gh. 2005. Assessment on quantitative affect of environmental factors on gully erosion occurrence. PhD thesis, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural resources, Islamic Azad university, Sciences and technology Tehran branch.135pp. (In Persian with English Abstract).

21- Poesen j., Vandekerchove L., Nachtergaele J., Ostwoudwijdenes D., and Verstraeten Gand Van Wesemael B. 2002. Gully erosion in dry land environments. In: Bull, J.kirkby, M.J (Eds). Dry lands Rivers: Hydrology and Geomorphology of semi-Arid channels, Willey, Chichester, and UK.p 229-262.

22- Rahi Gh., Nazari Samani A., AhmadiH., and Salajegheh A. 2010. Effect of Soil Characteristics on Gully Erosion Mechanism and Morphology in Genaveh District. Journal of Range and Watershed Management, Iranian Journal of Natural Resources, 62(4):459-472. (In Persian with English Abstract).

23- Rienks S.M., Botha G.A., and Hughes J.C. 2000. Some physical and chemical properties of sediments exposed in a gully in Northern Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa and their relationship to the erodibility of the colluvial layers. Catena, 39:11-31.

24- Saghafi M., and Esmaiely R. 2009. Morphometric Analysis of effective factors on gullies formation and transformation on shakhan watershed. Journal of Geography and development, 15:133-150. (In Persian).

25- Sarvati M. R., Ghodousi J., and Dadkhah M. 2008. Factors effecting initiation and advancement of gully erosion in loesses. Journal of Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 75:20-33. (In Persian with English Abstract).

26- Sayadi M. 2006. Investigation on affect of some effective factors on Gully erosion development in Loess formation (A case Study: Kechic Watershed, Golestan Province). Msc Thesis of watershed management, Gorgan University, 120pp. (In Persian with English Abstract).

27- Shadfar S., Fatahi M., Sharifi A., and Peylashkaryan N. 2007. Investigation of Some effective factors on Gully erosion (A case Study: Ghashlagh Watershed of Albors province. P41-53. Proceeding of the 3rd soil and water management congress, 14-17 sep. 2007. Tehran. Iran.

28- Shadfar S. 2010. An Introduction to Gully Erosion. Entekhab Publication, Tehran.

29- Soleimanpour S.M., Soufi M., and Ahmadi H. 2009. Determining Effective Factors on Gully Development in Konartakhte Region, Fars Province. Journal of water and soil, 33(1):131-141. (In Persian with English Abstract).

30- Soleimanpour S.M., Soufi M., and Ahmadi H. 2010. A Study on the Topographic Threshold and Effective Factors on Sediment Production and Gully Development in Neyriz, Fars Province.Journal of Range and Watershed Management, 63(1):41-53. (In Persian with English Abstract).

31- Sundquist B. 2000. Top soil loss- Causes effects and implication. Science, 63:70-71.

32- Tashakori M. 2014. Investigation on effective factors on Gully erosion formation in Kal Aji Watershed. Msc thesis of Watershed Management, Islamic Azad University, Nour Branch. (In Persian with English Abstract).

33- Yamani M., Moghli M., and Karimi H. 2011. Gully erosion and its effect on settlement region in Marvdasht Ala area. Journal of Natural Geographic, 4(12):29-44. (In Persian with English Abstract).

34- Yasrebi B., Noormohamadi F., Sadeghi S.H., and Soufi M. 2013. Determination the role of topographic factors on the Gully erosion inception (A Case study: Dareh shahr Region of Ilam).Journal ofWatershed Management Science & Engineering, 7(21):53-58. (In Persian).

35- Zanjani Jam M., Soufi M., Bayat R., and Rasouli M. 2012. Investigation on morpho - climatic characteristics of gullies in order to classify gully affected regions in Zanjan province Iran. Journal of Watershed Management Research (Pajouhesh & Sazandegi), 99:2-10. (In Persian with English Abstract).

36- Zare Mehrjerdi M., Soufi M., Choupani S., and Barkhordari J. 2005. Investigation of relationship between Morphological characteristics of gully and soil properties on Kandavan Region of Hormozgan Province. P562-565. Proceeding of the 3rd sediment and erosion congress, 8-10 sep.2005.Tehran, Iran.