Identification of erosion-prone areas using modified morphometric prioritization method and sediment production rate: a remote sensing and GIS approach

Abstract

Watersheds from semiarid zones are sensitive to land degradation processes wherein the morphometric investigation is an important aspect to unwrap the susceptible areas. Hence it is a prerequisite for the assessment of erosional pattern of the watershed. Thus, based on the response to erosional processes, prioritization task has been undertaken for fourteen sub-watersheds from basaltic region of Western Ghats of India. A morphometry-based framework using weighted sum analysis (WSA) coupled with the remote sensing data, field data and topographical maps were generated on geographical information system (GIS) platform to estimate the soil erosion susceptibility. The study also evaluates the performance of this new methodology by considering the sediment production rate (SPR) of these sub-watersheds. The resultant WSA-SPR model has prioritized the study area into high, moderate low and very low categories. The high and moderate priority areas lie in the proximity of outlet, upper elevated and undulating terrain of the watershed. It represents 41.38% of the total area covering SW1, 3, 13 and 14 sub-watersheds. This study proposes a useful tool to define areas for planning the strategies to control soil erosion and promote soil conservation. ARTICLE HISTORY

The Implementation of a Hybrid Model for Hilly Sub-Watershed Prioritization Using Morphometric Variables: Case Study in India

“…Over the past decade, throughout the world, a number of studies have been conducted by researchers on watershed prioritization based on morphometric parameters using a simple average method [5,18], principal component analysis [25][26][27], and weighted-sum approach [1,22,[28][29][30]. Gajbhiye et al [5] used simple average method for prioritizing erosion-prone area of 14 SWs of the Manot River catchment, Madhya Pradesh, India, based on morphometric (linear, areal, and shape) parameters.…”

“…The weighted-sum analysis was applied to significant morphometric variables which were identification using PCA, and compound factor (CF) value was calculated for final priority ranking and their related category. The mathematical expression for CF computation is written as [1,22,[28][29][30]:…”

“…In identification of highly susceptible areas for risk assessment and management, the importance of all the input constraints may not be equal as each SW has its own characteristics. In recent years, a few separate studies have been conducted using weighted-sum analysis for watershed prioritization based on morphometric parameters [1,22,[28][29][30], as well as principal component analysis for watershed prioritization [23,[25][26][27]. The recent implementation of the hybridization between the PCA and WSA demonstrated an optimistic strategy for SW prioritization.…”

Assessment of recharge potential zones for groundwater development and management using geospatial and MCDA technologies in semiarid region of Western India

“…Soil plays a supportive vital role in the recharge of groundwater in that area [3,30]. As per the soil survey map and field study, area is characterized as sandy loam, loam clay and clay types ( Fig.…”

“…Groundwater source is generally safe and prime source of drinking water due to less pollution as compared to the surface water [1][2][3]. The increasing inhabitants, farming activities and rapid industrialization have led to continuous extraction, depletion and degradation of groundwater.…”