Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece
Soil erosion is a severe and continuous environmental problem caused mainly by natural factors, which can be enhanced by anthropogenic activities. The morphological relief with relatively steep slopes, the dense drainage network, and the Mediterranean climate are some of the factors that render the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/12/5684 |
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| author | Imen Brini Dimitrios D. Alexakis Chariton Kalaitzidis |
| author_facet | Imen Brini Dimitrios D. Alexakis Chariton Kalaitzidis |
| author_sort | Imen Brini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Soil erosion is a severe and continuous environmental problem caused mainly by natural factors, which can be enhanced by anthropogenic activities. The morphological relief with relatively steep slopes, the dense drainage network, and the Mediterranean climate are some of the factors that render the Paleochora region (South Chania, Crete, Greece) particularly prone to soil erosion in cases of intense rainfall events. In this study, we aimed to assess the correlation between soil erosion rates estimated from the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the landscape patterns and to detect the most erosion-prone sub-basins based on an analysis of morphometric parameters, using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. The assessment of soil erosion rates was conducted using the RUSLE model. The landscape metrics analysis was carried out to correlate soil erosion and landscape patterns. The morphometric analysis helped us to prioritize erosion-prone areas at the sub-basin level. The estimated soil erosion rates were mapped, showing the spatial distribution of the soil loss for the study area in 2020. For instance, the landscape patterns seemed to highly impact the soil erosion rates. The morphometric parameter analysis is considered as a useful tool for delineating areas that are highly vulnerable to soil erosion. The integration of three approaches showed that there is are robust relationships between soil erosion modeling, landscape patterns, and morphometry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:15:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48d094ed48ab4b8db0ceae6a4e04699d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:15:30Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-48d094ed48ab4b8db0ceae6a4e04699d2023-11-22T00:50:23ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-06-011112568410.3390/app11125684Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, GreeceImen Brini0Dimitrios D. Alexakis1Chariton Kalaitzidis2Department of Geoinformation in Environmental Management, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, 73100 Crete, GreeceGeoSat ReSeArch Lab, Institute for Mediterranean Studies, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) Rethimno, 74100 Crete, GreeceDepartment of Geoinformation in Environmental Management, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, 73100 Crete, GreeceSoil erosion is a severe and continuous environmental problem caused mainly by natural factors, which can be enhanced by anthropogenic activities. The morphological relief with relatively steep slopes, the dense drainage network, and the Mediterranean climate are some of the factors that render the Paleochora region (South Chania, Crete, Greece) particularly prone to soil erosion in cases of intense rainfall events. In this study, we aimed to assess the correlation between soil erosion rates estimated from the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the landscape patterns and to detect the most erosion-prone sub-basins based on an analysis of morphometric parameters, using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. The assessment of soil erosion rates was conducted using the RUSLE model. The landscape metrics analysis was carried out to correlate soil erosion and landscape patterns. The morphometric analysis helped us to prioritize erosion-prone areas at the sub-basin level. The estimated soil erosion rates were mapped, showing the spatial distribution of the soil loss for the study area in 2020. For instance, the landscape patterns seemed to highly impact the soil erosion rates. The morphometric parameter analysis is considered as a useful tool for delineating areas that are highly vulnerable to soil erosion. The integration of three approaches showed that there is are robust relationships between soil erosion modeling, landscape patterns, and morphometry.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/12/5684soil erosionRUSLE modellandscape patternmorphometry |
| spellingShingle | Imen Brini Dimitrios D. Alexakis Chariton Kalaitzidis Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece Applied Sciences soil erosion RUSLE model landscape pattern morphometry |
| title | Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece |
| title_full | Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece |
| title_fullStr | Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece |
| title_short | Linking Soil Erosion Modeling to Landscape Patterns and Geomorphometry: An Application in Crete, Greece |
| title_sort | linking soil erosion modeling to landscape patterns and geomorphometry an application in crete greece |
| topic | soil erosion RUSLE model landscape pattern morphometry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/12/5684 |
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