Estimation of sediment yield using the IntErO model in the S1-5 Watershed of the Shirindareh River Basin, Iran

Abstract

Soil erosion is natural processes that take place when the power of wind and water on the soil surface go beyond the cohesive forces that bind the soil particles together. Vegetation cover protects the soil from the effects of these erosive forces. Land management activities such as ploughing, heavy grazing may disturb this protective layer, exposing the soil to the erosion processes. In this research, we studied erosion processes caused by water, estimating sediment yield in the S1-5 Watershed of the Shirindareh River Basin of the north eastern mountainous parts of Iran. We started from the fact that the erodibility depends on climate conditions, rocks permeability, soil type, land use, location and degree of exposure to erosive influences. The IntErO model for calculation of soil erosion intensity and runoff was used. During the filed visit it was recorded that the dominant erosion form in this area is surface erosion and has taken place in all the soils on the slopes. Variables which define the physical-geographical characteristics of the river basin are included in the IntErO simulation model. The results shown that the net soil loss was calculated on 13228 m³ per year, specific 230 m3km-2 per year. The results of this study provided standard data for soil conservation illustrating the possibility of modelling of sediment yield with such approach.