Assessments Land Cover change Effects on Soil Erosion Trend in Hoor al-Azim wetland, Southwestern of Iran

Abstract

Soil erosion is an important factor that’s not dependent to only geo-ecological factors, rather dependent to land use changes and landscaping too. In this study, assessments the land use changes and its effect on soil erosion in Hoor al-Azim wetland located at southwestern of Iran and southeastern of Iraq countries. To do this study, using Landsat satellite imagery in May 1986 and 2016. For classification imagery, using the maximum likelihood classification method. The land cover map of Hoor al-Azim wetland was prepared. The accuracy values of classification assessments with calculating Kapa coefficient and general accuracy assessments with using error matrix. For TM sensor image, Kapa coefficient and general accuracy calculated are respectively 85.0 and 92.0 and for OLI sensor image respectively 89.0 and 94.0. Next, the soil erosion of study area, assessments with using the Universal Equation Assessment of Soil Erosion (RUSLE) in a period from 1986 to 2016. The general results indicate that in the period between 1986 and 2016, the area of land cover floors with low erosion class has been reduced and the area of high erosion classes has been increased and mainly the erosion class of more than 5 tons per hectare per year. According to the information obtained for 1986, about 26% of the area and for 2016, about 41% of the area, the amount of erosion is more than acceptable and in some parts is critical. Therefore, the results of this study clarify the need to address this issue and provide protection and management solutions.

Keywords

• classification
• maximum likelihood
• rusle
• khuzestan province