Modification of erosion potential method using climate and land cover parameters

Abstract

The main focus in this article is given on the erosion potential method (EPM) modification. The aim was to provide a seasonal assessment, in addition to annual erosion assessment for the case study Dubračina catchment, Croatia. Seasonal assessment of erosion processes in the catchment will contribute to planning strategies that would benefit local community and enable the more appropriate and timely definition of erosion mitigation and protection measures. Original EPM was used for erosion intensity and sediment production assessment for two time periods: the past and the present time. The overall classification of erosion intensity categorises the erosion processes in the catchment as slight, although excessive erosion processes are present in some areas. For the method modification purpose, three main model parameters were changed: precipitation, soil protection coefficient and temperature. The greatest soil loss was found to occur in autumn, followed by summer, spring and winter period. The results indicated good erosion intensity and soil loss approximation obtained with the modified EPM and 13% soil loss deviation in comparison to the results obtained with original EPM. The erosion intensity, land cover map for both the present time and summer season and soil surface change over a two-year time period were verified.

Keywords

• Erosion potential method
• method modification
• erosion intensity
• sediment production
• seasonal assessment
• Gavrilović method