Mapping Spatio-Temporal Soil Erosion Patterns in the Candelaro River Basin, Italy, Using the G2 Model With Sentinel2 Imagery

Abstract

This study aims at mapping soil erosion caused by water in the Candelaro river basin, Apulia region, Italy, using the G2 erosion model. The G2 model can provide erosion maps and statistical figures at month-time intervals, by applying non data-demanding alternatives for the estimation of all the erosion factors. In the current research, G2 is taking a step further with the introduction of Sentinel2 satellite images for mapping vegetation retention factor on a fine scale; Sentinel2 is a ready-to-use, image product of high quality, freely available by the European Space Agency. Although only three recent cloud-free Sentinel2 images covering Candelaro were found in the archive, new solutions were elaborated to overcome time-gaps. The study in Candelaro resulted in a mean annual erosion rate of 0.87 t ha−1 y−1, while the autumn months were indicated to be the most erosive ones, with average erosion rates reaching a maximum of 0.12 t ha−1 in September. The mixed agricultural-natural patterns revealed to be the riskiest surfaces for most months of the year, while arable land was the most extensive erosive land cover category. The erosion maps will allow competent authorities to support relevant mitigation measures. Furthermore, the study in Candelaro can play the role of a pilot study for the whole Apulia region, where erosion studies are rather limited.

Keywords

• erosion
• g2 model
• sentinel2