THESIS & RESEARCHES
Using the G2 model to estimate sediment yield in the Candelaro watershed of Apulia region in Italy.
Year:
2020
Author:
Haroun Houssem Eddine
Erosion by water is a serious environmental problem not only due to wearing away the topsoil and depletion of fertile land, but also because of its off-site detrimental consequences, including the deposition of sediments in reservoirs as well as damage to water life. In this context, this research aims to map sediment yield at month-time intervals in the Candelaro river basin, Apulia region, Italy, using the G2 erosion model. G2 follows the fundamentals of USLE and EPM models. A digital elevation model of 90-m resolution was used to extract the hydrographic and topographic characteristics of the basin in order to compute the sediment delivery ratio. The sediment yield figures in Candelaro were produced at watershed scale (6.6 km2 mean size). The results indicate a mean sediment delivery ratio (SDR) of 0.06. The mean annual specific sediment yield (SSY) rate was found to be 0.09 t ha-1 y-1, with September and November being the most productive months. The analysis indicated that the major part of the erosion-prone land area (98%) has very low or low sediment yield predictions. The annual sediment yield of the entire basin was found to be 20,054 t y-1. The study complemented a previous soil loss assessment, with a view to providing complete and detailed erosion maps for the Candelaro basin.
Supervisor:
P. Zdruli P. and C. Karydas
Collaboration:
CIHEAM