Quantitative Analysis and Mapping of Morphometric Characteristics and Water Erosion in the Watersheds of the Mediterranean Region: Application to the Case of Northern Algeria: RESEARCH PAPER

Bellout Mahieddine; Boutoutaou Djamel

doi:10.56093/aaz.vi.168990

Authors

Bellout Mahieddine Laboratories Exploitation and Valorization of Natural Resources in Arid Zones, University Kasdi-MERBAH Ouargla, Route de Ghardaïa BP 511 Owargla 30000 Algeria.
Boutoutaou Djamel Laboratories Exploitation and Valorization of Natural Resources in Arid Zones, University Kasdi-MERBAH Ouargla, Route de Ghardaïa BP 511 Owargla 30000 Algeria.

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.vi.168990

Keywords:

Water erosion, quantitative analysis, morphometric characteristics, mapping, watersheds, Algeria

Abstract

Water erosion, a complex and widespread phenomenon in the Mediterranean region—particularly in northern semi-arid Algeria—is the primary cause of soil degradation. It also impacts water quality and accelerates the silting of dams. This study utilizes data provided by the National Agency for Hydraulic Resources, covering 132 hydrometric stations. Analysis of liquid and solid discharges indicates that the power model is most suitable for assessing water erosion across different temporal scales. The average annual specific erosion varies among watersheds, generally ranging from 0.11 to 59.78 t ha^-1 yr^-1. The monthly distribution of solid inputs reveals that autumn is the peak season for solid transport in most studied watersheds, accounting for 38.93% of the total volume. Winter follows with a significant contribution of 28.27%, while spring accounts for 25.26%. Conversely, summer exhibits the lowest flows, representing only 7.54% of the total transport. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) enabled the classification of four hydrologically homogeneous groups. Subsequently, multiple regression analyses were conducted within these groups to identify a log-linear (Poisson) relationship between specific erosion and various explanatory variables, primarily the morphometric characteristics of the watersheds. Mapping the spatial distribution of specific erosion in northern Algeria serves as a vital tool for identifying the most erosion-prone areas. By providing a detailed assessment of at-risk zones, this mapping offers a clear guide for prioritizing intervention strategies in vulnerable sectors

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