SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY TO WATER EROSION IN THE OUED HONAINE WATERSHED (NORTHWEST ALGERIA) THROUGH MAPPING OF SENSITIVE AREAS

S.M. MERIOUA, M. MEGHRAOUI, M. HABI, A. SELADJI, D. BRIGHT

Abstract


Water erosion in soils is a major problem caused by agricultural intensification, land degradation, and extreme climate variations. The objective of this study is to develop a method based on the integration of satellite imagery and cartographic data into a geographic information system for the identification and mapping of areas sensitive to water erosion in the soils of the Honaine micro-watershed in the Honaine region (Northwest Algeria). Three factors—slope, material friability, and land use appear to control erosion. To achieve this, the study used GIS. The resulting erosion sensitivity map shows four zones vulnerable to water erosion: low sensitivity, moderate sensitivity, high sensitivity, and very high sensitivity. The moderately sensitive zone covers 80% in total and corresponds well with field observations.


Keywords


Water erosion, Remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Mapping, Oued Honaine Watershed, Northwest Algeria.

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