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SIMWE model application on susceptibility analysis to bank gully erosion in Alto Douro Wine Region agricultural terraces

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Bibliographic Details
Summary:This paper focuses on the susceptibility evaluation to bank gullies on earthen embankments through the application of SIMWE (SIMulatedWater Erosion)model, using a high resolution digital elevation model (1meter spatial resolution). The results provided by themodel are comparedwith the hydrologic characteristics, soil texture and soil structure of the agricultural terraces. This approach demonstrates an association between the spatial distribution of erosive forms with high values of water depth and reduced water discharge that are consistent with the lower values of electrical resistivity. The areas with the highest percentage of erosive forms, related to sediment flux, transport capacity and sediment concentration susceptibility, assume medium values. These figures, combined with a low hydraulic conductivity and soil infiltration capacity, are consistent with the fine texture of soils, allowing increased runoff and the development of linear erosion.
Main Authors:Fernandes, J.
Other Authors:Bateira, Carlos Valdir de Meneses; Soares, Laura Maria Pinheiro de Machado; Faria, A.; Oliveira, A.; Hermenegildo, C.; Moura, R.; Gonçalves, J. A. C.
Subject:SIMWE Embankments terraces Linear erosion Bank gullies Alto DouroWine Region
Year:2017
Country:Portugal
Document type:article
Access type:embargoed access
Associated institution:Universidade de Coimbra
Language:English
Origin:Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
Description
Summary:This paper focuses on the susceptibility evaluation to bank gullies on earthen embankments through the application of SIMWE (SIMulatedWater Erosion)model, using a high resolution digital elevation model (1meter spatial resolution). The results provided by themodel are comparedwith the hydrologic characteristics, soil texture and soil structure of the agricultural terraces. This approach demonstrates an association between the spatial distribution of erosive forms with high values of water depth and reduced water discharge that are consistent with the lower values of electrical resistivity. The areas with the highest percentage of erosive forms, related to sediment flux, transport capacity and sediment concentration susceptibility, assume medium values. These figures, combined with a low hydraulic conductivity and soil infiltration capacity, are consistent with the fine texture of soils, allowing increased runoff and the development of linear erosion.

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