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The port of Tangier Med is essential due to its strategic location, as it is an important trading center linking Europe, North America, and Africa. However, the increased rates of downstream sediment transportation put pressure on the sustainable future of the port. Thus, assessing the existing erosion rates and future improvement scenarios is imperative for planning sustainable management at the catchment level. We utilize the Erosion Potential Model (EPM) combined with the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) algorithm to assess the erosion and outflow intensity and to distinguish the sediment-producing areas in the R'mel watershed. The port's proximity at the bottom of the slope opposite the R'mel Dam is relevant in this context. Initial results show an average erosion rate of 13 t/ha/year. Quarry operations were identified as the primary sediment source, as indicated by the factors contributing to erosion. The qualitative PAP/RAC (Priority Actions Program/Regional Activity Center) model was used to assess the development trends in the watershed, confirming a clear tendency toward irreversible degradation in the quarry areas. Considering that the mined carbonate lithology represents 23.77% of the total area of the catchment, the situation in the region could deteriorate if quarry operations continue. The simulation of quarry rehabilitation scenarios through land use and land cover change (LULC) with IntErO shows that reforestation of quarries can significantly reduce erosion rates (4.78 t/ha/year) compared to their conversion to agricultural land. This study underlines the effectiveness of IntErO, based on the EPM model, in quickly and effectively mapping and quantifying water erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the processes of displacement and redistribution of soil particles caused by different erosion types is considered an efficient sediment management tool in various scales from the field plot to the watershed. The rainfed agriculture practices on high gradient slopes are one of the main sources of accelerated soil erosion due to the disturbance of soil structure by tillage processes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of rainfed agriculture practices and slope gradient on soil erosion using the activity concentrations of 137Cs fallout in Khamsan experimental watershed, western Iran. The diffusion and migration model was used for undisturbed soils and mass balance equation type II was used for agricultural lands. The distribution map of soil erosion and deposition of the watershed was prepared using 137Cs method and the interactions between rainfed agriculture and slope gradient (as the most effective geomorphological factor) on erosion rate and sediment redistribution were evaluated. The results indicated that the highest rates of soil erosion in rainfed agriculture (11.46 t ha-1 year-1) and rangeland (1.27 t ha-1 year-1) were recorded in the slope gradient classes of 20%-30% and >60%, respectively. In addition, the maximum sedimentation in rainfed agriculture (5.78 t ha-1 year-1) and rangeland (0.89 t ha-1 year-1) occurred in the slope classes of 30%-60% and in >60%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water erosion has radically affected the productive capacity of soils, especially in regions with a tropical climate, causing environmental and social damage, such as reduced agricultural productivity and siltation of water bodies. The objective of this research was to estimate soil losses with using the IntErO model - Erosion Potential Method in the River Machado Watershed (MRW), South Minas Gerais State (Brazil), with the idea to identify areas of increased soil losses due to water erosion, contributing with the research activities to the environmental planning in order to prevent land degradation. The Machado River basin was selected as study area because it is an important Sustainable Use Conservation Unit in Minas Gerais, which has abundant water resources, rich biodiversity, and intensive agricultural production. The estimated soil losses for the year 2020 were calculated, using the IntErO model - Erosion Potential Method, in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The MRW presented an average soil loss of 18.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1, and a total of about 2 million tons per year. In about 85% of the watershed, soil losses were greater than the tolerable limits, what leads to the conclusion that there is a need to adopt a comprehensive soil conservation management plan to reduce water erosion. The highest average soil losses occurred in areas of exposed soil as well as sporadic agricultural and pasture, and are concentrated in the southern sector of the studied area. The results obtained can support the environmental planning aimed at the conservationist use of the soil in the MRW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil losses from water erosion jeopardize agricultural sustainability and food security for current and future generations. The research aimed to evaluate the application of the Erosion Potential Method by the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow - IntErO program in a karst watershed in a region with typical savanna climate in the northeast of the State of Goiás, Brazil. Input data were adapted according to the corresponding characteristics of tropical regions. The results indicated that the Extreme watershed has a value of 0.62 in the index (0 to 1) which defined the strength of the intensity of erosion. The river basin belongs to the category 3 of destruction with moderate erosion intensity, which indicates processes of surface erosion in the largest area of the hydrographic basin, and annual soil loss of 480.60 m³ km² yr-1. According to the IntErO model calculations 16% of the eroded material reaches the outflow of the hydrographic basin, and 84% of these sediments are deposited within the Basin, inside the surface and underground caves and galleries of the karst. Calculations by the IntErO model with the Erosion Potential Method in its algorithm proved to be valuable tool in evaluating the production of sediments in tropical soils, especially in evaluating different scenarios after establishing the inputs database for Brazil and will serve as a good starting point for future evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor physical, chemical and biological properties make Stagnic Luvisol highly susceptible to water erosion on sloping terrains. The objective of this paper is to estimate the effect of different tillage treatments and crops (maize, soybean, winter wheat, spring barley, oilseed rape) on water erosion. The highest erosion in investigation period (1995–2014) was recorded in the control treatment with fallow, followed by the treatment that involved ploughing and sowing up and down the slope. Significantly, lower soil losses were recorded in no-tillage and treatments with ploughing and sowing across the slope. Regarding the crops significantly higher soil losses were recorded in spring row crops (maize and soybean) compared to high-density winter crops (wheat and oilseed rape) and double crop (spring barley with soybean). In the studied period, an average loss of 46 mm of the plough layer was recorded in the control treatment, while in treatment with ploughing and sowing up and down the slope average annual soil loss was 10 mm. According to the results of this study no-tillage and tillage across the slope are recommended as tillage which preserves soil for the next generations in agro-ecological conditions of continental Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Use of models in the research of soil erosion processes is at the moment a standard practice and models are necessary tool for better understanding of sediment production and runoff, although their interpretation is limited by large uncertainties, including model parameter uncertainties. In this research we studied the main ecological factors and anthropogenic influences in sediment yield on the Provala basin of Montenegro analyzing the relationships between the physical-geographical, geological, soil, land use, climate characteristics and soil erosion intensity. Real soil losses, Gyr, were calculated on 7541 m3yr-1, specific on 597 m3km-2yr-1. The value of Z coefficient was calculated on 0.482 what indicates that the river basin belongs to the 3rd destruction category; erosion process is medium. There is a possibility for large flood waves to appear in the studied basin. The results presented in this paper can provide decision support for watershed managers about where the best conservation measures can be implemented effectively and at low cost in the studied area. The methods we used in this study can also be of interest in sediment modeling for other basins in the Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion and sediment redistribution are natural processes of paramount importance. They are causing environmental concerns such as land degradation, soil and habitat loss, water pollution, desertification, ecosystem alteration. They may also have severe consequences on human infrastructures, such as bridges, road and rail network; sedimentation and deposition on reservoirs. The integrated management of soil erosion at the catchment scale has always been of a great importance for agriculture and other fields such as ecology and water science. For this reason, the assessment of soil erosion and sediment transport is a key component of integrated catchment management. It is generally accepted fact that both sediment discharge series and soil erosion measurements are only available in a few and small to medium-size experimental catchments. The most useful tool available to catchment managers for soil erosion and sediment yield assessment is use of analytical models of these processes. In order to carry out this task, the IntErO model was tested in 48 catchments of Shirindareh watershed in Iran with different sediment data availability. One of the studied regions was S1-1 watershed where we studied soil erosion processes using this analytical and computer-graphic method. Calculated maximal outflow from the river basin was 41 m³s-1 for the incidence of 100 years and the net soil loss was 3355 m³km-2, specific 224 m³km-2 per year. It was concluded that this model can be applied to this Region and may be applied to the other areas similar to Shirindareh watershed for simple, reliable identification of critical areas of soil erosion in watersheds. Nevertheless, further research is needed to address model limitations and to reduce model results uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change in all river basins leads to changes in hydrologic response, soil erosion, and sediment dynamics characteristics. Those changes are often viewed as the main cause of accelerated erosion rates. We studied the impact of land use changes on soil erosion processes in one of the watersheds in Montenegro: the Miocki Potok, using this watershed as a pilot river basin for this area. We simulated responses of soil erosion processes by using a process-oriented soil erosion Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model, with different settings of land use for the years 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The model provides fast, effective, and affordable insight into the effects of land use change on soil erosion processes. Testing of the applied procedures was important for the further establishment of watershed management methodologies at the national level, for the other 300 river basins of Montenegro. For the current state of land use, calculated peak discharge for the Miocki Potok was 364 m3 s−1 (2020)–372 m3 s−1 (1970) for the incidence of 100 years, and there is a possibility for large flood waves to appear in the studied basin. Real soil losses, Gyear, were calculated at 13680 m3 year−1 (2020) and specific 333 m3 km−2 year−1 (2020). A Z coefficient value of 0.439 (2020) indicated that the river basin belongs to destruction category III. The strength of the erosion process was medium, and according to the erosion type, it was mixed erosion. According to our analysis, the land use changes in the last 50 years influenced a decrease in the soil erosion intensity for 14% in the Miocki Potok River Basin. Further studies should be focused on the detailed analysis of the land use changes trends with the other river basins at the national level, closely following responses of soil erosion to the changed land use structure, and effects of plant-and-soil interaction on soil erosion and sediment dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion, with the progressive loss of fertile topsoil and its negative impact on agricultural productivity, has become a critical global environmental problem. In the second half of the 20th century, many municipalities in Serbia experienced significant changes in land use, vegetation, and environmental conditions. The drive towards industrialization and urbanization aimed to improve the living standards of the population, but as a consequence, it led to substantial depopulation of rural areas and the adoption of inadequate agricultural practices, which, in turn, further intensified soil erosion. This study focuses on the Sokobanjska Moravica River basin (Eastern Serbia), extending to the Bovan Lake Dam and upstream, with a total area of 540.4 kmF. The basin is situated in a characteristic karst landscape. Changes in erosion intensity and runoff from this basin are analyzed using the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model, which algorithmically integrates the widely used Erosion Potential Method (EPM) with innovative computational techniques to predict sediment production and runoff from the river basin accurately. This analysis utilizes GIS software and official statistical yearbook data, focusing on the period from the second half of the 20th century, including the analysis of the current state. According to our research, the most intensive changes in land use occurred between 1961 and 1971, marking the beginning of the period of a decline in rural population and, consequently, a decrease in erosion intensity. Key findings indicate that predominant changes in land use and vegetation led to a shift from crop farming to animal husbandry. After 1971, ongoing depopulation, particularly in rural areas, resulted in a gradual and steady decrease in erosion intensity. The primary aim of this study is to support policymakers in developing more effective soil and water conservation regulations. By making recommendations for the protection of vegetation, and thus the soil within this river basin, this research helps ensure their long-term preservation. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of current land use practices and develop strategies to mitigate erosion in the context of changing climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully erosion is a widespread environmental danger, threatening global socio-economic stability and sustainable development. This study comprehensively applied seven machine learning (ML) models including SVM, KNN, RF, XGBoost, ANN, DT, and LR, and evaluated gully erosion susceptibility in the Tensift catchment and predict it within the Haouz plain, Morocco. To ensure the reliability of the findings, the study employed a robust combination of gully erosion inventory, sentinel images, and Digital Surface Model. Eighteen predictors, encompassing topographical, geomorphological, environmental, and hydrological factors, were selected after multicollinearity analyses. The gully erosion susceptibility of the study revealed that approximately 28.18% of the Tensift catchment is at a very high risk of erosion. Furthermore, 15.13% and 31.28% of the catchment are categorized as low and very low respectively. These findings extend to the Haouz plain, where 7.84% of the surface area are very highly risking erosion, while 18.25% and 55.18% are characterized as low and very low risk areas. To gauge the performance of the ML models, an array of metrics including specificity, precision, sensitivity, and accuracy were employed. The study highlights XGBoost and KNN as the most promising models, achieving AUC ROC values of 0.96 and 0.93 in the test phase. The remaining models namely RF (AUC ROC = 0.89), LR (AUC ROC = 0.80), SVM (AUC ROC = 0.81), DT (AUC ROC = 0.86), and ANN (AUC ROC = 0.78), also displayed commendable performance. The novelty of this research is its innovative approach to combat gully erosion through cutting edge ML models, offering practical solutions for watershed conservation, sustainable management, and the prevention of land degradation. These insights are invaluable for addressing the challenges posed by gully erosion within the region, and beyond its geographical boundaries and can be used for defining appropriate mitigation strategies at local to national scale. • ML models (SVM, KNN, RG, XGBoost, ANN, Dt, LR) predict gully erosion susceptibility. • Robust dataset (1200 samples) gathered for Tensift catchment and Haouz plain. • Multicollinearity analysis guided selection of 18 predictors. • Significant erosion risk areas: 28.18% (Tensift), 7.84% (Haouz). • XGBoost and KNN excelled (AUC ROC = 0.96, 0.93); RF, LR, SVM, DT, ANN are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]