TITLE:
A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach for Prioritization of Wadi Shueib Mini-Watersheds (Central Jordan) Based on Morphometric and Soil Erosion Susceptibility Analysis
AUTHORS:
Yahya Farhan, Omar Anaba
KEYWORDS:
Morphometry, Soil Erosion Susceptibility, Prioritization of Watersheds, Compound Factor, W. Shueib, Jordan
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geographic Information System,
Vol.8 No.1,
February
18,
2016
ABSTRACT: Recently watershed
prioritization has become a pragmatic approach for watershed management and
natural resources development. Wadi Shueib is a Jordan Rift valley and covers
an area of 177.8 km2. The upper catchment is of dry Mediterranean
climate, whereas the lower part is arid. The drainage network is sub-dendritic
pattern, with a trellis pattern developed due to the influence of W. Shueib
structure. Fourteen mini-watersheds were delineated and designated as (MW 1 to
MW 14) for prioritization purposes. Morphometric analysis, and soil erosion
susceptibility analysis were conducted, and their values were calculated for
each mini-watersheds. Based on value/relationship with erodibility, different
prioritization ranks were ascribed following the computation of compound
factors. Based on morphometric and soil erosion susceptibility analysis, and
the resultant ranks, the mini-watersheds have been classified into four
categories in relation to their priority for soil conservation measures: very
high, high, moderate, and low. It is found that 64.3% of the 3rdorder mini-watersheds are classified
in the categories of very high and high priority. Based on soil erosion
susceptibility analysis, three mini-watersheds are of very high priority and
three are of high priority. The integration of morphometric and soil erosion
susceptibility methods shows that mini-watersheds no.2 and no.3 are common
mini-watersheds, and can be classified in the class of moderate and low
priority respectively. By contrast, two mini-watersheds (no.8 and no.13) are
categorized in the class of high priority based on morphometric analysis, and
are classified in the category of very high priority based on soil erosion
susceptibility analysis. Similarly, mini-watershed no.14 can be placed in the
category of very high priority based on morphometric analysis, and ranks in the
category of high priority based on soil erosion susceptibility analysis. With
reference to the integration of the two methods of prioritization, it can be
concluded that most of the mini-watersheds can be categorized in the classes
moderate, high, and very high priority. Consequently, the entire W. Shueib
watershed must be prioritized for soil and water conservation to ensure future
sustainable agriculture and development of natural resources.