Abstract

The main objective of this study is to predict soil erosion in the Lattakia Governorate (W Syria) using the Water Erosion Prediction Project model (WEPP) and to compare the result with that of the RUSLE. Field survey and data collection were carried out, and 44 soil samples were analyzed. In addition, all the necessary input files were prepared for use in the WEPP model and RUSLE. Results show that more than of 80% of the locations studied experience slight to moderate erosion (less than 5 t/ha/y), whereas the rest of the locations experience severe soil erosion hazard. Moreover, the volume of runoff estimated by the WEPP model is in the range of 51-321 mm, and the R-2 between the simulated soil erosion and the predicted runoff reached 0.68. Interestingly, the R-2 between the WEPP model and RUSLE is 0.56, which indicates a good correlation between the two models. (C) 2020 International Research and Training Centre on Erosion and Sedimentation/the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Soil erosion; Run-off; WEPP; RUSLE; Syria

Published in

International Journal of Sediment Research
2021, Volume: 36, number: 2, pages: 207-220
Publisher: IRTCES

SLU Authors

• Alshihabi, Omran

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2020.06.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110044