The role of landforms and lithology in the rate of soil erosion in Zonuzchay Catchment

The aim of this study is to estimate the rate of soil erosion and its relationship with landforms of Zonuzchay catchment in Marand city. In this study to estimate the rate of soil erosion and sediment production, the modified global model of soil loss (RUSEL), geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) was used. To implement the model, rainfall erosivity factors (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length-gradient factor (LS), support practice factor (P), and cover-management factor (C) in Arc GIS environment calculated and Then a soil erosion map was drawn. Topographic position index (TPI) was used to classify and map the landforms of the basin. Then, the role of different landforms in relation to soil erosion rates was investigated by combining relevant maps. The results showed that the values of soil erosion in Zonuzchay basin vary between 0 and 50.20 tons per hectare per year. Valleys and cuts located on heights and slopes have the highest rate of erosion and low-slope domains and flat areas and plains include areas with low and very low erosion. In Zonuzchay basin, soil erosion is mostly on the builders of Flysch type deposits, red and gray conglomerates with Marny layers and alluvial terraces. Investigation of regression relationships between (RUSLE) model factors and soil erosion of Zonuzchay basin showed that the slope length-gradient factor has the greatest effect in calculating the rate of erosion of Zonuzchay basin. .