Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Mousa Abedini*, professor of Geomorphology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Iran
2
Ph.D. Student, Department of Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil
3
Professor, Department of Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili., Ardabil
10.22067/geoeh.2025.91165.1535
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the role of landforms in soil erosion in the basins of the southern slope of the Sahand mountain range.Also the study area in this research is the basins of the southern slope of the Sahand mountain range. The Qale Chay basin, which originates from Sahand and ultimately enters the Urmia Lake basin. Using the Modified Global Soil Erosion Model (RUSLE) and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) system, factors affecting erosion including rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and intensity (LS), vegetation management (C), and soil conservation operations (P) were evaluated, and landforms were classified in this system. The results of the study showed that areas with very high and high erosion cover an area of about 0.45 percent, equivalent to 17.33 square kilometers. These areas occurred in the upstream of the basin, which had high altitude, higher average rainfall, and less vegetation. The areas with very low and low erosion were about 95.54 percent, equivalent to 3623.11 square kilometers, which were in areas with dense vegetation, less rainfall, and in plains and flat areas. In addition, the analysis of the landforms of the region showed that the highest erosion rate is observed in landforms of waterways, ravines, and narrow valleys. While flatter landforms such as plains and alluvial terraces have less erosion. The use of the GEE system in this study demonstrated its high capability in combining and analyzing scalable geographic data and provides an effective method for sustainable land management and reducing soil erosion. These findings can be used by authorities and researchers in management planning and implementing conservation operations in similar watersheds.
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