Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies

Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies

Evaluation of the performance of mechanical and biomechanical measures of watershed management on changes in floods, erosion, sedimentation and vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas. (Case study: Badkash Watershed in Minab City)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Masoud Motaghian
Seyed Hassan Alavinia
Reza Ghazavi
Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
10.22034/jargs.2023.397286.1029
Abstract
Aim: This research investigates the effectiveness of watershed management activities carried out in the Badkash watershed. 
Material & Method: All the watershed measures carried out in the area were visited. In connection with biological and biomechanical operations, the NDVI index was compared twice before and after the watershed operation to investigate vegetation changes. The comparison of erosion and sedimentation before and after the operation was carried out using the estimated model of preliminary studies (MPSIAC), and the effectiveness and efficiency of watershed operations on erosion and sedimentation, flood, and vegetation were investigated. 
Finding: Measures taken in the area can trap sediments of about 7518733 cubic meters; of this tank volume, about 5754910 cubic meters have been trapped by the sediments brought upstream of the basin. The rate of specific erosion has increased from 8.74 tons per hectare to 7.46 tons per hectare, and the amount of sedimentation has also decreased significantly. Two areas of 200 and 58 hectares of the basin lands have also been subjected to the biomechanical operation of catchment crescents, and biological mounding operations have also been carried out inside the catchment crescents. 
Conclusion: The results show that the temporal changes of the NDVI index for the entire area have a positive trend, and since 2018, with the implementation of biomechanical operations in the desired area, the value of this index has increased compared to the long-term average of the entire area.
Innovation: Until now, the evaluation of the effects of watershed management measures has been done less. Examining the effectiveness of these measures can help to continue these measures or change how they are implemented. This can help attract the attention of watershed decision-makers in the direction of investment.
Keywords
Effectiveness
soil protection
biological operations
mechanical operations
watershed management
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Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies
Volume 14, Issue 53
Autumn 2023
Pages 84-67

  • Receive Date 14 May 2023
  • Revise Date 11 June 2023
  • Accept Date 12 June 2023
  • Publish Date 15 October 2023