Modelling of forest road sediment in the northern forest of Iran (Lomir Watershed)

Abstract

Forest roads are the most important ways of access; nevertheless, they are the main source of sediment production. The delivered sediment by forest roads causes environmental problems and pollution of water resources. This study has been done to present a model for estimating the sediment yield of forest road using a multiple regression analysis on the Caspian southern coasts (north of Iran, Lomir watershed). For this purpose, 45 wood dams were created and their sediment volume (dependent variable) was measured. The following independent variables were estimated: road length, road width, road slope, vegetation cover, height of cut slope and road age. Then, a regression analysis was done using SPSS software to present a linear model. In the next step, the accuracy and capability of the presented model were considered and validated using the model for estimating the wood dam sediment. The results showed that road length and road width have significant effects in sediment generation. Also, the presented model can estimate the forest road sediment in northern Iran. © 2011 Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences.