Vulnerability of soils in the watershed of Wadi El Hammam to water erosion (Algeria)

Abstract

Located in the north west of Algeria, the watershed of Wadi El Hammam is threatened by water erosion that has resulted the silting of reservoirs at cascade: Ouizert, Bouhanifia and Fergoug. The objective of this study is to develop a methodology using remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS) to map the zones presenting sensibility of water erosion in this watershed. It aims to produce a sensibility map that can be used as a reference document for planners. The methodology presented consists of three factors that control erosion: the slope, the friability material and the land use, which were integrated into a GIS. The derived erosion sensibility map shows three areas of vulnerability to water erosion: low, medium and high. The area of high vulnerability corresponds to sub-basin of Fergoug.