Spatiotemporal Variations of the Rainfall Erosivity with Considering Snow Cover Correction Coefficient in the Iranian Part of the Caspian Sea Basin

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Department of Watershed Management Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Watershed Management Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Watershed Management and Member of Water Management Research Institute, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Introduction and Objective
Awareness of the pattern of spatial and temporal variations of the rainfall erosivity is essential for improving soil erosion estimates, especially considering snow cover in different months. In the Caspian Sea Basin, due to the low distance between mountain regions and rainy plain, estimation of rainfall erosivity factor without considering snow cover correction coefficients is associated with a significant uncertainty. Accordingly, the current study aims to analyze the spatiotemporal variations of the rainfall erosivity factor with considering snow cover correction coefficient in the Iranian part of the Caspian Sea Basin.
Materials and Methods
To prepare monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall erosivity factor, monthly rainfall data of 56 synoptic stations of the Caspian Sea Basin were obtained from the national meteorological organization and statistical yearbooks with a common statistical period of 20-25 years (1996-2020). As a result, the rain erosive layer in different time bases using Co-Kriging geostatistical method with auxiliary variable of height above sea level with less root mean square error (RMSE) was used as the most common evaluation index and selection of the optimal method. Then the monthly snow cover layer was prepared from MOD10CM product and the rainfall erosivity for each month was modified.
Results and Discussion
Based on the results, the average annual rainfall erosivity factor of the Iranian part of the Caspian Sea Basin was 254.61 (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1), while by considering the snow cover correction coefficient, the rainfall erosivity value was redused to 210.53 (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1). Also, Bandar Anzali and Manjil synoptic stations have the highest and lowest values of the average annual rainfall erosivity factor equal to 749.30 and 162.87 (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1), respectively. In addition, after considering the snow cover correction coefficient, the highest monthly rainfall erosivity values of 27.27, 25.81 and, 25.56 MJ mm ha-1 hr-1 were observed in April, October and, November, respectively. On the other hand, 12.81% of the studied area is in the medium to very high levels of rainfall erosivity in the northern part of the Caspian Sea Basin, which can be used to prioritize different areas in order to carry out conservation measures to reduce the effect of the rainfall erosivity factor on the amount of soil erosion and sediment yield were used.
Conclusion and Suggestions 
Based on the results of the current research, it can be stated that the fluctuation of rainfall erosivity in different months and seasons is also affected by the rainfall time distribution throughout the year. Therefore, the maximum amounts of rainfall erosivity in most of the studied areas correspond to the main times of agricultural activities, i.e. planting and harvesting, which are critical times for soil erosion. Investigating the spatial pattern of rainfall erosivity in the Iranian part of the Caspian Sea Basin shows many relative changes between different regions from the plains to the highlands. Although this pattern is somewhat consistent with the pattern of climate changes from drier and less rainy areas to wetter and morerainy areas, the type of precipitation and especially snow in high areas has reduced the rainfall erosivity in these areas. Therefore, the temporal evaluation of rainfall erosivity resulting from the current research, in which the snow cover correction coefficient is applied, with the timing of the presence and density of vegetation on the soil surface, provides more reliable results for land management managers and planners, especially in the agricultural sector, to choose the right type of crops for each will place the area.

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Watershed Management Research Journal
Volume 36, Issue 3 - Serial Number 140
September 2023
Pages 70-89

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 July 2022
  • Revise Date: 04 October 2022
  • Accept Date: 21 December 2022

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