Contemporary gully erosion trend in the northern part of the forest-steppe zone of the Russian Plain: a case study from the Republic of Tatarstan, European Russia

Aidar Sharifullin,Valentin Golosov,Artur Gafurov,Benedict Essuman-Quainoo,Aleksandr Dvinskih,Regina Medvedeva,Artem Gusarov

doi:10.5194/piahs-381-21-2019

Abstract

Abstract. This article presents results for gully head cut retreat rates (GHRR) in the Pre-Kama region (Republic of Tatarstan, Russia) based on monitoring (1984–1994 and 2015–2018) and the interpretation of high-resolution satellite images (2004–2014). The results suggested that the mean linear GHRR have reduced by about five times, from 1.6 m per year (1983–1994) to 0.4 m per year (2015–2018). The main reason for the significant decrease in gully erosion was the increase in winter-spring air temperatures, which resulted in a reduction in the depth of soil freezing and surface runoff. The impact of land use, as well as erosion control measures, which were implemented in the study area during the late 1980s and early 1990s, was found to be less important.

Highlights

The problem of erosion of agricultural land in Russia has existed since the end of the 19th century (Dokuchayev, 1949; Kern, 1928)
The European territory of Russia (ETR) has seen both climate change and a change in land use associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 (Apukhtin and Kumani, 2012; Ivanov et al, 2017, etc.)
The purpose of this study is to provide a quantitative assessment of modern gully erosion rate on the arable lands of the Pre-Kama region of the Republic of Tatarstan, European Russia

Summary

Introduction

The problem of erosion of agricultural land in Russia has existed since the end of the 19th century (Dokuchayev, 1949; Kern, 1928). Detailed studies of gully erosion were undertaken in the mid-20th century by a number of researchers (Dedkov, 1990; Stupishin et al, 1984; Zorina, 2006, etc.) in the central and eastern parts of the Russian Plain. The European territory of Russia (ETR) has seen both climate change and a change in land use associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 (Apukhtin and Kumani, 2012; Ivanov et al, 2017, etc.). These changes could be expected to affect the intensity of gully erosion

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Results