Geoinformation mapping of modern gully erosion in the steppe region of the Russian Plain

Abstract

Considering the linear erosion processes in the river basins slopes it can be noticed that the gully erosion is most intensively changing the relief, leading to the complete soil cover destruction, and is making the land not suitable for agricultural use. The latest maps of the gullies’development in Russia were compiled more than 50 years ago and can be seen as very outdated. Since that time no comprehensive gullies network mapping has been carried out. Due to the gullies’ network shape and their large size, the satellite images allow noticing their representation. The study of the modern gully network was carried out in the steppe east of the Russian Plain on an area of more than 38000 km2. The gullies were mapped using high-resolution satellite images (1.65 – 0.4 m). It allowed compiling an electronic map of the modern gullies’ density in river basins. The areal and linear dynamics of morphologically active gullies for the period 2003-2014 were determined using satellite images. The data obtained indicate a very weak territory dissection by the gullies. It can be asserted that for the majority of the gullies their peak of activity has already passed, and currently they are either in a state of dynamic equilibrium or are being transformed into balkas. These results correlate with the data obtained during the earlier study of the forest and forest-steppe zones in the same Russian region.