Abstract
Soil erosion is a major environmental and economic concern affecting all continents around the world. Soil loss facilitates land degradation, threatening both agricultural and natural environments in continental Europe. The overall objective of the present study is to reveal temporal changes of erosion risk in the Maritsa Basin, and also assess the temporal effects of land use and land cover changes (LULCC) on the gross erosion rate. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was utilized to monitor the distribution of the erosion risk zones and soil loss in the basin. The variables were either directly derived from the satellite imagery or computed using established equations or previous studies. The dynamic parameters were categorized into two-time frames as 1990 and 2015. The results indicate that the annual average erosion rate decreased from 0.895 to 0.828 t ha−1 year−1. This reduction is within the range of modeling error, potentially originated from input data uncertainties. The most extensive changes in the gross soil loss were found in both agricultural and artificial areas, which emphasize the significance of these two classes in soil erosion models. The research summarized here enhances understanding the impacts of land use and land cover (LULC) classes on erosion intensities.
Highlights
In the 21st century, the erosion rate is expected to increase due to global warming and anthropogenic activities, such as land use and land cover changes (LULCC), which are associated with a more powerful hydrological cycle characterized by a higher magnitude of rainfall and more frequent occurrences of heavy precipitation [1,2]
The dynamic parameters have have been mapped on the basis of similar time frame in 1990 and 2015 since the changes in these been mapped on the basis of similar time frame in 1990 and 2015 since the changes in these input parameters are capable of altering the rate of soil water erosion
The map of LULC illustrates positive growth on artificial surfaces, water bodies, and forests, which has resulted in an explosive population growth and industrialization, the construction of new dams, and afforestation practices
Summary
In the 21st century, the erosion rate is expected to increase due to global warming and anthropogenic activities, such as land use and land cover changes (LULCC), which are associated with a more powerful hydrological cycle characterized by a higher magnitude of rainfall and more frequent occurrences of heavy precipitation [1,2]. Climate change due to anthropogenic activities such as LULCC [3] and global warming [4] might cause direct and indirect effects on soil erosion at various scales. Such natural and human-induced changes have altered the dynamics of soil erosion, thereby resulting in erosion intensity through years. In addition to the natural processes, soil erosion rates have increased above normal levels because of human alterations. The most significant land degradation factor is human activities [8].
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