Dynamics of Erosion and Deposition in a Partially Restored Valley-Bottom Gully

Alberto Alfonso-Torreño, Álvaro Gómez-Gutiérrez and Susanne Schnabel
Additional contact information
Alberto Alfonso-Torreño: Research Institute for Sustainable Land Development (INTERRA), University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Álvaro Gómez-Gutiérrez: Research Institute for Sustainable Land Development (INTERRA), University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Susanne Schnabel: Research Institute for Sustainable Land Development (INTERRA), University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-28

Abstract: Gullies are sources and reservoirs of sediments and perform as efficient transfers of runoff and sediments. In recent years, several techniques and technologies emerged to facilitate monitoring of gully dynamics at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. Here we present a detailed study of a valley-bottom gully in a Mediterranean rangeland with a savannah-like vegetation cover that was partially restored in 2017. Restoration activities included check dams (gabion weirs and fascines) and livestock exclosure by fencing. The specific objectives of this work were: (1) to analyze the effectiveness of the restoration activities, (2) to study erosion and deposition dynamics before and after the restoration activities using high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), (3) to examine the role of micro-morphology on the observed topographic changes, and (4) to compare the current and recent channel dynamics with previous studies conducted in the same study area through different methods and spatio-temporal scales, quantifying medium-term changes. Topographic changes were estimated using multi-temporal, high-resolution DEMs produced using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and aerial images acquired by a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The performance of the restoration activities was satisfactory to control gully erosion. Check dams were effective favoring sediment deposition and reducing lateral bank erosion. Livestock exclosure promoted the stabilization of bank headcuts. The implemented restoration measures increased notably sediment deposition.

Keywords: topographic change; restoration; gully dynamics; UAV; SfM photogrammetry; rangeland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/1/62/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/1/62/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:1:p:62-:d:479463

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().