Local Factors Controlling Gully Development in a Mediterranean Environment

Bruno Martins, Adélia Nunes, Ana Meira-Castro, Luciano Lourenço and Carlos Hermenegildo
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Bruno Martins: CEGOT (Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning), RISCOS, University of Coimbra, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
Adélia Nunes: FLUC-Department of Geography and Tourism, RISCOS and CEGOT—Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
Ana Meira-Castro: School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Luciano Lourenço: FLUC-Department of Geography and Tourism, RISCOS and CEGOT—Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
Carlos Hermenegildo: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Universidade Lusófona do Porto, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Gullies contribute very efficiently to soil loss and degradation, particularly in Mediterranean environments. While natural factors are involved in gully formation and further development, anthropic action is almost always an element. Knowledge of formation and development factors are important if soil protection strategies and measures are to be effective. In this paper, we identify the most important factors in the development of gullies in a Mediterranean setting based on a study of the Alva gully (central Portugal). Its development in the last four years is examined, based on a study of the modification of its morphological characteristics. The analysis was based on principal component analysis (PCA) to estimate the correlation between the quantitative characteristics, geomorphological processes, and biophysical variables. The results show that the main factors that seem to control the spatial variation of soil erosion are the soil penetration resistance, slope, slope shape, and vegetation cover.

Keywords: gully development; sediment production; Mediterranean environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:204-:d:737016

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