Land-Use-Change-Driven Erosion and Sediment Transport in the Yaqui River Sub-Basin (Mexico): Insights from Satellite Imagery and Hydraulic Simulations

Omar Salvador Areu-Rangel, Miguel Ángel Hernández-Hernández and Rosanna Bonasia ()
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Omar Salvador Areu-Rangel: Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Col. Carboneras, Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Mexico
Miguel Ángel Hernández-Hernández: Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3004, Copilco Universidad, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
Rosanna Bonasia: School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Carretera Lago de Guadalupe Km 3.5 Atizapán de Zaragoza Col. Margarita Maza de Juarez, Cd López Mateos 52926, Mexico

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Soil erosion and sediment transport are significant concerns in the Yaqui River sub-basin in northwest Mexico, driven by land use changes and environmental degradation. This study aims to evaluate erosion processes between 2000 and 2020 using a combination of satellite imagery and numerical simulations with Iber software (Version 2.5.2). The primary objective is to assess the impacts of land use changes, particularly the conversion of forest to grassland, on erosion rates and sediment transport. Satellite images from 2000 and 2020 were analyzed to detect land cover changes, while Iber’s sediment transport module was used to simulate erosion patterns based on the Meyer–Peter and Müller equation for bedload transport. Hydrological and topographical data were incorporated to provide accurate simulations of flow velocity, depth, and erosion potential. The results reveal a 35.3% reduction in forest cover, leading to increased erosion and sediment transport in steep areas. Simulation predictions highlighted areas with high future erosion potential, which are at risk of further soil loss if current trends continue. Flow velocity increased, contributing to riverbank destabilization and higher sediment yield, posing a risk to infrastructure such as the Álvaro Obregón Dam. This study underscores the need for targeted erosion control measures and sustainable land management practices to mitigate future risks and protect vital infrastructure in the Yaqui River Basin.

Keywords: sediment transport processes; hydraulic simulations; soil recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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