Modelling the Effect of Forest Cover on Shallow Landslides at the River Basin Scale
background
This study analyzes soil models that can be used to help predict soil erosion which are useful to prioritize reforestation areas of watersheds.
Research Goals & Methods
The researchers tested the models in a river basin in Ecuador. They collected data for soil moisture/matric potential, depth, and rainfall. Vegetation (overland flow resistance coefficient) and root cohesion data were derived from the literature, as was the evapotranspiration rate.
Conclusions & Takeaways
The model prediction was compared with the measured discharge. Data showed that the model predicted some parts of the actual flow, though the researcher only relied on one year of data. The model used could be refined in terms of root cohesion (the model held this constant but in the field it is actually quite variable) and slope stability.
Reference:
. Modelling the effect of forest cover on shallow landslides at the river basin scale. Ecological Engineering. 2010;36:317–327. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.05.001.
Affiliation:
- School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Programa para el Manejo de Agua y Suelo (PROMAS), Department of Water and Soil Resources Engineering, Cuenca, Ecuador