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Biological Management of Soil Erosion in the Dehno Watershed, Sarvestan Township, Fars Province
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Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi *    , Mitra Moradnejad , Reza Yaghoti , Hassan Freydooni , Mahin Kalehouee , Marjan Bahlekej , Morteza Gheysouri , Ramin Tamaddon Kooshki |
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Abstract: (228 Views) |
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Soil erosion is one of the significant environmental challenges in Iran. Unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and agriculture is increasing due to the country's specific arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. Soil erosion has led to decreased soil fertility, a decline in water resources, and a threat to biodiversity, negatively impacting economic and social conditions. Various biological, bioengineering, and engineering methods have been proposed for soil erosion. Among the available methods, biological methods can directly and indirectly reduce soil erosion. In addition, biological management methods, by following natural laws, have the least diverse impact on the environmental conditions of a region and are also economically viable. Biological management considers the role of all living things, including humans, plants, and animals, and their impact on controlling soil erosion. In this regard, the broader use of biological methods in the early stages of soil erosion can be significantly more effective. However, the lack of an appropriate implementation model by experts has led to neglecting the impact of biological soil erosion management. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of biological management on soil erosion in the Dehno Watershed, located in Sarvestan Township, Fars Province, Iran.
Materials and Methods
First, existing statistics, information, and studies were collected to apply the biological management approach to soil erosion. Then, a map of working units was extracted from information layers, including elevation based on a 30-meter digital elevation map, slope, and geology prepared from the information of the General Office of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Fars Province. After preparing the aforementioned information layers, a preliminary map of the working units of the region was obtained by combining them. The soil erosion status in each work unit was mapped based on the BLM seven-factor scoring table and the opinions of professors, experts, and students of specialized disciplines during a multi-day field visit and satellite image processing. A leaf area index map was prepared using Sentinel-2 satellite data from 2024 to verify the existing erosion feature map. Next, to analyse temperature and rainfall changes to select plants compatible with the region's conditions, the Ombrothermic and Hythergraph diagrams were developed for 2017 to 2024. The climatic-ecological map of the watershed was divided into seven classes by combining topographic layers and vegetation types and considering environmental information, including precipitation, temperature, climate, hydrological groups, and soil depth. Finally, native and adapted species were proposed for uses with a predominance of sheet erosion and maximum preliminary stages of rill erosion.
Results
According to the BLM framework, out of the 12 work units in the study area, five work units with an area of 6901.38 ha (i.e., 26.62%) are in a very low erosion state, three work units with an area of 9422.75 ha (i.e., 36.34%) are in a stable state, two work units with an area of 6451.70 ha (i.e., 24.88%) are in an intermediate erosion state, and two work units with an area of 2150.63 ha (i.e., 12.15%) are in a severe erosion state. The overall soil erosion status in the study watershed is in the table category with a score of 16.37, which indicates that most (i.e., 87.85%) of the study watershed area is in the initial stages of erosion and its erosion status can be improved by considering biological methods. The results of the Ombrothermic diagram in the study watershed showed that the region has dry conditions in most months of the year, and the elongation of the Hythergraph curve was in both directions of the vertical and horizontal axes, which indicates the range of ample precipitation and temperature changes in the region. Finally, after preparing the agroecological map, species including Amygduluse orintalis, Artemisia siberi, Achillea millefolium L., Astragalus gossypinus, Alhagi maurorum, and Peganum harmala were selected, and associated areas were determined.
Discussion and Conclusion
The study's findings underscore the significance and necessity of effective soil erosion management in the Dehno Watershed. These results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a change in the approach to soil erosion management, particularly through applying native species, and reiterate the importance of the study's findings. Utilizing the restoration potential of the ecosystem can create the conditions and opportunities needed to restore and rehabilitate various parts of the region. A biological management approach can significantly reduce soil erosion in the study area and other watersheds with similar conditions, especially when combined with other efficient and practical strategies. Unlike detailed executive studies, priority should be given to biological projects that have a greater impact on resources at a lower cost. Mechanical projects should be limited to areas with critical flood conditions, with the condition of implementing biological operations upstream. In addition to the points mentioned, managing the use of rangelands and agricultural lands in the study area with a conservation approach, inhibiting soil degradation, preventing the conversion of rangelands to agricultural lands, and preserving ecological privacy are fundamental issues in controlling and managing soil erosion in the watershed. Special attention should also be paid to these principles by implementing appropriate conservation and reclamation measures.
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Article number: 1 |
| Keywords: Adaptive Plant Species, Biological Methods, BLM Visual Model, Climatic-Ecological map. |
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Full-Text [PDF 1834 kb]
(41 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/12 | Accepted: 2025/05/25 | Published: 2025/07/29
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Sadeghi S H, Moradnejad M, Yaghoti R, Freydooni H, Kalehouee M, Bahlekej M, et al . Biological Management of Soil Erosion in the Dehno Watershed, Sarvestan Township, Fars Province. jwmseir 2025; 19 (69) : 1 URL: http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-1196-en.html
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