Rahmani et al. (2025) Susceptibility to water erosion of the Chertioua watershed (Algeria): Exploratory Analysis and Territorial Diagnosis

Identification

• Journal: International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-10
• Authors: Alireza Rahmani, Lyes Belaid, Mohamed Saadaoui
• DOI: 10.22399/ijcesen.4465

Research Groups

• Faculté des Sciences de la Terre, de la Géographie et de l'Aménagement du Territoire (FSTGAT), Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumedienne (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria.
• École Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria.

Short Summary

This study evaluates the water erosion susceptibility of the 110 km² Chertioua watershed in Algeria using a multi-criteria exploratory analysis. The findings reveal that over 66% of the territory is highly vulnerable to erosion, generating sediment loads up to 320 t/km²/yr due to steep slopes, fragile marly soils, and intensive anthropogenic pressures.

Objective

• To characterize erosive manifestations and identify the biophysical and anthropogenic factors driving soil degradation in the Chertioua watershed to support integrated management and the sustainability of hydraulic infrastructure.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Chertioua watershed, Bordj Bou Arreridj province, northeastern Algeria (Total area: 110 km²).
• Temporal Scale: Analysis of hydrological and climatic data spanning 1969–2009, including a 36-year rainfall observation period.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Multi-criteria descriptive exploratory analysis; Morphometric indices (Gravelius compactness index, Horton form factor, drainage density, Roche global gradient index); Empirical sediment yield formulas (Tixeront, Fournier, Gravilovitch); Modified Fournier Index ($I_F$) for climatic aggressiveness.
• Data sources: Topographic maps (1:50,000, INCT 2005); Digital Elevation Models (DEM); Climatic data from the Zemmoura station (National Agency for Hydraulic Resources - ANRH); Geological maps and 5 core drillings (151 m); Satellite imagery (Google Earth, Landsat); Field surveys and soil samples.

Main Results

• Morphometric Characteristics: The basin features a high average slope (25.8%) and a high drainage density (6.78 km/km²), indicating a youthful phase with rugged terrain and high runoff potential.
• Sediment Yield: Estimated specific degradation ranges from 250 to 320 t/km²/yr, corresponding to a dead storage volume of 2.73 to 3.5 million m³ for the planned dam.
• Erosion Susceptibility: Approximately 40–55% of the watershed is classified as having high to very high susceptibility. 66–69% of the basin (agricultural and rangelands) has poor vegetation protection (<50% cover).
• Geological and Pedological Factors: 60% of the basin is composed of fragile marly formations. Soils are characterized by low organic matter (<2%), shallow depth (<50 cm), and frequent infiltration crusts.
• Anthropogenic Drivers: Overgrazing (2–4 Tropical Livestock Units per hectare) and unsuitable agricultural practices (plowing perpendicular to slopes) significantly amplify natural erosive processes.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive territorial diagnosis of a semi-arid Mediterranean watershed, integrating biophysical and socio-economic factors in alignment with international guidelines (FAO, Ramsar, SDG 2030).
• Identifies five priority intervention zones for soil and water conservation (CES/DRS) necessary to protect future hydraulic infrastructure.
• Establishes a scientific baseline for climate change adaptation strategies in the region, utilizing the CESAO-RICCAR framework to address increasing climatic aggressiveness.

Funding

• The authors declare that no specific funding or projects were acknowledged for this research.

Citation

@article{Rahmani2025Susceptibility,
  author = {Rahmani, Alireza and Belaid, Lyes and Saadaoui, Mohamed},
  title = {Susceptibility to water erosion of the Chertioua watershed (Algeria): Exploratory Analysis and Territorial Diagnosis},
  journal = {International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.22399/ijcesen.4465},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4465}
}

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