Spatial variability of soil erodibility and its correlation with soil properties in semi-arid mountainous watershed, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Soil erodibility values are best estimated from long-term direct measurements on runoff-plots; however, in lack of field tests, these values can be estimated using relationships based on physico-chemical soil properties. The study objective was to assess the erodibility and its correlation with soil properties. The average erodibility value was estimated 0.043 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹. The areas with heavy textured soil and low organic matter content had the lowest values of erodibility. The erodibility decreases as the sand content increases, whereas silt showed a positive correlation. The erodibility factors and its relation to soil properties were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that sand and organic matter content of soil combinedly explained 78% of variation. Altitudinal increases also seem to affect the soil texture. This study has demonstrated that soil properties and erodibility values can be used as assistance for soil conservation practices and modelling of landscape processes.

Keywords:

• soil erodibility
• soil properties
• altitude
• multiple regression analysis
• semi-arid watershed

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support by Deanship of Scientific Research, King Khalid University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Project code: 62/2012-2013. My special thanks to the final year students (2013 batch) for supporting in field survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Deanship of Rcientific research, King Khalid University [grant number Project code 62/2012-2013].