Susceptibility to detachment and transportation of soil material as a result of water erosion in a flysch basin in the Beskid Wyspowy (Western Carpathians): Modeling of rainwater flow paths

Abstract

Water erosion intensity, measured on the basis of clastic rock material loss from soil, is related to land use. Spatial data using geoinformatics tools to the highest degree are suitable for showing the variability of surface runoff and the influence of ground roughness for hydrologic soil groups. Redundancy analysis showed that physico-water parameters (curve number, pF, effective precipitation, and maximum potential basin retention) and rain erosion activity had an influence on material undergoing water erosion, and consequently on delivery of weathering products from flysch slopes to stream channels. The results, concerning the influence of the soil resistance parameter on penetration and taking into account land use, which intensifies susceptibility of soil to surface runoff, can provide a basis for spatial modeling of actual soil erosion. These results can be useful for estimation of the processes determining the quantity of eroded material. Depending on the amount of soil deposited from each unit of the basin area, it can be possible to determine appropriate engineering counteractive measures to prevent erosion activity in a mountain area. Surface wash and land use must be taken into consideration in projects to protect and monitor threatened mountain streams.