Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gully Erosion in I. R. Iran: Characteristics, Processes, Causes, and Land Use

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Gully Erosion Studies from India and Surrounding Regions

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

Abstract

Gully erosion due to land destruction and depletion of soil moisture, especially in drought periods, has an important role for decreasing biomass production in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics, processes, and the main causes of gully incision. Satellite images, aerial photos, and anecdotal evidence with field measurements were used to obtain information to answer the research questions. The results of this study indicated that Iranian gullies with an area more than 1,420,000 ha were distributed from coastal zones to highlands with an altitude higher than 3000 m above the sea level. They occurred mostly in the areas with precipitation of 100–300 mm and 500–1000 mm. Gullies are dominant more in semi-arid, arid, and Mediterranean climates. Most of the studied gullies are continuous and valley side. The survey of the view plans of the gullies indicated that surface runoff was the dominant hydrological process for gully incision. The results revealed that the rangelands and forests area decreased while rain-fed farms and barren land increased during the last decades. Most Iranian gullies were located in the altitude of 0–500 and 1000–2000 m above the sea level. Overgrazing and land-use change from rangeland and forests to cultivated lands were the main causes of gully erosion. Data showed that Iranian gullies with an average length and depth equal to 570 m and 2.8 m produced 21 m3/m sediment per unit gully length.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abi M, Kessler A, Oosterveer P, Tolossa D (2018) Understanding the spontaneous spreading of stone bunds in Ethiopia: Implications for sustainable land management. Sustainability 10: 2666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadi H (1999) Applied geomorphology, Volume 1: Water erosion, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran (In Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Avni Y (2005) Gully incision as a key factor in desertification in an arid environment, the Negev highlands, Israel. Catena 63:185–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balling R C; Wells S G (1990) Historical rainfall patterns and Arroyo activity within the Zuni River Drainage Basin, New Mexico. Annals of the Assoc. of Am. Geogr. 80 (4): 603–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bork H R; Li Y; Zhao Y; Zhang J; Shiquan Y (2001) Land use changes and gully development in the upper Yangtze River Basin, SW-China. Journal of Mountain Science 19(2): 97–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford J M; Piest R. F (1980) Erosion development of valley-bottom gullies in the Upper Mid Western United States, In Coates D R and Vitek J D (eds), Thresholds in geomorphology, Allen and Unwin, Shubbery

    Google Scholar 

  • Brice J B (1966) Erosion and deposition in the loess-mantled great plains Medicine Creek drainage basin, Nebraska. U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 352H: 235–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos A B; Castro S S; Casseti V; Santos R R; Martins M S; Silva A A (2000) Geological and topographic indicators of the gully erosion at the upper Araguaia river basin, Brazil, International Symposium on Gully Erosion under Global Change, 2000

    Google Scholar 

  • Castillo C, Gomez J A (2016) A century of gully erosion research: Urgency, complexity and study approaches, Earth Science Reviews 160; 300–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro N; Auzet A V; Chevallier P; Leprun J C (2000) Influence of extreme rainfall events (EI Nino) on a gully system typical of the basaltic plateau of Southern Brazil, International Symposium on Gully Erosion under Global Change, 2000

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaplot V (2013) Impact of terrain attributes, parent material and soil types on gully erosion, Geomorphology 186;1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch R J; Blong R J (1989) Gully sidewall classification: Methods and application, Zeitschrift Fur Geomorphologe, N.F. Supplement Band 33(3):291–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng Q, Qin F, Zhang B, Wang H, Luo M, Shu C, Liu H, Liu G (2015) Characterizing the morphology of gully cross-sections based on PCA: A case of Yuanmou Dry-Hot Valley, Geomorpholog 228; 703–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich W E; Dunne T (1993) The Channel Head in Keith, B. and Kirkby, M.J. (eds.), Channel Network Hydrology, John Wiley and Sons. Chichester, England

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans R (1993) Extent, frequency and rates of rilling of arable land in localities in England and Wales. In Wicherek S (ed.). Farm land erosion in temperate plains environment and hills, Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang N F; Zeng Y; Ni L S; Shi Z H (2019) Estimation of sediment trapping behind check dams using high–density electrical resistivity tomography. Journal of Hydrology 568:1007–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1982) Gully erosion control. Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner H (1995) Gully erosion associated with the expansion of unterraced almond cultivation in the coastal sierra de lujar, S. Spain. Land Degradation and Rehabilation 9:179–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graf W L (1983) The arroyo problem-paleohydrology and paleohydraulics in the short term. In: G.K. Gregory, (ed.), Background to paleohydrology, John Wiley and Sons, London,, pp 262–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutierez A G, Schnabel S, Contador F L (2009) Gully erosion, land use and topographical thresholds during the last 60 years in a small rangeland catchment in SW Spain, Land Degradation and Development 20(5);535–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey M A (1996) Holocene hillslope gully systems in the Howgill fells, Cumbria. In: M.G. Anderson, Brooks, S. M. (eds), Advances in hillslope processes 2:731–752

    Google Scholar 

  • Heede B H; Mufich J G (1974) Field and computer procedures for gully control by check dams. Journal of Environmental Management 2;1–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Imeson A C; Kwaad F J P M (1980) Gully types and gully prediction. KNAG Geografisch Tijdschrift XIV 5:430–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland H A; Sharpe C F S; Eargle D H (1939) Principles of gully erosion in the Piedmont of South Carolina. USDA Technological Bulletin 633

    Google Scholar 

  • Kakembo V, Xanga W W, Rowntree K (2009) Topographic thresholds in gully development on the hillslopes of communal areas in Ngqushwa Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Geomorphology 110(3–4); 188–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kropacek J (2019) Erosion dynamics in the southern Tibetan Plateau at a century time scale from historical photographs. Journal of Arid Environments 161:47–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leopold L B; Miller J P (1965) Ephemeral streams-hydraulic factors and their relation to the drainage net, Physiographic and Hydraulic Studies of Rivers

    Google Scholar 

  • Mararakanye N, Sumner P D (2017) Gully erosion: A comparison of contributing factors in two catchments in South Africa, Geomorphology 288;99–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monsiers E, Poesen J, Dessie M, Adgo E, Verhoest N E C, Deckers J and Nyssen J (2015) Effects of drainage ditches and stone bunds on topographical thresholds for gully head development in North Ethiopia, Geomorphology 234; 193–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore I D; Burch G J; Mackenzie D H (1988) Topographic effects on the distribution of surface soil water and the location of ephemeral gullies, Transaction of ASAE 1098–1107

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan R P C (1995) Soil Erosion and conservation, second edition, Longman

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachtergaele J (2001) A spatial and temporal analysis of the characteristics, importance and prediction of ephemeral gully erosion, Ph.D Thesis, Dept. of Geography, University of Leuven, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J (2001) Erosion processes and soil conservation in a tropical mountain catchment under threat of anthropogenic desertification—a case study from Northern Ethiopia. Unpubl. PhD thesis, Dept. Geography–Geology, K.U. Leuven, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Okuh D; Osumgborogwu I E (2019) Adjustments to hazards of gully erosion in rural southeast Nigeria: A case of Amucha communities, Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 7(1):11–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Oostwoud Wijdenes D J; Poesen J; Vandekerckhove L; Ghesquiere M (2000) Gully-head activity and sediment contribution to a Mediterranean channel, International Symposium on Gully Erosion under Global Change, 103

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J (1989) Conditions for gully formation in the Belgian Loam Belt and some ways to control them. Soil Technology Series 1:39–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J (1993) Gully typology and gully control measures in the European loess belt. In: Wicherek, S.(ed), Farmland erosion in temperate plains environment and hills. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J (2017) Soil erosion in the Anthropocene: research needs. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43:64–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J; Govers, G (1990) Gully erosion in the loam belt of Belgium: Typology and control measures. In: J. Boardman, Foster, I.D.L. and Dearing, J. A. (eds), Soil Erosion on Agriculture Land, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, England

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J; Vandaele K; van Wesemael B (1996) Contribution of gully erosion to sediment production in cultivated lands and rangelands, IAHS publications 236:251–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J; Vandaele K; Wesemael B (1998) Gully erosion: importance and model implication. In:Boardman J; Favis-Mortlock D T(eds) Modelling soil erosion by water Springer-Verlag, Berlin NATO-ASI Series I-55: 258–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Poesen J; Nachtorgale J; Verstrac G (2003) Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs, Catena 50:91–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prosser I P; Winchester S J (1996) History and processes of gully initiation and development in Eastern Australia. Aeitschrift fur Geomorphologie, N. f. Supplement Band, 105:91–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Refahi H G (2000) Waer erosion and it’s control. Tehran university, Tehran (In Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rey F, Bifulco C B, Bischetti G B, Bourrier F, Cesare G De, Florineth F, Grat F, Marden M, Mickovski S B. Philips C, Peklo K, Poesen J, Polster D, Preti F, Rauch H P, Raymond P, Sangalli P, Tardio G, Stokes A (2019) Soil and water bioengineering: Practice and research needs for reconciling natural hazard control and ecological restoration. Science of the total Environment 648: 1210–1218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rong LI; Duan X; Zhang G; Gu Z; Feng D (2019) Impacts of tillage practices on ephemeral gully erosion in a dry-hot valley region in southwestern China. Soil and tillage Research 187:72–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soil and Water Research Institute (2008) Manual for laboratory analysis of soil and water samples, no. 467

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M (1997) Processes and rates of gully development in Pine Plantations, Southeastern new South Wales, Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. of N.S.W. Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M (2004) A study of morphoclimatic characteristics of gullies in fars province, final report of research plan, institute of soil conservation and watershed management, SBN 83.1153

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M (2005) Impacts of vegetation cover and urban development on the gully development in south of Fars province, Proceeding of third national conference of erosion and sediment 350–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M (2009) A study of influential factors on the initiation and development of gullies in different climates of Fars province, Final research report, Institute of soil conservation and watershed management, SBN 49477

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M, Bayat R (2015) Morphoclimatic classification of gullies in different climates of I.R. Iran (phase 2). Organization of research education and extension for agriculture. Ministry of Jihad –E-Agriculture. Iran, SBN no. 48474 (In Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M, Bayat R (2016) Morphoclimatic classification of gullies in different climates of I.R. Iran (phase 3). Organization of research education and extension for agriculture. Ministry of Jihad –E-Agriculture. Iran, SBN no. 50689 (In Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soufi M, Bayat R, Charkhabi A H (2017) Morphoclimatic classification of gullies in different climates of I. R. Iran (phase 1). Organization of research education and extension for agriculture. Ministry of Jihad –E-Agriculture. Iran, SBN no. 51544(In Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Starr B M (1989) Anecdotal and relic evidence of the history of gully erosion and sediment movement in Michelago Creek Catchment Areas NSW

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun W; Shao Q; Liu J; Zhai J (2014) Assessing the effects of land use and topography on soil erosion on the Loess Plateau in China, Catena 121;151–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svoray T (2009) Catchments scale analysis of the effect of topography, tillage direction and unpaved roads on ephemeral gully incision, Earth Surface Processes and Land forms 34(14):1970–1984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valentin C; Poesen J; Li Y (2005) Gully erosion: Impacts, factors and control, Catena 63:132–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanmaercke M, Poesen J, Van Mele B, Demuzere M, Bruynseels A, Golosov V, Rodrigues Bezerra J F, Bolysov S, Dvinskih A, Frankl A, Fuseina Y, TeixeiraGuerra A J, Haregeweyn N, Ionita I, Imwangana F M, Moeyersons J, Moshe I, Nazari Samani A, Yermolaev O (2016) How fast do gully headcuts retreat? Earth Science Reviews 154;336–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb R H; Hereford R (2001) Floods and geomorphic changes in the southwestern United States and historical perspective, Proc. Seventh federal interagency sedimentation conference, Nevada, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Y; Wei W; Cheng L; Feng T; Daryanto S (2019) Quantifying the effects of precipitation, vegetation, and land preparation techniques on runoff and soil erosion in a Loess watershed of China. Science of the total environment 652: 755–764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang B; Zhang G; Yang H; Wang H (2019) Soil resistance to flowing water erosion of seven typical plant communities on steep gully slopes on the Loess Plateau of China, Catena 173:375–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project is sponsored by the Institute of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management in Iran. We acknowledge their support and also the Research and Education Centers in Various Provinces in Iran.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fars Research and Education Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management, Shiraz, Iran

    Majid Soufi

  2. Department of Soil Conservation Engineering, Institute of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management, Tehran, Iran

    Reza Bayat & Amir Hossein Charkhabi

Authors
  1. Majid Soufi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Reza Bayat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amir Hossein Charkhabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Raja N. L. Khan Women’s College (Autonomous), Medinipur, West Bengal, India

    Pravat Kumar Shit

  2. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    Hamid Reza Pourghasemi

  3. Aarvee Associates Architects, Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India

    Gouri Sankar Bhunia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Soufi, M., Bayat, R., Charkhabi, A.H. (2020). Gully Erosion in I. R. Iran: Characteristics, Processes, Causes, and Land Use. In: Shit, P., Pourghasemi, H., Bhunia, G. (eds) Gully Erosion Studies from India and Surrounding Regions. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23243-6_23

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation