GIS environmental information analysis of the Darro River basin as the key for the management and hydrological forest restoration

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 613-614; pp. 1154 - 1164
• Main Authors: Fernandez, Paz, Delgado, Expectación, Lopez-Alonso, Mónica, Poyatos, José Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Basin restoration; Environmental analysis; Free software; GIS; Soil erosion evaluation; USLE; GIS; USLE; Environmental analysis; Basin restoration; Soil erosion evaluation; Free software
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.190

This article presents analyses of soil and environmental information for the Darro River basin (Granada-Spain) preliminary to its hydrological and forestry restoration. These analyses were carried out using a geographical information system (GIS) and employing a new procedure that adapts hydrological forest-restoration methods. The complete analysis encompasses morphological conditions, soil and climate characteristics as well as vegetation and land use. The study investigates soil erosion in the basin by using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and by mapping erosion fragility units. The results are presented in a set of maps and their analysis, providing the starting point for river basin management and the hydrological and forestry-restoration project that was approved at the end of 2015. The presence of soft substrates (e.g. gravel and sand) indicates that the area is susceptible to erosion, particularly the areas that are dominated by human activity and have little soil protection. Finally, land use and vegetation cover were identified as key factors in the soil erosion in the basin. According to the results, river authorities have included several measures in the restoration project aimed at reducing the erosion and helping to recover the environmental value of this river basin and to include it in recreation possibilities for the community of Granada. The presented analytical approach, designed by the authors, would be useful as a tool for environmental restoration in other small Mediterranean river basins. [Display omitted] •Soil and environmental information analysis were carried out using GIS employing a new procedure.•Results provided the starting point for river basin management and forestry restoration project.•USLE equation results indicate real erosion problems in the middle part of the Darro river basin.•Land use and vegetation cover have been revealed as key factors in the erosion phenomenon.