TITLE:
Hypsometric Analysis of Wadi Mujib-Wala Watershed (Southern Jordan) Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
AUTHORS:
Yahya Farhan, Adel Elgaziri, Ibtisam Elmaji, Intisar Ali
KEYWORDS:
Hypsometric Analysis, Geomorphic Evolution, RS, GIS, Hypsometric Integral, Projected Profiles
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.7 No.2,
February
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Hypsometric analysis is
considered an effective tool for understanding the stages of geomorphic
evolution and geological development of river catchment, and for the
delineation of erosional proneness of watershed. In the present study, twenty
eight fourth order sub-basins of W. Mujib-Wala (Southern Jordan) were selected,
and hypsometric analysis was carried out using 30 m ASTER DEM. Elevation-relief
ratio method was employed to calculate the hypsometric integral values within
GIS environment. The hypsometric integral values range from 0.71 to 0.88,
whereas, the hypsometric curves exhibit remarkably upward convex shapes which
indicate that all sub-basins and the W. Mujib-Wala watershed are at the
youth-age stage of geomorphic development. Thus, they are of high
susceptibility to erosion, incised channel erosion and mass movement activity.Marginal differences exist in mass
removal from the watershed and the 28 sub-basinsare attributed to variation in
tectonic effect, lithology and rejuvenation processes. The relation between
basin area and hypsometric integral was examined using regression analysis.
Results reveal that negative and weak relationships dominate, where r2ranges from 0.05 to 0.478 which
confirm with other results reported elsewhere. Indirect assessment of erosion
status based on hypsometric integral values was validated using estimated
sediment yield information related to wadi Mujib and wadi Wala watersheds
separately. The recorded sediment yields were in affirmation with high
hypsometric integrals values, where higher values of hypsometric integrals and
sediment yields occurred in the western part of the W. Mujib-Wala watershed.
These findings would help in the construction of appropriate soil and water
conservation measures across the watershed and its sub-basins to control soil
erosion, to conserve water, and to reduce sediment discharge into the W. Mujib
and W. Wala reservoirs.