Abstract
The study aims to assess the performance of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model at Mediterranean mountainous catchments. To that end, it was implemented at three mountainous catchments (seven subcatchments in total) of NW Greece (Kalamas; Upper Acheloos; Arachthos Rivers), both annually and inter-annually, using a GIS-based delineation. Its performance was validated against simulated sediment yield values, estimated considering the sediment discharge rating curves methodology (based on the simultaneous discharge-sediment discharge measurements conducted by the Greek Public Power Corporation-PPC). At the inter-annual time scale, the model performed exceptionally well at Avlaki Dam and Tsimovo Bridge subcatchments, attributing almost identical results (slightly overestimated), while at all other subcatchments behaved inconsistently (significant overestimation at the Gogo Bridge subcatchment; underestimation at the Soulopoulo Bridge, Kioteki, Arta Bridge and Plaka Bridge subcatchments). Annually, the model performed similarly at Soulopoulo Bridge, Kioteki, Arta Bridge, Plaka Bridge, Gogo Bridge subcatchments, while at Avlaki Dam and Tsimovo Bridge its performance was inconsistent throughout the years. This was mainly due to the questionable quality of the simulated sediment yield values, along with the model’s inherent limitations and the specific characteristics of the study area. Overall, the model performed quite well, successfully identifying the high risk erosion areas.
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Efthimiou, N. Performance of the RUSLE in Mediterranean Mountainous Catchments. Environ. Process. 3, 1001–1019 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-016-0174-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-016-0174-y