Influence of Slope Aspect on the Main Erosion Factors of Sheet Water Erosion

Dilyana Ilieva

Abstract: Along the length, shape and slope, the aspect is one of the elements of the relief, which significantly influences soil erosion. It is an important indicator of vegetation development depending on the temperature, the degree of reflection of solar radiation, evapotranspiration and soil moisture. Studies show that southern slopes are subject to more intense erosion compared to northern slopes. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the aspect of the slopes on the main erosion factors in the NP “Central Balkan”. Data is obtained about rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), topographic factor (LS) and vegetation cover (C) in order to assess risk of sheet water erosion. The results show that rainfalls of high erositivity (R factor above 1300 MJ mm/ha h y) defined 48% of the slopes with southern aspect but only 13% of the slopes with northern aspect. A similar trend was found for the distribution of the values of other factors, where in south exposed slopes they exceed 3 times that of the north.

Keywords: aspect; erosion; factors; slope

Date published: 2017-02-21