Water erosion in tyre and Bint Jbeil Districts (Lebanon)‎ : Jibal al-Butum Area as an Example

الملخص EN

The southern Lebanon region is one of the most exposed Lebanese areas to water erosion.

The problem has not been managed yet, though it threatens soil quality and sustainable agricultural production.

Erosion hazard maps are an essential tool for soil conservation measures and land use planning.

This study applies a qualitative model for mapping soil water erosion hazard, using GIS, in a semi-humid region, with scarcity of rainfall data, and intensive agricultural production.

Five basic maps, each with a different number of classes, were first produced.

These represent the slope, the rock infiltration, the soil erodibility, the vegetation cover, and the rainfall erosivity.

These maps were later summed to obtain an erosion hazard map.

The model indicates that a large area (34.4%) is subject to high erosion, especially in tobacco and legume (chickpeas, wheat …) growing areas.

Indeed, by the time of heavy rainfall intensity (November to March), the legume has not grown any foliage and the tobacco was not yet planted, leaving the surface exposed.

During the validation of the model using field work, splash, sheet, rill, and gully erosions were observed.

This validation qualitatively indicated that the model used is highly suitable (80%) for mapping soil erosion hazard under Lebanese natural conditions, and therefore useful to recommend protection measures by setting priorities for possible planning interventions.