Investigating some methodologies in preparing rill erosion map, using RS and GIS

Rill erosion map is one of the basic maps in erosion and sediment studies and also watershed management programs. Some methodologies for preparing rill erosion map (1:250000) by using RS and GIS were compared in a research carried out in Kan- Sologhan and Jajrood sub-basins in North-west and North-east Tehran, Iran. At the first phase, four working unit's maps were prepared by integration of a) plant cover, geology and slope b) land use, geology and slope c) land use, rocks sensitivity to erosion and slope and d) land use, rocks sensitivity to erosion and land units’ layers in Kan- Sologhan basin. For comparing the efficiency of four working units’ maps, 53 ground control points were investigated. Results showed that map "d" was better than "a", "b" and "c" in providing rill erosion regarding economic and executive considerations. At the second stage, map "d" was compared with three maps of e) land units f) rocks sensitivity to erosion and g) satellite image photomorphic units (ETM+ images) in a broader basin of Jajroud. Rill erosion intensities in 314 ground control points were controlled and ground truth rill erosion map was prepared. Rill erosion map was crossed with different working unit maps where results showed that the highest accuracy is related to the images interpretation (81.0% accuracy). Accuracy was 78.4, 66.8 and 5. percent for methods of "d", "e" and "f", respectively. Root Mean Squared Error was the highest for map "f" and the least for integrated layers method (map "d"). The greatest precision is related to image interpretation and the images interpretation method is better than other methods in preparation of rill erosion map.