Identification areas susceptible to soil erosion using Fuzzy-AHP Case Study: Mahabad dam watershed

Soil erosion is always occurred as a natural event but human false interference led to accelerated soil erosion and irreversible effects. Mahabad dam watershed, due to topographic mountainous and steep slopes is very susceptibility against soil erosion. The aim of this study is to prioritize the factors affecting sediment production using fuzzy logic and AHP models and finally, generating the susceptibility mapping apron to soil erosion in Mahahbad dam watershed.
At first, based on expert experiences seven factors were recognized on soil erosion including the following; slope degree, land use, time of concentration, elevation of sea, precipitation, lithology and distance to river. The susceptibility soil erosion map based on fuzzy logic and AHP models were classified in five classes. The accuracy of the erosion susceptibility map provided by the model is further checked by calculating Seed Cell Area Index (SCAI). Results show that about 102.12 km2, equivalent to 13.15% of the area has the potential to "very high" risk of erosion and sediment production, which in the sub-basins Dehbokr, Bangvyn, Qzljeh, Maraneh and Syahghol has more potential.