Monitoring of sediment cell changes in rivers, using basin structural connectivity index (Case study: AbolAbbas Basin in Khuzestan)

In general, comprehensive watershed management depends on achieving an eco-hydrological balance of watersheds and improving the livelihood of stakeholders. One of the main principles of watershed management measures is sediment management through soil protection operations using new techniques such as the Sediment connectivity index. Sediment connectivity is an emerging term in watersheds that are often used to describe the internal relationships between runoff and sediment sources in the upper parts to the outlet of the relevant watershed. The purpose of this study was to monitor the spatial changes of sediment accurately, using structural Sediment connectivity index and analysis of sediment flow from upstream to the outlet in the basins, which was carried out in AbolAbbas watershed of Khuzestan during the summer period of years 2020-2021. The present study is based on the use of Borsley's proposed approach and cover land weighted layer. The results showed that the dimensionless index of sediment connection was estimated with a spatial accuracy of 30 m, ranging from -7.9 to 3.4 and obtained with an average of -5.50. The accuracy of the sediment connection index with determination coefficient of 0.56 has a good accuracy in monitoring the sediment transport potential from the upstream to the basin outlet. However, the results showed that the new method of sediment connectivity index in modeling sediment flow could be a pixel (cellular) tool to identify homogeneous areas in terms of distribution of sediment connection and make management decisions and programs.