Prioritization of Kozetopraghi sub-watersheds based on estimated soil erosion and sediment yield using modified PSIAC model and GIS

Today، the reduction of land resources due to soil erosion causes many human and financial losses every year. Therefore, in this research in order to estimate soil erosion and sediment production, using the modified PSIAC experimental method (MPSIAC) and the use of geographic information system (GIS) in the Kozetopraghi watershed of Ardabil province. For this purpose, the required information layers were prepared using basic maps and GIS. After collecting, preparing and entering the information layers into the GIS environment and combining these layers, the amount of specific sediment of the basin was calculated between 7.69 and 0.76 tons per hectare per year. The total and average amount of annual soil erosion of the basin was also equal to 0 to 57.62 and 11.66 tons per hectare per year, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest amount of erosion in the sub-basins is based on the prioritization of sub-basins 15 and 36, whose values are respectively It was calculated as 28.50 and 2.83 tons per hectare per year. The average production sediment for the studied basin was estimated to be 3.16 tons per hectare per year. The prioritization of sub-basins based on the amount of soil erosion showed that sub-basins 15 and 34 have the highest and lowest amount of erosion (28.48 and 2.8 tons per hectare per year), respectively. Based on the amount of sediment, sub-basins 16 and 34 produce the highest and lowest amount of sediment respectively (7.16 and 0.76 tons per hectare per year). Based on the results obtained from the analysis of parameters related to erosion in the MPSIAC model, it can be concluded that the prioritization can be considered as the basis for decision-making and management in controlling erosion and sediment production.