Determination of Suitable Rainfall Erosivity Indices for Semi-Arid and Very Humid Climates of Khazar Watershed

Rainfall erosivity force as on important factor in soil erosion and sediment yield has been introduced in different indexes. The objective of this study was to determine suitable rainfall erosivity indices for two climates of semi-arid in Maravetape and very humid in Sangdeh, both in Khazar watershed, by correlation between rainfall erosivity indices and sediment outflow from erosion plots. For this purpose, the rainfall intensities in different time steps and the amount of rainfalls of 12 events in Maravetape and 11 events in Sangdeh have been used. Twonty five rainfall erosivity indexes were calculated based on rainfall intensity. The amount of soil loss measured after each rainfall event in 1.8×22.1 m2 erosion plots. The results of the study revealed that in very humid climate of Sangdeh and in semi-arid climate of Maravetape had high correlation of 0.803 and 0.727 (at the level of 99 percent) with sediment yield and they were applied indices in these climates of Khazar watershed. In general, the groups of 10 and 30 minutes are better than other erosivity indices in the study areas.