Assessing indicators of runoff and erosion by rain simulation in the Ben Ahmed watershed (Central Morocco)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the risks of runoff and erosion of soils in the Ben Ahmed watershed, it's located in the region of casa-settat, 70 km south-east of Casablanca, and characterized by a semi-arid climate. The study consists of measuring on 1 m2 plot, the volumes of runoff and sediments, under the influence of rainfall generation (60mm/30 min). Soil samples were collected from each plot to determine texture, organic matter and humidity. Results obtained show that the detachability varies between 19 and 34 g/l, infiltrability oscillate between 15 and 37 mm.h-. Pearson correlation test shows that infiltration was negatively correlated with runoff and soil detachability (R=-0.99, R=-0.87 respectively). It‘s significantly correlated with the proportions of sand(R=0.69), silt (R= -0.98) an clay (R= 0.92), however, is weakly correlated with organic matter (R=-0.32). Infiltration and detachability were significantly correlated with humidity (R = -0.99, R = -0.63respectively)