Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD Student, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Study of effective factors on runoff quantity to achieve optimum measures for runoff controlling is an essential subject in watershed management. This study aimed to investigate the effects of land use type and land slope degree on runoff quantity using an artificial rainfall simulator in Kakasharaf watershed from branches karkhe watershed (Lorestan Province). Based on the land use map, at 6 work units (sub basins), three land use types of pasture, forest and agriculture; and three land slope degrees of 10, 20 and 30 percent was chosen. In total 93 tests were run using an artificial rainfall simulator and the runoff quantities were collected and measured. Artificial rainfall simulator was a plexiglass non-pressure rainfall simulator with a plot size of 83.5 × 119 cm2 and height 160 cm. Statistical analysis was done using SAS software. Results showed that the average, minimum and maximum runoff quantity were 1499, 0, and 9100 cm3, respectively. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between sub basins and runoff quantity. Also, the interaction of sub-basins and land use showed a significant difference (p<0.01) on runoff quantity. There was a significant difference (at 1% level) between runoff quantity and the land slope so that by increasing the slope from 10 to 30 percent, the produced runoff volume increased. Besides, there was a significant difference (1% level) among runoff quantity of pasture, forest and agriculture. The volume of runoff in the forest regions was more than pasture and agriculture land use types.
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