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Article · InterCarto InterGIS · December 22, 2025

Geomorphometric assessment of soil erosion and gully development in foothill agricultural lands using remote sensing and GIS

Baitak Apshikur, Murat Rakhimov, Anar Okasova, Aliya Seilkhanova

Baitak Apshikur
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Abstract

This article explores the application of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to assess soil erosion and land degradation in the foothill agricultural areas of the East Kazakhstan Region. The study focuses on the vicinity of Beryozovka village, where erosion processes are particularly evident. High-resolution satellite imagery and SRTM-based Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were used to extract morphometric parameters such as slope, aspect, and valley depth. Spatial indicators including the LS-factor, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), and surface runoff accumulation were applied to determine zones of erosion susceptibility and quantify soil degradation intensity. As a result, the total volume of gully erosion in the study area was estimated at 864,467.4 m3, and the annual soil loss based on LS-factor modeling was calculated to be 46,154 m3. These figures highlight the scale of degradation in foothill croplands and the need for targeted mitigation. Based on the findings, a set of erosion control measures was proposed, including contour plowing, terracing, maintaining vegetation cover, and installing hydraulic structures. The outcomes of this research provide critical spatial data and actionable recommendations for sustainable land management and agricultural planning in erosion-prone environments.

Soil erosion and sediment transportGroundwater and Watershed AnalysisGeography and Environmental Studiessoil erosiongully erosionland degradation

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