Hypsometric Analysis of Wadi Mujib-Wala Watershed (Southern Jordan) Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

Hypsometric analysis is considered an effective tool for understanding the stages of geomorphic evolution and geological development of river catchment, and for the delineation of erosional proneness of watershed. In the present study, twenty eight fourth order sub-basins of W. Mujib-Wala (Southern Jordan) were selected, and hypsometric analysis was carried out using 30 m ASTER DEM. Elevation-relief ratio method was employed to calculate the hypsometric integral values within GIS environment. The hypsometric integral values range from 0.71 to 0.88, whereas, the hypsometric curves exhibit remarkably upward convex shapes which indicate that all sub-basins and the W. Mujib-Wala watershed are at the youth-age stage of geomorphic development. Thus, they are of high susceptibility to erosion, incised channel erosion and mass movement activity. Marginal differences exist in mass removal from the watershed and the 28 sub-basins are attributed to variation in tectonic effect, lithology and rejuvenation processes. The relation between basin area and hypsometric integral was examined using regression analysis. Results reveal that negative and weak relationships dominate, where r 2 ranges from 0.05 to 0.478 which confirm with other results reported elsewhere. Indirect assessment of erosion status based on hypsometric integral values was validated using estimated sediment yield information related to wadi Mujib and wadi Wala watersheds separately. The recorded sediment yields were in affirmation with high hypsometric integrals values, where higher values of hypsometric integrals and sediment yields occurred in the western part of the W. Mujib-Wala watershed. These findings would help in the construction of appropriate soil and water conservation measures across the watershed and its sub-basins to control soil erosion, to conserve water, and to reduce sediment discharge into the W. Mujib and W. Wala reservoirs.