Abstract

Gully network dissects slopes of fluvial system drainage basins and plays an important role in overall budget of fluvial sediments. One of the parameters used for characterizing quantitatively a contribution of gully erosion into sediment redistribution within a fluvial system is the area-specific sediment yield from gullies. This parameter characterizes amount of sediment delivered from gullies into larger elements of a fluvial network. Calculation of area-specific sediment yield for gullies of the European Russia was carried out according to methodics developed in the Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Fluvial processes using published data, results of field investigations and analysis of topographic maps dated to 1980s. Map of area-specific sediment yield from gullies was created for the European Russia territory basing on results of that calculation. The map gives a generalized quantitative characteristic of the present state of gully network and activity of its development. It also allows us to determine types of territories with different intensity of sediment export from gullies. Maximum intensity of sediment export from gullies is observed in steppe and forest-steppe zones. It is associated with high density of gully network in these territories, being a result of relatively long-lasting and intensive agricultural development. Results of calculations of area-specific sediment yield from growing gullies and analysis of the map created for the first time basing on these results, give a new insight on contribution of gully erosion into sediment budgets of rivers of the European Russia. It contributes to better understanding of a degree of gully erosion development within the studied territory as well as of its spatial variability. Quantitative assessment of erosion intensity using the area-specific sediment yield from gullies can also be employed for constructing sediment budgets for individual small catchments and selecting appropriate set of erosion control and prevention measures for upper parts of fluvial systems.

Keywords: Gully erosion, area-specific sediment yields, gully density, European Russia