Efficiency of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process to detect soil erosion vulnerability

• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.07.011
• Publication Date: 2019-08-02T10:38:06Z
• Authors: Imane Haidara; Meryem Tahri; Mohamed Maanan; Mustapha Hakdaoui
• Keywords: Drainage density; WEPP; Vulnerability; Land Cover

Abstract Erosion of soil and land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon caused by natural occurrence and which is accelerated by climate change. This study evaluated soil erosion vulnerability using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) multi-criteria method and Geographical Information System (GIS). Six criteria were used to create the soil erosion cartography: rainfall, land cover, soil classification, slope gradient, drainage density, and land use. This method calculated the corresponding criteria weights on the feedback of several studies, and research, which may be used to determine the effectiveness in controlling soil erosion around the world. Our results highlighted the variability of erosion and clearly identified the areas at risk. Five degrees of erosion were noted: very slight erosion and slight erosion located in the south of the study site, moderate erosion present throughout the catchment area, high as well as very high erosion situated in the north of the catchment area.