Relations between climatic–geomorphological parameters and sediment yield in a mediterranean semi-arid area (Sicily, southern Italy)

Autor: Sergio Grauso, Grazia Fattoruso, Andrea Pagano, Carlo Tebano, Filippo Onori, Pasquale Regina, Piero De Bonis
Rok vydání: 2007
Předmět:
Zdroj: Environmental Geology. 54:219-234
ISSN: 1432-0495
0943-0105
DOI: 10.1007/s00254-007-0809-4
Popis: In the present work on-going research is discussed whose primary goal is to test some statistical methods to estimate the average yearly area-specific sediment yield (SSY). Using geomorphological and climatic parameters various multiple regression formulae have been set up based on SSY observed data from 16 catchments of Sicily. Three distinct techniques were adopted to select the parameters to be used in the equations: simple correlation, stepwise regression analysis and a supervised geomorphological–statistical correlation. The comparison of the results showed the effectiveness of the stepwise analysis, which led to a regression equation with a coefficient of determination (r 2) of 0.87. Nevertheless, even this methodology showed some elements of uncertainty that have caused, in some cases, appreciable differences between observed and predicted values (mean percentage error equal to 26%). These differences are likely either due to the hydraulic regime of most of Sicilian watercourses (typical of semi-arid regions) or to hidden factors (e.g., topography, human impact and concentrated erosion), which can greatly affect the processes of sediment production and transport. The study has pointed out the need to take into account a larger number of observations and to perform the analysis of relations between suitable variables and SSY at a more detailed time resolution.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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