Land use, morphometric conditions and land degradation through erosion in Southern Transylvania : case study : Câlnic river basin

Abstract

The current geomorphologic processes are a form of land degradation. This is accomplished by mechanical
removal of the alteration layer and soil layer as a result of the action of rainfall (splash erosion, rill erosion),
of concentrated flow and of gravitational processes. These are conditioned by natural factors like: type of
rock, geological structure, relief morphometry and modeling agent. However, the natural processes action is
enhanced and complemented by anthropic intervention in the riverbeds and interfluvial surfaces and slopes,
through the specific activities of forest and agricultural use. To assess the role of land use in shaping of
slopes and land susceptibility to erosion we related the distribution of erosion forms on the Câlnic basin with
different types of land use (arable land, vineyards, grassland, wood and built – up area). The potential of
degradation through erosion was investigated in this basin, analyzing the morphometric indicators which
facilitated the erosion process (elevation, slope, aspect and curvature of surface) and the land use.