Journal of Range and Watershed Managment

Identification of Homogenous Watershed Basins for Estimating Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield Applying Different Methods of Cluster Analysis (Case study: North Alborz)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

nasim arman 1
Ali Salajegheh 2
Sadat Feiznia 3
Hassan Ahmadi 3
Jamal Ghoddousi 4
ali kiani rad 5

1 Assistant Prof, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University, I.R. IRAN.

2 Associate Prof, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, I.R. IRAN.

3 Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, I.R. IRAN.

4 Assistant Prof, Department of Watershed Management, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, I.R. IRAN.

5 Assistant Prof, Department of Economic Science, I.R. IRAN.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jrwm.2016.61682
Abstract
Identification of homogenous watershed sub basins allows generalization of environmental study results. For this purpose, first available data for 27 selected watersheds in North Alborz regarding 21 variables including physiographic and climatic characteristics was gathered. The most important factors impacting upon soil erosion and sediment yield were equivalent rectangular length, mean annual precipitation, rock susceptibility, aspect and drainage density which were identified using factor analysis (Principle Component Analysis : PCA) and a 80.72 percent variation of data was observed (KMO =0.516). For determination of homogenous region, different methods of cluster analysis (hierarchical, K-means and two step clustering) were used and three homogeneous regions were specified. Discriminant function analysis was employed and confirmed the results of cluster analysis in homogenous region. On the other hand, based on these five factors, a discriminant function was defined and canonical correlation, chi-square, wilks’ lambda values revealed that three homogenous regions were quite separate.

Keywords

factor analysis
Cluster Analysis
homogeneity
discriminant function analysis
soil erosion and sediment yield
Journal of Range and Watershed Managment
Volume 69, Issue 2
Summer 2016
Pages 261-273

  • Receive Date 30 June 2012
  • Revise Date 11 January 2014
  • Accept Date 11 January 2014
  • Publish Date 21 June 2016

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