Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography

This study prioritizes soil erosion risk using geoinformatics, addressing the novel experimental validation gap of morphometric parameters (MPs) with soil erodibility quotient (K). Hence, we analyzed 178 soil samples, deduced 31 key MPs from 84 quaternary watersheds within South Africa, and analyzed...

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Main Authors: Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Johanes A. Belle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Geocarto International
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10106049.2025.2509878
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author Solomon Temidayo Owolabi
Johanes A. Belle
author_facet Solomon Temidayo Owolabi
Johanes A. Belle
author_sort Solomon Temidayo Owolabi
collection DOAJ
description This study prioritizes soil erosion risk using geoinformatics, addressing the novel experimental validation gap of morphometric parameters (MPs) with soil erodibility quotient (K). Hence, we analyzed 178 soil samples, deduced 31 key MPs from 84 quaternary watersheds within South Africa, and analyzed for the most suitable interpolation method to identify erosion-prone areas. Results indicate a mean soil erodibility of 0.062 ton•yr•MJ−1•mm−1, with a high bifurcation ratio (12.72) reflecting significant drainage complexity. Average form factor (0.44), elongation ratio (0.74), and wandering ratio (3.60) suggest moderate runoff and efficient drainage. Natural neighbor interpolation emerged as the most effective method (R2 = 0.997). Correlation analysis indicates that only 19 principal MPs’ suitability relates to soil erodibility (p-value < 0.05), while texture ratio and drainage texture achieved the strongest correlations (p-value < 0.000). The findings highlight the importance of site-specific morphometric parameter (MP) modeling in accounting for landscape heterogeneity and human impacts.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1010-6049
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-4d84cb0c18bb41e682014c72bb62d5db2025-08-20T03:25:30ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGeocarto International1010-60491752-07622025-12-0140110.1080/10106049.2025.2509878Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topographySolomon Temidayo Owolabi0Johanes A. Belle1Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South AfricaDisaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South AfricaThis study prioritizes soil erosion risk using geoinformatics, addressing the novel experimental validation gap of morphometric parameters (MPs) with soil erodibility quotient (K). Hence, we analyzed 178 soil samples, deduced 31 key MPs from 84 quaternary watersheds within South Africa, and analyzed for the most suitable interpolation method to identify erosion-prone areas. Results indicate a mean soil erodibility of 0.062 ton•yr•MJ−1•mm−1, with a high bifurcation ratio (12.72) reflecting significant drainage complexity. Average form factor (0.44), elongation ratio (0.74), and wandering ratio (3.60) suggest moderate runoff and efficient drainage. Natural neighbor interpolation emerged as the most effective method (R2 = 0.997). Correlation analysis indicates that only 19 principal MPs’ suitability relates to soil erodibility (p-value < 0.05), while texture ratio and drainage texture achieved the strongest correlations (p-value < 0.000). The findings highlight the importance of site-specific morphometric parameter (MP) modeling in accounting for landscape heterogeneity and human impacts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10106049.2025.2509878Watershed managementsoil conservationquantitative morphometric analysisSouth Africa
spellingShingle Solomon Temidayo Owolabi
Johanes A. Belle
Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
Geocarto International
Watershed management
soil conservation
quantitative morphometric analysis
South Africa
title Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
title_full Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
title_fullStr Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
title_short Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
title_sort optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
topic Watershed management
soil conservation
quantitative morphometric analysis
South Africa
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10106049.2025.2509878
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AT johanesabelle optimizinginterpolationandquantitativemorphometryanalysissuitabilitytosoilerodibilitymodelingforsoilerosionriskmappinginacomplextopography