The experimental catchment of Rambla Salada (Murcia) : hydrol-geomorphological researchs

Abstract

Climate and anthropogenic actions are the main.resporisibles of soil erosion and desertification processes in the mediterranean semiarid regions. The quantitative estimation of some hidrological and erosives processes, under extreme semiarid climate conditions, is carry out in the experimental catchment of Rambla Salada, located in the middle of Murcia's Region (South-East Spain), built on neogene marls and quaternary sediments. The principal land ·uses are associated to the dryland agricultural, mainly almond trees, and open steppe vegetation of esparto (Stippa tenaccisima) that protect badly the soil. During the short period of observation (1996-2000), the geomorphological and hydrological responses have been poor due to drought. Low rates of soil erosion and few rainy events originated flash floods. The monitoring of catchment and a small experimental field, the use of DTM and its integration in the GIS, allow to know and evaluate the most relevant hydrological events and geomorfological territory processes that operate to plot and catchment escales.