Gully erosion in the Alt Penedès-Anoia vineyard region (NE Spain)

Abstract

The present research analyzes gully erosion processes in an area of the Alt Penedès and Anoia regions (Barcelona) at semi-detailed and detailed scales. For that, information technology methods (Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing) are developed and applied. The study area is located in the Vallès-Penedès Depression, where unconsolidated continental and marine Miocene deposits outcrop with a dense and deep gully network. The methods have allowed the location of gully erosion at regional scale and the determination of gully erosion rates in a sample area. The results reveal the importance of gully erosion, usually less studied than other erosion processes. The 15.2% of the region has been affected by gullies, with landscape units where the dissection reaches 31.9%. Gullies are active at present, with annual average rates of 576 ± 58 Mg ha-1 year-1, which indicates the importance of gully erosion processes in the production of sediments in the study area.