Geoprocessing as a Tool for Predicting the Occurrence of Linear Water Erosion, Based on the Pattern of Runoff Concentration, on a Hillslope Scale

Abstract

Erosion in urban areas is influenced by the interaction between different natural factors and anthropogenic activity, such as intense urbanization and uncoordinated occupation of urban space, which can trigger and intensify erosion processes. The aim of this study was to identify runoff patterns using geoprocessing as a tool for predicting the occurrence of linear water erosion on an urban hillslope at the source of the Grama River in Bauru, São Paulo. The characteristics of the terrain (curvature, gradient and slope orientation) and the influence of urban occupation were assessed in order to gain a general understanding of the events occurring on the hillslope. Existing linear erosion feature surveying and the Concentrated Flow map were superimposed to analyze the compatibility between the runoff pattern and the locations where the features occur. Analysis of the results indicated that, in general, the flow lines lead to the points where the recorded erosion features occur.