Enhanced morphometric analysis for soil erosion susceptibility mapping in the Godavari river basin, India: leveraging Google Earth Engine and principal component analysis
Srija Roy, Madhusudana Rao Chintalacheruvu
Abstract
Morphometric analysis of a drainage basin along with its stream network is indispensable for analysing a river basin’s prevailing geomorphology, geo-hydrology, and erosional susceptibility. In this study, an enhanced morphometric evaluation method using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to assess and prioritize 12 sub-basins of the Godavari River basin (GRB), India, based on their erosional susceptibility. The findings of erosional susceptibility were validated using the Sediment Yield (SY) model. Our findings highlight that the sub-basins of Indravati, Pranhita, and Manjira, i.e. 42.42% (132707.4 km2) of the entire GRB are at high risk of erosional susceptibility, requiring immediate implementation of soil conservation measures. Our findings also highlight that 52.71% of the GRB is in the mature stage of geological evolution, wherein erosional landform-building processes are still ongoing. Overall, GRB has a relatively low drainage density with dendritic drainage patterns, permeable soils, and elongated sub-basins of enhanced erosional susceptibility. Moreover, the results of the SY model exhibited 90% agreement with the results of the enhanced morphometric analysis. This study presents an efficient framework for enhanced morphometric analysis that can assist policymakers in the demarcation of priority zones for erosional susceptibility.