INDIRECT EVALUATION OF EROSION USING DEM AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES

S. Oliveri, C.A. Brunori, C. Giardino, L. Luzi, M. Pepe and E. Zilioli
CNR/IRRS; via Bassini, 19 - 20133 Milano (Italy)




The evolution of dynamical land processes and soil erosion which are responsible for landscape modification in the river watershed, require intense monitoring activities. The use of GIS is a consolidated technique in the study of hydrogeological hazard within a specific hydrographic unit. A correlation analysis between different quantities derived essentially from geomorphology and remote sensing data, was accomplished, in order to archieve indirect and synoptic evaluation of the erosion occurring in a watershed. To the aim a DEM was applied to a quantitative empirical model for the hydrographic network analysis, to archive geometric information about drainage density, tributary hierarchization and morphometric parameters. Secondarily, LANDSAT-TM and aerial image spectrometric data were considered for physical and environmental evaluation. The explored methodology consists of correlating different observations spatially distributed, starting from the divide line down to the estuarine zone, The availability of hyperspectral data from MIVIS surveys, almost in relation to the satellite overpass, becomes a unique opportunity for a description of the dispersion of suspended load in the river plume and to assess its relationship and impact onto the sea coast. The study area is the Esino rivershed (central Italy), facing to the Adriatic sea.