Modelling soil erosion and Sedimentation using Cesium-137 isotope and sustainable development challenges in Wadi Aws Basin in Aseer Region.

This study investigates water erosion in the Wadi Aws basin using a radiometricapproach based on cesium-137 as a radioisotope widely recognised for its ability toestimate soil loss over medium-term periods. This method enabled the developmentof a zonation map to classify erosion levels across different sectors of the basin.Additionally, statistical analysis within a Geographic Information Systems frameworkwas employed to inspect factors influencing erosion. The research also investigatessustainable management strategies for water and vegetation resources, includingagricultural and natural environments. The results revealed that the Wadi Aws basinrecords an average soil loss of about 44.58 t/ha/year, with a parallel sedimentationrate of around 56.22 t/ha/year. This results in a positive sediment balance of roughly5.703 t/ha/year. However, this balance is just quantified without accounting for itsspatial distribution. To address this, geostatistical methods, such as Hotspot, Factoranalysis and PCA analyses, were applied to identify priority areas for intervention.These analyses offer practical insights to mitigate future risks and offer efficientstrategies for preserving the basin's natural resources and ensuring their sustainabilityfor future generations.