Impact of erosion control measures on runoff processes

Abstract

Water supplies in Serbia are based primarily on reservoir storage in protected areas. The reservoir catchments are located in hilly-mountainous regions in order to avoid the water quality problems associated with urbanization and agricultural production. One of the most important conditions for the continued effective use of such reservoirs is protection of their storage from sedimentation. Erosion problems are widespread in Serbia. 86% of the territory suffers from erosion processes of varying intensity and the total annual production of eroded material is ca. 40×106 m3 year-1. Erosion control is based on the construction of control structures on torrents and bio-technical works (afforestation of bare lands and restoration of degraded forests and pastures). There is currently a need for afforestation of 600 km2 of bare land in the catchment areas of reservoirs which are currently under construction or planned. Land use change (from bare land or degraded forest to stable forest), whilst providing erosion control, also has a significant influence on runoff processes through its influence on the hydrological cycle. The impact of anti-erosive afforestation on runoff processes has been studied in the experimental catchment M-III, located on the Goc mountain n central Serbia during the period 1980-1995.