GIS based morphometric evaluation of Chimmini and Mupily watersheds, parts of Western Ghats, Thrissur District, Kerala, India |
| |
| Authors: | N S Magesh K V Jitheshlal N Chandrasekar K V Jini |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Centre for Geotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India, 627012;(2) Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala, India, 680125 |
| |
| Abstract: | GIS and Remote Sensing have proved to be an indispensible tool in morphometric analysis. The identification of morphometric
properties based on a geographic information system (GIS) was carried out in two watersheds in the Thrissur district of Kerala,
India. These watersheds are parts of Western Ghats, which is an ecologically sensitive area. Quantitative geomorphometric
analysis was carried out for the Chimmini and Mupily watersheds independently by estimating their (a) linear aspects like
stream number, stream order, stream length, mean stream length, stream length ratio, bifurcation ratio, length of overland
flow, drainage pattern (b) aerial aspects like circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density and (c) relief aspects
like basin relief, relief ratio, relative relief and ruggedness number. The drainage areas of Chimmini and Mupily watersheds
are 140 and 122 km2 respectively and show patterns of dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage. The Chimmini watershed was classified as a sixth order
drainage basin, whereas Mupily watershed was classified as a fifth order basin. The stream order of the basin was predominantly
controlled by physiographic and structural conditions. The increase in the stream length ratio from lower to higher order
suggests that the study area has reached a mature geomorphic stage. The development of stream segments is affected by rainfall
and local lithology of the watersheds. The slope of both watersheds varied from 0° to 50° and 0° to 42° respectively and the
slope variation is chiefly controlled by the local geology and erosion cycles. Moreover, these studies are useful for planning
rain water harvesting and watershed management. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
