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The distribution of soil erosion as a function of slope aspect and parent material in Ciskei, Southern Africa

  • Soil Erosion and Host Materials in Africa
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Abstract

The paper investigates the relationship between geology, soils and slope aspects in four Ciskei catchments. The primary aim of the study was to determine whether any simple bivariate relationship exists between these independent variables and soil erosion. The secondary aim of the study was to determine whether combining the three independent variables and using a multivariate analysis could produce a more lucid picture of spatial variations in soil erosion. The results obtained from the study show that all the three independent variables (geology, soil type and slope aspects) can be used to account for spatial variations in soil erosion in the study catchments. A parent material classification (based on geology and soil type) and a parent material plus slope aspect classification provide more detailed explanation for variations in the extent of soil erosion in the study area. The paper discusses possible reasons for the observed relationships and the need for more detailed multivariate investigations.

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van Breda Weaver, A. The distribution of soil erosion as a function of slope aspect and parent material in Ciskei, Southern Africa. GeoJournal 23, 29–34 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204406

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