A QGIS -plugin for gully erosion modeling

Abstract Gully erosion affects the landscape and human life in many ways, including destruction of agricultural land infrastructures, altering hydraulic potential soils, as well water availability. Due to climate change, more areas are expected be affected by gully future, threatening especially low-income regions. In past decades, quantitative methods have been proposed simulate predict at different scales. However, is still underrepresented modern GIS-based modeling simulation approaches. Therefore, this study aims develop a QGIS plugin using Python assess dynamics. We explain preparation input data, procedure based on Sidorchuk’s (Sidorchuk A (1999) Dynamic static models erosion. CATENA 37:401–414.) model, perform detailed sensitivity analysis model parameters. The uses topographical soil characteristics discharge information input. was tested network KwaThunzi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. results analyses confirm Sidorchuck’s earlier observations that critical runoff velocity main controlling parameter evolution, alongside with slope stability threshold erodibility coefficient. implemented simplifies setup, post-processing visualization modelling results. provided data formats visualized 3D software tools. This enables comprehensive assessment derivation respective coping mitigation strategies.