Combining UAV remote sensing and pedological analyses to better understand soil piping erosion

The study and mapping of evidences soil piping using non-destructive techniques is a key issue in quantitative geomorphology. This paper attempts to combine Aerial systems (Unmanned Vehicles (UAV)), physical chemical attributes, near-surface geophysical survey tools (ground penetrating radar electrical resistivity tomography) provide comprehensive understanding geometric features arid semi-arid regions. UAV Mapping System was applied prepare ortho-photos, topography, analytical hill shading, drainage density, land use maps two different sites (site 1: rangelands, site 2: agricultural lands) Sarakhs plain, Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran. attributes were analyzed six profiles check the hypothesis that these control occurrence piping-related (i.e., sinkhole, blind gully, gully), test if there are any differences properties between types. near surface used determine approximate size pipes, simulate their internal structure. results derived UAV’s independent variables confirmed typical erosion related gully) developed exactly adjustment with subsurface processes density). algorithms pedology revealed significant Na+ SAR for without erosion, but themselves not enough explain development at sites. volume GPR line surveys 1701.5 m3 1 1203 2. potential distribution pipes by applying more extensive than those deduced from observations: three-dimensional pipe number density (number per unit volume; # m−3) collapsed cavities simulated mean length depth 143.4 cm 88 rangelands 175.75 79.14 lands, respectively. maximum or roof collapses occurred within boundaries 0–50 30–100 ratio rangeland lands ca. 26.1 % 10.4 %, tomography (ERT) measurements indicated higher values piping-prone areas, where initiated bedrock interface. Integrating all data obtained this allowed better understand extent both horizons.