Evaluation of Gully Erosion Susceptibility Using a Maximum Entropy Model in the Upper Mkhomazi River Basin in South Africa

Soil erosion is one of the most challenging environmental issues in world, causing unsustainable soil loss every year. In South Africa, several episodes gully have been documented and clearly linked to presence Quaternary colluvial deposits on Drakensberg Mountain footslopes. The aim this study was identify assess triggering factors upper Mkhomazi River basin KwaZulu-Natal, Africa. We compiled a inventory map applied remote sensing techniques as well field surveys validate inventory. gullies were subdivided into slope fluvial gullies. derived susceptibility maps based spatial distribution types important driving factors. A stochastic modeling approach (MaxEnt) applied, results showed two within probability. To MaxEnt model results, subset existing used. Additionally, by using areas with high susceptibilities, we able delineate previously unmapped region. This predictive mapping tool can be provide theoretical basis for highlighting erosion-sensitive substrates reduce risk expanding erosion.