Factors Controlling Contemporary Suspended Sediment Yield in the Caucasus Region

This paper discusses the joint impact of catchment complexity in topography, tectonics, climate, landuse patterns, and lithology on suspended sediment yield (SSY, t km−2 year−1) Caucasus region using measurements from 244 gauging stations (GS). A Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) was used to reveal relationships between SSY explanatory variables. Despite possible significant uncertainties values, analysis this database indicates clear spatial patterns Caucasus. Most catchments Lesser Caucasia Ciscaucasia are characterized by relatively low values (<100–150 year−1), Greater generally have higher (more than 150–300 year−1). correlation analyses demonstrated that such proxies topography as height above nearest drainage (HAND) normalized steepness index (Ksn) tend be among most important ones. However, a PLSR suggested these variables’ influence is likely associated with peak ground acceleration (PGA). We also found strong relationship land cover types (e.g., barren areas cropland) different elevation zones. Nonetheless, adding more into refined characterizations may additional trends.