Categorization of Morphometric Surface through Morphometric Diversity Analysis in Kushkarani River Basin of Eastern India
Shahana Khatun *
Department of Geography, University of Gour Banga, Malda, India
Swades Pal
Department of Geography, University of Gour Banga, Malda, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present work attempts to build up and categorize morphometric surface of distinct identities and potentialities considering 16 morphometric parameters as spatial data layers in GIS environment. For constructing the morphometric diversity model relative importance of the selected parameters is assessed and weighted compositing is being made. Separately, relief and drainage diversity models have been prepared and finally entire surface is categorized into some distinct morphometric sub units having their own terrain characteristics and associated cultural features. Out of total river basin only 11% area comes under highly diversified surface and maximum part of the area comes under quite monotonous surface with least variation. Highly diversified surface is prone to rilling, gullying and consequently soil erosion. It is also tried to identify whether relief and drainage model exert significant impact on morphometric diversity model. It is identified that relief diversity model carries significant impact on morphometric diversity model as indicated by high correlation coefficient (r=0.94).
Keywords: Mophometric surface, weighting of parameters, weighted linear combination (WLC), drainage diversity model (DDM), relief diversity model (RDM), morphometric diversity model (MDM)