Modelling of human dimension on soil erosion processes for remote sensing applications

Spatial modelling of hydrological and erosion processes at watershed scale is subject to an increasing development simultaneously with the expanded use of remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS). Nevertheless, the raster structure of available spatial erosion models does not take into account some human landscape dimensions. Linear and directional features are commonly neglected in water and sediment transport modelling. This paper presents an attempt for integrating influences of spatial pattern discontinuities and directivity effects due to tillage and row of plants on the distribution of flows in agricultural watersheds. Introduction of these improvements in the ANSWERS (Areal Nonpoint Source Watershed Environment Response Simulation) model are in process