Water and Soil Conservation Research  Department

Introduction

Accelerated erosion is an important issue in Iran, causes considerable reduction in soil fertility and moisture due to loss of fine soil particles and organic matter. On the other hand, suspended sediment in water has a key role in transferring of pollutants. Deposition of materials trans­ ported by water or wind will cause large damages. The main mission of Water and Soil Conservation Research Department is to conduct research works in the field of soil erosion and conservation and its consequences. However, due to the considerable extent of arid and semi-arid climates in Iran, soil conservation should be implemented through sustainable development of vege­ tation and water harvesting. Research for understanding the phenomena of detachment, transportation and depo­ sition of soil particles as well as contamination of soil and water resources are the main task of this department. Optimizing and improving traditional and new methods by observing sustainable development rules is another mandate of this department. Findings of research works could play a vital role in sus­ tainable development, increase  agricultural  and natural resources products and protect  property  and life losses by mitigating natural disasters.

Objectives

The objective of Water and Soil Conservation Research Department is reviewing and researching on fields of identification the processes and factors which influenc­ ing soil erosion, estimation of sediment yield of basins, evaluating and developing soil erosion and sediment estimation method and models, identification and optimi­ zation of traditional methods of soil and water conserva­ tion and developing suitable methods for control, prevention and reduction of soil erosion based on new technologies in Iran.

Princial  research  topics   and  pivots

Identifying  and monitoring factors affecting water and wind erosion countryside,

Identifying and monitoring factors affecting erosion and sediment production of sensitive geological for­ mations,

Evaluating erosion and sediment yield estimation models and their development,

Optimizing water and soil conservation methods in dry farming,

Optimizing water and soil conservation methods against sand dunes and dust storm in deserts,

Evaluating the effect of mass movement and land- slide on soil losses,

Optimizing landslide stabilization methods, Optimizing gully controlling methods,

Identifying and classifying indigenous soil and water conservation  methods,

Improving soil erosion and sediment yield estimation and preparation of database,

Estimating and mapping soil erosion  and sediment yield,

Some important implemented research projects

Soil conservation strategic plan,

National soil erosion and sediment yield atlas (erosion types, erosion severity, rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility and river turbidity),

Gully morphoclimatic classification and zonation, Pilot project of dust storm control in Hendijan, Khuzestan Province,

Study dust storm sources in 12 Iranian western provinces,

Determination   tolerable   soil   erosion   in   the country,

Evaluation  the  influence  of flood  spreading  on the soil physical and chemical properties, Assessing  the  conventional  methods  of  mass movement zoning,

Classification of marls based on their erodibility, Investigating  the  effects  of  deforestation  and afforestation on soil redistribution in the north of Iran, using nuclear technology.