On the significance of various erosion processes in slope evolution at the NW Caucasus

Abstract

Stationary and semistationary observations of main erosional processes (fluvial erosion, various kinds of surf ace wash, creep and chemical erosion) have been carried out for 10 years using a new technique developed in the Problem Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Channel Processes, Moscow State University. The observation results permit to establish a significance of individual process in slope development and in the evolution of the NW Caucasus relief a whole. Relative significance of each agent of the short-distance transport in the denudation and slopes evolution is discussed with special reference to the Bzugu river basin which is a typical small catchment of the region.