10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.03

Rainfall Erosivity and Flooding Risk Assessment in Different Climate Zones of Iran

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  • Ali Bagherzadeh*1,
  • Ehsan Afshar1,
  • Abolfazl Taleghani1,
  • Alireza Bagherzadeh Chaharjouee2,
  • Ehsan Sobhani3,
  1. Department of Agriculture, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
  2. Department of Computer Engineering, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
  3. Department of Animal Science, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

Received: 2024-09-09

Revised: 2025-04-15

Accepted: 2025-05-03

Published in Issue 2026-03-31

Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Bagherzadeh, Ehsan Afshar, Abolfazl Taleghani, Alireza Bagherzadeh Chaharjouee, Ehsan Sobhani (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Bagherzadeh, A., Afshar, E., Taleghani, A., Bagherzadeh Chaharjouee, A., & Sobhani, E. (2026). Rainfall Erosivity and Flooding Risk Assessment in Different Climate Zones of Iran. Journal of Rangeland Science, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.03
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Abstract

This study examines the extensive environmental and agricultural damages caused by floods and water erosion, highlighting their role in degrading water quality, stripping away fertile topsoil, and disturbing natural ecosystems. These destructive processes diminish arable land, reduce crop yields and undermine food security by destabilizing water resources essential for sustainable farming. Rainfall plays a pivotal role in soil erosion through its erosivity, characterized by the R-factor in the USLE model, which accounts for its volume and intensity. Focusing on Iran, the study utilizes 30 years (1992–2021) of high-resolution precipitation records from WorldClim 2.1 and applies the Wischmeier and Smith equation. This approach quantifies rainfall erosivity across diverse climatic zones classified by the Köppen–Geiger system, which differentiates regions based on seasonal precipitation, temperature patterns, and vegetation types. Annual precipitation levels vary widely, from as low as 111.46 mm in arid regions with a hot desert climate (BWh) to 1404.15 mm in Mediterranean climate (Csa). Correspondingly, the R-factor exhibits dramatic differences, ranging from 72.66 MJ mm ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in semi-arid regions (BWk) to an extreme 3300.71 MJ mm ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in humid subtropical zones (Cfa). Additionally, erosivity density varies, with minimal values in cold semi-arid zones (Dsa) and peak levels in Cfa climates. The assessment reveals that while some arid regions (BSh, BSk), covering 8.88% of Iran, experience low flood risks, extremely-arid zones (BWh, BWk) encompassing 86.46% of central Iran face medium to extremely high flood risks. Areas with low precipitation and high erosivity density, notably in central, eastern, southern, and western parts of Iran, are particularly vulnerable. The findings underscore the critical need for targeted soil conservation strategies, enhanced vegetation cover, integrated watershed management, and balanced livestock grazing to mitigate these severe impacts.

Keywords

  • Precipitation,
  • Rain erosivity,
  • Erosivity density,
  • Flooding risk,
  • Iran
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