Enhanced spatial precision in erosion control barriers installation through high-resolution images geoprocessing

Abstract

This study focuses on an area of 155 hectares affected by the major Picões wildfire (2013, 14,912 hectares), whose steep slopes are constantly draining sediment into the Baixo Sabor reservoir due to low soil coverage and slow vegetation recovery. To mitigate this impact, the effectiveness of erosion control barriers to be installed in pilot intervention areas is being tested. In this work, a tool is proposed to optimize the installation of sediment containment barriers and erosion measuring devices using satellite and drone images. Satellite image geoprocessing (10-meter resolution) and drone imagery (30-centimeter resolution) optimized the location of containment barriers and erosion measurement devices. The optimization criterion used was the local maximum (in the contour line) of flow accumulation in the intervention area, representing the sediment transport potential on the slope, where greater control is needed. Mapping flow accumulation with high-resolution DEM improved the precise location of the barriers and devices to be installed by 4.5 times compared to random selection. Remote preparation of the work enabled a 50% reduction in costs and time for implementing the interventions.