Investigating The Relationship Between Geomorphological Components (Elevation, Slope and Aspect) and The Maximum Snow-Cover Duration in Talesh Mountains

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor of Geomorphology, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

The shape of the surface is important for geomorphologists because the morphology influences other environmental components. One of the important environmental variables that strongly influence is the Snow-Cover Duration on elevations. SCDura in mountain reservoirs has a direct effect on temperature, hydrological, erosion, vegetation, and biological feedbacks, and as a result of studying the interaction of the topographic surface of the earth with the durability of snow cover, it becomes necessary and important.
In this research, the relationship between the geomorphological components of the elevation, slope, and aspect with the max Snow-Cover Duration was calculated and investigated based on the data of Aqua and Terra satellites in the statistical period of 2003 to 2021. The Modis daily snow products named MOD10A1 and MYD10A1 were used for this purpose. The data was downloaded from NASA's official site and was prepared in the main database. In the first step, the data was binarized based on a threshold of 50%, then, the effect of the cloudiness was reduced using a spatial and temporal filter. Then, the data from Terra and Aqua satellites were combined and, the Max Snow-Cover Duration per cell in the raster network was calculated on an annual basis. The relationship between Max Snow-Cover Duration and elevational bands was investigated. The trend of changes in the Max Snow-Cover Duration shows that lower valleys and foothills of eastern Talash have a sharper decline. This situation can be attributed to human interventions, anthropogenic activities, as well as these areas
locating in the transitional zone and to be more effective from environmental changes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Geography and Development
Volume 21, Issue 73 - Serial Number 73
December 2023
Pages 166-198

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  • Receive Date: 09 February 2023
  • Revise Date: 30 June 2023
  • Accept Date: 27 September 2023

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