Gully Erosion Potential by Hypsometric Curve and Morphometric Analysis

The formation and development of gullies is a pervasive driver of hillslope degradation, yet forecasting where and at what elevation gullies begin remains challenging. This study proposes a morphometric–energetic framework to anticipate gully initiation zones in catchments developed on low-permeability lithologies and limited tectonic control, across contrasting climatic and geomorphic settings. Using GIS analyses and morphometric parameters, some of these derived from hypsometric curves, our objective is to link basin-scale morphology and energy distribution to the propensity for linear incision, thereby defining an altitudinal belt and stream network positions most susceptible to gully initiation. The framework is designed to be quantitative, transferable among landscapes, and parsimonious in data requirements. By prioritizing diagnostics that can be computed from standard topographic datasets, the approach aims to support land-use planning and sediment-risk mitigation, offering a practical pathway for early identification and management of areas vulnerable to gullying.