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Medium-term quantification and mapping of eroded and sedimentation areas in two depressions located in Sierra de las Nieves (south of Spain)
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DOI：10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110285.png)
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Abstract
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This study assesses the medium-term geomorphological dynamics within two Mediterranean small, highland catchments located in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park (southern Spain). Despite their extensions, these catchments are characterised by the presence of numerous active and old landforms, such as rocky summits, calcareous and rectilinear hillslopes, that are covered by karrens and abundant crioclasts, rock falls, badland morphologies and gullies as well as a network of check-dams to control water erosion and peak flows. To conduct this study, four three-dimensional (3D) point cloud digital models were acquired between 2019 and 2025. Data acquisition utilised UAS-based structure-from-motion-multiview stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry (singlefrequency GNSS receiver with code-based positioning in 2019 and post-processing kinematic (PPK) corrected GNSS in 2022 and 2023) and integrated light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and photogrammetry with real-time kinematics (RTK) corrected GNSS in 2025. To estimate geomorphic changes, the multi-scale model-to-model cloud-comparison (M3C2) algorithm was applied; it enabled direct comparisons between the 3D models. Results reveal complex spatial and temporal patterns of erosion and sedimentation. Sediment deposition was concentrated in valley bottoms and lower hillslopes, while erosional processes were primarily observed along channel beds and banks. The alternation of processes between the two triennial periods (2019-2022 and 2022-2025) highlighted a non-linear dynamics influenced by topographical attributes, vegetation cover, presence of control dams and the connectivity between hillslopes and channels. Limitations were identified in pinpointing the precise sediment sources. Furthermore, the detection threshold achieved (5 cm) hindered the acquisition of comprehensive diffuse erosion maps on hillslopes. Nevertheless, the obtained results have advanced the understanding of landscape evolution in Mediterranean mountainous environments. This study provides a robust foundation for future studies and supports the development of conservation and land management strategies in high-mountain protected areas.
Keywords:
Erosion
Sedimentation
Vegetation
Badland
Unmanned aerial systems
Point clouds
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