Statistical relations analysis between morphometric variables of semi-arid basins ( Wadi Al-Arab basin-Case Study)

This study aims to evaluate the statistical relations between morphometric variables of eight semi-arid secondary basins of Wadi Al-Arab using Pearson’s Correlation in order to understand their topographic characteristics for the proper basin management. For this purpose, various morphometric properties including areal, liner, shape and relief variables were mathematically calculated using remote sensing and geographic information system tools. In addition, we evaluated the physical properties of Wadi Al-Arab basin which highly shapes the morphometric variables.
 Results showed that the statistical relation between morphometric variables reflected the physical proprieties such as rock types, climatic variations, land cover, and tectonic processes: strong positive relationships between basin area and number of streams (i.e., r = 1); relief  (i.e., r = 0,87); and geometric number (i.e., r = 0.84), at 0.01 significance level. Moreover, results showed strong positive relationships between average slope and shape of the basin (i.e., r = 0.6 to 0.71); and hypsometric factor (i.e., r = 0.71) at 0.05 significance level. In addition, strong positive correlation was found between average slope and Relief ratio; and slope degree (i.e., r = 0.83) at 0.01 significance level. Strong negative correlation was also detected between average altitude and Dissection Index (i.e., r = -0.80). Finally, negative correlation was found between basin perimeter and both Relief ratio and basin slope degree (i.e., r = -0.75) at 0.05 significance level.