Flood Susceptibility, Agricultural Land Vulnerability, and Landscape Structure Modeling Using GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis in an Experimental Micro-Watershed

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop an integrated methodological framework for assessing flood susceptibility, agricultural land vulnerability, and landscape structure using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), thereby contributing to the integrated assessment of these components at the scale of an experimental micro-watershed. The research was based on a 2.5 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and detailed data obtained through field investigations. Flood susceptibility was modeled by integrating geomorphological, hydrological, pedological, and land-use factors. The results highlight the predominance of the moderate susceptibility class (64.53%), while the high and very high susceptibility classes account for 14.22% of the watershed area and are concentrated in the vicinity of the drainage network and in low-lying sectors. The assessment of land vulnerability revealed differences among land-use categories. Hayfields encompass the largest area exposed to high and very high flood susceptibility classes, whereas forested areas are predominantly associated with low and moderate susceptibility classes. The landscape structure analysis revealed very strong correlations between the exposed area and the landscape metrics used to characterize landscape structure. The proposed integrated methodological framework provides a transferable approach for the simultaneous assessment of flood susceptibility, agricultural land vulnerability, and landscape structure in micro-watersheds with similar characteristics.