As far as numerous researchers are concerned, the main source of sediment in forests is roads and their related elements. Due to the importance of this issue, research has been conducted extensively in this regard. Therefore, the main purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of the WARSEM model in the study area. To achieve this goal, in addition to determining the appropriate correction factor to calibrate the model, evaluating the effect of fill slope factors on the accuracy of the results of WARSEM model in the study area was desirable as well. The study area was a part of the Hyrcanian forests in the Northwest Iran. After recording fixed information along the road, fieldwork was done for a whole year because it was decided to utilize natural rainfall showers in the study process. The field observations indicated that the amount of sediment in the study area was high; nevertheless, the WARSEM has about a 19% overestimate in the study area. Thus, the calibration index for the study area was supposed to be 0.81, based on bringing the R2, NS, and RMSE closer to acceptable values. Also, the results showed that the amount of fill slope sediment does not cause a significant change in the overall results. Therefore, the opinion of the model designers is also valid in the study area. Moreover, the results indicated that road gradient and delivery factor are more effective than other factors in changing the result of the model.
Cite this article as: Ghomi Motazeh, A., Naghdi, R., Salimi, E. T., & Akay, A. E. (2024). Evaluation of the efficiency of WARSEM model and the effect of fill slope information on changing the model results. Forestist, 74(2), 244-252.