CALCULATION OF SOIL EROSION INTENSITY AND MAXIMUM OUTFLOW FROM THE ROVACKI RIVER BASIN, MONTENEGRO

The Polimlje catchment area in the north of Montenegro covers an area of around 2200 km 2 where the river Lim receives 57 tributaries. One of the watersheds is the Rovacki River Basin, where the authors of this paper studied physical-geographical characteristics. Research of the Polimlje area was performed by several authors, applying classical qualitative and quantitative methods, using many mathematical models and various mechanical instruments in what was a very complex and time-consuming process. Many factors have influenced the development of erosion processes in the territory of the subject river basin. The most significant factors are the area’s climate, relief, geological substrate and pedological composition, as well as the condition of the vegetation cover and the land use. The authors of this paper applied computer-graphic methods using IntErO software to calculate soil erosion intensity and maximum outflow. The research predicts that the maximal outflow (incidence for the next 100 years) from the river basin, Qmax, is 40 m 3 s -1 . The river basin belongs in „Destruction Category IV”, according to the classification system of Professor Gavrilovic. The strength of the erosion process is weak, and the type is mixed erosion. The real soil losses are 1371 m³/year (117 m³/km²/year). To support faster vegetation recovery and protect the region from erosion processes, some biological protection measures need to be applied. These would prevent rapid runoff and maintain low transport of erosion material. This would further support reforestation and the recovery of grass, shrubs and trees.