Sediment Transfer through the Fluvial System (Proceedings of a symposium held in Moscow, August 2004). IAHS Publ. 288, 2004, 179–186

1 UMR 6042–CNRS, Géodynamique des Milieux Naturels et Anthropisés, Université Blaise Pascal, Maison de la Recherche, 29 boulevard Gergovia, F-63037 Clermont-Ferrand, France

2 UMR 5110–CNRS, CEFREM Université de Perpignan, 52 avenue de Villeneuve, F-66860 Perpignan, France

Abstract Two small neighbouring rivers basins (western Mediterranean area) were compared: the Maury and the Desix rivers which belong to the Agly River basin (1045 km²). In this area, the climate is characterized by a marked contrast between dry and humid conditions, with the occurrence of torrential downpours during only a few days of the year. As a result, the bedload and nearly all the suspended sediment load are transported during given events. The main difference between these two catchments is the land-use patterns: viticulture and garrigue (a typical Mediterranean vegetation type) are mainly growing at the Maury basin, while forest occupies the main part of the Desix basin. As a consequence, erosion marks are clearly visible on the bare slopes of the Maury basin. This river provides an important suspended sediment load and a great part of bedload to the Agly River.

Key words bedload; erosion; fluvial dynamics; land-use; Maury and Desix rivers; Mediterranean area