In subhumid Mediterranean agroecosystems, runoff drives soil erosion by controlling particle detachment and transport, with its generation and connectivity strongly influenced by land use. In areas affected by land abandonment and reforestation, terracing modifies hillslope morphology and flow pathways, thereby altering soil redistribution patterns. Fallout 137Cs has been widely used to assess medium term soil redistribution, and in situ gamma ray spectrometry using scintillation detectors provides an alternative for improving spatial coverage, yet the influence of factors specific to the site on measurements remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates how 137Cs counts obtained in situ with a LaBr3 detector can be used to interpret soil redistribution patterns in two paired catchments that experienced land abandonment since the mid-1960s. Following abandonment, catchment A underwent natural revegetation, whereas catchment B was terraced for reforestation, allowing the effects of water erosion and terracing on soil mobilisation to be analyzed through the spatial distribution of 137Cs. By linking 137Cs counts with catchment physiography, land use, flow pathways, and NDVI, the study aims to identify the main controls on soil redistribution in both catchments. 137Cs counts were significantly higher in catchment A (156.8 ± 108.2 counts) than in catchment B (53.2 ± 68.1), with coefficients of variation of 69% and 128%, respectively. The in situ 137Cs measurements provide reliable indicators of soil redistribution patterns controlled not only by runoff but also by anthropogenic modifications of hillslope morphology that alter flow pathways and hydrological connectivity following terracing. The paired catchment approach, combined with in situ 137Cs measurements, provides valuable insights into the key controls on soil redistribution, which is essential for effective land management.
Gaspar et al. (2026) studied this question.