Morphometric Study of the Depth of Relief Dissection in the Talysh Mountains

This study presents a comprehensive morphometric analysis of slope dissection depth within the Talysh Mountain system, located in southeastern Azerbaijan, employing a basin-based approach to enhance the precision of relief fragmentation studies. Utilizing topographic maps at a 1:10,000 scale, the study area, spanning 3,347 km², was systematically classified into four dissection depth categories: weak (0–100 m), moderate (100–200 m), medium (200–300 m), and high (>300 m). ArcGIS 10.2.1 software was utilized to perform detailed measurements of slope areas, conduct statistical analyses, and generate high-resolution morphometric maps, enabling accurate visualization of spatial distribution patterns. The results indicate that moderately dissected slopes (100–200 m) predominate, covering 1,507.98 km² (45.06% of the total area), primarily located in the mid- and lower-mountain zones, where erosion and denudation processes are prevalent. Weakly dissected slopes (0–100 m) account for 1,283.63 km² (38.82%), concentrated in the lower reaches, offering suitable conditions for economic activities such as tourism and agriculture. Medium dissected slopes (200–300 m) cover 479.10 km² (14.31%), while highly dissected slopes (>300 m) constitute only 77.29 km² (2.31%), highlighting zones of intense tectonic activity and susceptibility to geohazards, including landslides, rockfalls, and mudflows. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of geomorphological processes, tectonic influences, and landscape evolution in the Talysh Mountains. Practically, the results provide critical insights for land-use planning, erosion control strategies, infrastructure development, and the design of sustainable tourism routes, identifying high-risk zones for geohazard mitigation and areas suitable for economic activities. The integration of the basin-based approach with advanced GIS technologies demonstrates superior accuracy and scalability compared to traditional grid-based methods, offering a robust framework for geomorphological studies in mountainous regions globally. This research underscores the importance of precise morphometric analysis for environmental management and sustainable development in tectonically active landscapes.