The Effect of Gullies on Barbadian Urban Geomorphology

Abstract

Gullies are ravine-like structures, which are largely understudied geomorphological aspects of the Barbadian landscape. They occur on three coral terraces, which increase in height and age further inland. There is a concern for the stability of settlements situated near gully cliffs and the effect that anthropogenic development has on the gully structures. A set of exploratory measurements were taken at three different sites. The three gullies were selected based on the presence of urban development, ease of accessibility for field measurements and placement on different terraces. Statistical and descriptive analyses were then done to compare the relationships between terrace, stability, and anthropogenic activity within and between each gully. A factor analysis of mixed-data and ANOVA analysis found that the oldest gully was particularly distinct from the other two, with a maximum variance of 26.2%. Age was related to higher and steeper cliffs that included more undercutting. Gullies conventionally have a box-like shape with uniform sides. However, the two younger gullies had one side with a gentler slope and lower cliff which is unique and positively correlated with anthropogenic activity. Limitations to the research include a lack of accessibility to the gullies, and difficulty finding data to properly weigh the stability variables. The large dataset compiled from this research could be used as a starting point for longitudinal studies to better find change in stability, shape, and anthropogenic development over time. The measurements taken have found notable patterns and correlations and could be the foundation for future rapid risk assessment tools.