Factor analysis based prioritization of morphometric parameters at sub-watershed level

The prioritization of morphometric parameters at sub-watershed level is important for sustainable land and water resources over the watershed. Factor analysis is carried out with the morphometric parameters and prioritizes for sub-watersheds. By the use of factor analysis, correlation matrix, total variance of components, rotated component matrix and factor scores are user-defined the physical phenomenon forms the morphometric parameters at the sub-watershed level. To demonstrate the application a case study is taken over Chittar watershed, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu, India. In this study, this watershed is divided in to 28 sub-watersheds and the 15 parameters are computed at every sub-watershed. Results for this watershed are shown as Factor I, II and III. The Factor I loaded over 9 sub-watersheds (70.71 km²) with 44.80 % of the variance. Factor II loaded over 10 sub watersheds (1122.31 km²) with 24.75 % of the variance. The 7 sub-watersheds are loaded on Factor III (192.44 km²) with 10.03 % of the variance. Prioritization at the sub-watershed level is indispensable for sustainable water and land management plan for the future.