Question

Following are four stages of gully development. Arrange these in order.
A. Healing stage
B. Development stage
C. Stabilization stage
D. Formation stage

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, C, D
• B. D, B, A, C
• C. D, C, B, A
• D. D, B, C, A

Hint:

The stages of gully development follow a logical sequence of channel growth and stabilization:
Formation (D) $\rightarrow$ Active Development (B) $\rightarrow$ Vegetation Healing (A) $\rightarrow$ Permanent Stabilization (C).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Gully erosion is an advanced stage of water erosion where surface runoff concentrates in channels, cutting deep depressions into the soil.
The development of a gully follows a predictable sequence of stages as the channel deepens, widens, and eventually stabilizes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The four stages of gully development are classified as follows:
1. Formation stage (D): The initiation phase where concentrated runoff water begins to scour the topsoil, cutting a shallow, defined channel through sheet and rill erosion.
2. Development stage (B): The active growth phase where the gully rapidly deepens and widens.
Water falling over the gully head causes upstream headward erosion, while the channel bed deepens and the banks cave in, significantly increasing soil loss.
3. Healing stage (A): The recovery phase where the rate of active soil erosion slows down.
The steep gully banks naturally slump to form gentler slopes, allowing pioneer vegetation to establish and colonize the gully floor and sides.
4. Stabilization stage (C): The final phase where the gully reaches a stable gradient.
Dense vegetation establishes across the gully channel, protecting the soil from further erosion and stabilizing the slopes.
Therefore, the correct chronological order of gully development is D $\rightarrow$ B $\rightarrow$ A $\rightarrow$ C.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct order of gully development is D, B, A, C, which corresponds to Option (B).