The shape index,lemniscate ratio(ratio of square of maximum length of the catchment to four times its area)
(Morgan,2005)of catchment 芋 had the lowest value(0郾 60)and catchment 域 had the highest(1郾 00)(Table 1).
A lower value of lemniscate ratio indicates a more compact shape of the catchment,which results in rapid genera鄄
tion of runoff and hence higher soil erosion. The average relief of the untreated catchment was highest(0郾 33),
whereas in all other catchments,it was not much different. The average relief and shape of the catchments were in
no way related to each other.