## 4 Results and Discussion
### Linear Features of the Wadi Haly Catchment
It can additionally suggest how well a catchment drains water because this morphometric parameter assigns the number of rivers and streams per unit area of a catchment [16; 24; 40]. In morphometric analysis, stream frequency (F) reflects the concentration of streams in a catchment area, often showing a positive relationship with drainage density (Dd), as a higher Dd typically corresponds with an increased number of stream channels. Sub-catchments 8 and 7 exhibit the highest values for drainage density (Dd) index, drainage texture (Dt) index, and overland flow length (Lg) index, measuring 3.57 km/km\({}^{2}\), 18.74 km\({}^{-1}\), and 1.78 km, respectively (see Table 4 and Figure 6). These values suggest that much of the Wadi Haly catchment has a rapid runoff surface, particularly in regions having steep slopes with limited soil permeability, which commonly leads to high rates of drainage density and stream frequency. An inverse relationship is observed between overland flow length and drainage density, indicating that as drainage density increases, overland flow length generally decreases, and vice versa. Sub-catchments with lower Lg are more vulnerable to soil erosion after heavy rainfall, given their shorter flow paths, enhanced runoff, and reduced infiltration. In the Wadi Haly catchment, drainage texture is notably coarse across all sub-catchments, with Sub-C 8 and Sub-C 7 showing the minimum and maximum values of drainage texture index, respectively. Gentle slopes, as seen in Sub-C 8, facilitate easier water infiltration through more complex and sinuous stream channels (high Dt), reducing runoff velocity and subsequently lowering the risk of soil erosion. When assessing drainage texture in sub-catchments, it is essential to consider factors including climatic changes, rainfall levels, vegetation cover, geological composition, soil type, slope gradient, infiltration capacity rates, and the size and perimeter of the sub-catchment. These variables significantly impact drainage density and should be carefully analyzed to understand the drainage characteristics of the area [3; 29; 40; 51]. Environmental management managers can utilize linear signatures like stream frequency, overland flow length, average drainage density, and drainage texture to guide the creation and implementation of soil conservation strategies. These metrics offer valuable insights into watershed hydrology and erosion susceptibility, helping to shape precise and effective erosion mitigation efforts. When integrated with additional morphometric parameters, these metrics allow environmental managers to develop targeted seasonal plans to control soil erosion, concentrating on key areas and addressing the root reasons of soil erosion [24; 40]. wider, shorter catchments have the highest Ff values [57; 58]. Furthermore, the authors in Ref. [59] suggest that catchments with greater Ff values have longer-lasting, flatter peak flows. In this study, the elongation factor (Ef) values range from 0.17 in sub-catchment 9 to 0.8 in sub-catchment 2, indicating that most catchments are predominantly elongated (see Table 5). Another important metric for analyzing catchment form is the circularity ratio (Rc), which offers insights into the significant hydrological characteristics of a drainage catchment. This study's Cr 15 values, which varied from 0.19 to 0.56, further supported the watersheds' elongated shape. When calculating the circularity ratio, the diameter of a circle is compared to the catchment's maximum length [15; 24]. Elevated Rc index values suggest circular catchments or sub-catchments with permeable surfaces and moderate to steep slopes, which accelerate surface runoff infiltration into the ground. Conversely, lower Rc values are typical of watersheds with impermeable planes, low elevation, and prolonged runoff concentration times.