scholarly journals Estimating Human Impacts on Soil Erosion Considering Different Hillslope Inclinations and Land Uses in the Coastal Region of Syria

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safwan Mohammed ◽  
Hazem G. Abdo ◽  
Szilard Szabo ◽  
Quoc Bao Pham ◽  
Imre J. Holb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Erosion Processes

Soils in the coastal region of Syria (CRoS) are one of the most fragile components of natural ecosystems. However, they are adversely affected by water erosion processes after extreme land cover modifications such as wildfires or intensive agricultural activities. The main goal of this research was to clarify the dynamic interaction between erosion processes and different ecosystem components (inclination, land cover/land use, and rainy storms) along with the vulnerable territory of the CRoS. Experiments were carried out in five different locations using a total of 15 erosion plots. Soil loss and runoff were quantified in each experimental plot, considering different inclinations and land uses (agricultural land (AG), burnt forest (BF), forest/control plot (F)). Observed runoff and soil loss varied greatly according to both inclination and land cover after 750 mm of rainfall (26 events). In the cultivated areas, the average soil water erosion ranged between 0.14 ± 0.07 and 0.74 ± 0.33 kg/m2; in the BF plots, mean soil erosion ranged between 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.24 ± 0.10 kg/m2. The lowest amount of erosion was recorded in the F plots where the erosion ranged between 0.1 ± 0.001 and 0.07 ± 0.03 kg/m2. Interestingly, the General Linear Model revealed that all factors (i.e., inclination, rainfall and land use) had a significant (p < 0.001) effect on the soil loss. We concluded that human activities greatly influenced soil erosion rates, being higher in the AG lands, followed by BF and F. Therefore, the current study could be very useful to policymakers and planners for proposing immediate conservation or restoration plans in a less studied area which has been shown to be vulnerable to soil erosion processes.

scholarly journals Soil erosion by snow gliding – a first quantification attempt in a subalpine area in Switzerland

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 3763-3775 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Meusburger ◽  
G. Leitinger ◽  
L. Mabit ◽  
M. H. Mueller ◽  
A. Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Snow Gliding

Abstract. Snow processes might be one important driver of soil erosion in Alpine grasslands and thus the unknown variable when erosion modelling is attempted. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of snow gliding as a soil erosion agent for four different land use/land cover types in a subalpine area in Switzerland. We used three different approaches to estimate soil erosion rates: sediment yield measurements in snow glide depositions, the fallout radionuclide 137Cs and modelling with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). RUSLE permits the evaluation of soil loss by water erosion, the 137Cs method integrates soil loss due to all erosion agents involved, and the measurement of snow glide deposition sediment yield can be directly related to snow-glide-induced erosion. Further, cumulative snow glide distance was measured for the sites in the winter of 2009/2010 and modelled for the surrounding area and long-term average winter precipitation (1959–2010) with the spatial snow glide model (SSGM). Measured snow glide distance confirmed the presence of snow gliding and ranged from 2 to 189 cm, with lower values on the north-facing slopes. We observed a reduction of snow glide distance with increasing surface roughness of the vegetation, which is an important information with respect to conservation planning and expected and ongoing land use changes in the Alps. Snow glide erosion estimated from the snow glide depositions was highly variable with values ranging from 0.03 to 22.9 t ha−1 yr−1 in the winter of 2012/2013. For sites affected by snow glide deposition, a mean erosion rate of 8.4 t ha−1 yr−1 was found. The difference in long-term erosion rates determined with RUSLE and 137Cs confirms the constant influence of snow-glide-induced erosion, since a large difference (lower proportion of water erosion compared to total net erosion) was observed for sites with high snow glide rates and vice versa. Moreover, the difference between RUSLE and 137Cs erosion rates was related to the measured snow glide distance (R2 = 0.64; p < 0.005) and to the snow deposition sediment yields (R2 = 0.39; p = 0.13). The SSGM reproduced the relative difference of the measured snow glide values under different land uses and land cover types. The resulting map highlighted the relevance of snow gliding for large parts of the investigated area. Based on these results, we conclude that snow gliding appears to be a crucial and non-negligible process impacting soil erosion patterns and magnitude in subalpine areas with similar topographic and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals SOIL EROSION RISK ASSESSMENT DUE TO LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES (LULC) IN HANGAR RIVER WATERSHED, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasir Gebi Tukura ◽  
Mahmud Mustefa Akalu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Cover Changes ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
De Se

Soil erosion is a major environmental and economic concern affecting all continents around the world. Soil loss facilitates land degradation, threatening both agricultural and natural environments. This problem is severe in Ethiopia due to its topographic features. To evaluate the effect of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion, we studied land use changes of the Hanger River watershed, NW Ethiopia, from 2005 to 2017, using remote sensing and estimating soil erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. The results of land-cover changes have revealed a decrease in open forest areas, grazing land, shrub land and grass land by 33.16%, 9.20 %, 3.22 %, and 7.62 %, respectively in a fourteen years period. In the same period, there was an increase in agricultural areas by 48.73 % and dense forest by 4.74 %. The estimated mean soil erosion potential in Hanger River watershed, between 2005 and 2017, was about 55.5 and 70.5 t ha-1 year-1, respectively. For the High and Very high classes, the values increased from 33.40% to 35.74% and 6.36% to 12.81%, respectively from 2005 to 2017.Therefore, it can be concluded that there is an increasing tendency for soil erosion in the area due to changes in land cover, particularly deforestation due to agricultural land expansion. This trend should receive attention aiming to keep the stability and sustainability of this ecosystem in the future. Management interventions are necessary to improve the status and utilization of watershed resources by applying sustainable land management practices for sustainable livelihood of the local people. AVALIAÇÃO DE RISCOS DE EROSÃO DO SOLO DEVIDO A ALTERAÇÕES DO USO DO SOLO/ COBERTURA DO SOLO (LULC), NA BACIA DO RIO HANGAR, NOROESTE DA ETIÓPIAResumoA erosão do solo suscita uma grande preocupação ambiental e econômica e afeta todos os continentes. A perda de solo facilita a degradação da terra, ameaçando ambientes agrícolas e naturais. Este problema é grave na Etiópia devido às suas características topográficas. Para avaliar o efeito das mudanças no uso e cobertura da terra na erosão do solo, estudamos as mudanças no uso da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Hanger, no noroeste da Etiópia, de 2005 a 2017, usando sensoriamento remoto e estimando a erosão do solo com a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada. Os resultados das mudanças na cobertura da terra revelaram uma diminuição nas áreas de florestas abertas, pastagens, arbustos e pastagens em 33,16%, 9,20%, 3,22% e 7,62%, respectivamente, em um período de catorze anos. No mesmo período, houve um aumento nas áreas agrícolas em 48,73% e na floresta densa em 4,74%. O potencial médio estimado de erosão do solo na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Hanger, entre 2005 e 2017, foi de cerca de 55,5 e 70,5 t ha-1 ano-1, respectivamente. Para as classes Alta e Muito Alta, os valores aumentaram de 33,40% para 35,74% e 6,36% para 12,81%, respectivamente, de 2005 a 2017.Portanto, pode-se concluir que há uma tendência crescente de erosão do solo na área de estudo devido a mudanças na cobertura da terra, particularmente desmatamento, na sequência da expansão da terra agrícola. A referida tendência deve ser acompanhada, com o objetivo de se tomarem medidas adequadas que permitam manter a estabilidade e a sustentabilidade do ecossistema no futuro. É, pois, necessário adotar medidas de gestão adequadas a fim de se poder melhorar o status e a utilização dos recursos da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Hanger, aplicando práticas sustentáveis de manejo da terra para a subsistência sustentável da população local. Palavras-chave: SIG. Bacia Hidrográfica. Mudanças no uso e cobertura da terra. RUSLE. Erosão do solo.

scholarly journals Soil erosion by snow gliding – a first quantification attempt in a sub-alpine area, Switzerland

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 3675-3710 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Meusburger ◽  
G. Leitinger ◽  
L. Mabit ◽  
M. H. Mueller ◽  
A. Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Cover Types ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Alpine Area ◽  
Soil Erosion Rates ◽  
Snow Gliding

Abstract. Snow processes might be one important driver of soil erosion in Alpine grasslands and thus the unknown variable when erosion modelling is attempted. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of snow gliding as soil erosion agent for four different land use/land cover types in a sub-alpine area in Switzerland. We used three different approaches to estimate soil erosion rates: sediment yield measurements in snow glide deposits, the fallout radionuclide 137Cs, and modelling with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE model is suitable to estimate soil loss by water erosion, while the 137Cs method integrates soil loss due to all erosion agents involved. Thus, we hypothesise that the soil erosion rates determined with the 137Cs method are higher and that the observed discrepancy between the soil erosion rate of RUSLE and the 137Cs method is related to snow gliding and sediment concentrations in the snow glide deposits. Cumulative snow glide distance was measured for the sites in the winter 2009/10 and modelled for the surrounding area with the Spatial Snow Glide Model (SSGM). Measured snow glide distance ranged from 2 to 189 cm, with lower values at the north facing slopes. We observed a reduction of snow glide distance with increasing surface roughness of the vegetation, which is important information with respect to conservation planning and expected land use changes in the Alps. Our hypothesis was confirmed: the difference of RUSLE and 137Cs erosion rates was related to the measured snow glide distance (R2= 0.64; p < 0.005) and snow sediment yields (R2 = 0.39; p = 0.13). A high difference (lower proportion of water erosion compared to total net erosion) was observed for high snow glide rates and vice versa. The SSGM reproduced the relative difference of the measured snow glide values under different land uses and land cover types. The resulting map highlighted the relevance of snow gliding for large parts of the investigated area. Based on these results, we conclude that snow gliding is a key process impacting soil erosion pattern and magnitude in sub-alpine areas with similar topographic and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Impact of snow gliding on soil redistribution for a sub-alpine area in Switzerland

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 9505-9531 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Meusburger ◽  
G. Leitinger ◽  
L. Mabit ◽  
M. H. Mueller ◽  
C. Alewell
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Use Land Cover ◽  
Land Cover Types ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Soil Erosion Rates ◽  
Snow Gliding

Abstract. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of snow gliding as soil erosion agent for four different land use/land cover types in a sub-alpine area in Switzerland. The 14 investigated sites are located close to the valley bottom at approximately 1500 m a.s.l., while the elevation of the surrounding mountain ranges is about 2500 m a.s.l. We used two different approaches to estimate soil erosion rates: the fallout radionuclide 137Cs and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE model is suitable to estimate soil loss by water erosion, while the 137Cs method integrates soil loss due to all erosion agents involved. Thus, we hypothesise that the soil erosion rates determined with the 137Cs method are higher and that the observed discrepancy between the erosion rate of RUSLE and the 137Cs method is related to snow gliding. Cumulative snow glide distance was measured for the sites in the winter 2009/2010 and modelled for the surrounding area with the Spatial Snow Glide Model (SSGM). Measured snow glide distance range from 0 to 189 cm with lower values for the north exposed slopes. We observed a reduction of snow glide distance with increasing surface roughness of the vegetation, which is an important information with respect to conservation planning and expected land use changes in the Alps. Our hypothesis was confirmed, the difference of RUSLE and 137Cs erosion rates was correlated to the measured snow glide distance (R2 = 0.73; p < 0.005). A high difference (lower proportion of water erosion compared to total net erosion) was observed for high snow glide rates and vice versa. The SSGM reproduced the relative difference of the measured snow glide values between different land use/land cover types. The resulting map highlights the relevance of snow gliding for large parts of the investigated area. Based on these results, we conclude that snow gliding is a key process impacting soil erosion pattern and magnitude in sub-alpine areas with similar topographic and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Lateral transport of SOC induced by water erosion in a Spanish agroecosystem

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Gaspar ◽  
Lionel Mabit ◽  
Ivan Lizaga ◽  
Ana Navas
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Lateral Movement ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Depositional Processes

&lt;p&gt;The main route for the lateral movement of soil organic carbon (SOC) is water erosion. Awareness of the distribution and magnitude of land carbon mobilization is important both for improving models of the carbon cycle and for management practices aimed to preserve carbon stocks and enhance carbon sinks. There is a need to consider the global significance of soil erosion from soil organic carbon cycling schemes and for this reason, the movement of SOC during erosion processes should be elucidated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our study aims to estimate the SOC redistribution induced by water erosion during a 40 years period in an agroforestry mountain ecosystem located in northern Spain. To this purpose, topographically driven transects were selected with mixed land uses to i) assess what factors modify the runoff patterns with impact on soil and carbon redistribution and ii) evaluate the mobilization of topsoil organic carbon along the transects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The lateral movement of SOC shows similar spatial patterns with that of soil erosion. To identify whether erosional or depositional processes have been predominant in the sampling sites we used &lt;sup&gt;137&lt;/sup&gt;Cs inventories and the characterization of terrain attributes of the study with a detailed analysis of the main runoff pathways. Results indicate that SOC losses were related to an increase in water flow accumulation, while the highest SOC gains were recorded at concave positions. Soil erosion processes and the content of SOC in soils are the two main factors controlling carbon budgets. The topographical and geomorphological characteristics of the transects, the spatial distribution of land uses and the presence of landscape linear elements such as terraces or paths, affect runoff and determine the sediment connectivity and carbon dynamics along the slopes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The interactions between topography and land use produce significant positive or negative effects on SOC accumulation, particularly in areas with complex topography, as the results obtained in our study sustain. Even though the effect of topography and land use/land cover and their interactions on the horizontal distributions of carbon remains largely unknown, our approach contributes to better understand the pattern of gains and losses of soil organic and inorganic carbon induced by water erosion.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals EFFECT OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER ON SOIL EROSION

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-98
Author(s):  
GUILHERME HENRIQUE EXPEDITO LENSE ◽  
TAYA CRISTO PARREIRAS ◽  
RODRIGO SANTOS MOREIRA ◽  
JUNIOR CESAR AVANZI ◽  
RONALDO LUIZ MINCATO
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Land Cover Changes ◽  
Coffee Plantations ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques

ABSTRACT Land use and land cover changes are the main factors of human influence on the erosive process. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of land use and land cover changes over 30 years on water erosion in a tropical subbasin in southeastern Brazil. The hypothesis was tested that the expansion of coffee and reforestation areas decreased soil losses due to water erosion. The Potential Erosion Method (EPM) was used to estimate water erosion in 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2018. In the first two decades, the predominant land use in the subbasin was corn, while in 2008 and 2018, coffee and reforestation areas became the main land use class in the area. The acquisition of EPM input parameters and data analysis was performed using remote sensing techniques and the Geographic Information System. Between 1988 and 1998, the total soil loss increased by 50.36 Mg year-1 due to the conversion of pasturelands to coffee plantations and the increase of deforestation. However, between 1998 and 2018, there was a soil loss reduction of 660.21 Mg year-1 (-37.46%), once the conversion of pasture and corn areas to coffee with the adoption of conservation practices, and the expansion of reforestation areas among 1988 - 2018, contributed to the decrease of soil erosion rates.

scholarly journals Analysis of Ownership Data from Consolidated Land Threatened by Water Erosion in the Vlára Basin, Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Alexandra Pagáč Mokrá ◽  
Jakub Pagáč ◽  
Zlatica Muchová ◽  
František Petrovič
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
Land Fragmentation ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Water erosion is a phenomenon that significantly damages agricultural land. The current land fragmentation in Slovakia and the complete ambiguity of who owns it leads to a lack of responsibility to care for the land in its current condition, which could affect its sustainability in the future. The reason so much soil has eroded is obvious when looking at current land management, with large fields, a lack of windbreaks between them, and no barriers to prevent soil runoff. Land consolidation might be the solution. This paper seeks to evaluate redistributed land and, based on modeling by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) method, to assess the degree of soil erosion risk. Ownership data provided information on how many owners and what amount of area to consider, while taking into account new conditions regarding water erosion. The results indicate that 2488 plots of 1607 owners which represent 12% of the model area are still endangered by water erosion, even after the completion of the land consolidation project. The results also presented a way of evaluating the territory and aims to trigger a discussion regarding an unambiguous definition of responsibility in the relationship between owner and user.

Straw mulch impact on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in the maize field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Dugan ◽  
Leon Josip Telak ◽  
Iva Hrelja ◽  
Ivica Kisić ◽  
Igor Bogunović
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Maize Field ◽  
Sediment Loss ◽  
Initial Soil

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Straw mulch impact on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in the maize field&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ivan Dugan*, Leon Josip Telak, Iva Hrelja, Ivica Kisic, Igor Bogunovic&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of General Agronomy, Zagreb, Croatia&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(*correspondence to Ivan Dugan: [email protected])&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Soil erosion by water is the most important cause of land degradation. Previous studies reveal high soil loss in conventionally managed croplands, with recorded soil losses high as 30 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; under wide row cover crop like maize (Kisic et al., 2017; Bogunovic et al., 2018). Therefore, it is necessary to test environmentally-friendly soil conservation practices to mitigate soil erosion. This research aims to define the impacts of mulch and bare soil on soil water erosion in the maize (Zea mays&amp;#160;L.) field in Blagorodovac, Croatia (45&amp;#176;33&amp;#8217;N; 17&amp;#176;01&amp;#8217;E; 132 m a.s.l.). For this research, two treatments on conventionally tilled silty clay loam Stagnosols were established, one was straw mulch (2 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;), while other was bare soil. For purpose of research, ten rainfall simulations and ten sampling points were conducted per each treatment. Simulations were carried out with a rainfall simulator, simulating a rainfall at an intensity of 58 mm h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, for 30 min, over 0.785 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; plots, to determine runoff and sediment loss. Soil core samples and undisturbed samples were taken in the close vicinity of each plot. The results showed that straw mulch mitigated water runoff (by 192%), sediment loss (by 288%), and sediment concentration (by 560%) in addition to bare treatment. The bare treatment showed a 55% lower infiltration rate. Ponding time was higher (p &lt; 0.05) on mulched plots (102 sec), compared to bare (35 sec), despite the fact that bulk density, water-stable aggregates, water holding capacity, and mean weight diameter did not show any difference (p &gt; 0.05) between treatments. The study results indicate that straw mulch mitigates soil water erosion, because it immediately reduces runoff, and enhances infiltration. On the other side, soil water erosion on bare soil under simulated rainstorms could be high as 5.07 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, when extrapolated, reached as high as 5.07 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1 &lt;/sup&gt;in this study. The conventional tillage, without residue cover, was proven as unsustainable agro-technical practice in the study area.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key words: straw mulch, &lt;/strong&gt;rainfall simulation, soil water erosion&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acknowledgment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This work was supported by Croatian Science Foundation through the project &quot;Soil erosion and degradation in Croatia&quot; (UIP-2017-05-7834) (SEDCRO).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Literature&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bogunovic, I., Pereira, P., Kisic, I., Sajko, K., Sraka, M. (2018). Tillage management impacts on soil compaction, erosion and crop yield in Stagnosols (Croatia). Catena, 160, 376-384.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kisic, I., Bogunovic, I., Birk&amp;#225;s, M., Jurisic, A., Spalevic, V. (2017). The role of tillage and crops on a soil loss of an arable Stagnic Luvisol. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 63(3), 403-413.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Assessment of land cover on soil erosion in Lam Phra Phloeng watershed by USLE model

2018 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 02017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatuwat Wattanasetpong ◽  
Uma Seeboonruang ◽  
Uba Sirikaew ◽  
Walter Chen
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Surface Erosion ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Land Cover Data

Soil loss due to surface erosion has been a global problem not just for developing countries but also for developed countries. One of the factors that have greatest impact on soil erosion is land cover. The purpose of this study is to estimate the long-term average annual soil erosion in the Lam Phra Phloeng watershed, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand with different source of land cover by using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and GIS (30 m grid cells) to calculate the six erosion factors (R, K, L, S, C, and P) of USLE. Land use data are from Land Development Department (LDD) and ESA Climate Change Initiative (ESA/CCI) in 2015. The result of this study show that mean soil erosion by using land cover from ESA/CCI is less than LDD (29.16 and 64.29 ton/ha/year respectively) because soil erosion mostly occurred in the agricultural field and LDD is a local department that survey land use in Thailand thus land cover data from this department have more details than ESA/CCI.

scholarly journals Application of Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (Rusle) Model to Assess Soil Erosion in “Kalu Ganga” River Basin in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. D. Panditharathne ◽  
N. S. Abeysingha ◽  
K. G. S. Nirmanee ◽  
Ananda Mallawatantri
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Universal Soil Loss Equation ◽  
Rusle Model ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Soil erosion is one of the main forms of land degradation. Erosion contributes to loss of agricultural land productivity and ecological and esthetic values of natural environment, and it impairs the production of safe drinking water and hydroenergy production. Thus, assessment of soil erosion and identifying the lands more prone to erosion are vital for erosion management process. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (Rusle) model supported by a GIS system was used to assess the spatial variability of erosion occurring at Kalu Ganga river basin in Sri Lanka. Digital Elevation Model (30 × 30 m), twenty years’ rainfall data measured at 11 rain gauge stations across the basin, land use and soil maps, and published literature were used as inputs to the model. The average annual soil loss in Kalu Ganga river basin varied from 0 to 134 t ha−1 year−1 and mean annual soil loss was estimated at 0.63 t ha−1 year−1. Based on erosion estimates, the basin landscape was divided into four different erosion severity classes: very low, low, moderate, and high. About 1.68% of the areas (4714 ha) in the river basin were identified with moderate to high erosion severity (>5 t ha−1 year−1) class which urgently need measures to control soil erosion. Lands with moderate to high soil erosion classes were mostly found in Bulathsinghala, Kuruwita, and Rathnapura divisional secretarial divisions. Use of the erosion severity information coupled with basin wide individual RUSLE parameters can help to design the appropriate land use management practices and improved management based on the observations to minimize soil erosion in the basin.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document