Soil Erosion Risk Assessment using RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) and GIS
Аннотация
The devastating effects of soil erosion on ecosystems, water quality, and agriculture make it one of the world's most pressing environmental crises. Soil erosion likelihood for a specific watershed will be determined using GIS and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The variables of C: cover management, P: support practices, LS: slope length and steepness, K: soil erodibility, and R: rainfall erosivity were derived using satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), land cover maps, and field data. The components were analysed spatially in a GIS environment, which enabled the calculation of average soil erosion over a year inside the area's boundaries by adding or developing risk layers individually. Erosion is primarily influenced by geology, vegetation, and land management techniques. The most likely places to find critical conditions are those with sparse vegetation and exposed rocks. The purpose of this research was to create a soil erosion risk assessment map that managers and planners could use to zero in on the most efficient ways to prevent soil erosion. When data is lacking, as is often the case in vast areas, combining GIS with RUSLE provides an accurate and cost-effective way to assess soil erosion and control tactics.