scholarly journals Application of RUSLE integrated with GIS and remote sensing techniques to assess soil erosion in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
pp. 407-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fidelis Odedishemi Ajibade ◽  
Nathaniel Azubuike Nwogwu ◽  
Bashir Adelodun ◽  
Taofeeq Sholagberu Abdulkadir ◽  
Temitope Fausat Ajibade ◽  
...  

Abstract Soil erosion and mass movement processes spread across Anambra State in Nigeria, therefore making management and conservation techniques expensive and difficult in execution across the entire state. This study employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model with the integration of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to assess the risk of soil erosion and hotspots in the area. Remotely sensed data such as Landsat 8 imagery, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) imagery, Era-Interim coupled with world soil database were used as digital data sources for land use map, digital elevation model, rainfall and soil data, respectively, to generate the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) parameters. The results indicated vulnerability levels in low, medium and high cover areas of 4,143.62 (91%), 332.29 (7%) and 84.06 (2%) km2, respectively, with a total soil loss between 0 and 181.237 ton/ha/yr (metric ton per hectare per year). This study revealed that high rainfall erosivity, steep and long slopes, and low vegetation cover were the main factors promoting soil loss in the area. Thus, the amount of soil loss in Anambra State is expected to increase with climate change and anthropogenic activities.

Author(s):  
Hammad Gilani ◽  
Adeel Ahmad ◽  
Isma Younes ◽  
Sawaid Abbas

Abrupt changes in climatic factors, exploitation of natural resources, and land degradation contribute to soil erosion. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of annual soil erosion dynamics in Pakistan for 2005 and 2015 using publically available climatic, topographic, soil type, and land cover geospatial datasets at 1 km spatial resolution. A well-accepted and widely applied Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was implemented for the annual soil erosion estimations and mapping by incorporating six factors; rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope-length (L), slope-steepness (S), cover management (C) and conservation practice (P). We used a cross tabular or change matrix method to assess the annual soil erosion (ton/ha/year) changes (2005-2015) in terms of areas and spatial distriburtions in four soil erosion classes; i.e. Low (<1), Medium (1–5], High (5-20], and Very high (>20). Major findings of this paper indicated that, at the national scale, an estimated annual soil erosion of 1.79 ± 11.52 ton/ha/year (mean ± standard deviation) was observed in 2005, which increased to 2.47 ±18.14 ton/ha/year in 2015. Among seven administrative units of Pakistan, in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the average soil erosion doubled from 14.44 ± 35.70 ton/ha/year in 2005 to 28.03 ± 68.24 ton/ha/year in 2015. Spatially explicit and temporal annual analysis of soil erosion provided in this study is essential for various purposes, including the soil conservation and management practices, environmental impact assessment studies, among others.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117862212098581
Author(s):  
Ajanaw Negese ◽  
Endalkachew Fekadu ◽  
Haile Getnet

Soil erosion by water is the major form of land degradation in Chereti watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. This problem is exacerbated by high rainfall after a long period of dry seasons, undulating topography, intensive cultivation, and lack of proper soil and water conservation measures. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the 23 years (1995-2018) average soil erosion rate of the watershed and to identify and prioritize erosion-vulnerable subwatersheds for conservation planning. The integration of the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), geographic information system, and remote sensing was applied to estimate the long-term soil loss of the watershed. The RUSLE factors such as rainfall erosivity ( R), soil erodibility ( K), topography ( LS), cover and management ( C), and support and conservation practices ( P) factors were computed and overlayed to estimate the soil loss. The result showed that the annual soil loss rate of the watershed ranged up to 187.47 t ha−1 year−1 in steep slope areas with a mean annual soil loss of 38.7 t ha−1 year−1, and the entire watershed lost a total of about 487 057.7 tons of soil annually. About 57.9% of the annual watershed soil loss was generated from 5 subwatersheds which need prior intervention for the planning and implementation of soil conservation measures. The integrated use of RUSLE with GIS and remote sensing was found to be indispensable, less costly, and effective for the estimation of soil erosion, and prioritization of vulnerable subwatersheds for conservation planning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (02) ◽  
pp. 177-191
Author(s):  
Ashwini Suryawanshi ◽  
Anupam Kumar Nema ◽  
Rahul Kumar Jaiswal ◽  
Sukant Jain ◽  
Saswat Kumar Kar

Soil erosion is caused due to the dynamic action of erosive agents, mainly water, and is a major threat to the environment. Primary aim of the present study was to study the soil loss dynamics, and identify the environmental hotspots in Madhya Pradesh to aid decision-makers to plan and prioritize appropriate conservation measures. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) models were applied for erosion rate estimation by generating thematic maps of R (Rainfall erosivity factor), K (Soil erodibility factor), LS (Topographic factor), C (Cover and management factor), and P (Support practice factor) factors by using several input parameters in QGIS software. Subsequently, the different classes of soil erosion and percentage area under these classes were identified. The average annual soil erosion for the entire state as obtained from the USLE and RUSLE model were 5.80 t.ha-1.yr-1 and 6.64 t.ha-1.yr-1, respectively. The areas under severe risk were 1.09 % and 1.80 %, and very severe risk areas were 1.57 % and 1.83 % as estimated by USLE and RUSLE model, respectively. As compared to RUSLE model, USLE model underestimated rate of soil erosion for most river basins of the state as well as for the entire state


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajaykumar Kadam ◽  
B. N. Umrikar ◽  
R. N. Sankhua

A comprehensive methodology that combines Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), Remote Sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques was used to determine the soil loss vulnerability of an agriculture mountainous watershed in Maharashtra, India. The spatial variation in rate of annual soil loss was obtained by integrating raster derived parameter in GIS environment. The thematic layers such as TRMM [Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission] derived rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), GDEM based slope length and steepness (LS), land cover management (C) and factors of conservation practices (P) were calculated to identify their effects on average annual soil loss. The highest potential of estimated soil loss was 688.397 t/ha/yr. The mean annual soil loss is 1.26 t/ha/yr and highest soil loss occurs on the main watercourse, since high slope length and steepness. The spatial soil loss maps prepared with RUSLE method using remote sensing and GIS can be helpful as a lead idea in arising plans for land use development and administration in the ecologically sensitive hilly areas.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veera Narayana Balabathina ◽  
Raju RP ◽  
Wuletaw Mulualem ◽  
Gedefaw Tadele

Abstract Background: Soil erosion, one of the major environmental challenges, is influenced by topography, climate, soil characteristics, and human activities and has a significant impact on potential land productivity and food security in many highland regions of Ethiopia. The present study attempts to estimate soil erosion risk in the Northern catchment of Lake Tana basin, situated in northwest part of Ethiopia, with available data through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation model integrated with Geographic Information System and remote sensing technologies to identify priority areas for controlling soil erosion. In addition, it analyzes the effect of land use and land cover, topography, erodibility, and drainage density on soil erosion potential of the catchment, and the possible relationships among them. Results: The results show that the mean annual soil loss of catchment is estimated at 37.89 ± 59.2 t ha−1yr−1 with a total annual soil loss of 1,705,370 tons. The topography (LS-factor), followed by the support practice (P-factor) and the soil erodibility (K-factor) were the most sensitive factors affecting soil erosion in the catchment. To identify high priority areas for management, the study area was subdivided into five major sub-basins and further categorized into five erosion classes based on erosion severity. The mean soil erosion rates of the Derma, Megech, Gumara, Garno, and Gabi Kura River sub-basins are 46.8, 40.98, 30.95, 30.04, and 29.66 t ha−1yr−1, respectively. About 58.9% of the area was found in very low erosion risk which extends from 0-1 t ha−1yr−1 and accounted only 1.1% of total soil loss, while 12.4% of the area was found to be under high and extreme erosion risk with erosion rates of 10 t ha−1yr−1 or more that contributes about 82.1% of total soil loss warrant high priority for reducing the risk of soil erosion. Conclusions: This study permits the understanding of the soil erosion process and the various factors that lead to the spatial variability of the risk in the catchment, and thus enhances the effectiveness of proposed conservation strategies for sustainable land management.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Bouguerra ◽  
Abderrazak Bouanani ◽  
Kamel Khanchoul ◽  
Oussama Derdous ◽  
Salah Eddine Tachi

Abstract Soil erosion by water is a major problem that the Northern part of Algeria witnesses nowadays; it reduces: the productivity of agricultural areas due to the loss of lands, and leads to the loss of storage capacity in reservoirs, the deterioration of water quality etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the soil losses due to water erosion, and to identify the sectors which are potentially sensitive to water erosion in the Bouhamdane watershed, that is located in the northeastern part of Algeria. To this end, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used. The application of this equation takes into account five parameters, namely the rainfall erosivity, topography, soil erodibility, vegetative cover and erosion control practices. The product of these parameters under GIS using the RUSLE mathematical equation has enabled evaluating an annual average erosion rate for the Bouhamdane watershed of 11.18 t·ha-1·y-1. Based on the estimates of soil loss in each grid cell, a soil erosion risk map with five risk classes was elaborated. The spatial distribution of risk classes was 16% very low, 41% low, 28% moderate, 12% high and 3% very high. Most areas showing high and very high erosion risk occurred in the lower Bouhamdane watershed around Hammam Debagh dam. These areas require adequate erosion control practices to be implemented on a priority basis in order to conserve soil resources and reduce siltation in the reservoir.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Trung Van Le ◽  
Hoang Thi Kim Nguyen ◽  
Anh Thi Ngoc Nguyen

This paper introduces the solution for Dalat city’s soil erosion mapping using the integration of GIS, Remote Sensing and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Each of the USLE factors with associated attribute data are dicussed and the soil erosion parameters were selected and encoded in a GIS database to produce thematic layers. The result demonstrates the soil erosion map that indicates the potential annual soil loss located in each area of land. This map is used to confirm the severe level of soil erosion risk need immediate attention from soil conservation point of view.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 859
Author(s):  
Joaquim Pedro de Santana Xavier ◽  
Alexandre Hugo Cezar Barros ◽  
Daniel Chaves Webber ◽  
Luciano José de Oliveira Accioly ◽  
Flávio Adriano Marques ◽  
...  

Dentre os diversos métodos indiretos para estimar as perdas de solo por erosão, a Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo (EUPS) é a mais utilizada devido a sua robustez e por ser constituída de uma simples estrutura fatorial, que integra fatores naturais e antrópicos atuantes na perda de solos. A erosão é um dos fenômenos mais danosos ao solo e às atividades humanas e por isso seu estudo é importante. Para o cálculo das perdas de solo por meio da EUPS, a avaliação da erosividade das chuvas (fator R) é essencial, pois estima o fenômeno produzido pelas chuvas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar três metodologias disponíveis de obtenção da erosividade das chuvas para a região do semiárido pernambucano, avaliando sua influência nos resultados da EUPS. Os três modelos selecionados para estimar o Fator R foram desenvolvidos por Wischmeier e Smith (mais conhecido e utilizado), por Silva que estimou valores para diversas regiões do País e por Cantalice e outros que trabalharam especificamente para cada região climática do estado de Pernambuco. Os resultados indicam que as metodologias de Wischmeier e Smith e Silva obtiveram resultados de erosividade da chuva semelhantes, tendo Silva alcançado valores maiores. Cantalice e outros obtiveram os resultados mais baixos. Os resultados da EUPS indicam que, quantitativamente, os diferentes fatores R geram grande diferença nas perdas de solo, porém, qualitativamente chegam a resultados semelhantes na classificação de áreas de maior erosão, de acordo com a FAO. Logo, as três metodologias são viáveis na identificação de áreas prioritárias para a mitigação da erosão.   A B S T R A C TAmong several indirect methods to estimate soil erosion loss, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (EUPS) is the most used due to its robustness and because it is constituted of a simple factorial structure that integrates natural and anthropic factors which act in the loss of soils. Erosion is one of the most damaging phenomena to the soil and the human activities, evidencing the importance of studying it. The evaluation of rainfall erosivity (R factor) is essential for the calculation of soil loss through the EUPS, since it is possible to estimate how significant rainfall is to the occurrence of this phenomenon. The objective of this work was to evaluate three methodologies to obtain the rainfall erosivity available for the semi - arid region of Pernambuco, evaluating its influence on the results of the EUPS. The three models used to estimate the R-factor were developed by Wischmeier and Smith, the best known and used model, Silva who estimated values for several regions of the country and Cantalice and others who worked specifically for each climatic region of the state of Pernambuco. As a result, very similar results of rainfall erosivity were obtained between Wischmeier and Smith´s and Silva´s methodology, with Silva reaching higher values of energy amplitude, while Cantalice and others obtained the lowest results. The results of EUPS indicate that, quantitatively, the different R factors generate a large difference in soil loss, but qualitatively they reach similar results in the classification of areas where erosion are greater, according to the FAO. Therefore, the three methodologies are feasible in the identification of priority areas for erosion mitigation.Keywords: soil, rainfall erosivity, USLE, GIS


Author(s):  
Sumayyah Aimi Mohd Najib

To determine the soil erosion in ungauged catchments, the author used 2 methods: Universal Soil Loss Equation model and sampling data. Sampling data were used to verify and validate data from model. Changing land use due to human activities will affect soil erosion. Land use has changed significantly during the last century in Pulau Pinang. The main rapid changes are related to agriculture, settlement, and urbanization. Because soil erosion depends on surface runoff, which is regulated by the structure of land use and brought about through changes in slope length, land-use changes are one of many factors influencing land degradation caused by erosion. The Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate past soil erosion based on land uses from 1974 to 2012. Results indicated a significant increase in three land-use categories: forestry, built-up areas, and agriculture. Another method to evaluate land use changes in this study was by using landscape metrics analysis. The mean patch size of built-up area and forest increased, while agriculture land use decreased from 48.82 patches in 1974 to 22.46 patches in 2012. Soil erosion increased from an estimated 110.18 ton/km2/year in 1974 to an estimated 122.44 ton/km2/year in 2012. Soil erosion is highly related (R2 = 0.97) to the Shannon Diversity Index, which describes the diversity in land-use composition in river basins. The Shannon Diversity Index also increased between 1974 and 2012. The findings from this study can be used for future reference and for ungauged catchment research studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veera Narayana Balabathina ◽  
R. P. Raju ◽  
Wuletaw Mulualem ◽  
Gedefaw Tadele

Abstract Background Soil erosion is one of the major environmental challenges and has a significant impact on potential land productivity and food security in many highland regions of Ethiopia. Quantifying and identifying the spatial patterns of soil erosion is important for management. The present study aims to estimate soil erosion by water in the Northern catchment of Lake Tana basin in the NW highlands of Ethiopia. The estimations are based on available data through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation integrated with Geographic Information System and remote sensing technologies. The study further explored the effects of land use and land cover, topography, soil erodibility, and drainage density on soil erosion rate in the catchment. Results The total estimated soil loss in the catchment was 1,705,370 tons per year and the mean erosion rate was 37.89 t ha−1 year−1, with a standard deviation of 59.2 t ha−1 year−1. The average annual soil erosion rare for the sub-catchments Derma, Megech, Gumara, Garno, and Gabi Kura were estimated at 46.8, 40.9, 30.9, 30.0, and 29.7 t ha−1 year−1, respectively. Based on estimated erosion rates in the catchment, the grid cells were divided into five different erosion severity classes: very low, low, moderate, high and extreme. The soil erosion severity map showed about 58.9% of the area was in very low erosion potential (0–1 t ha−1 year−1) that contributes only 1.1% of the total soil loss, while 12.4% of the areas (36,617 ha) were in high and extreme erosion potential with erosion rates of 10 t ha−1 year−1 or more that contributed about 82.1% of the total soil loss in the catchment which should be a high priority. Areas with high to extreme erosion severity classes were mostly found in Megech, Gumero and Garno sub-catchments. Results of Multiple linear regression analysis showed a relationship between soil erosion rate (A) and USLE factors that soil erosion rate was most sensitive to the topographic factor (LS) followed by the support practice (P), soil erodibility (K), crop management (C) and rainfall erosivity factor (R). Barenland showed the most severe erosion, followed by croplands and plantation forests in the catchment. Conclusions Use of the erosion severity classes coupled with various individual factors can help to understand the primary processes affecting erosion and spatial patterns in the catchment. This could be used for the site-specific implementation of effective soil conservation practices and land use plans targeted in erosion-prone locations to control soil erosion.


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