Estimation of Soil Loss by Revised USLE Model using Geospatial Techniques: A Case Study of Sainj Valley, Northwestern Himalaya, India

Abstract

Soil erosion is a severe environmental problem. The current study is being conducted in Sainj valley of Himachal Pradesh. An increase in soil erosion rates has significant effects on land degradation, biodiversity loss, productivity and other factors. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model along with, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), was used in current study to quantify soil loss in the Sainj valley. Five important parameters like, Rainfall erosivity factor (R), Soil erodibility factor (K), Slope length and steepness (LS), Cropping management factor (C), and support practice factor (P) have been used to estimate the amount of soil loss in the study area. All these maps were created in GIS software using a variety of data preparation methods. The rainfall erosivity factor ranged between 501.19 to 1097.23 mt ha-1 cm-1. Spatial distribution of conservation support practice on soil loss indicated the variability (0–1) where lower value represents the higher conservation practice. The results show that average annual predicted soil loss is between 0 to 541.52tons/ha/yr and the predicted Average soil erosion rate was 11.15 tons/ha/Yr. Predicted soil loss was classified into six Erosion intensity classes Negligible (0-5), Low Erosion (5-10), Moderate Erosion (10-25), Moderately high (25-75), High Erosion (75-100), Extremely High Erosion (>100) From soil loss estimation it was observed that 62 % of the area is having very low erosion intensity and 0.37% of the study area having Extremely High erosion intensity. These findings can help the decision makers further in developing a suitable conservation program to prevent soil erosion.