Estimation of Soil loss by USLE Model using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques: A case study of Muhuri River Basin, Tripura, India

Year 2017, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 206 - 215, 01.07.2017

Amit Bera

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.288350

Cited By: 12

Abstract

Soil erosion is a most severe environmental
problem in humid sub-tropical hilly state Tripura. The present study is carried
out on Muhuri river basin of Tripura state, North east India having an area of
614.54 Sq.km. In this paper, Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model, with
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) have been used to
quantify the soil loss in the Muhuri river basin. Five essential parameters such
as Runoff-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 soil loss amount in the study area. All
of these layers have been prepared in GIS and RS platform (Mainly Arc GIS 10.1)
using various data sources and data preparation methods. In these study DEM and
LISS satellite data have been used. The daily rainfall data (2001-2010) of 6
rain gauge stations have been used to predict the R factor. Soil erodibility
(K) factor in Basin area ranged from 0.15 to 0.36. The spatial distribution map
of soil loss of Muhuri river basin has been generated and classified into six
categories according to intensity level of soil loss. The average annual
predicted soil loss ranges between 0 to and 650 t/ha/y. Low soil loss areas
(<25 t/ha/y) have been recorded under very densely forested areas and
intensely plantation (mainly Rubber plantation) area. The high rate (>70
t/ha/y) of soil erosion was found along the main course of Muhuri River.

Keywords

Soil loss, erosion risk, USLE, GIS, remote sensing, Muhuri river

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