Assessment of Soil Erosion by RUSLE Model using remote sensing and QGIS: A Case Study on Sina River Basin

Abstract

Soil erosion is a significant environmental problem that affects river basins globally, leading to the loss of fertile topsoil, degradation of agricultural lands, and water pollution. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model is commonly used to assess soil erosion by considering various factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, vegetation cover, and conservation practices. To obtain the necessary data for accurate predictions, remote sensing techniques and Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS), specifically QGIS software, are utilized. The objectives of this research are to determine to estimate soil loss using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model for the Sina River watershed using QGIS. This research paper focuses on assessing soil erosion in the Sina River Basin located in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, using the RUSLE model and QGIS, having a drainage area of 12,372 km2 . The parameters of the RUSLE model were estimated using remote sensing data and the erosion was determined using QGIS. The estimated rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topographic and crop management factors range from 83 to 84 MJ/mm·ha−1hr−1/year, 0 to 0.25t ha−1·MJ−1·mm−and 0 to 957.083, 0 to 0.19 respectively. The results indicate that the estimated total annual potential soil loss of about 14.37 t/yr. The predicted soil erosion rate due to the increase in a barren area is about 9.76 t/yr. The results can certainly aid in the implementation of soil management and conservation practices to reduce soil erosion in the Sina River Basin.