Abstract
Soil erosion is a severe environmental problem worldwide as it washes away the fertile topsoil and reduces agricultural production. Nepal, being a hilly country, has significant erosion disputes as well. It is important to cognise the soil erosion processes occurring in a river basin to manage the erosion severity and plan for better soil conservation programs. This paper seeks to calculate the sediment yield and maximum outflow from the Sarada river basin located in the western hills of Nepal using the computer-graphic Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model. Asymmetry coefficient of 0.63 was calculated, which suggests a possibility of large floods to come in the river basin in the future whereas the maximum outflow from the river basin was 1918 m³ s−1. An erosion coefficient value of 0.40 was obtained, which indicates surface erosion of medium strength prevails in the river basin. Similarly, the gross soil loss rate of 10.74 Mg ha−1 year−1 was obtained with the IntErO modeling which compares well with the soil loss from the erosion plot measurements. The IntErO model was used for the very first time to calculate soil erosion rates in the Nepalese hills and has a very good opportunity to be applied in similar river basins.
Highlights
Soil erosion is regarded as one of the most pervasive environmental problems affecting agricultural production and intimidating the sustainability of natural ecosystems and human societies [1,2,3].Soil erosion threatens the sustainability of the human societies and the United Nations goals for sustainable development that must include a land degradation neutrality and restoration program as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [4,5]
Average annual rainfall recorded for for the the Sarada river basin is approximately mmmm withwith of annual rainfall concentrated during monsoon between decrease in of annual rainfall concentrated during monsoon between June to September [57]
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) only calculates gross soil erosion rates which may or may not include soil that is lost from the river basin as not all the erosion materials generated get lost from the basin but sediment yield measured by the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) is the actual volume of soil leaving the river basin
Summary
Soil erosion threatens the sustainability of the human societies and the United Nations goals for sustainable development that must include a land degradation neutrality and restoration program as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [4,5]. It has been identified as one of the 10 major soil threats in the world by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and Intergovernmental. Owing to negative effects on the quality of life on soil and water, soil erosion through water is of great importance to the Nepalese terrains [9]. Being a mountainous country defined by rugged topography and elevation ranging from 60 m to 8848 m, erratic rainfall events
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