Evaluation of Soil Loss and Identification of Dominant Factors in the Semi-Arid Region Using GIS: A Case of Bhavnagar District, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Abstract: The loss of valuable topsoil worldwide has led to agricultural land degradation and a reduction in crop yields. Soil erosion is mainly caused by both natural phenomena and human interference with the ecosystem. The efficiency of spatial information systems like GIS and RS has been effectively developed. From 2015 to 2021, soil loss estimation was conducted using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, with remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) assistance. We have produced the RUSLE model's five essential potential parameters (R*K*LS*C*P) pixel-by-pixel. We generated the R factor map through the Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) daily rainfall data, and the K factor map using the FAO's digital soil series global map. For the LS-factor map, we used the digital elevation model data (DEM) of SRTM. Landsat 8 dataset was used to generate LULC, and NDVI maps to derive C and P factors. The highest mean annual soil loss in 2021 was estimated to be 209.16 tons per hectare per year. The riverbank area of the Shetruji River near Palitana Taluka in this district had an extremely high risk of soil loss. The coastal area from Bhavnagar to Dholera was classified as a high and very high-risk area for soil loss, which contained barren land. The results revealed that barren land is the most susceptible to soil erosion. As per statistical analysis, the C factor is the dominant factor in this region which is most influential in soil erosion. The soil erosion maps from this study will provide policymakers with the necessary information to implement suitable conservation measures in this region.