Mapping of soil degradation by using remote sensing on alluvial plain, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Abstract Identification and mapping of areas affected by various soil degradation processes in medium textured alluvial plain of arid region of India was performed. Impact of degradation on physicochemical properties of soils was evaluated. Soil degradation processes were identified by using Landsat TM FCC subscene and ground truth verification. The kind, extent, and severity of degradations were mapped. Soil stripping, sheet wash, gully erosion, and natural or man‐induced salinization were the major soil degradation processes. In an area of over 3563 km2, 52% of the area was degraded due to soil stripping, sheet wash, and gully erosion, and 8% due to salinity. Degradation due to combined water erosion and salinization covered 33% of the total area. Nearly 30% of the area needs urgent attention to arrest the process of soil degradation. Soil degradation processes have resulted in the loss of organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available potassium.