Soil erosion and sediment yield estimation in a tropical monsoon dominated river basin using GIS-based models

Abstract

The increasing soil erosion (SE) and the associated problems for society, economy, and environment sparked a lot of interest in estimating and mapping SE at different basin scales. The estimation of SE exhibits that SE ranges from 10 to 50 t ha−1 yr−1, with a mean SE of 20 t ha−1 yr−1. The very steep slopes account for 54.21% of total soil loss. The SRB areas where soil loss rates are >10 t ha−1 yr−1 are considered the target areas which account for 27% of the study area and 96% of the soil loss). The high SY is concentrated only in the first-order basins located in a higher slope zone in the northern part of the river. Besides, basin morphometry (basin shape, relative relief) and anthropogenic activities (agricultural land) are retained in the PSLR model as significant factors contributing to SY in the entire river basin.