Abstract
Soil erosion models can be understood as a virtual laboratory that brings together data, observations and knowledge from different fields for sustainable environmental management. The present study was carried out on Sebeya catchment which is located in the Western Province of Rwanda. The main objective of this study was to develop a Universal Soil Loss Equation type of erosion model to be used in predicting soil loss and associated crop yields for sustainable agriculture management in Sebeya catchment at the level of parcels. USLE parameters were determined on each parcel in Sebeya catchment using map overlapping techniques as applied in Geographical Information System (GIS). Applying a combination of 0, 1, 2 and 3 soil erosion control measures on each of 259,673 parcels, the simulated annual soil loss for Sebeya catchment was 849.94; 143.27; 88.64 and 28.59 t/ha/yr respectively. Soil Loss and Crop Yield (SOLCY) model has been developed to predict soil loss and crop yields for each main cultivated crop in Sebeya catchment. A combination of 3 soil erosion control measures such as (bench terrace + mulching + drainage channels) has been found to be the most effective in reducing soil erosion on each parcel with slope range of (16 - 60)%. Farmers and agriculture technicians can use SOLCY model. Finally, researchers should develop similar models on other catchments based on SOLCY model design concept.
Highlights
Influenced by the climate and land use changes, soil erosion was identified as one of the major threats to the World’s Soil Resources [1] [2] which affects agricultural productivity [3]
In determining the actual soil loss in Sebeya catchment, all USLE parameters were mapped and maps integrated in Geographical Information System (GIS)
Soil Loss and Crop Yield (SOLCY) model is limited to Sebeya catchment but this study provides an appropriate methodology and procedures to be duplicated to other catchments
Summary
Influenced by the climate and land use changes, soil erosion was identified as one of the major threats to the World’s Soil Resources [1] [2] which affects agricultural productivity [3]. All USLE-type models such as USLE, Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) need information related with soil type, land use, landform, climate and topography to estimate soil loss. They are designed for a specific set of conditions in a particular area [2]
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