Abstract
Objectives: This study focuses on identifying areas of intense soil erosion in Sadiya, a subdivision of Tinsukia district of Assam in India to facilitate appropriate implementation of soil management and conservation schemes in an administrative unit. Methods: A comprehensive methodology of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) is implemented with an empirical model called the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). RUSLE is the best model to assess soil loss creating different raster layers in GIS. Findings: This study estimates about 443865 tons of soil loss occurs in Sadiya region annually. The maximum rate of soil loss recorded in Sadiya region is 888.26 t ha-1 year-1 the average soil loss estimated for the region is 5.45 t ha-1 year-1. In addition, a final soil loss map is also created to show the zones of varied soil erosion rates/intensities. Applications/Improvements: The use of RS and GIS in soil loss estimation gives highly accurate result and can be used for extensive area with low cost. The study reveals that soil loss is a serious issue in the region where agriculture is the main economic activity. The outcome of the study may be used directly to address the hazard through management practices. Keywords: Soil erosion; Assam; remote sensing; GIS; soil loss estimation
Highlights
Every year, in India it is estimated that about 5 billion tons of soil loss occurs annually with an average of 16 ton/ha[1]
The annual soil loss of Sadiya region has been estimated for the year 2016, using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
Based on the integrated variables of RUSLE the annual soil loss of the region estimated; where it has been found that the region observed about 443865 tons soil loss annually, with an average annual soil loss in the region is 5.45 t ha−1 year−1
Summary
In India it is estimated that about 5 billion tons of soil loss occurs annually with an average of 16 ton/ha[1]. A detailed and quantitative assessment is required to estimate the actual amount and nature of erosion in a region for sustainable land planning and management [6,7]. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the soil loss dynamics since last quarter of twentieth-century and many empirical and mathematical models for estimating soil loss have been developed [6,8,9,10]. We used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation [9] model to estimate soil loss from Sadiya region and prepare
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