Soil erosion hazard zonation mapping using gis-based rusle model, a case study from kegalle district

Abstract

This research integrates the revised universal soil loss equation. Modeling erosion potential with a geographic information system for soil conservation planning from Kegalle District in Sri Lanka. The topography, recorded rainfall patterns and soil variations of Kegalle district are characterized here. These unique climatic and topographic features required a modification of the standard RUSLE factors and their derivatives. The resulting RUSLE GIS model provides a robust soil conservation tool that is easily transferable and accessible to other land managers in similar environments. The changes in agriculture and land use in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka, as well as the rainfall and the nature of the land, can be assumed that the damage in the future will be high. Soil erosion in this region results in high rates of sediment loading in waterways. A number of years ago, there was no reliable or suitable means of mapping or modeling such soil erosion. This recent increase in reliability and resolution has made remote sensing techniques represent significantly improved tools that can be applied to both change and model watershed-scale soil erosion modeling techniques. The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) has not yet been derived for any district in Sri Lanka. Soil loss is high and extreme in the high mountain tops of Kegalle district and the nature of soil erosion is significant in the wet and dry mountainous areas. It can be revealed by the maps mentioned here that it is changing.