Assessment of Soil Loss of the Dhalai River Basin, Tripura, India Using USLE

Kapil Ghosh, Sunil Kumar De, Shreya Bandyopadhyay, Sushmita Saha

Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, India.

DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2013.41002                

Abstract

Soil erosion is one of the most important environmental problems, and it remains as a major threat to the land use of hilly regions of Tripura. The present study aims at estimating potential and actual soil loss (t·h^-1·y^-1) as well as to indentify the major erosion prone sub-watersheds in the study area. Average annual soil loss has been estimated by multiplying five parameters, i.e.: R (the rainfall erosivity factor), K (the soil erodibility factor), LS (the topographic factor), C (the crop management factor) and P (the conservation support practice). Such estimation is based on the principles de- fined in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) with some modifications. This intensity of soil erosion has been divided into different priority classes. The whole study area has been subdivided into 23 sub watersheds in order to identify the priority areas in terms of the intensity of soil erosion. Each sub-watershed has further been studied intensively in terms of rainfall, soil type, slope, land use/land cover and soil erosion to determine the dominant factor leading to higher erosion. The average annual predicted soil loss ranges between 11 and 836 t·h^-1·y^-1. Low soil loss areas (<50 t·h^-1·y^-1) have mostly been recorded under densely forested areas.

Keywords

Soil Erosion; USLE; Rainfall Erosivity; Predicted Soil Loss

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. D. Angima, D. E. Stott, M. K. O’Neill, C. K. Ong and G. A. Weesies, “Soil Erosion Prediction Using RUSLE for Central Kenyan Highland Conditions,” Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Vol. 97, No. 1-3, 2003, pp. 295-308. doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(03)00011-2
[2]	S. Nanna, “A Geo-Information Theoretical Approach to Inductive Erosion Modeling Based on Terrain Mapping Units,” Ph.D Thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, 1996.
[3]	Y.S. Elirehema, “Soil Water Erosion Modeling in Selected Watersheds in Southern Spain,” IFA, ITC, Enschede, 2001.
[4]	A. Pandey, A. Mathur, S. K. Mishra and B. C. Mal, “Soil Erosion Modeling of a Himalayan Watershed Using RS and GIS,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 59, No. 2, 2009, pp. 399-410. doi:10.1007/s12665-009-0038-0
[5]	K. C. Bahadur, “Mapping Soil Erosion Susceptibility Us ing Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case of the Upper Nam Wa Watershed, Nan Province, Thailand,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 57, 2008, pp. 695-705. doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1348-3
[6]	G. Wang, G. Gertner, S. Fang and A. B. Anderson, “Map ping Multiple Variables for Predicting Soil Loss by Geo statistical Methods with TM Images and a Slope Map,” Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, Vol. 69, 2003, pp. 889-898.
[7]	R. Lal, “Deforestation and Land Use Effects on Soil Deg radation and Rehabilitation in Western Nigeria. III. Run off, Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss,” Land Degradation & Development, Vol. 7, No. 2, 1996, pp. 99-119. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-145X(199606)7:2<99::AID-LDR220>3.0.CO;2-F
[8]	C. W. Rose and R. C. Dalal, “Erosion and Runoff of Ni trogen,” In: J. R. Wilson, Ed., Advances in Nitrogen Cy cling in Agricultural Ecosystems, CAB International, Wallingford, 1988, pp. 212-235.
[9]	D. Ouyang and J. Bartholic, “Predicting Sediment Delivery Ratio in Saginaw Bay Watershed,” Proceedings of the 22nd National Association of Environmental Professionals Conference, Orlando, 19-23 May 1997, pp. 659-671.
[10]	V.V. Dhruvanarayana and R. Babu, “Estimation of Soil Loss in India,” Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Vol. 109, No. 4, 1983, pp. 419-433. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(1983)109:4(419)
[11]	V. Prasannakumar, R. Shiny, N. Geetha and H. Vijith, “Spatial Prediction of Soil Erosion Risk by Remote Sensing, GIS and RUSLE Approach: A Case Study of Siru vani River Watershed in Attapady Valley, Kerala, India,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 64, No. 4, 2011, pp. 965-972. doi:10.1007/s12665-011-0913-3
[12]	M. Kouli, P. Soupios and F. Vallianatos, “Soil Erosion Prediction Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in a GIS Framework, Chania, Northwestern Crete, Greece,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 57, No. 3, 2009, pp. 483-497. doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1318-9
[13]	W. H. Wischmeier and D. D. Smith, “Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses from Cropland East of the Rocky Mountains, Guide for Selection of Practices for Soil and Water Conservation,” Agriculture Handbooks, US Government Print Office, Washington, 1965.
[14]	W. H. Wischmeier and D. D. Smith, “Predicting Rainfall Erosion Loss: A Guide to Conservation Planning,” Agricultural Handbook, No. 537, US Department of Agricul ture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, 1978.
[15]	R. Lal, “Soil Degradation by Erosion,” Land Degradation & Development, Vol. 12, No. 6, 2001, pp. 519-539. doi:10.1002/ldr.472
[16]	K. G. Renard, G. R. Foster, G. A. Weesies and J. P. Por ter, “RUSLE, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation,” Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, Vol. 46, No. 1, 1991, pp. 30-33.
[17]	J. O. Onyando, P. Kisoyan and M. C. Chemelil, “Estimation of Potential Soil Erosion for River Perkerra Catchment in Kenya,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2005, pp.133-143. doi:10.1007/s11269-005-2706-5
[18]	G. R. Foster, L. J. Lane, J. D. Nowlin, J. M. Laflen and R. A. Young (1980) “A model to Estimate Sediment Yield from Field-Sized Areas: Development of Model,” In: W. G. Knisel, Ed., CREAMS: A Field Scale Model for Chemicals, Runoff, and Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems, US Department of Agriculture, Vol. 26, 1980, pp. 36-64.
[19]	M. A. Nearing, G. R. Foster, L. J. Lane and S. C. Finkner, “A Processbased Soil Erosion Model for USDA-Water Erosion Prediction Project Technology,” Tasea, Vol. 32, No. 5, 1989, pp. 1587-1593.
[20]	R. P. C. Morgan, J. N. Quinton, R. E. Smith, G. Govers, J. W. A. Poesen, K. Auerswald, G. Chisci, D. Torri and M. E. Styczen, “The European Soil Erosion Model (EU ROSEM): A Dynamic Approach for Predicting Sediment Transport from Fields and Small Catchments,” Earth Sur face Processes and Landforms, Vol. 23, No. 6, 1998, pp. 527-544. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199806)23:6<527::AID-ESP868>3.0.CO;2-5
[21]	J. Schmidt, M. V. Werner and A. Michael, “Application of the EROSION 3D Model to the Catsop Watershed, The Netherlands,” Catena, Vol. 37, No. 3-4, 1999, pp. 449-456. doi:10.1016/S0341-8162(99)00032-6
[22]	R, Lal and W. H. Blum, “Methods for Assessment of Soil Degradation,” In: Advances in Soil Science, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1997, p. 558.
[23]	A. A. Millward and J. E. Mersey, “Adapting the RUSLE to Model Soil Erosion Potential in a Mountainous Tropi cal Watershed,” Catena, Vol. 38, No. 2, 1999, pp. 109 129. doi:10.1016/S0341-8162(99)00067-3
[24]	T. Chen, R. Niu, P. Li, L. Zhang and B. Du, “Regional Soil Erosion Risk Mapping Using RUSLE, GIS, and Re mote Sensing: A Case Study in Miyun Watershed,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 63, No. 3, 2010, pp. 533-541.
[25]	J. B. Kim, P. Saunders and J. T. Finn, “Rapid Assessment of Soil Erosion in the Rio Lempa Basin, Central America, Using the Universal Soil Loss Equation and Geographic Information Systems,” Journal of Environmental Man agement, Vol. 36, No. 6, 2005, pp. 872-885. doi:10.1007/s00267-002-0065-z
[26]	A. Martin, J. Gunter and J. Regens, “Estimating Erosion in a Riverine Watershed, Bayou Liberty-Tchefuncta River in Louisiana,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2003, pp. 245-250. doi:10.1065/espr2003.05.153
[27]	A. U. Ozcan, G. Erpul, M. Basaran and H. E. Erdogan, “Use of USLE/GIS Technology Integrated with Geostatistics to Assess Soil Erosion Risk in Different Land Uses of Indagi Mountain Pass-Cank?r?,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 53, No. 8, 2008, pp. 1731-1741. doi:10.1007/s00254-007-0779-6
[28]	E. H. Erdogan, G. Erpul and I. Bayramin, “Use of USLE/ GIS Methodology for Predicting Soil Loss in a Semiarid Agricultural Watershed,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 131, No. 1-3, 2007, pp. 153-161. doi:10.1007/s10661-006-9464-6
[29]	R. Bhattarai and D. Dutta, “Estimation of Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield Using GIS at Catchment Scale,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 21, No. 10, 2007, pp. 1635-1647. doi:10.1007/s11269-006-9118-z
[30]	A. Demirci and A. Karaburun, “Estimation of Soil Ero sion Using RUSLE in a GIS Framework: A Case Study in the Buyukcekmece Lake Watershed, Northwest Turkey,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 66, No. 3, 2011, pp. 903-913. doi:10.1007/s12665-011-1300-9
[31]	J. Van der Knijff, R. J. A. Jones and L. Montanarella, “Soil Erosion Risk Assessment in Italy,” European Soil Bureau, Joint Research Center of European Commission, EUR 19022EN, 2000.
[32]	P. Veljko, L. Zivotic, R. Kadovic, A. Dordevic, D. Jara maz, V. Mrvic and M. Todorovic, “Spatial Modelling of Soil Erosion Potential in a Mountainous Watershed of South-Eastern Serbia,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 68, No. 1, 2013, pp. 115-128. doi:10.1007/s12665-012-1720-1
[33]	L. Mitas and H. Mitasova, “Distributed Soil Erosion Si mulation for Effective Erosion Prevention,” Water Resources Research, Vol. 34, No. 3, 1998, pp. 505-516. doi:10.1029/97WR03347
[34]	J. R. Williams and H. D. Berndt, “Sediment Yield Computed with Universal Equation,” Journal of the Hydraulics Division, Vol. 98, No. 12, 1972, pp. 2087-2098.
[35]	M. L. Griffin, D. B. Beasley, J. J. Fletcher and G. R. Foster, “Estimating Soil Loss on Topographically Non-Uni form Field and Farm Units,” Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, Vol. 43, No. 4, 1988, pp. 326-331.
[36]	S. K. Jain, S. Kumar and J. Varghese, “Estimation of Soil Erosion for a Himalayan Watershed Using GIS Technique,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2001, pp. 41-54. doi:10.1023/A:1012246029263
[37]	S. M. J. Baba and K. W. Yusof, “Modelling Soil Erosion in Tropical Environments Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems,” Journal of Hydrology Science, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2001, pp. 191-198.
[38]	P. P. Dabral, N. Baithuri and A. Pandey, “Soil Erosion Assessment in a Hilly Catchment of North Eastern India Using USLE, GIS and Remote Sensing,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 22, No. 12, 2008, pp. 1783 1798. doi:10.1007/s11269-008-9253-9
[39]	J. C. Sharma, J. Prasad, S. K. Saha and L. M. Pande, “Watershed Prioritization Based on Sediment Yield Index in Eastern Part of Don Valley Using RS and GIS,” Indian Journal of Soil Conservation, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2001, pp. 7 13.
[40]	M. A. Khan, V. P. Gupta and P. C. Moharana, “Water shed Prioritization Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System: A Case Study from Guhiya,” India Journal of Arid Environments, Vol. 49, No. 3, 2001, pp. 465-475. doi:10.1006/jare.2001.0797
[41]	R. K. Saxena, K. S. Verma, G. R. Chary, R. Srivastava and A. K. Barthwal, “IRS-1C Data Application in Water shed Characterization and Management,” International Journal of Remote Sensing, Vol. 21, No. 17, 2000, pp. 3197-3208. doi:10.1080/014311600750019822
[42]	R. S. Chaudhary and P. D. Sharma, “Erosion Hazard As sessment and Treatment Prioritization of Giri River Catchment, North Western Himalayas,” Indian Journal of Soil Conservation, Vol. 26, No. 1, 1998, pp. 6-11.
[43]	V. V. Rao, A. K. Chakravarty and U. Sharma, “Water shed Prioritization Based on Sediment Yield Modeling and IRS-1A LISS Data,” Asian-Pacific Remote Sensing Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1994, pp. 59-65.
[44]	A. Irvem, F. Topaloglu and V. Uygur, “Estimating Spatial Distribution of Soil Loss over Seyhan River Basin in Turkey,” Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 336, No. 1-2, 2007, pp. 30-37. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.12.009
[45]	P. Zhou, O. Luukkanen, T. Tokola, J. Nieminen, “Effect of Vegetation Cover on Soil Erosion in a Mountainous Watershed,” Catena, Vol. 75, No. 3, 2008, pp. 319-325. doi:10.1016/j.catena.2008.07.010
[46]	S. Biswas, S. Sudhakar and V. R. Desai, “Prioritization of Subwatersheds Based on Morphometric Analysis of Drainage Basina Remote Sensing and GIS Approach,” Photo nirvachak, Vol. 27, 1999, pp. 155-166.
[47]	S. K. Jain and M. K. Goel, “Assessing the Vulnerability to Soil Erosion of the Ukai Dam Catchments Using Re mote Sensing and GIS,” Hydrological Sciences, Vol. 47, No. 2, 2002, pp. 31-40. doi:10.1080/02626660209492905
[48]	M. M. Mkhonta, “Use of Remote Sensing and Geographi cal Information System (GIS) on Soil Erosion Assess ment in the Gwayimane and Mahhuku Catchment Areas with Special Attention on Soil Erodobility (K-Factor),” ITC, Enschede, 2000.
[49]	G. Singh, V. V. Rambabu and S. Chandra, “Soil Loss Prediction Research in India,” ICAR Bullet, T12/D9, CS WCTRI, Dehradun, 1981.
[50]	P. Mhangara, V. Kakembo and K. J. Lim, “Soil Erosion Risk Assessment of the Keiskamma Catchment, South Africa Using GIS and Remote Sensing,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 65, No. 7, 2012, pp. 2087-2102. doi:10.1007/s12665-011-1190-x
[51]	D. K. McCool, G. R. Foster, C. K. Mutchler and L. D. Meyer, “Revised Slope Steepness Factor for the Universal Soil Loss Equation,” Transactions of the ASAE, Vol. 30, No. 5, 1987, pp. 1387-1396.
[52]	B. Mitra, H. D. Scott, J. C. Dixon and J. M. McKimmey, “Applications of Fuzzy Logic to the Prediction of Soil Erosion in a Large Watershed,” Geoderma, Vol. 86, No. 3-4, 1998, pp. 183-209. doi:10.1016/S0016-7061(98)00050-0
[53]	T. R. N. Ahamed, G. K. Rao and J. S. R. Murthy, “Fuzzy Class Membership Approach to Soil Erosion Modeling,” Agricultural Systems, Vol. 63, No. 2, 2000, pp. 97-110. doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(99)00066-9
[54]	G. Metternicht, S. Gonzales and FUERO, “Foundation of a Fuzzy Exploratory Model for Soil Erosion Hazard Predict,” Environmental Modelling & Software, Vol. 20, No. 6, 2005, pp. 715-728. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2004.03.015
[55]	A. H. Sheikh, S. Palria and A. Alam, “Integration of GIS and Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for Soil Loss Estimation in a Himalayan Watershed,” Recent Research in Science and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 3, 2011, pp. 51 57.