Spatial analysis and extent of soil erosion risk using the RUSLE approach in the Swat River Basin, Eastern Hindukush

Abstract

Soil erosion is a severe issue posing a number of adverse effects on the environment. It is a prominent hazard damaging the fertile agricultural land. Therefore, in this study, a spatio-temporal assessment of soil erosion was carried out in the Swat River Basin, Pakistan by employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The parameters of the RUSLE model are rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land management and support practice. These factors were developed from monthly mean rainfall data obtained from the Regional Metrology Department Peshawar, FAO soil database, land use data prepared from Landsat-5 and 8 satellite imageries, topographic data obtained from the ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The analysis discovered that 13% of the study area experienced severe erosion. Results of the spatial distribution and vulnerability to erosion within the Swat River Basin have been categorized into different zones such as very low (59.7%), low (19.5%), moderate (5.37%), high (6.86%), and very high (5.96%). These results accentuate the necessity for mitigation measures in the study area to mitigate the loss of valuable topsoil. This research possesses the potential to offer valuable insights into decision-making and planning to reduce the risk of erosion.