Geoinformatic approach to potential soil erosion risk assessment in Tulasi watershed

Abstract

The disintegration of soil grains caused by raindrops initiates the erosion process and is the primary source of erosion on small and steep slopes. Soil loss occurs all across the world, but poor countries are more vulnerable to it due to failure to replenish lost soil and minerals. Asian countries have been highlighted as one of the locations on the globe where soil erosion has proven to be a difficult challenge in terms of development and land resource conservation. Because India is the world's second most populous country and agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, sustainable land management approaches are urgently needed to protect production potential and provide an adequate supply of healthy food for millions. The Tulasi watershed in Maharashtra, India, is distinguished by heavy rain during the monsoon season, undulating and rocky topography and bare hilltops, all of which increase runoff capacity and make top soil more prone to detachment and loosening. In light of this, the current study employs geo-information technologies and the RUSLE model to derive erosion factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover and management and to estimate the amount and spatial distribution of soil loss in the study area.