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Soil erosion and degradation assessment integrating multi-parametric methods of RUSLE model, RS, and GIS in the Shaqlawa agricultural area, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Authors :
Abdi B
Kolo K
Shahabi H
Source :
Environmental monitoring and assessment [Environ Monit Assess] 2023 Sep 05; Vol. 195 (10), pp. 1149. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Sep 05.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This study evaluated soil erosion rates in the Shaqlawa district using the Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. The primary objective was to identify areas within the district that are prone to significant erosion and develop appropriate soil conservation schemes accordingly. A combination of primary and secondary data from diverse sources was utilized to achieve this objective. The GIS-based RUSLE model used variables like soil erodibility (K), soil coverage (C), topographic effect (LS), rainfall runoff (R), and erosion control practices (P) to estimate the amount of soil that had been washed away in the study area. The study provided valuable information that can be used to plan and administer soil protection in the Shaqlawa district. The average yearly soil loss in the study region is estimated to be 65.66 t ha <superscript>-1</superscript> year <superscript>-1</superscript> . The district is experiencing significant soil erosion rates, which may have detrimental effects on agricultural productivity, water quality, and environmental health. The analysis revealed that Balisan, Hiran, Shaqlawa center, and part of the Salahaddin subdistrict are the most affected areas, with high values of LS and R factors contributing to significant soil erosion rates. These results underscore the importance of soil protection and management efforts in the Shaqlawa district. The combination of the RUSLE with GIS and remote sensing techniques has been recognized as an essential, cost-effective, and highly accurate approach for estimating soil erosion.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1573-2959
Volume :
195
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Environmental monitoring and assessment
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37668802
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11796-4