Estimation of Rusle Parameters of the Ozat River Basin Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

In India, soil erosion is a major problem that lowers water availability and agricultural land production. Detachment, transportation and deposition of soil particles from one place to another under the influence of wind, water or gravity forces is known as soil erosion. Therefore, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with Remote Sensing and GIS study was found easy for estimation of soil loss in river basins. The selected watershed for this study was Ozat river basin is situated in Gujarat, having the catchment area 3410 km2. The rainfall erosivity factor (R) was estimated using monthly and annual rainfall data. Sand, silt, clay and organic matter of soil were used to determine the soil erodibility factor (K). The highest and lowest estimated rainfall erosivity factor were found 144.45 MJ.mm.ha-1.h-1.y-1 to 147.37 MJ.mm.ha-1.h-1.y-1 respectively. The soil erodibility was found in the range of 0.139 tonnes-ha-hr/ha-MJ-mm to 0.172 tonnes-ha-hr/ha-MJ-mm. Soil with higher K values are more vulnerable to soil erosion. However, lower K values are more resistant to soil erosion. Combining the utilization of the Remote Sensing and GIS provides faster and real- time information for studies related to natural resources management and the study of various parameters needed for soil loss. Thus, different soil loss estimation model and tools may be applied extremely effectively and efficiently for the planning of natural resources in watershed and the study of different factors in bigger or smaller basins.