Application of Remote Sensing and Participatory Soil Erosion Assessment Approach for Soil Erosion Mapping in a Watershed

Authors

  • Krishna Prasad BHANDARI Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110
  • Rotchanatch DARNSAWASDI Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110

Keywords:

Participatory geographic information system (PGIS), revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), erosion damaged assessment (EDA), soil erosion, land use and land cover (LULC)

Abstract

This research addresses the problem of soil erosion in the Phewa watershed, Pokhara, Nepal, through remote sensing application of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, and Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) based Erosion Damage Assessment (EDA). Acceleration of soil erosion is due to anthropogenic factors, such as construction of roads without conservation, intensive agriculture, and socio-economic activities. The aim of the study is to identify the major causes of soil erosion by application of remote sensing; RUSLE and PGIS based EDA for soil erosion reduction management. The methodologies employed include structured questionnaires, focus groups, stakeholders’ sketches, and application of remote sensing and GIS on RUSLE model. The RUSLE model results indicate that the rate of soil erosion in the Phewa watershed varies from 0 to 206.78 t/ha/yr, and the mean annual rate of soil loss was 14.71 t/ha/yr in 2010. The PGIS based EDA resulted in different classes of severity (stable, slight, moderate, severe, very severe) which were similar to the quantified results of RUSLE, except for the dense forest class in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC). Erosion-prone maps were developed through PGIS based EDA by stakeholders and use of the RUSLE model. Maps showed that the soil erosion risk areas were similar on both maps. The stakeholders’ sketched map, with knowledge gained from PGIS based EDA, RS and GIS technology for their conservation practices, could help to reduce soil erosion. The study identifies that the major issues are soil and agriculture management practices, and concludes that there is a link between RS and GIS and the estimated erosion by the RUSLE model. Thus, the RS and GIS techniques and PGIS based EDA approach can benefit stakeholders in applying better measures for soil erosion management.

doi:10.14456/WJST.2015.34

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Published

2014-10-26

How to Cite

BHANDARI, K. P., & DARNSAWASDI, R. (2014). Application of Remote Sensing and Participatory Soil Erosion Assessment Approach for Soil Erosion Mapping in a Watershed. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST), 12(8), 689–702. Retrieved from https://wjst.wu.ac.th/index.php/wjst/article/view/1168