REVISED UNIVERSAL SOIL LOSS EQUATION-Version 2

A key point is that soil erodibility is determined under the standard reference condition where management effects have been eliminated by maintaining the unit plots in a continuous tilled, fallow conditions for a number of years.
The K value that is used if for the soil fines, but the influence of rock fragments in the soil profile should be considered in setting K values.
The effects of rock fragments on the soil surface is considered in the cover-management computations.
Do not use a K value that has been adjusted for rock fragments on the soil surface because use of such an adjusted K value can cause a major mathematical error in RUSLE2.
RUSLE2 computes a time varying K value as a function of monthly temperature and rainfall.
In contrast to RUSLE1, the time varying K value can be used throughout the US except in the Northwest Wheat and Range Region (NWRR).

1. ONLINE WORKSHOP ON
SOIL EROSION FOR THE EU 20 –22 JUNE 2022 | JRC Ispra
#EUsoil
A review of soil erosion assessment by
RUSLE model using Remote Sensing and GIS
in India.
Kaila Tara Meghana, Vamsi Golla
#EUsoil

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General Background
What are the major causes of soil
erosion in the river basins of India?
❑High rainfall intensities
❑Poor conservation practices
❑Deforestation
Average annual surface soil loss through
erosion was estimated to be around 5334
million tonnes in India (Pandey et al2007).
Image source: Bhuvanstore, ISRO

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Case Study-ShivagangaBasin
Aim
To determine the soil loss
vulnerability of an agriculture
mountainous watershed in India.
Objectives
▪To map the different zones of the river basin and identify the degree of erosion risk.
▪To define the possible conservation measures that can be taken to minimize soil erosion
Estimation
of soil loss
RUSLE model Remote sensing GIS
Soil
Erosion
Driver -
water
Erosion
RUSLE
model, RS,
GIS
Graphical summary

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GIS data
Remote sensing
Methodology

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Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model
Average annual soil loss (t/ha/yr) = R ×K ×LS ×C ×P
Rainfall-runoff erosivity factor (R)
GIS Theisen polygon method + (TRMM) Tropical
Rainfall Measuring mission, NASA
Annual Rainfall

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Soil erodibility factor (K)
Map source: NBSS&LUP
Soil types
HSG-B Sandy clay loamy soil
(49.63%)
HSG-C Clay loamy (42.37%)
HSG-D Clayey (8%)
Major Soil types

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Slope length and steepness factor (LS)
Slope %

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Crop management factor (C) Land use and Land cover map

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Distribution of Soil loss in the Shivagangabasin
❖0.014% area under
slight soil loss class
and 14% area is under
very severe soil loss
class.
❖Mean annual soil loss
is 3.64 t/ha/yr.

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10
Conclusion
❑High rainfall: runoff ratio
❑Forest covered zone has least erosion
human intruded land high erosion
Measures
Strip cultivation Contour cultivation
Tourism and religious gatherings -a problem for
Implementing conservational measures.

11. Thank You for your
attention!