Soil Loss Estimation through MUSLE Equation using RS and GIS techniques in Neemahosalli sub-watershed

Author: Tipperudramma N.*, Shrikant and Ashoka H.G.

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Abstract

The deterioration of soil and water resources in an area can be controlled effectively by adopting watershed approach. The objective of this study is to use the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) in conjunction with the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCN-CN) approach to estimate runoff and soil loss using the Kirpich and Williams equations. The study was carried out for Neemahosalli sub-watershed of Kalaburgi district. The entire area of the sub watershed was estimated to be 1869.78 ha, and it is located between 77°1553 -77°2001E longitude and 17°280 -17°3113N latitude. The thematic maps were prepared by using Landsat-8 satellite image in GIS software. The estimated data and parameters used in this study were aggregated and applied to the MUSLE model to estimate annual soil loss. Using Kirpich and Williams' time of concentration formulas, the data revealed that 92.80 t ha-1yr-1 and 62.92 t ha-1yr-1 soil loss occurred in the Neemahosalli

Keywords

MUSLE, GIS, Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCN-CN), watershed