Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL EROSION IN THE KURUMANPUZHA SUB WATERSHED OF CHALIYAR RIVER. BASIN: A REMOTE SENSING AND GIS APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Aishwarya M.S., Rema K.P., Adarsha Gopalakrishna Bhat, Vinayak Paradkar and Pragya Balley

Abstract

Soil erosion is a significant contributor to land degradation. This study aimed to determine soil loss in a specific sub-watershed using remote sensing and GIS. Morphometric parameters were assessed based on linear, areal, and relief characteristics. The sub-watershed had a dendritic drainage pattern with a mean bifurcation ratio of 2.05, indicating easier flood management due to longer durations of low peak flows. The analysis revealed fine drainage, indicating a prevalence of soft rocks prone to erosion. The watershed had high relief and steep slopes, characterized by hills, breaks, and low mountains. The hypsometric curve indicated an equilibrium stage of geomorphic evolution. Morphometric parameters were grouped into three clusters at the sub-watershed level, demonstrating spatial variability. Soil erosion is influenced by intrinsic factors like rainfall, soil erodibility, topography, crop cover, and conservation practices. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was employed using RS and GIS to estimate soil loss in the Kurumanpuzha sub-watershed. Forest/dense vegetation were the dominant land use, followed by rubber plantations and scrubland. The average annual soil loss was estimated at 8.00 t/ha/yr with a total soil erosion quantity of 82,872.4 t/yr. A bare land experienced the highest soil loss, followed by scrubland. The generated soil erosion map provides a basis for implementing measures to ensure sustainable resource management in the watershed.