Soil loss estimation using RUSLE Algorithm on Highland Areas of Jabonga, Agusan del

Norte
Jealyn Mae S. Gidacan, Rickalhyn Airean Belle P. Nakila, Kendel P. Bolanio
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Caraga State University
Ampayon, Butuan City
May 2017

In several areas of the world, increase in soil loss frequently occurs which
carries the washed away particles to the rivers. It includes water pollution, basin
siltation, harm of aquatic habitats and increasing cost of water treatment.
Soil loss affects the residence.
Soil erosion has been estimated using RUSLE model. Average annual soil loss and
erosion risk will be assessed.
Data such as: Rainfall pattern, soil type, topography, cover management and support
practice were utilised for soil modelling using RUSLE and ArcGiS.
0. Distinguish the 6 components of RUSLE
0. Identify the soil erosion risk in the study area
0. Specify areas that are prone to erosion
Factors considered:
Soil erosivity
soil erodibility
slope length
steepness
cover management
support practice
METHODOLOGY:
Site Description
Calculation of RUSLE factors:
Use ArcGIS 10.2 and Microsoft Excel


Erosivity factor given by Bols uses annual precipitation data:


Each station’s longitude, latitude, and erosivity value were calculated using
ArcMap 10.2; it is important to set the geographic coordinate system to WGS 1984 as
well as the boundary file of the study area was added. Using Geostatistical Analyst
Wizard, Kriging interpolation was chosen for generating the R factor map.
Ordinary Kriging type of interpolation was applied in the process. The model was
optimized in Semivariogram modelling to calculate new values for the model using
the iterative cross validation technique. The extracted Kriging map of the study
area was the resulted R-factor map which represents the erosivity of rain the study
area.


Soil Erodibility Index (K-factor):
The texture of the soil would determine the capability of its detachment and
absorption.
GIS:
- NAMRIA soil classification map
- Boundary shapefile
The soil classification map was extracted using Spatial Analyst Tool extract by
mask
Soil texture type was given corresponding K-value.

Slope and Slope Length (LS-Factor)
LS-factor was obtained using Arc Map 10.2 and C++ for slope processing.
C++ from the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences. The DEM was
converted into ASCII (text file). The ASCII files were converted into raster file
to obtain the slope length, steepness and LS factor map.

Cover Management(C-factor):
ArcMap 10.2 extracts NAMRIA land cover and soil classification map to get land
cover and land cover classification.
Land cover classification has corresponding c-factor values

Support Practice (P-factor):

Practices that exist in the area which control and manage the soil loss effect.
It includes:
Terracing
Contouring in the land use and cover
P value (0-1)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Value of R-factors varies according to the rainfall distribution
Soil erodibility factor is the amount of soil loss per unit of erosive energy of
rainfall. It is the ability of the soil to transport and absorb water. Soil
texture’s permeability and ability to absorb and transport soils are one of the
factors to be considered in RUSLE approach.
LS factor is the effect of topography in the area. It is the slope length and its
steepness. The greater the length and the steeper the slope of the area, the more
it increases the velocity of water runoff.

RECOMMENDATION:
Use 5-10 years rainfall data
land use and land cover map should be taken into consideration