Appraisal of Soil Erosion through RUSLE Model and Hypsometry in Chakwal Watershed (Potwar-Pakistan)
Appraisal of Soil Erosion through RUSLE Model and Hypsometry in Chakwal Watershed (Potwar-Pakistan)
Saira Batool1, Safdar Ali Shirazi1 and Syed Amer Mahmood2*
ABSTRACT
This research deals with soil removal assessment through the RUSLE model hypsometry and spatial autocorrelation incorporated with GIS in the Chakwal watershed-Potwar- Pakistan. It is observed that 70.06% of the Chakwal watershed lies in the tolerable (low erosion), 16.51% in the intermediate range and 13.44% in highly eroded zones of the total Chakwal watershed area. Chakwal watershed is a rainfed and semi-arid with a drainage contributing area of 6524 km2. The RUSLE factors were calculated through vulnerable erosion zones remote sensing datasets demarcated by GIS. Computed soil erodibility, rainfall erodibilty, topographic-length-slope, crop management and conservation factor reveal interesting results and are in accordance with the local estimations that agree with each other well. The output maps indicate that the approximated total possible soil loss annually of about 92.6 million tons is equivalent to the calculated sediments of 148 tons/ha. Chakwal watershed is acutely facing severe erosion due to its soil characteristics and topography. The outputs generated from this research are a way forward to plan and implement strategies for combating erosion and natural resources protection. It is inevitable to make suitable water harvesting structures and control rainwater to stop soil removal and water provision for the lean season in this rain-fed region. The results obtained can help realize that conservation practices and soil management can decreas soil erosion. The hypsometric and spatial autocorrelation investigations are in agreement with the results obtained from RUSLE technique. Tree plantation, check-dams and strip cropping can also reduce soil loss when implemented in critical areas highlighted in this research.
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June 2021
Vol. 37, Iss. 2, Pages 331-713
