Assessing the risk of soil loss using geographical information system (GIS) and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE)

Abstract

Soil erosion poses a significant environmental challenge in many developing nations, and critically evaluating the threat of soil erosion is paramount for sustainable land management practices. This study aims to identify the contributing factors to erosion and estimate the amount of soil loss in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. Factors like rainfall erosivity (𝑅), soil erodibility (𝐾), topography (𝐿𝑆), cover and management (𝐶), and support practices (𝑃), were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to generate variable layers. The estimated values of 𝑅,𝐾, 𝐿𝑆, 𝐶, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃 ranged between 438.866 and 444.319 MJmmha-1 h-1 yr-1, 0.06 to 0.015 megajoules per hectare hour megajoules-1 hectare-1 millimeter-1, 0 and 572, 0 to 0.2, and 0 to 1, respectively. GIS raster calculations derived from these factors revealed a mean estimated soil loss rate of 0-6672.83t/h/yr-1 (tons per hectare per year). Notably, rainfall emerged as the most influential factor driving soil erosion within the study area. The study highlights the necessity for immediate intervention to mitigate soil erosion in the study area. Furthermore, to formulate effective conservation and management strategies, this study advocates for further research prioritizing severity analysis areas and estimating sediment loss across the region.