Soil erosion assessment using the Rusle model and geospatial analysis: A case study of Majuli Island of Assam, India
- Disaster & Development: NIDM
- 13(2), Jul-Dec, 2024: p.151-168
Soil erosion is a major environmental issue that affects the sustainability of agricultural lands and ecosystems. The condition is more severe in the riverine areas. The RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model is a widely used tool for assessing soil erosion risk. This study aims to evaluate the soil erosion in Majuli Island, India which is situated in the mid-stream the Brahmaputra River. In this study, RUSLE Model has been paired up with Geospatial Techniques to evaluate the annual soil loss of the island. The parameters used for the assessment are the Rainfall Erosivity (R), Soil Erodibility (K), Slope Length and Steepness (LS), Crop and Management (C) and Conservation Practice (P). The results categorized the island into five classes from very high to very low. The high-class area needs immediate attentions. The results show that the highest soil loss occurs in the riverbank areas whereas it is low to very low in the central part. It indicates that bank erosion by the Brahmaputra is a major cause of soil loss in Majuli .The results of this study can help in the development of soil conservation strategies and management practices to mitigate soil erosion in Majuli Island.- Reproduced