Mapping Soil Erosion Intensity Using Erosion Potential Method (Epm): Case Study – Bosnia and Herzegovina

The territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina is threatened by the soil erosion process of varying intensity. This paper aims to apply the Erosion Potential Method (EPM) to determine the current state of erosion intensity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to identify and analyze the most significant factors contributing to erosion potential. It has been determined that categories I, II, and III, representing higher levels of erosion intensity, occupy 15.69 % of the total area. Areas under categories IV and V cover 84.31 % of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is primarily due to the presence of extensive forested areas, karst surfaces and karst fields, as well as extensive lowlands along major rivers. Creating an erosion map for the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a key priority of scientific research, especially considering that the results of this research (such as the erosion map) form the basis for integrated water management projects, soil conservation, forest ecosystem protection, environmental conservation, spatial planning, agriculture, and other human activities.