Utilizing GIS and remote sensing for soil loss estimation in Kopai River basin: an application of the RUSLE model

Soil erosion is an important factor of topsoil adversity which diminishes the productive agricultural land's fertility. Throughout the world, erosion of soil is a very serious problem that lowers nutrients, makes water less clean, and causes silt to build up in bodies of water. The primary contributor to soil erosion is the activities of humans, which include degradation of the soil, enhanced productivity in agriculture, and other consequences. It can help with management and conservation efforts to look at how soil erosion affects a watershed. By using models, we can get a precise and scientific way to measure how much sediment is released and how much soil is washed away in different situations. The current study uses Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) technique, GIS and RS (Remote Sensing) techniques to track loss of soil in Kopai River basin in eastern part of India. Digital elevation models (DEMs), soil maps, rainfall maps, land use and land cover maps are some of data sources used to pinpoint areas particularly vulnerable to soil erosion. On an annual basis, the basin eliminates an estimated 681.72 tons of topsoil. To determine the level of severity of soil displacement, the trial basin was grouped into five distinct categories: very high (2.15%), high (5.1%), moderate (16.9%), low (34.65%), and very low (41.20%). Nearly 92.75% of the region belonged to very low to medium erosion zone. The results of RUSLE model validation show soil erosion is more severe in the Kopai River basin's upstream watershed area. Result of this research has important implications for watershed development projects and the preservation of soil management techniques in the region.