Estimation of soil loss sensitivity in the Jinari river basin using the Universal Soil Loss Equation

Authors

  • Nilotpal Kalita Department of Geography, Gossaigaon College Gassaigaon, Assam
  • Akangsha Borgohain r, Department of Geography, Gouhauti Univarsity, Guhati, Assam
  • Dhrubajyoti Sahariah Department of Geography, Gossaigaon College Gassaigaon, Assam
  • Siddhinath Sarma Department of Geography, Gossaigaon College Gassaigaon, Assam

Keywords:

USLE, soil loss, river basin management

Abstract

Soil erosion hazard is an environmental problem in diverse geographical areas and oftentimes has
repercussions that are felt in downstream areas. This study assesses various aspects of soil erosion in the
Jinari River basin in Assam, India using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) in a GIS environment.
The average rainfall erosivity index is found as 165.2 MJ mm/ha/yr and soil erodability factor K varies
between 0.56 - 0.43. The LS factor was computed using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, while the C
factor was computed from Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) values derived from Landsat TM
data. In the Jinari River basin no supporting practice was observed, thus the value of 'P' has been taken
as 1. The average annual soil loss estimated in the watershed using USLE was 1.76 ton/ha/yr and 0.95 ton/
ha/yr for 2007 and 2011 respectively.

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Published

03-03-2022

How to Cite

Kalita, N. ., Borgohain, A. ., Sahariah, D. ., & Sarma, S. . (2022). Estimation of soil loss sensitivity in the Jinari river basin using the Universal Soil Loss Equation. National Geographical Journal of India, 64(1-2), 118–127. Retrieved from https://ngji.in/index.php/ngji/article/view/74

Issue

Vol. 64 No. 1-2 (2018): March-June 2018

Section

Article