Integration of GIS-based RUSLE model and SPOT 5 Image to analyze the main source region of soil erosion

Soil loss is widely recognized as a threat to farm livelihoods and ecosystem integrity worldwide. Soil loss prediction models can help address long-range land management planning under natural and agricultural conditions. Even though it is hard to find a model that considers all forms of erosion, some models were developed specifically to aid conservation planners in identifying areas where introducing soil conservation measures will have the most impact on reducing soil loss. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) computes the average annual erosion expected on hillslopes by multiplying several factors together: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C), and support practice (P). The value of these factors is determined from field and laboratory experiments. This study calculated soil erosion using GIS-based RUSLE model in Imha basin and examined soil erosion source area using SPOT 5 high-resolution satellite image and land cover map. As a result of analysis, dry field showed high-density soil erosion area and we could easily investigate source area using satellite image. Also we could examine the suitability of soil erosion area applying field survey method in common areas (dry field & orchard area) that are difficult to confirm soil erosion source area using satellite image.