GIS-assisted soil loss evaluation using USLE for Christian Sub-Division, Pakistan | |
| Author | Rashid, Imran |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. WM-00-24 |
| Subject(s) | Universal soil loss equation Geographic information systems |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Soil erosion is one of the major constraints to sustainable land use. To attain an effective and efficient control over soil loss it is required to estimate the amount and rate of soil loss by adopting an appropriate evaluation process and an efficient technique. So the main concern of this study was to evaluate soil erosion at the Chishtian Sub-Division in Pakistan and the effect of procedural techniques and management practices on soil loss. In this study, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was integrated with GIS techniques for the evaluation of soil loss. Thematic maps for USLE factors and the soil loss rate were prepared for two different grid interpolation techniques (IDW and Spline), for the increase and decrease in percent organic matter content of surface soil and for the set of three different erosion control management practices. It was found that the IDW method of grid interpolation gives better results than Spline technique. For the change in percent organic matter content for the whole area, a linear relationship was obtained between the percent organic matter content and soil loss, with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.94 to 1. The resulting soil loss rates by IDW approach were quite comparable to regional soil loss rates, as milder slope area of Chishtian Sub-Division, was having a soil loss rate range of 0.5 to 2 Ton/ha (0.04-0.16 mm), while for comparatively steep slope area a soil loss range of 5 to around 78 Ton/ha (0.4-6.24 mm) was obtained. The mean value of annual soil loss rate was around 1.7 Ton/ha (about 0.14 mm), and the maximum soil loss value of around 78 Ton/ha (about 6.24 mm) was obtained for some steep slope areas. The set of three management practices used were strip cropping along the contours for cotton and grazing, contouring for corn, and the combined application of first and second management practice. The combined management application gave the best control over the soil loss, where the total soil loss reduced from 121.6 to 78.26 Kilo Tons and the mean annual soil loss rate was reduced from around 1.7 Ton/ha (0.136 mm) to 1.1 Ton/ha (0.088 mm). |
| Year | 2001 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Clemente, Roberto S. ;Tripathi, Nitin Kumar |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mark, Ole ;Babel, Mukand Singh |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |