Soil erosion in northern Thailand : estimation using remote sensing and GIS, valuation and economic implications for highland agricultural production | |
| Author | Hazarika, Manzul Kumar |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SR-97-8 |
| Subject(s) | Soil erosion--Thailand, Northern Geographic information systems |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. SR-97-8 |
| Abstract | Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem posing threat to sustainable agriculture. Being a highly dynamic phenomenon, soil erosion calls for updating its status derived from a reliable database on magnitude, nature and extent of soil erosion from time to time for planning and management of the affected areas. Vegetative cover, land slope and soil characteristics are the three major factors of soil erosion. In this study, NDVI derived from TM data is used to assess the vegetative cover. A methodology is developed to integrate topographical parameters and soil information with NDVI in GIS perspective to estimate annual soil erosion rate in Mae Ao project in Northern Thailand. There are distinct changes in agricultural pattern in the study area after initiating the development activities by His Majesty The King of Thailand. Changes in agricultural pattern from traditional crops to orchard plantation and adoption of soil and water conservation measures have not only decreased the annual soil erosion rate but also increased the agricultural production. A methodology is also developed to evaluate the external cost of soil erosion. Reduction in soil erosion rate from 1.24 mm/year in 1992 to 0.91 mm/year in 1996.(Table 5.3) in the area has attributed to decrease in external cost of soil erosion by 4,210,466 Baht (US $ 168,419). Reduction of external cost of soil erosion is a positive indication towards sustainable farming, however, there is still a high soil erosion rate in some parts of the project area. Economic returns from agricultural enterprises, on which the socio-economic condition of a farmer depends, become unattractive if the external cost of soil erosion is taken in to account. But, there is a need to internalise such external costs to ensure a sustainable agricultural production as well as a better socio-economic condition in the long run. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. SR-97-8 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Honda, Kiyoshi; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Lantican, Celso B.;Thanwa Jitsanguan ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |