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Integration of modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE) into a gis framework to assess soil erosion risk
Author(s) -
Zhang Y.,
Degroote J.,
Wolter C.,
Sugumaran R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.893
Subject(s) - universal soil loss equation , surface runoff , watershed , environmental science , erosion , wepp , soil conservation , hydrology (agriculture) , geographic information system , erosion control , dryland salinity , water resource management , soil loss , soil water , soil fertility , soil biodiversity , soil science , geography , geology , remote sensing , computer science , geotechnical engineering , agriculture , ecology , archaeology , biology , paleontology , machine learning
Soil erosion is an important economic and environmental concern throughout the world. In order to assess soil erosion risk and conserve water and soil resources, soil erosion modeling at the watershed scale is urgently needed. This study integrated the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework in the form of a tool called ArcMUSLE, an extension of ArcGIS® software, to assist soil and water conservation agencies in soil erosion risk assessment and prioritization of critical areas for soil erosion control practices. With widely available spatial data, this tool can be applied to determine curve numbers, to estimate runoff, peak flow, and soil loss for a rainfall event within a watershed. An application example for a watershed in Black Hawk County, Iowa, USA, is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.