loading page

Soil erosion risk assessment in a humid sub-tropical trans boundary river basin
  • Nirmal Kumar,
  • Sk. Mustak,
  • Szilárd Szabó
Nirmal Kumar
University of Allahabad

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Sk. Mustak
Central University of Punjab
Author Profile
Szilárd Szabó
University of Debrecen
Author Profile

Abstract

Soil erosion is a challenging natural environmental hazard which is not possible to stop yet, can be reduced by conservation practices. Here, for these issues, we have applied Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to assess soil erosion in Ghaghara river basin. We have estimated morphometric parameter to understand susceptibility of sub-basin for soil loss. The result of soil erosion estimated by RUSLE is 287.13 t〖h_a〗^(-1) yr^(-1) and by SWAT is 338.65 t〖h_a〗^(-1) yr^(-1) in study area. Water retention curve of soil using hydrous model and hypsometry of basin using QGIS were estimated to know water holding capacity of soil and geomorphic age of basin respectively. The results of water retention curve showed that Clay_Loam (Bd29-3c-3661) Loam (I-Bh-U-c-3717) and Clay_Loam (Rd30-2b-3851) were showing highest water holding capacity as (0.317 m^3/m^3), (0.311 m^3/m^3) and (0.271 m^3/m^3) in the study area respectively. The final prioritized map generated by integration of SWAT, RULSE, water holding capacity and morphometric results showed that upper and middle portion of basin need higher conservation measures to control soil erosion compared to lower portion of basin. The hypsometry of basin indicates the sub-basins age from young to mature stage due to subsequent soil erosion in upper and middle portion in basin.