Estimation of soil loss using RUSLE model and GIS tools: Case study in the Jucusbamba Micro-Watershed (Amazonas, NW Peru)

Barboza E.; Raymundo A.A.; Valqui L.; Lopez R.S. · Revista Ambiente e Agua (2024) · DOI: 10.4136/ambi-agua.2998

Resumen

Human activities have intensified soil erosion globally, negatively impacting the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of water and soil. This study estimated soil loss in the Jucusbamba Micro-Watershed (Amazonas, northwestern Peru) using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) data. Meteorological data, soil maps, digital elevation models, and land cover and use maps were integrated into a GIS environment to predict the spatial distribution of erosion. The results showed five classes of soil loss severity: slight (93.34%), moderate (3.94%), high (1.82%), very high (0.61%), and severe (0.29%). Areas with high, very high, and severe erosion levels were mainly located in the middle and lower parts of the micro-watershed. The average annual soil loss was estimated at 23.24 t/ha/year. The information obtained is crucial for the formulation of soil management plans and programs to address erosion problems in the Jucusbamba River Micro-Watershed. Future research should focus on validating these models through field studies and implementing soil conservation practices based on these findings.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas; Universidad Tecnológica de los Andes