Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Soil Loss Assessment Using RUSLE Model -A Case Study of Bareli Watershed, Seoni District of Madhya Pradesh

A quantitative assessment of soil loss was done using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, remote sensing and digital elevation model (DEM) in integrated raster based GIS in Bareli watershed, Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. GIS data layers including rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C) and conservation practice (P) factors were computed and integrated to compute average annual soil loss in the watershed. The watershed has been delineated into very low (100 t ha-1yr-1) soil erosion classes. The study indicated that 63.8% of TGA is under very low to low followed by 14.3% of TGA under moderate soil erosion class. The severe and very severe erosion classes constitute 21.9 % of TGA which warrant immediate attention for preparing strategies for soil and water conservation measures. Various soil and water conservation measures have been suggested based on landforms, soil, slope, land use and soil loss for sustainable management of land resources to improve the productivity of these lands.