Geospatial Modeling of Soil Erosion and Conservation Priorities: A Case Study from the Panam Reservoir, India

Amanullah Hayat; T.M.V.  Suryanarayana

doi:10.56093/aaz.v64i2.165215

Authors

Amanullah Hayat Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390 002, India
T.M.V. Suryanarayana Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390 002, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v64i2.165215

Keywords:

SOIL EROSION, RUSLE, GIS, remote sensing, Panam reservoir, conservation planning

Abstract

Soil erosion presents a significant threat to the sustainability of land and water resources in the Panam Reservoir region of Gujarat, India. This study utilizes the
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), integrated with advanced geospatial techniques, to quantify soil loss and identify erosion-prone areas. Spatial datasets on rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, land use, and conservation practices were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools. The results indicate that annual soil loss ranges from zero to
28.226 t ha-1 yr-1, with most of the catchment experiencing low erosion risk. However, a smaller portion of the area is subjected to moderate to severe erosion, highlighting the need for targeted conservation interventions. Vulnerable zones
are characterized by steep slopes, high rainfall erosivity, and sparse vegetation cover. This research provides spatially explicit insights crucial for informed soil conservation planning and watershed management in similar agro-ecological contexts. The integration of RUSLE with remote sensing and GIS enhances the precision of erosion assessment, thereby supporting sustainable land use decision-making.

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Author Biography

Amanullah Hayat, Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390 002, India

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, MSU

References

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-0901-3