Soil erosion modeling by revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) - A case study of Kundapura, Udupi district, Karnataka, India

This research explores the use of the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) process and remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques to estimate soil erosion in Kundapura taluk, Udupi, Karnataka. The average annual predicted soil loss ranges between 292.16 and 41044.92 t yr-1. The loss of soil <292.16 t yr-1 near coastal areas has been recorded, and 1741.86 t yr-1 was found intensely plantation (mainly areca nut plantation and paddy field) area and degraded forest area. Soil erosion rate was predicted moderately high (4802.34 t yr-1) for agriculture and slope areas, which needs proper soil conservation measures to reduce erosion. The high, very high, and extreme rate (10601.16-41044.92 t yr-1) of soil erosion was found in the dense forest because of moderate slope value and the high slope length and steepness factor. The computed sediment yield (2010-2018) values range from 137.29- 504.65 t yr-1. In the coming years, huge man-made interventions in the Western Ghats region can significantly increase soil erosion. Also, most soil erosion changes happen at the micro-level and need much-localized study for specific regions. The study area belongs to the coastal region of Kundapura, which faces more soil erosion problems. This research may be helpful to understand and quantify soil erodibility rate. This study effectively proves the important role of RS and GIS in understanding geological processes and that the RULSE method can effectively be used for erosion mapping.