Assessment of soil erosion by Universal Soil Loss Equation model based on Geographic Information System data: a case study of the Mafragh watershed, north-eastern Algeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Soil resources in Algeria are limited by physical surface area, geogenic, and anthropogenic degradation. Given the importance of food production, soil resource management is an essential part of Algeria's long-term agricultural development. Furthermore, soil erosion is one of the serious natural environmental problem, affects millions of hectares of arable farmland. Soil erosion assessments coupled with hydrologic modeling is tool to estimate this phenomenon and is useful for watershed management and conservation. In this study, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) data to assess annual soil erosion rates in the Mafragh watershed located in northeastern Algeria. The aim was to generate practical erosion risk maps of the catchment area. Results showed that 74 % of the watershed is within a tolerant erosion rate (A value between 0 and 1), while the remaining 26 % of the study area is classified under moderate to severe erosion risk (A value between 1 and >10). The study suggests considering these results when evaluating soil erosion management practices to ensure sustainable agricultural development in the region.

Keywords

• Hydrologic Modeling
• Thematic Mapping
• Remote Sensing
• Spatial Analysis
• Environmental Management
• Soil Conservation