Mapping of soil erodibility and assessment of soil losses using the RUSLE model in the Sebaa Chioukh Mountains (northwest of Algeria)

Abstract

In Algeria, erosion and solid transport constitute a major constraint to the development of agriculture and to the management of hydrotechnical works (more than 20% are silted). Due to the irregular rains that characterize the Mediterranean semi-arid zones, the topography of the mountainous areas, the fragility of the soils, the absence of vegetation cover and the inappropriate cropping systems, the Sabaa Chioukh Mountains shows a dissected topography, frequent and violent floods. It is therefore absolutely important and crucial to assess, spatially and quantitatively, the effects of soil erosion in order to face the phenomenon and to propose the best strategies for conservation and land management. This study aims to map the soils erodibility, using remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) taking into account the soil types. In order to achieve the objective, we calculated the factors of the RUSLE equation. The results obtained showed that 26,760 ha i.e. 56.58% of our study area are exposed to an annual soil loss of 150 to 200 t·ha-1. These areas are located in fersiallitic soils and vertisols and especially in non-cultivable areas which have high slope values.

Keywords

• GIS
• remote sensing
• RUSLE
• Sebaa Chioukh Mountains