Development of an erosion model for Langat River Basin, Malaysia, adapting GIS and RS in RUSLE

Abstract

Abstract This study is aimed to predict potential soil erosion in the Langat River Basin, Malaysia by integrating Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. In RUSLE model, parameters such as rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length and steepness factor (LS), vegetation cover and management factor (C) and support practice factor (P) are determined based on the input data followed by the spatial analysis process in the GIS platform. Rainfall data from 2008-2015 are collected from the 29 rain gauge stations located within the study area. From the analysis, the magnitude of RUSLE model obtained corresponding to the parameter R, K, LS, C and P factors is varied between 800 to 3000 MJ mm ha− 1 h− 1 yr− 1, 0.035–0.5 Mg h MJ− 1 mm− 1, 0–73.00, 0.075–0.77 and 0.2–1.00, respectively. Findings of this study indicates that based on the calculated RUSLE parameter values, about 95% of the Langat River Basin area have been classified as a very low to a low erosion vulnerability. Findings of this study would greatly benefits a decision maker in proposing a suitable soil management and conservation practices for the river basin.

Keywords

• Erosion model GIS
• RS
• RUSLE
• Langat river basin