The Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Technology to Erosion Risk Mapping

Abstract

Erosion is one of the major problems in Nigeria and Lagos State in particular. The objectives of this research are to identify land use/land cover changes in Eti-Osa LGA and estimate actual erosion risk using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. In addition, this research evaluates the perception of communities within the study area with the view of understanding the risk involved in erosion. The result showed that the sediment yield of the study was estimated to be between 0 to 48 ton/ha/yr. The estimated soil losses were higher at Eti-Osa West, parts of Iru/Victoria Island, and Ikoyi/Obalende areas recorded low losses. Land uses mostly affected by very high and severe erosion are the bare soils and the crop lands having about 3% to 4% respectively compared to the others. It was concluded that combination of rainfall, lack of cover for the surface soil, were the major causes of soil loss in the study area.

Keywords

• Remote Sensing
• GIS
• Soil Erosion
• RUSLE
• Eti-Osa LGA