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Soil Erosion Susceptibility

Definition

Soil erosion susceptibility estimates how likely land is to lose soil under rainfall, runoff, or wind, given its slope, cover, soil properties, and rainfall erosivity. GIS models like RUSLE combine factors (R, K, LS, C, P) to create risk maps. Inputs include long‑term rain intensity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, vegetation or residue cover, and conservation practices such as contouring or terracing. Because susceptibility is potential, not actual loss, it guides prevention before gullies form.

Application

Watershed managers target buffer strips and cover crops. Road agencies treat cut‑slopes prone to rilling. Reservoir owners estimate sediment inflow hotspots. Insurance and regulators tie incentives to practices that reduce off‑site impacts like muddy streams and dust.

FAQ

How does terrain resolution affect the LS factor and predicted hotspots?

Coarse DEMs smooth slope and understate long flow paths, reducing LS and hiding narrow but intense source areas. Fine DEMs reveal concentrated flow but require careful sink‑filling to avoid spurious channels.

Why separate susceptibility from observed erosion in monitoring?

Susceptibility highlights where erosion would occur without protection; observed loss reflects current weather and management. Comparing both shows where practices are working and where reinforcement is needed.

Which data most improve wind‑erosion susceptibility in drylands?

Surface crusting, soil texture, and fetch length, along with land cover phenology and wind climatology. Remote sensing of bare soil periods adds critical timing information.

What low‑cost interventions reduce susceptibility quickly?

Cover crops and residue retention, rock check dams in ephemeral channels, and re‑aligning field rows along contours deliver fast benefits while longer‑term terraces or agroforestry establish.