Web-Based GIS Application for Soil Erosion Prediction

Abstract

Soil erosion is a worldwide environmental problem that degrades soil productivity and water quality, causessedimentation and increases the probability of floods. Erosion control requires a quantitative and qualitativeevaluation of potential soil erosion on a specific site, and the knowledge of terrain information, soils, croppingsystem and management practices. Revised Universal Soil Erosion Equation (RUSLE) is widely used to estimatesoil erosion. This study has developed an interactive web-based approach to use RUSLE and geographicalinformation system (GIS) to predict soil erosion. The on-line RUSLE web site has a user-friendly interface. Userscan get access to the website and use the drop-down menus to define the inputs and get the calculated resultsquickly. A user can run different what-if scenarios and compare the impacts of different terrain, crops, soils andmanagement on soil erosion. It will help implement the best management practices for erosion control. Inaddition, the web site has capability to generate an erosion index map. The map is generated from Arc/Info GISand can be displayed on the web browser. It also allows users to inquiry the terrain information for the study areathrough the Internet Map Server. The on-line RUSLE web site provides a good tool for soil conservationists, cropconsultants, extension agents as well as environmental educators. The framework/interface developed in thisstudy is useful to many other applications.