Predicting, Monitoring and Evaluating Soil Erosion Over NSW Using RUSLE and Time-Series Satellite Images
In this study, hillslope erosion risk has been estimated for all New South Wales (NSW), Australia using revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. Rainfall-runoff erosivity (R) factor was spatially interpolated from meteorological rainfall-erosivity data. Soil erodibility (K) factor was based on the soil regolith stability and sediment yield classification derived from the best-available soil landscape and related soil map data. The slope length and steepness (LS) factor was calculated from high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) based on comprehensive algorithms which result in a more accurate LS factor estimate for RUSLE. We used time series of remote sensing imagery, Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to incorporate the effects of seasonally varying cover factors (C), and validated using land cover types classified from mapped land use categories. An automated program has been developed to produce RUSLE-based LS factor from DEM, and time series C factor from satellite images. The modelled erosion estimates were compared with point based field observations and results from other research, revealing acceptable outputs in both spatial and temporal contexts. The resulting erosion risk map, with pixel sizes of either 25-m or 100-m, provides unprecedented resolution of relative expected sheet and rill erosion across entire NSW. The time series soil erosion maps are at monthly and yearly temporal scale, and are useful for a range of modelling, erosion control and monitoring purposes.