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GIS-Based Soil Erosion Risk Assessment in the Watersheds of Bukidnon, Philippines Using the RUSLE Model

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  • Indie G. Dapin

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag 8710, Philippines
    Land and Water Resources Engineering Division, Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Philippines)

  • Victor B. Ella

    (Land and Water Resources Engineering Division, Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Philippines)

Abstract

The sustainability of watersheds for supplying water and for carbon sequestration and other environmental services depends to a large extent on their susceptibility to soil erosion, particularly under changing climate. This study aimed to assess the risk of soil erosion in the watersheds in Bukidnon, Philippines, determine the spatial distribution of soil loss based on recent land cover maps, and predict soil loss under various rainfall scenarios based on recently reported climate change projections. The soil erosion risk assessment and soil loss prediction made use of GIS and the RUSLE model, while the rainfall scenarios were formulated based on PAGASA’s prediction of drier years for Bukidnon in the early-future to late-future. Results showed that a general increase in soil loss was observed in 2015, over the period from 2010 to 2020, although some watershed clusters also showed a declining trend of soil erosion, particularly the Agusan-Cugman and Maridugao watershed clusters. Nearly 60% of Bukidnon has high to very severe soil loss rates. Under extreme rainfall change scenario with 12.61% less annual rainfall, the soil loss changes were only +1.37% and −2.87% in the category of none-to-slight and very severe, respectively. Results showed that a decrease in rainfall would have little effect on resolving the excessive soil erosion problem in Bukidnon. Results of this study suggest that having more vegetative land cover and employing soil conservation measures may prove to be effective in minimizing the risk of soil erosion in the watersheds. This study provides valuable information to enhance the sustainability of the watersheds. The erosion-prone areas identified will help decision-makers identify priority areas for soil conservation and environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Indie G. Dapin & Victor B. Ella, 2023. "GIS-Based Soil Erosion Risk Assessment in the Watersheds of Bukidnon, Philippines Using the RUSLE Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3325-:d:1065277
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. David, Wilfredo P., 1988. "Soil and Water Conservation Planning: Policy Issues and Recommendations," Philippine Journal of Development JPD 1988 Vol. XV No. 1-c, Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
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    4. Maria Michalopoulou & Nikolaos Depountis & Konstantinos Nikolakopoulos & Vasileios Boumpoulis, 2022. "The Significance of Digital Elevation Models in the Calculation of LS Factor and Soil Erosion," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-36, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio Ganga & Mario Elia & Blaž Repe, 2023. "Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in Soil Environment Monitoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-2, September.

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