Soil erosion hazard assessment using the RUSLE model for the Taung Watershed of Ramotswa Agricultural District in Botswana

Motshereganyi Sylvester Moesi, Benedict Kayombo *, Rejoice Tsheko and Emmanuel Setlhabi

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana.
 
Research Article
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2023.9.1.0129
 
Publication history: 
Received on 19 March 2023; revised on 03 May 2023; accepted on 06 May 2023
 
Abstract: 
The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model integrated with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was positively validated to spatially assess soil erosion risk in the Taung Watershed of Ramotswa Agricultural District during the period 2000 – 2020. The estimated annual soil erosion averaged 12.04 and 12.74 t/ha/year in 2000 and 2020, respectively. The Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) and soil type were found to be key determinants of high soil erosion hazard when using RUSLE. The soil erosion assessment tools enabled prioritization of high erosion prone areas in the study area for soil conservation planning and watershed management.
 
Keywords: 
Taung watershed; Soil erosion hazard; RUSLE; RS; GIS
 
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