INTEGRATION OF GIS AND REMOTE SENSING WITH THE USLE MODEL IN THE ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL SOIL LOSS AND SEDIMENT INPUT OF ZINAV LAKE BASIN IN TURKEY

Abstract

The effects of annual soil loss on Zinav Lake Basin located in Tokat Province of Turkey were researched. The annual soil loss of the study area was modelled and mapped by using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). Employing the USLE model, precipitation (R), the degree of slope and length of slope (L and S), soil erodibility (K), vegetation cover-land use (C), and soil conservation (P) factors were separately calculated and transformed to raster maps in GIS environment. Then, all produced factor map layers were multiplied each other to develop an annual soil loss raster map. Annual sediment input was calculated by utilizing Roehl sediment delivery ratio and developed annual soil loss raster map. The mean annual soil loss of the study area was determined as 0.037 t.ha(-1) year(-1). Erosion risk classes of the study area were determined according to European Environment Information and Observation Network for Soil (EIO-NET-SOIL) Erosion Map, and summarized as five classes including the 0-0.5, 0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0, 2.0-5.0 and 5.0-7.1 tha(-1)year(-1) I intervals. Sediment delivery ratio and mean annual sediment input were determined as 44.67% and 0.181 tha(-1)year(-1), respectively.