Estimation of Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss by USLE Model for Ratnagiri District

Soil erosion is the common land degradation problem in the worldwide, and also is one of the most critical environmental hazards of recent times. A large area suffers from soil erosion, which in turn, reduces productivity. Assessment of soil erosion is expensive and intensively long exercise. A number of parametric models have been developed to forecast soil erosion, yet Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model is most widely used empirical formula for estimating annual soil loss from agricultural basins. In the present study USLE model has been used for estimation of soil loss for Ratnagiri district of Konkan region of Maharashtra. Parameters of model were estimated from available data using RS and GIS tools. The average annual predicted soil loss by USLE from Ratnagiri district was estimated as 43.61 t ha-1yr-1 before adoption of soil and water conservation measures. More than 80 percent of area from Ratnagiri district comes under severe (20-40 t ha-1yr-1) to extremely severe (>80 t hqa-1yr-1) erosion classes. This is indicate to adept soil and water conservation measures on watershed for sustainable development of soil and water. An estimated nutrient loss of N, P2O5, K2O and OC of Ratnagiri were found as 8.9 g kg-1yr-1, 0.13 g kg-1yr-1, 5.8 g kg-1yr-1 and 638.94 kg ha-1yr-1, respectively before adoption of conservation measures. It proves that urgent need of adoption of conservation measures is required.