GIS-based revised universal soil loss equation for estimating annual soil erosion: a case of lower Kulsi basin, India

Abstract Assessment and estimation of soil loss is a fundamental aspect land water resource conservation management practices as it provides necessary information in the course watershed-level development region. The model Wischmeier Smith, popularly known Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, was selected to estimate lower Kulsi river basin due its simplicity, versatility, flexibility nature method Geographic system platform. Most original governmental datasets, mainly daily gauge rainfall from 2009 2018, satellite images for use cover, digital elevation Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission topographic factor, National Bureau Survey Land-use Planning, India map were utilized average annual erosion. estimated erosion ranges 0.0 6.45 thousand t ha −1 y , grouped into low, moderate, high, very high risk A area 36.235 km 2 (1.85%) identified zones needed immediate measures reduce risk.