Spatial assessment of soil erosion in a hilly watershed of Western Nepal

Chalise, Devraj; Kumar, Lalit; Shriwastav, Chandeshwar Prasad; Lamichhane, Sushil

doi:10.1007/s12665-018-7842-3

Cited by 48 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Erosion plots, here, include both the maize planting and bare fields, and erosion estimates were the average of the soil loss from them. Measured erosion rates were also within the range of the other studies conducted in different parts of Nepal [54,[62][63][64][65][66].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…where s is the slope in per cent. The C factor represents the impacts of cropping and related management practices on the erosion severity of a place [29,54], whereas the P factor is defined as the ratio of soil loss with particular support practice to the loss with row cultivation upslope and downslope [26]. The C and P values were assigned as per the land uses [26,55,56] (Table 3).…”

Section: Rusle Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Estimation of Sediment Yield and Maximum Outflow Using the IntErO Model in the Sarada River Basin of Nepal

Chalise

Kumar

Spalević

et al. 2019

Water

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Soil erosion is a severe environmental problem worldwide as it washes away the fertile topsoil and reduces agricultural production. Nepal, being a hilly country, has significant erosion disputes as well. It is important to cognise the soil erosion processes occurring in a river basin to manage the erosion severity and plan for better soil conservation programs. This paper seeks to calculate the sediment yield and maximum outflow from the Sarada river basin located in the western hills of Nepal using the computer-graphic Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model. Asymmetry coefficient of 0.63 was calculated, which suggests a possibility of large floods to come in the river basin in the future whereas the maximum outflow from the river basin was 1918 m³ s−1. An erosion coefficient value of 0.40 was obtained, which indicates surface erosion of medium strength prevails in the river basin. Similarly, the gross soil loss rate of 10.74 Mg ha−1 year−1 was obtained with the IntErO modeling which compares well with the soil loss from the erosion plot measurements. The IntErO model was used for the very first time to calculate soil erosion rates in the Nepalese hills and has a very good opportunity to be applied in similar river basins.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Rusle Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Sediment Yield and Maximum Outflow Using the IntErO Model in the Sarada River Basin of Nepal

Chalise

Kumar

Spalević

et al. 2019

Water

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In another soil erosion study undertaken in the Koshi basin of Nepal, soil loss of up to 22 t ha −1 year −1 in the barren lands were reported [10]. Mean soil loss rate of 11.17 t ha −1 year −1 was estimated in the Aringale Khola watershed of Nepal which indicated a major part of the watershed was degraded [11]. Variation in topography, land-use land cover changes, unequal distribution of rainfall, and varying demography across the country produce different rates of soil erosion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Land Degradation by Soil Erosion in Nepal: A Review

2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Land degradation, particularly soil erosion, is currently a major challenge for Nepal. With a high rate of population growth, subsistence-based rural economy, and increasingly intense rainfall events in the monsoon season, Nepal is prone to several forms of land degradation, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion. To understand the causes, impacts, and possible management options for soil erosion, a review on the causal factors, status, and amelioration measures for land degradation in Nepal was conducted based on recent information available in national and international journals and grey literature. Intense rainfall and conventional tillage practices coupled with poor soil structure and steep slopes are the main drivers of soil erosion. Soil erosion leads to losses in soil and crop productivity, pollution of land and water resources, and a loss of farm income. Strategies to manage erosion include mulching, cover cropping, contour farming, strip cropping, and conservation agriculture practices, along with bioengineering techniques. Land degradation issues are a prime policy focus in Nepal, including national three- and five-year plans. However, these policies have been generally ineffective in reducing soil erosion, landslides, and floods in relation to the set targets. Realistic plans need to be formulated in Nepal focusing more on capacity enhancement and local participation to actively influence land-degradation processes.

show abstract

“…Variation in topography, slope, land use patterns and population pressure across different physiographic regions produces different rates of soil erosion in Nepal, ranging from zero in the lowland areas to 420 t/ha/year in the shrublands [10]. Soil erosion rates of 11.17 and 10.74 t/ha/year have been reported in the Aringale Khola Watershed and Sarada river basin, respectively in the Siwalik Hills [11,12]. Erosion due to natural causes is the a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 highest in Nepal, but there have been significant impacts of human influence as well on soil erosion [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The contributions of these river basins in terms of various ecological and environmental functions are manifold. Poor land use management practices coupled with undulant topography and much erratic rainfall events are the primary drivers of soil erosion in the study area [12,28]. Farmers in the region are experiencing reduced agricultural productivity owing to the loss of fertile topsoil [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land use change affects water erosion in the Nepal Himalayas

Chalise

Kumar

2020

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Soil erosion is a global environmental threat, and Land Use Land Cover Changes (LUCC) have significant impacts on it. Nepal, being a mountainous country, has significant soil erosion issues. To examine the effects of LUCC on water erosion, we studied the LUCC in Sarada, Rapti and Thuli Bheri river basins of Nepal during the 1995-2015 period using the Remote Sensing. We calculated the average annual soil loss using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation and Geographical Information System. Our results suggest that an increase in the agricultural lands at the expense of bare lands and forests escalated the soil erosion through the years; rates being 5.35, 5.47 and 6.03 t/ha/year in 1995, 2007 and 2015, respectively. Of the different land uses, agricultural land experienced the most erosion, whereas the forests experienced the least erosion. Agricultural lands, particularly those on the steeper slopes, were severely degraded and needed urgent soil and water conservation measures. Our study confirms that the long term LUCC has considerable impacts on soil loss, and these results can be implemented in similar river basins in other parts of the country.

show abstract

Spatial assessment of soil erosion in a hilly watershed of Western Nepal

Cited by 48 publications

References 33 publications

Estimation of Sediment Yield and Maximum Outflow Using the IntErO Model in the Sarada River Basin of Nepal

Estimation of Sediment Yield and Maximum Outflow Using the IntErO Model in the Sarada River Basin of Nepal

Land Degradation by Soil Erosion in Nepal: A Review

Land use change affects water erosion in the Nepal Himalayas

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About