Soil erosion risk assessment and its relationship with some environmental parameters (Case study: Vazroud watershed, Mazandaran)

Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem in Vazroud watershed, which is located in the centre of the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Unfortunately, Vazroud watershed like most Iran watersheds don’t have recorded data and erosion and sedimentation gages to research, monitor and model soil erosion at large watershed. In order to assess the soil erosion risk, soil erosion modeling at the watershed scale are urgently needed to be undertaken. This study integrated the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate soil loss and identify the risk erosion areas in the Vazroud watershed. Multi-source (map-, space- and ground-based) datasets were used to obtain factors of RUSLE, and an integrated analysis was carried out in raster format of GIS and it was classified into five categories ranging from minimal risk to extreme erosion risk. Extensive field observations verify soil erosion risk map and total accuracy (90%) obtained. The soil erosion map was linked to land use, elevation and slope maps to explore the relationship between soil erosion and environmental factors and identify the areas of soil erosion risk. The slopes between 25 to 45 degree, the altitudes between 1180 to 2180 from sea level and bare lands have the high and extreme erosion risk in this study area. The results allow decision makers to implement management strategies to prioritization area and soil erosion reduction in Vazroud watershed. The integrated approach presented is relatively easy, fast, and straightforward, showing good potential for successful application in other areas.