Abstract
The major uncertainty in soil erosion assessment studies is derived from LS-factor constituting slope length and slope steepness factors. Empirical soil erosion models employing different algorithms for estimation of LS-factor using raster-based digital elevation models (DEMs). Different algorithms have been adopted for LS-factor determination in soil erosion studies without proper justification for their selection according to the terrain characteristics; a few among them addressed suitability of the algorithms on hilly terrains. The present study focused on the performance of LS-factor estimation methods involving specific contributing area (SCA) method and cumulative slope length method for slope length factor and USLE, RUSLE and USPED algorithms for slope steepness factor in a gently slo** terrain. The results showed that SCA method is the best performing method in gently slo** terrain since the effect of contour length exponent get minimized since there are less influence from diagonal flow direction. The pixel-to-pixel-based slope length exponent may result in more appropriate estimation of slope length factor in gently slo** terrains. The SCA-based slope length estimation along with USLE S-factor algorithm was found to perform well under different elevation classes and slope classes in both SRTM DEM and ASTER DEM. The results from the study may be helpful in appropriate prediction of soil erosion in gently slo** terrains.
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Anjitha Krishna, P.R., Lalitha, R., Shanmugasundaram, K. et al. Assessment of Topographical Factor (LS-Factor) Estimation Procedures in a Gently Slo** Terrain. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 47, 1031–1039 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-019-00953-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-019-00953-3