Estimation of Slope Length Value of RUSLE Factor Using GIS
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 15, Issue 9
Abstract
The universal soil loss equation (USLE) and its main derivate, revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), have been used all over the world to estimate the soil loss. Specific effects of topography over soil erosion are estimated through the factor as the product of slope length factor and slope steepness factor . New procedures, based on geographic information systems (GIS), have been developed to estimate the slope length in hydrographic basins. Slope length is defined as the distance from the point of origin of overland flow to the point where either the slope gradient decreases enough that deposition begins, or runoff water enters a well-defined channel. The purpose of this research was to compare two methodologies based on GIS, Hickey and Sextante, for obtaining the slope length value . Both methodologies make a valid slope length concept interpretation; nevertheless, the Hickey method was specifically made for slope length calculation, as it incorporates a variable cut-off slope angle that improves the detection of the beginning and the end of each slope length .
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© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 4, 2009
Accepted: Feb 1, 2010
Published online: Aug 13, 2010
Published in print: Sep 2010
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