Application of SLEMSA and USLE erosion models for potential erosion hazard mapping in south-eastern nigeria
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Soil Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Acceptance date: 1997-12-29
Int. Agrophys. 1999, 13(1): 41-48
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Assessment of potential soil erosion aids in detailed farm planning and management. Two potential erosion hazard maps of Anambra and Enugu States of Nigeria were developed by the application of SLEMSA and USLE erosion models.The purpose was to ascertain which of these models is more applicable to the study area. Information was obtained from the soil map of the area, topographic map sheets of 1 : 50 000, aerial photographs, and rainfall data. In each case five erosion hazard classes were developed. For the SLEMSA the erosion hazard unit (EHU) categories are moderate (<100), moderately high (101-250), high (251-500); very high (501-1000) and extremely high (>1000). The USLE model is categorised into very slight (<50 Mg/ha/yr); slight (50-150 Mg/ha/yr); moderate (151 -500 Mg/ha/yr); severe (501-1500 Mg/ha/yr, and very seve- re (>1500 Mg/ha/yr). A combination of potential soil loss of USLE and the interception factor of SLEMSA was found to give more realistic soil loss values, although USLE model is found to reflect the actual field situations better.