GIS model for potential soil erosion with the optimization of RUSLE equation. Case of study: olive oil PDO in Aragón and Andalucía Regions (Spain)

Abstract

Among all the indicators developed in the GIS project Extersial II, soil erosion is a key factor. RUSLE equation (Renard et al., 1997) is used to estimate potential soil erosion, and it requires the calculation of three factors: R, K and LS. The steps to determine all of them are set, encountering difficulties in the calculation of LS factor. In order to develop a consistent calculation method for it, some equations (McCool et al., 1989) (Renard et al., 1997) are customized. Furthermore, procedures to estimate the different involved parameters (slope length, m coefficient) are developed, and also some considerations related to the hydrological network and water bodies. All this is used to estimate potential soil erosion, and results are compared with the ones from another GIS method.