Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) for the modeling of warm season soil loss in eastern Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Soil loss in eastern Ontario is of great concern. The objective of this study is to map soil loss risk in Eastern Ontario for 2001. The universal soil loss equation (LISLE), the universal soil loss equation 2 dimensions (USLE2D), and the unit stream power erosion deposition (LISPED) models are applied within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to calculate soil loss within agricultural fields. Hourly precipitation, soil survey, digital elevation, field boundary, and satellite imagery data are main inputs used to generate model parameters at non-depositional areas. These datasets are integrated to compute mean annual and monthly soil loss at multiple scales. For precision agriculture purposes, results are given as a number of high precision, high accuracy soil loss grids and associated summary tables under a variety of farming practices and erosion processes. Results indicate that: (1) soil loss is occurring at intolerable levels (>6 t ha-1 yr -1) in the region, particularly in the southeastern study region, (2) slope steepness followed by the cropping and management factor affect soil loss to the greatest extent, and (3) under no tillage systems, a considerable amount of soil is lost at intolerable levels in high slope areas. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)