Producing Erosion Risk Map Using Remote Sensing Techniques and RUSLE Method in Halfalı Stream Watershed of Kahramanmaras

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to determine the potential erosion risk condition of the area using remote sensing techniques and RUSLE method in Halfalı Stream Catchment, which is 25 km away from Kahramanmaras province. With the purpose of applying this method, rainfall erosivitiy index (R) has been generated by means of modified fournier index (MFI). Soil erodibility factor (K) has been produced using Inverse Distance Weighted technique and soil sample obtained from study area. Slope length and slope steepness factor (LS) has been created by the help of digital terrain elevation model. Vegetation management factor (C) has been generated using remote sensing techniques. Whole factors obtained have been overlapped in Geographic Information System (GIS) and soil loss belonging to study area has been determined using raster calculator command within map algebra module. Erosion risk map has been produced, and has been divided into 5 classes. According to potential erosion risk map obtained, 60.35 % of area has been subject to very low erosion risk, while 2.60%, 6.08%, 10.37% and 20.60% has been subject to low, medium, high and very high erosion risk, respectively. Keywords: