Estimate of Soil Erosion in Jordan by Using GIS

Abstract

Abstract. Water erosion is a serious problem in semiarid and sub-humid regions of Jordan, mainly due to land mismanagement. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was used to predict the annual soil loss of a representative area of about 108 ha in Balqa district before and after constructing soil conservation structures (SCS) talk place. From soil survey reports, site information, land capability, erosion hazard, existing and future land use were then compiled in a soil base map for the area. The map consists of six themes; four of it characterizes the soil loss before and after constructing soil conservation structures (SCS), ten and twenty years later using universal soil loss equation. Before constructing SCS about 32%, 7%, 61% of total area were characterised respectively by slight, moderate and high water erosion. Twenty years after constructing SCS, and after reaching 25% tree coverage, about 58%, 34%, 8% of the total land area respectively show slight, moderate and high water erosion.