Geospatial Approach to Soil Erosion Mapping: Integrating RUSLE, Remote Sensing, and GIS at the Catchment Scale

Soil erosion remains a critical environmental challenge, particularly in regions where land degradation threatens agricultural productivity, water quality, and ecological stability. Among the various forms of soil erosion, water-borne erosion is especially destructive, as it not only removes fertile topsoil but also transports sediments into rivers and reservoirs, causing siltation and reduced water capacity. Effective assessment and management of soil erosion at the catchment scale is essential for sustainable land and water resource planning. The integration of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offers a robust geospatial framework for mapping, analyzing, and mitigating soil erosion.