Assessment of Soil Erosion Using Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing Data in Thailand

Abstract

Soil is an important natural resource for ecosystems and agricultural productivity. In Thailand, soil erosion poses a significant threat to soil fertility, necessitating comprehensive assessments for future prevention and management planning. This study aims to analyze and predict soil loss in Thailand by applying the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The methodology involves analyzing five factors: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), crop management (C), and conservation practices (P), and the result were used to create a map of soil erosion. The results showed that average soil erosion rate in Thailand approximately 13.86 tons/rai/year, which high-risk areas for soil loss are primarily concentrated in the northern and southern mountains, mainly due to steep topography, which is the dominant factor influence on soil erosion. Conversely, low-risk areas are predominantly located in the northeastern region, characterized by high plains with relatively flat terrain. This assessment of soil loss trends is critical for developing effective policies to conserve and manage soil resources in Thailand.