Assessment of Soil and Sediment Loss in the Ken River Basin, Central India, Using RUSLE and InVEST SDR Models

Abstract

Assessing soil and sediment loss are the main aims of the paper using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the InVEST SDR models in the Ken River Basin (KRB). The annual soil loss varied from few-ton/hectare/year to 1630.5. The high erosion susceptibility was prevalent in the elevated area and low soil erosion severity was seen in the low-lying plains of the middle and lower reaches. The maximum sediment export (430.16-ton/hectare/year) was noticed in the hills of the Vindhyans, Bundelkhand, and Deccan traps. Contrary to this the low sediment transport was observed in the flat alluvium plains. The conservation practices are slightly more effective in the KRB. Its crop cover reduces the impact of rain's kinetic energy, increase recharge, and mitigates soil erosion. These research output may be helpful to planners in minimizing soil and sediment loss and in enhancing the soil conservation and agricultural productivity.