IMPACT OF THE LS-FACTOR ESTIMATION METHODS ON MEAN ANNUAL SOIL LOSS

Received: 8th November 2023 Revised: 04th December 2023, 26th December 2023, 02nd January 2023 Accepted: 15th November 2023

Authors

  • Christopher Uche Ezeh WASCAL Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Kwasi Preko Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Kwaku Adjei Department of Civil Engineering, Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre (RWESCK), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Ogbonnaya Igwe Department of Geology, Faculty of the Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka
  • Sarah Schönbrodt-Stitt Department of Remote Sensing, Institute of Geography and Geology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
  • Mensah Yaw Asare Department of Geomatic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Romanus Ayadiuno Department of Geography, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2024.9.5161

Keywords:

Soil Erosion, Soil Loss, LS-Factor, RUSLE, Nigeria, Slope

Abstract

Soil erosion was assessed in Anambra State using three different LS factor estimation methods. It showed that soil loss from the LS factor based on the slope in percent gives a good result with little underestimation with a PBIAS of -9.04 % while that based on slopes in radians performed best with a slight overestimation with a PBIAS of 2.81 %. The one based on degrees’ slope performed the least with a high underestimation with a PBIAS of -46.43 %. The result from field measurement yielded 27.76 t ha-1yr-1. The coefficient of variations was 241.47 %, 192.01 %, and 157.97 %, respectively, for slope in percent, radians and degree. Soil erosion is a highly variable phenomenon which was reflected by the high coefficient of variations. It shows that modelling soil erosion in the State with the LS factor estimation based on slopes in radians and percent yields better results. We believe this finding will be useful to authorities and scientists interested in soil erosion studies in the State. It is recommended that a similar study be extended to other terrains with moderate slopes.

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Published

2024-06-15

How to Cite

Christopher Uche Ezeh, Kwasi Preko, Kwaku Adjei, Ogbonnaya Igwe, Sarah Schönbrodt-Stitt, Mensah Yaw Asare, & Romanus Ayadiuno. (2024). IMPACT OF THE LS-FACTOR ESTIMATION METHODS ON MEAN ANNUAL SOIL LOSS: Received: 8th November 2023 Revised: 04th December 2023, 26th December 2023, 02nd January 2023 Accepted: 15th November 2023. LIFE: International Journal of Health and Life-Sciences, 9, 51–61. https://doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2024.9.5161

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