
In ArcGIS, compute the R factor for a 30-meter pixel resolution using the raster calculator by dividing hectare values by 11, producing a smaller, localized R factor map.
Explore ls factor theory for slope length and steepness in soil erosion, using a digital elevation model to compute flow direction, flow accumulation, and the unified ls equation in ArcGIS.
Download the free digital elevation model for the study area, derive slope and slope length, and mosaic the eight granules to obtain flow accumulation data for RUSLE in ArcGIS.
Combine four bands into a single composite image in ArcGIS by stacking bands, assigning band order, and saving after excluding dark no-data pixels.
Convert digital elevation model slopes to percent rise, reclassify into discrete classes, and combine with land cover classification to create a multi-class map for soil erosion modeling in ArcGIS.
Assign p factor values to each class in the attribute table by editing the factor field, linking slope and land-cover classes, and visualizing the resulting p factor map.
In this course, students will learn to model soil erosion of any given study area with the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model in the most famous and widely used GIS software - ESRI ArcGIS. I will guide you through the course from what to start the RUSLE model and how to accomplish it and get a final soil erosion map of a study area.
The course is divided into 6 sections. The initial five sections refer to each parameter of the model - R (soil erosivity), K ( soil erodibility), LS (slope length), C ( land use and land cover), and P (crop management) factors and making final RUSLE modelling. No need for the field data. You just need the software and internet to execute the final map of soil erosion.
With this course, you will be able to make a spatial map of soil loss for any study area you want applying the most widely used soil erosion model in the world by soil scientists. Initial knowledge of ArcGIS and basic knowledge of geoinformatics are welcomed, but not necessary.
Besides just modelling, you will master such tools as supervised classification, NDVI map, hydrologic analysis, model builder, and some other useful tools, in case you are not familiar with them.
The course is easy to follow and accomplish. Mastering the modelling of water erosion is very helpful and in demand for specialists of a different kind, such as soil scientists, agricultural scientists, earth scientists, environmental scientists etc. Many course works as well as bachelor and master dissertations in universities include the research on soil erosion spatial modelling.