Assessing Soil Erosion Dynamics in the Bekabad district, Uzbekistan: A Remote Sensing Approach Integrating the RUSLE Model and Google Earth Engine

Abstract

Soil erosion is a critical environmental issue affecting agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. In the Bekabad district of Uzbekistan, soil erosion, primarily driven by wind and water, poses significant threats to the fertility and stability of agricultural lands. This study employs the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) framework to map and evaluate soil erosion dynamics in Bekabad district over a three-year period (2016-2018). By integrating diverse datasets, including CHIRPS precipitation data, OpenLandMap soil properties, SRTM Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, Sentinel-2 optical imagery, and MODIS land cover data, we conducted a comprehensive spatial and temporal analysis of soil erosion. The results reveal an overall increase in moderate and slight soil erosion classes, underscoring the dynamic nature of soil erosion processes in the district. These findings highlight the necessity for continuous monitoring and the implementation of effective soil conservation measures, such as vegetative cover, terracing, and contour farming, to mitigate erosion impacts and preserve soil resources.