Author(s)

A. Laas & A. Kull

Abstract

Application of GIs for soil erosion and nutrient loss modelling in a small river catchment A. Laas & A. Kull University of Tartu, Institute of Geography, Estonia Abstract This paper aims to describe and compare different possibilities to model soil loss in Sipe River catchment (8.87 krn2) based on GIs (Geographical Information Systems) application and principles of USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. The Sipe River catchment is situated in Northern Europe in South Estonia. Different methods and equations were used to calculate USLE factors and soil loss. Nutrient losses are partly determined by the erosion process, an especially strong correlation is found between soil loss and phosphorus runoff. A significant part of nitrogen lies in topsoil and therefore besides leaching erosion also has a major mfluence on organic nitrogen loss. Nutrient loss due to erosion leads to lowered soil fertility rate and eutrophication of streams and lakes. Calculated erosion amounts in Sipe catchment reache

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