Modelled Hillslope Erosion over New South Wales

Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Soil erosion by water includes sheet and rill erosion (also referred to as hillslope erosion) is a major form of land degradation in NSW landscapes. Hillslope erosion was calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) which estimates soil loss (t ha-1 yr-1) by runoff. Rainfall-runoff erosivity (R) factor (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1 yr-1) in RUSLE was estimated using a daily rainfall erosivity modelling for NSW and long-term rainfall records (Yang and Yu 2015). The soil erodibility (K) factor (t ha h ha-1 MJ-1 mm-1) was estimated from digital soil mapping products and soil profile data (Yang et al 2017). Slope length and steepness (LS, unitless) factor was calculated, on catchment basis, from hydrologically corrected digital elevation model (SRTM DEM-H) based on comprehensive algorithms considering cumulative overland flow length (Yang 2015). The time series groundcover products (the latest version, V310) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to estimate groundcover and RUSLE cover and management (C, unitless) factor (Yang 2014). Time-series hillslope erosion datasets and maps were produced on monthly and annual bases from 2000 to present. The state and trends of hillslope erosion across New South Wales are summarised in Yang (2020). The relevant references are below: 1. Yang, X., Gray, J., Chapman, C., Zhu, Q., Tulau M., McInnes-Clarke, S. (2017). Digital mapping of soil erodibility for water erosion in New South Wales, Australia. Soil Research. 56(2), 158-170. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR17058. 2. Yang X (2015) Digital mapping of RUSLE slope length and steepness factor across New South Wales. Soil Research 53, 216-225. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR14208. 3. Yang X, Yu B (2015) Modelling and mapping rainfall erosivity in New South Wales, Australia. Soil Research. 53, 178-189. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR14188. 4. Yang X (2014) Deriving RUSLE cover factor from time-series fractional vegetation cover for soil erosion risk monitoring in New South Wales. Soil Research 52, 253-261. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13297. 5. Yang X (2020) State and trends of hillslope erosion across New South Wales, Australia. Catena 186, 104361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104361.

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Title Modelled Hillslope Erosion over New South Wales
Date Published 05/09/2018
Last Updated 02/02/2022
Publisher/Agency Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Licence Creative Commons Attribution
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