Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia
Soil erosion by water has become a serious problem in Pacific Islands mainly due to the tropical natural conditions and to the progressive and continuous human pressure (agricultural practices, bush fires, mining activity…). In the current study, an effort to predict potential annual soil loss has b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pazifische Studien e.V.
2015-09-01
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| Series: | Pacific Geographies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.pacific-geographies.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/PG44_Dumas.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818068039178911744 |
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| author | Dumas, Pascal |
| author_facet | Dumas, Pascal |
| author_sort | Dumas, Pascal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Soil erosion by water has become a serious problem in Pacific Islands mainly due to the tropical natural conditions and to the progressive and continuous human pressure (agricultural practices, bush fires, mining activity…). In the current study, an effort to predict potential annual soil loss has been conducted in Tahiti Iti island in French Polynesia. For the prediction, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) has been applied in a Geographical Information System framework. RUSLE-factor maps were made. The R-factor was determined from the average annual rainfall data. The K-factor was estimated using soil map available and granulometric analysis of samples of soils. The LS-factor was calculated from a 5 meters digital elevation model. The C-factor was calculated using remote sensing techniques and particularly supervised classification methods based on SPOT 5 satellite images. The P-factor in absence of data was set to 1. The mean annual soil loss predicted by the model is 2.4 t/ha/yr. The results show that some 85% of the region of interest has a potential erosion rate of less than 5 t/ha/yr but an extended part of the area is undergoing severe erosion with a potential soil loss up to 50 t/ha/yr, demanding the attention of local land managers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T15:33:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf6be4e3967c45fa8b4fe69a15c32735 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2196-1468 2199-9104 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T15:33:14Z |
| publishDate | 2015-09-01 |
| publisher | Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pazifische Studien e.V. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pacific Geographies |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf6be4e3967c45fa8b4fe69a15c327352022-12-22T01:43:20ZengArbeitsgemeinschaft für Pazifische Studien e.V.Pacific Geographies2196-14682199-91042015-09-012444410Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French PolynesiaDumas, Pascal0EA 4242 - Centre of New Pacific Studies (CNEP), University of New CaledoniaSoil erosion by water has become a serious problem in Pacific Islands mainly due to the tropical natural conditions and to the progressive and continuous human pressure (agricultural practices, bush fires, mining activity…). In the current study, an effort to predict potential annual soil loss has been conducted in Tahiti Iti island in French Polynesia. For the prediction, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) has been applied in a Geographical Information System framework. RUSLE-factor maps were made. The R-factor was determined from the average annual rainfall data. The K-factor was estimated using soil map available and granulometric analysis of samples of soils. The LS-factor was calculated from a 5 meters digital elevation model. The C-factor was calculated using remote sensing techniques and particularly supervised classification methods based on SPOT 5 satellite images. The P-factor in absence of data was set to 1. The mean annual soil loss predicted by the model is 2.4 t/ha/yr. The results show that some 85% of the region of interest has a potential erosion rate of less than 5 t/ha/yr but an extended part of the area is undergoing severe erosion with a potential soil loss up to 50 t/ha/yr, demanding the attention of local land managers.http://www.pacific-geographies.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/PG44_Dumas.pdfSoil erosionRevised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)Geographic Information System (GIS)Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)Tahiti |
| spellingShingle | Dumas, Pascal Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia Pacific Geographies Soil erosion Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Geographic Information System (GIS) Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Tahiti |
| title | Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia |
| title_full | Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia |
| title_fullStr | Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia |
| title_short | Predicting Potential Soil Loss in Pacific Islands: Example in Tahiti Iti – French Polynesia |
| title_sort | predicting potential soil loss in pacific islands example in tahiti iti french polynesia |
| topic | Soil erosion Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Geographic Information System (GIS) Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Tahiti |
| url | http://www.pacific-geographies.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/PG44_Dumas.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dumaspascal predictingpotentialsoillossinpacificislandsexampleintahitiitifrenchpolynesia |