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Erosion Risk

This dataset shows the risk of erosion around within the Greater Mekong Region, from low to high. Erosion and sedimentation by water involves the process of detachment, transport, and deposition of soil particles, driven by forces from raindrops and water flowing over the land surface. Because soil erosion is difficult to measure at large scales, soil erosion models are crucial estimation tools to extrapolate limited data to other localities and conditions. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), which predicts annual soil loss from rainfall and runoff, is the most common model used at large spatial scales due to its relatively simple structure and empirical basis. The model takes into account rainfall erosivity, topography, soil erodibility, land cover and management, and conservation practices. Because the RUSLE model was developed based on agricultural plot scale and parameterized for environmental conditions in the USA, modifications of the methods and data inputs are necessary to make the equation applicable to the globe. We estimated erosion potential based on the RUSLE model, adjusted to extend its applicability to a global scale. Conservation practices and topography information were not included in this model to calculate global erosion potential, due to data limitation and their relatively minor contribution to the variation in soil erosion at the continental to global scale compared to other factors. The result of the global model was categorized into five quantiles, corresponding to low to high erosion risks.

Data Resources (4)

Data Resource Preview - Erosion Risk

Additional Info

Field Value
Dataset topic category
  • Environment and natural resources
  • Soil management
  • Water resources
Language
  • English
Use limitations The access and use constraints for this dataset are restricted by the Global Forest Water whose terms and conditions can be found here: http://www.globalforestwatch.org/terms.
Dataset reference date September 1, 2015
GeoNames
  • Cambodia
  • Viet Nam
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Thailand
  • Myanmar
  • China
Positional Accuracy The RUSLE model was originally developed to be applicable on the agriculture plot scale and was parameterized for environmental conditions of the USA. The application of the model at a global scale may contain uncertainly and overestimation compared to available observed data, especially for tropical regions, polar climate zones, and high mountainous regions. Adjustments to the model have improved its global applicability, especially for mountainous regions, but does not eliminate bias and uncertainty of the model. The accuracy of this layer has not been assessed. The model does not account for sediment deposition or sediment transport.
Logical Consistency There are no know issues with logical consistency
Completeness There are no known issues with completeness.
Process Step The dataset was obtained from the Global Forest Watch Water site and clipped to the bounding box of the region.
Lineage World Resources Institute. "Erosion." Accessed through Global Forest Watch Water on [05/09/16]. water.globalforestwatch.org
Responsible party Global Forest Watch 10 G Street NE Suite 800, Washington, DC 20002, USA Phone +1 (202) 729-7600 Fax: +1 (202) 720 7610
License unspecified
Copyright Yes
Version 1.0
Date uploaded September 28, 2016, 07:58 (UTC)
Date modified December 30, 2016, 03:33 (UTC)