EVALUATION OF SOIL LOSS ACROSS LAND USE TYPES IN NORTHERN VIETNAM, A CASE STUDY OF TAY CON LINH MOUNTAIN

Abstract

Deforestation and farming offer two of the most serious risks to soil erosion (SER), water degradation, and desertification... Based on the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) proposed by Wischmeier and Smith, the paper aims to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate the risk of SER in the Tay Con Linh mountain area in Vietnam. Maps of the environmental parameters and the resulting erosion risk were also proposed. The study has discovered that the kind of vegetation in the area was the primary factor in SER. It was concerned with farming methods relevant to steep topography. Studies have demonstrated that the vegetation type in this region is a key determinant of severe erosion. To validate the methodology, Google Earth images of locations identified as prone to erosion were analyzed based on strict criteria. The model demonstrated an efficiency rate of 88.5%. According to the Vietnamese standard TCVN 5299:2009, the levels of erosion in the study area are quite complex but classified as medium risk, with many regions exhibiting R-I level conditions (93.51% soil loss of 10 tons per hectare per year). The study established correlations between the degree of erosion and the amount of vegetation cover, emphasizing the impact of land use on soil erosion rates. This assessment of soil erosion not only aids land users in making informed decisions regarding land use and ecosystem conservation but also provides scientific criteria that complement traditional farmers' knowledge.