Abstract
To guarantee the sustainability of South African nature reserves, there is a need to pay attention to the threats faced by soils in nature reserves. Soil, which makes up part of the natural environment, needs to be protected. Given these environmental management concerns, this study aimed at quantifying the amount of soil loss and maps the soil erosion potential risk in one of the South African nature reserves – Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.
In order to achieve this, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was used. The RUSLE model preparation, data management, evaluation of result and its visualization were carried out using the software ArcGIS 10.1. RUSLE parameters were integrated and evaluated in the ArcGIS 10.1 environment using a raster calculator in order to estimate the annual soil loss within the KNR. This study recorded the final quantitative RUSLE values by showing the potential annual soil loss with a minimum and maximum value of 0 and 206tons ha-1 year-1 respectively, and a potential mean soil loss of 6tons ha-1 year-1 over the studied period. The outcome of this study reveals that the risk of soil losses in the KNR ranged from low to high over the studied period. This study further demonstrates that remote sensing can be used successfully to quantify soil erosion in the KNR by revealing the critical areas of its occurrence.
M.Sc. (Environmental Management)