ASSESSMENT OF SOIL EROSION POTENTIAL USING RUSLE AND GIS: A CASE STUDY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Soil erosion is a significant environmental problem that causes severe consequences on the human society and economy. The Integrated Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with the Geographic Information System (GIS) have been used to assess the potential of soil erosion in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. An average of 9.88 t ha-1 year-1 of potential soil erosion was estimated in the study area, and 47.44% of the study area had an erosion rate of <2 t ha-1 year-1. The soil loss estimation of 2 to 10 t ha-1 year-1 is found in 22.92% of the territory. The estimation of soil loss of >10 t ha-1 year-1 is inherent in 29.63% of the study area. The results of this study can be used for planning of conservation practices and land-use planning, as well as a framework for evaluation of soil erosion factors in other local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the case when limited data are available.