ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessment of Soil Erosion Rates Using Revised
Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
and GIS in Bačka (Serbia)
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1
University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Geography,
Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
2
University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management,
Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Submission date: 2021-01-20
Final revision date: 2021-03-28
Acceptance date: 2021-04-08
Online publication date: 2021-09-01
Publication date: 2021-10-01
Corresponding author
Dušan Ristić
Geography, University in Priština – Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty of Sciences, Lole Ribara 29, 38220, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(6):5175-5184
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ABSTRACT
Soil erosion assessment enables the identification of manifested soil erosion categories, their spatial
distribution and the relationship between soil erosion and land use patterns. The integrated approach
of the RUSLE method and GIS tools was used in estimating soil erosion rates in Bačka (Serbia).
Previous research of soil erosion intensity in the study area was last performed 50 years ago. The spatial
distribution of the calculated erosive factors shows the diversity of erosive conditions. The results
indicate that the average annual soil loss is from 0 to 28.6 t ha-1 yr-1. The soil erosion is particularly
pronounced in the area of the Titel loess plateau (up to 28.6 t ha-1 yr-1). The results indicate the diversity
of the erosion rates depending on the land use. Multiple correlation indicates that the LS factor has the
largest effect on erosion (correlation coefficient 1). The results in this paper can be used in planning
future conservation measures, especially if the recent field measurements of soil erosion are added. This
research is also important since the RUSLE method represents a new approach in determining the soil
erosion intensity.