Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ADVANCEMENT IN ERODIBILITY ESTIMATION AND THEMATIC MAPPING FOR SOILS OF KONKAN

Sachin Nandgude, Sneha Thawakar, Dilip Mahale, Sangita Shinde and Shwetambari Palkar

Abstract

Hilly coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra state is bestowed by world recognized by unique biodiversity. Soil erosion is detachment, transportation and deposition of soil particles. The erodibility is influenced by various soil characteristics mainly soil texture, structure, permeability, organic matter content. In one of the model “Soil-Plant-Air-Water” (SPAW) is useful for calculating the values of textural class and hydraulic conductivity. Majority of soils were sandy clay loam type of Sindhudurg district, loam type of Ratnagiri district, sandy loam type of Raigad district and clay loam type of Thane district. Permeability of Konkan region was varied from 0.25 to 25 cm/hr and in rare case it is >25 cm/hr. The erodibility of soil (K) values were ranged from 0.12 to 0.41 with the mean value of 0.32 of district Sindhudurg, 0.26 to 0.48 with the mean value of 0.36 of district Ratnagiri, 0.24 to 0.64 with the mean value of 0.40 of district Raigad and 0.11 to 0.51 with the mean values of 0.30 of district Thane. It was also observed that erodibility is inversely linked to the organic matter content of soil. This study is required because eroded soil subsequently becomes sediment, creating the potential for water degradation.