Remote sensing Application in Determination of Land Use Management Factors of the USLE
Comments and Discussions
The observation carried out using he remote sensing image has a resolution of 30 meters which means that each pixel inside the image will represent and area of 30 m x 30 m on site. Although this image will give a better accuracy compared to land use maps, the roads and other buildings with a width of less than 30 meters would not be identified. Further studies using a better resolution image could be carried out to give a better representation of the various CP factors in future. However , this study highlights some of the important land uses at various locations in Cameron highlands and gives some indication about the possibility of reducing any further erosion risk /loss that will occur in time to come based on the CP factor of the USLE.
Table 3. Ranking for land use management factor C an P ( Residential image for the respective 11 location in Cameron highlands
| Rank |
Location |
Area (Hectares ) |
% image |
| 1 |
Ringlet |
0.46 |
5.39 |
| 2 |
Kuala Terla |
0.46 |
0.34 |
| 3 |
Ldg.sg.Palas |
0.44 |
0.15 |
| 4 |
Tringkap |
0.42 |
4.87 |
| 5 |
Ldg.The Boh |
0.26 |
3.00 |
| 6 |
Brinchang |
0.26 |
3.00 |
| 7 |
Tanah Rata |
0.25 |
2.90 |
| 8 |
Gunung Brinchang |
0.24 |
2.78 |
| 9 |
Kg. Raja |
0.24 |
2.76 |
| 10 |
Blue valley |
0.18 |
2.13 |
| 11 |
Sg. Ikan |
0.15 |
1.71 |
Table 4. Ranking of CP factor for 11 locations in Cameron Highlands with their respective zoning with in 5 km radius
| Rank |
Location |
CP factor |
| 1 |
Ringlet |
0.0875 |
| 2 |
Kuala Terla |
0.0830 |
| 3 |
Ldg.sg.Palas |
0.0795 |
| 4 |
Tringkap |
0.0763 |
| 5 |
Ldg.The Boh |
0.0762 |
| 6 |
Gunung Brinchang |
0.0543 |
| 7 |
Brinchang |
0.0540 |
| 8 |
Tanah Rata |
0.0504 |
| 9 |
Kg. Raja |
0.0501 |
| 10 |
Blue valley |
0.0471 |
| 11 |
Sg. Ikan |
0.0355 |
Conclusion
From the analysis carried out, it has been found out that the Ringlet location has the highest erosion risk/loss based on the CP factor of the USLE with a value of 0.0875. this is well supported and justified by the fact that this location recorded the highest ranking for residential (5.39%) and construction (2.07%) area compared to the other locations.
Conversely, the location at Sg. Ikan has the highest reduction in the amount of soil erosion loss as well as the lowest erosion risk as the CP factor recorded a value of 0.0355. this is also well supported and justified by the fact that this location has the largest area covered with forest (84.21%0 which indicated that this area has yet to be developed and therefore the erosion risk/loss is less. For the other land uses, Sg. Ikan recorded the lowest value for residential (1.71%) and construction (0.73%) areas which justifies the results obtained.
With a knowledge of the ranking of the ranking of the CP factor at various locations in Caneron Highlands, development of any new projects can be well planned and decided in ensuring a quality environment.
Finally, further improvements by using a better resolution image should be carried out in order t give the best representation of the land uses in Cameron Highlands and liaison with the State Government to implement stricter laws in developing a particular area seen to be necessary so as the ensure sound and sustainable development in future.
References:
-
Roslan ,Z.A.(1993) Environmental Assw3ssment on Soil Erosion Using USLE model in technical Workshop on hydrological research in a changing environment in sub humid and humid tropical areas (15-18 June 1993),Bangi, Selangor, MALAYSIA
-
Roslan, Z.A. and Tew, K.H. 91995) Erosion study in Cameron Highlands in Malaysian science and technology Congress (22-25 August 1995), Perdanasiswa Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
-
Soong, N.L.(1980) Soil Erosion and Conservation in Malaysia, Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA .
-
Wischmeier, W.H., and Smith, D.D. (1978) Predicting rainfall erosion losses-a guide to conservation planning, UDSA, Agriculture Handbook No .537, USA.
Appendix
Sample Calculation of Land use Management Factor C and P of the USLE for Ringlet Location with its Respective Zoning Withing Within 5 Km Radius in Cameron Highlands
Location Ringlet (Zone 1)
| No. |
Land use management |
% image (1) |
CP factor from Table 1(2) |
CP factor (1) X(2) |
| 1 |
Water body |
0.34 |
- |
- |
| 2 |
Forest |
62.06 |
0.003 |
0.0019 |
| 3 |
Rangeland |
9.43 |
0.229 |
0.0216 |
| 4 |
Cropland |
12.27 |
0.350 |
0.0429 |
| 5 |
Grassland |
5.10 |
0.003 |
0.0002 |
| 6 |
Impervious |
2.37 |
0.005 |
0.0001 |
| 7 |
Residential |
5.39 |
0.003 |
0.0001 |
| 8 |
Construction |
2.07 |
1.000 |
0.0207 |
| 9 |
Unclassified |
0.97 |
- |
- |
| |
TOTAL |
100.00 |
|
0.0875 |
Weighted CP factor,
[(0.003)x62.06%]+[(0.229)x 9.43%]+[(0.350)x12.27%] +[(0.003)x 5.10%] +
[(0.005)x2.37%] +[ (0.003)x 5.39%]+[(1.000)x 2.07%] =
0.0875
