Comparative study of soil erosion along the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project based on RUSLE model

Abstract

Abstract In order to probe the impact of the construction of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project on soil erosion in its buffer area and to offer support on decision which improve the surrounding soil and water environment, this paper conducts a comparative study on soil erosion in 2010 and 2015 based on the RUSLE model. The results show that: 1) the soil erosion modulus in 2010 and 2015 are both at the level of micro-erosion;2) the effect of project on erosion becomes apparent in 200-500m buffer zone of the main canal, and the most severe buffer zone is in 200-300m; 3) with the increase of buffer distance, the soil erosion modulus in 2015 fluctuates as similarly as that does in 2010.