Spatial Information Technology coupled with Universal Soil Loss Equation has proved to be an effective tool in the assessment of Soil erosion from an area. Soil, which is the primary resource of any Protected Area, needs to be conserved for its scientific management. Shendurney Wildlife sanctuary, one of the most biodiversity rich areas in the Western Ghats is endowed with a multitude of floral and faunal wealth. The USLE comprising of the five factors viz. R, K, LS, C and P is employed for the quantification of the soil loss from the Sanctuary. The results of the study helps to identify the areas prone to soil erosion in four categories namely severe, high, moderate and low. The low and medium category erosion class together comprises about 92.96% of the total sanctuary area, whereas the high and severe category erosion class constitutes about 4.8% of the sanctuary. These erosion hotspots have been identified and demarcated where location specific soil conservation methods need to be implemented. The effectiveness of the application of such a study can be further endorsed by its vital utility in formulating the Action Plan for the conservation measures to be adopted in the Sanctuary.
USLE, Shendurney WLS, Spatial Information Technology, PA Management
