Soil erosion is a significant environmental issue, adversely affecting soil productivity, agriculture, and water
resources. Detailed mapping is essential, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Yetthinahole
catchment area, which faces severe erosion risks. Erosion depletes fertile soil, leads to sediment deposition
in water bodies, and alters watershed hydrology, impacting water availability and quality. The Yetthinahole
catchment area, located in the Western ghats of Karnataka, India, spans 292 km2 and is characterized by
steep slopes, intense monsoonal rainfall, and anthropogenic activities. These factors contribute to its
vulnerability to soil erosion. This study employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
model in Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to assess soil erosion trends from 2001-2020. GEE platform
facilitated the processing of large scale satellite imageries, enabling high resolution mapping of erosion
hotspots and trends. The analysis revealed that significant soil erosion trends, with peaks corresponding to
high rainfall years such as 2010, where the highest soil loss was observed (1095.39 T/ha/yr). Land use/land
cover changes, notably the reduction in vegetative cover loss and increased impervious surfaces,
exacerbated erosion risks. The erosin hotspots were identified in areas with steep slopes and significant
land use transitions. The study concludes that the sustainable land management practices, particularly forest
conservation, are essential for mitigation of soil erosion in the Yetthinahole catchment area.
Keywords: Soil erosion, RUSLE, Google Earth Engine, land use change, rainfall erosivity and vegetative cover
Publication date: 01/02/2026
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/February/MS_IJBPAS_2026_9835.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.2.9835
