Application and Test of GIS Based FUSLE Model in a Pine Forest Sub-Catchment in the Dabie Mountains, China

Field observations of water and soil loss were carried out at micro-plot scale, USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) plot scale and the sub-catchment scale 2000 in the sub-catchment of pine forest. Analysis of these field observation data shows that litter in forest has important hydrological function. In the pine forest, the micro-plot without litter and grass produced 123 times soil loss of that from a micro-plot with litter and grass at the same gradient in 2000. FUSLE (USLE in forest with a focus on litter) model was applied to predict soil loss in a sub-catchment of pine forest. Rain erosivity factor is turned into effective rain erosivity factor when litter is added as a new factor. These measures are believed more practical in soil loss prediction in forest because the litter factor shows the real scenario of soil loss in the forest. Further more, the meter scale plot method is able to get enough field observation data in a few years for soil loss prediction and it is less expensive.