RS & GIS based assessment of adsorptive non-point source pollution in eucalyptus and rubber plantation at the water source area of Hainan

Adsorptive non-point source pollution associated with soil erosion has brought big problems to water environment and land productivity. As the most important water source area of Hainan, the Songtao Reservoir Basin (SRB) has faced with a crisis of water contamination caused by land exploitation. The objectives of this study are: (1) to assess the soil erosion risk and adsorptive non-point source pollution load; (2) to put forward a scheme for land management and planning to control soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution. Taking GIS and remote sensing as main techniques, an analysis was conducted to assess the non-point source pollution load caused by eucalyptus and rubber cultivation. Research findings indicate that soil erosion in the eucalyptus and rubber plantations is much more serious than the natural forest, and causes heavier adsorptive non-point source pollution. Adopting soil and water conservation facilities can effectively control the soil erosion and non-point source pollution which can bring a lasting ecological and economic benefit.