Spatial Pattern Analysis of Land Degradation Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data and GIS in Mandalay Watershed, Central Myanmar

Land degradation in term of soil erosion is the single most important environmental concern in the developing countries. Eroded sediment also acts as both a physical and chemical pollutant. It has been become an ecological, social and economic problem. This study explored the influence of major socioeconomic factors on erosion processes and conservation measures in a Dry Zone farming context for producing Erosion Risk Map of the study area. Soil erosion and relations of soil erosion factors were studied by integrating of GIS and RS. Knowing extent and severity of the land is important as a decision support system to policy makers, resource managers as well as local communities and farmers. Soil erosion susceptibility was estimated through Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The result showed spatial distribution of different land degradation severity across the area in watershed basis. To examine land potential, land capability classification was carried out using Storie Index Rating (SIR). High soil loss can be seen in the middle part of upper watershed region and occurred at high land capability class in this case because vegetation cover is a very little in this region