Spatial Analysis of Soil Erosion in Swaziland

Abstract

In this paper a spatial analysis was undertaken to identify the impact of the factors controlling soil erosion: land management systems, stocking pressure, soil erodibility, average slope of the land, and mean annual rainfall. A binary classification was applied to a broad land cover classes map produced from image classification to separate the land cover classes into “eroded lands” and “non-eroded lands” in the country. The relationships between the proportions of land eroded in each dip-tank area and the five factors controlling erosion were investigated. A case study site was selected to determine the distribution of soil erosion in relation to proximity to dip-tanks, watering points, and homesteads.

UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol 3 (1) 1999: pp 5-12