Abstract

This mini review presents the latest applications of Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology in soil erosion mapping. The traditional soil erosion measurement approach is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also it is challenging to understand the spatial distribution of sediment erosion and deposition. The UAS based aerial mapping technologies are recently making it possible to perform precise spatial modeling of rill and gully erosion process at a relatively low cost. This mini review summarizes research topics of previous research as follows:
a) mapping and modeling of the soil surface in a fine spatial resolution,
b) volumetric estimation of gully and rill erosion,
c) understanding the sediment transport process, and
d) prediction of future soil erosion based on UAS data.

Keywords: Soil erosion; Gully; Rill; Spatial analysis

Abbreviations:UAS: Unoccupied Aircraft Systems; DEM: Digital Elevation Model; ASTER: Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer; GIS: Geographical Information Systems; DSM: Digital Surface Model