Title
An integrated method for calculating DEM-based RUSLE LS.
Abstract
The improvement of resolution of digital elevation models (DEMs) and the increasing application of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) over large areas have created problems for the efficiency of calculating the LS factor for large data sets. The pretreatment for flat areas, flow accumulation, and slope-length calculation have traditionally been the most time-consuming steps. However, obtaining these features are generally usually considered as separate steps, and calculations still tend to be time-consuming. We developed an integrated method to improve the efficiency of calculating the LS factor. The calculation model contains algorithms for calculating flow direction, flow accumulation, slope length, and the LS factor. We used the Deterministic 8 method to develop flow-direction octrees (FDOTs), flat matrices (FMs) and first-in-first-out queues (FIFOQs) tracing the flow path. These data structures were much more time-efficient for calculating the slope length inside the flats, the flow accumulation, and the slope length linearly by traversing the FDOTs from their leaves to their roots, which can reduce the search scope and data swapping. We evaluated the accuracy and effectiveness of this integrated algorithm by calculating the LS factor for three areas of the Loess Plateau in China and SRTM DEM of China. The results indicated that this tool could substantially improve the efficiency of LS-factor calculations over large areas without reducing accuracy.
Year
DOI
Venue
2018
10.1007/s12145-018-0349-3
Earth Science Informatics
Keywords
Field
DocType
LS factor,Revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE),Soil erosion,Geographic information system (GIS)
Data structure,Data set,Computer science,Remote sensing,Flow (psychology),Algorithm,Shuttle Radar Topography Mission,Digital elevation model,Universal Soil Loss Equation,Tracing,Traverse
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
11
4
1865-0473
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
10
Authors
10
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Meng Wang111532.05
Jantiene E. M. Baartman200.34
Hongming Zhang3102.54
Qinke Yang4176.46
Shuqin Li541.76
Jiangtao Yang600.34
Cheng Cai751.11
Meili Wang8133.92
Coen J. Ritsema9103.02
Violette Geissen1061.12