Potential soil erosion map per plot (2016)

The potential soil erosion map per parcel (2016) shows the total potential erosion of a particular agricultural parcel based on a class classification. The total potential erosion does not take into account the current land use (grassland or arable land). The ‘sensitivity single application’ field shows the information corresponding to the erosion sensitivity on the 2016 single application. The approved objections, submitted before 1 October 2015, were incorporated both in the single application erosion sensitivity field and in the field ‘Total erosion’. The applications already approved for the reduction of the erosion sensitivity class based on a high carbon content were processed in the single application erosion sensitivity field indicating “/C” behind erosion sensitivity, but the field “Total erosion” retained its original value for these parcels. The current map is the result of a second update on 23 September 2016 in which additional green parcels were coded ‘Others’ in the ‘erosion sensitivity single application’ field based on new registered A-areas in the map layer ‘Other erosion-related grounds’. One lot was given the code ‘Management agreement BO/NK’. A first update on 22 February 2016 with approved applications ‘strategic pasture’ and subsequent objections to the 2015 erosion map and applications for reduction based on carbon content. In the course of 2016, a further limited update of the 2016 erosion map will follow based on the remaining objections to the 2015 erosion card submitted later and applications for the reduction of the erosion sensitivity class based on a high carbon content. Erosion by water is a process in which soil particles are loosened and transported by the impact of raindrops and flowing water, either lowly over a large surface, or concentrated in channels and ravines. This leads, among other things, to a decrease in soil quality and productivity, but also to significant damage caused by mud nuisance in downstream (residential) areas. Soil erosion is one of the most important forms of soil degradation in Flanders. The potential soil erosion map per parcel is based on the 2015 parcel map. The potential soil erosion map per plot was drawn up through computer modeling with a spatial resolution of 5x5 m (Research group Physical and Regional Geography, Department of Earth and Environment Sciences, K.U.Leuven). The calculation of erosion is based on the revised universal soil loss equation or R.U.S.L.E. (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Renard et al, 1991). It is an empirical model that calculates the average annual soil erosion rate per unit area due to intergeal and geulerosion as a product of 6 factors.