DSS Soil Erosion Index (DSS-SEI)

The DSS Soil Erosion Index (DSS-SEI) is an advanced environmental monitoring system designed to assess and predict soil erosion in forested areas, particularly those impacted by wildfires. This tool integrates various data sources to provide comprehensive insights into soil erosion dynamics, aiding environmental researchers, forest managers, and policymakers in their efforts to manage and mitigate soil erosion effectively.

It aggregates topographic data, precipitation data, and vegetation type from sources such as Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Copernicus satellite images and other environmental datasets. It transforms topographic data into critical variables, such as slope and flow path length, and utilizes precipitation data and vegetation type to assess soil erosion risk.

Its features are the following:

• Data Collection
  • Receives DEM in geotiff format for topographic data.
  • Collects monthly average precipitation data in CSV or raster format.
  • Utilizes vegetation type data from Copernicus satellite images.
• User Input and Customization
  • Users select the area of interest and provide precipitation data and vegetation type, or use default values for simulation.
  • The system processes the input data to run the analysis.
• Visualization and Decision Support
  • Outputs results in CSV format, providing a comprehensive soil erosion index.
  • Visualizes soil erosion risk and trends through numeric tables, graphs, and detailed descriptive reports.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Soil Erosion Monitoring: Offers detailed assessment and prediction of soil erosion, especially in areas affected by wildfires.
• Informed Policy Making: Supports the development and implementation of effective soil conservation and rehabilitation policies.
• Efficient Data Management: Seamlessly integrates and processes large volumes of data from multiple sources, ensuring data consistency and reliability.