Mapping Soil Erosion Vulnerabilities in Oklahoma's Construction Environments

Abstract: Water erosion is a critical global concern, causing land degradation and water quality deterioration, particularly in the context of highway construction. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is a widely utilized model to quantify water erosion by predicting soil loss rates, incorporating factors corresponding to rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, cover-management, and support practices. An ongoing research effort is focused on mapping soil erosion vulnerabilities specifically at highway construction sites across the state of Oklahoma. This study integrates the RUSLE model into a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to prepare an erosion vulnerability map tailored for highway projects in Oklahoma.

A soil loss map for Oklahoma (1 km spatial resolution) was generated with an average soil loss rate of 238 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Notably, over 32% of Oklahoma's land area is susceptible to moderate or higher erosion risks (>20 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), which poses significant challenges for sustainable highway construction and maintenance. The findings underscore the importance of implementing effective erosion control measures at highway construction sites to mitigate the risk of land degradation and protect water resources. These results can inform local and regional policymakers as they develop soil conservation practices tailored for transportation infrastructure projects. By identifying areas at risk during highway development, targeted interventions can be prioritized, enhancing the resilience of Oklahoma's ecosystems while ensuring the integrity of the constructed roadways. Furthermore, this study lays the groundwork for future research aimed at monitoring changes in soil erosion dynamics as highway construction practices evolve, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable approach to land management in the region.