Remote sensing and GIS to assess soil erosion with RUSLE3D and USPED at river basin scale in southern Italy

Soil erosion represents one of the most serious land degradation problems, and Mediterranean areas are particularly prone to this phenomenon. In the light of climate change and human-induced variations on the environment, the threat from soil erosion requires considerable attention. Over the last decades, estimation of soil erosion using empirical models has long been an active research topic. Nevertheless, their application over large areas is still a challenge due to data availability and quality. Successful monitoring can be realised with the integration of ancillary data and remote sensing products within a GIS environment.