Potential soil erosion map per parcel (2016)

The potential soil erosion map per parcel (2016) shows the total potential erosion of a given agricultural parcel using a classification. Total potential erosion does not take into account current land use (grassland or cropland). The field ‘Single application for erosion susceptibility’ contains the information corresponding to the erosion susceptibility on the 2016 single application. The approved objections, submitted before 1 October 2015, were processed both in the field 'Single application for corrosion sensitivity' and in the field 'Total erosion'. The already approved applications for the reduction of the erosion sensitivity class based on a high carbon content were processed in the field 'Erosion sensitivity single application' indicating '/ C' behind the 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 given a code 'Others' in the field 'Erosion-sensitive single application' based on new signed 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 for 'strategic grassland' and later submitted objections on the 2015 erosion map and applications for reduction based on carbon content. A further limited update of the 2016 erosion map will follow in the course of 2016, taking into account the remaining later objections submitted on the 2015 erosion map and applications for the reduction of the high carbon erosion sensitivity class. Erosion by water is a process in which soil particles are loosened and transported by the impact of raindrops and run-off water, either layered over a large surface area or concentrated in gullies and ravines. This leads, among other things, to a decrease in soil quality and productivity, but also to significant damage due to 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 parcel map 2015. The potential soil erosion map per plot was drawn up by means of computer modelling with a spatial resolution of 5x5 m (Research Group Physical and Regional Geography, Department of Earth and Environmental 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.