Land use and erosion risk in small forest catchments on the Coral Coast of Fiji: baseline estimates of sediment inputs to coastal lagoons

Ram, Arishma and Terry, James P. (2014) Land use and erosion risk in small forest catchments on the Coral Coast of Fiji: baseline estimates of sediment inputs to coastal lagoons. [Conference Proceedings]

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Abstract

In Fiji, coastal hinterlands are often characterized by small steep watersheds which have a low retention capacity for eroded sediments. Adjacent coral reefs and lagoons may therefore suffer degradation when exposed to periodic inputs of high sediment loads. The ‘Coral Coast’ of southern Viti Levu is Fiji’s longest continuous fringing reef, but faces threats from land use change in coastal catchments. Efforts to manage sediment sources are hindered by a lack of sufficient data on erosion risk and suspended sediment transport. The present study investigates the reliability of using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model in predicting soil erosion risk for Fiji’s catchments. The USLE was combined with data from Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas of potential soil erosion risk in the Votua Creek catchment, a steep naturally forested watershed on the Coral Coast. The modeled values were compared with estimates of sediment loads calculated using turbidity and rainfall data obtained for the catchment over a period of 8 months from October 2009 to June 2010. There is good agreement between modeled results and estimates from field data hence supporting the proposition that the USLE model can be a useful tool to assist in targeting watershed management efforts of a resource poor developing Pacific island country like Fiji.

Item Type:	Conference Proceedings
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QE Geology
Divisions:	School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS)
Depositing User:	Arishma Ram
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2025 03:11
Last Modified:	10 Apr 2025 03:11
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14910

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