Estimating the Impact of Desert Camping Activities on Soil Erosion Rate Using RUSLE and Geospatial Technologies: A Case Study in Kuwait

Human activity accelerates soil erosion, a naturally occurring phenomenon that harms the economy and environment. Evaluating soil erosion is an essential initial stage in conservation planning. Natural factors like intense summer heat, minimal vegetation, and shallow soil depth exacerbate soil surface erosion in Kuwait. Activities related to desert camping exacerbate this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of desert camping in the Kuwaiti desert environment on soil erosion, utilizing the RUSLE model. The findings demonstrate that camping activities have a substantial influence on soil erosion, with the bulk of the undisturbed region exhibiting low erosion levels and a minimal presence of high erosion levels. Conversely, in areas experiencing disturbance, most erosion falls into the moderate class, while the high erosion class affects a smaller percentage. The descriptive statistics revealed that the P factor was the primary determinant of the variability in soil erosion rates. The study determined that soil compaction, which serves as an indicator of the P factor, is a major contributor to soil erosion. Therefore, we recommend taking prompt soil rehabilitation measures between camping seasons.