Soil erosion risks assessment at ITM main campus Shah Alam based on rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility factors / Che Mimi Suriyani Ismail

Soil erosion and its hazards are as old as the earth. Soil erosion is the nature's way of smoothening, sculpturing and levelling the earth's surface. In its process, soil erosion becomes a continuing problem for man, his life and property. Thus when developing hillslopes or undulating areas or plain areas, civil engineers have to bear in mind this natural phenomenon and will have to design the development of the land accordingly. Serious land erosion at critical slopes can trigger landslides which will bury and trample buildings, inhabitants and roads and vehicles on their paths if the landclides are of magnitude. Natural and man-made slopes are always subject to soil erosion threat. The soil erosion which is of small scale can make at least the landscape look unpleasant and ugly. Soil erosion is largely influenced by rain erosivity and soil erodibility. The erosive power of rainfall depends upon its intensities and duration. Soil erodibility on the other hand depends upon such factors as the physical features of soil, its topography and land management. Thus when those rain erosivity and soil erodibility factors at the campus are known, soil erosion or soil loss at any slopes can be predicted and measured by employing those erosivity and erodibility factors. Measures are then can be taken to minimize and prevent soil erosions from occurring at the sensitive places in the campus. Civil engineers and planners when developing land in the campus will have to plan develop the land carefully to prevent and minimize the occurrence of soil erosion especially at critical slopes. The angle of inclination of slopes will have to be such that the slopes become stable. There should be no bare area in the campus which is at the mercy of the rainfall. Slopes will have to be stabilised by planting grass, trees and by maintaining bushes. These stabilization measures are environmentally acceptable. Bench-terraces have to be constructed at the slopes to slow-down the flow of rainwater thus to minimize the erosive power of rainwater. ITM campus Shah Alam has sizeable critical slopes at which soil erosion incidences did occur. But the soil erosion hazards at the ITM campus are manageable. The ITM authority has, however, to be always on look out for any telltale signs of soil erosion. The erodibility factors at those critical slopes have to be compiled. Any indication of soil instability will have to be remedied quickly to prevent serious soil erosion occurrence.