Estimating soil loss rates and land capability classification based on erosion severity in the Womba Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

2 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

3 Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resource Management of Agricultural Science, College Agriculture, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

4 MSc, Department of Natural Resource Management of Agricultural Science, College of Agriculture, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

5 MSc, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

6 MA, Department of Marketing Management, College of Commerce, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

7 PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology, College of Education and Behavioral Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

8 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies., College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation, mainly through soil erosion and nutrient depletion, threatens agricultural sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. This study focuses on estimating annual soil loss rates and evaluating land capability in the Womba watershed to inform conservation strategies. Key factors considered include rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope, land use, and management practices. The study uses ArcGIS 10.8 tools and RUSLE equation methods soil loss within the study area. Soil loss in the watershed, utilizing Digital Elevation Models (DEM) for slope calculations. Annual soil loss ranged from 2.18 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (slightly severe) to 163.58 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (highly severe), with an average rate of 10.84 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, totaling 28,552.96 tons annually. While soil loss in less severe classes was within tolerable limits, highly severe categories exceeded acceptable thresholds. The watershed is classified into four erosion classes, with 1,697.33 ha (64.3%) in Class I and 675.13 ha (25.6%) in Class II, suitable for agriculture and annual crops. About 208.02 ha (7.8%) of the watershed is classified as Class IV, suitable for perennial crops, urban development, and grazing, while 55.52 ha (2.3%) is Class VI, suitable for forest development and wildlife conservation. Despite their small area, both classes face significant soil erosion, highlighting the need for strategies from the government and local stakeholders to prevent further soil loss.

Keywords

References

References
Abebe, M. S., Derebew, K. T., & Gemeda, D. O. (2019). Exploiting temporal-spatial patterns of informal settlements using GIS and remote sensing technique: a case study of Jimma city, Southwestern Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 8(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-019-0133-5
Addis, H. K., & Klik, A. (2015). Predicting the spatial distribution of soil erodibility factor using USLE nomograph in an agricultural watershed, Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 3(4), 282–290. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2015.11.002
Adem, A. A., Dile, Y. T., Worqlul, A. W., Ayana, E. K., Tilahun, S. A., & Steenhuis, T. S. (2020). Assessing digital soil inventories for predicting streamflow in the headwaters of the blue nile. Hydrology, 7(1), 1–19. doi: 10.3390/hydrology7010008
Adugna, A., Abegaz, A., & Cerdà, A. (2015). Soil erosion assessment and control in Northeast Wollega, Ethiopia. Solid Earth Discussions, 7(4), 3511–3540. doi: 10.5194/sed-7-3511-2015
Aga, A. O., Chane, B., & Melesse, A. M. (2018). Soil erosion modelling and risk assessment in data Scarce Rift Valley Lake Regions, Ethiopia. Water (Switzerland), 10(11). doi: 10.3390/w10111684
Ahmad, I., Dar, M. A., & Andualem, T. G. (2020). Assessment of soil loss rate—Lake Tana basin, Ethiopia. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(1). doi: 10.1007/s12517-019-5013-9
Amasi, A., Wynants, M., Blake, W., & Mtei, K. (2021). Drivers, impacts and mitigation of increased sedimentation in the hydropower reservoirs of East Africa. Land, 10(6). doi: 10.3390/land10060638
Ashraf, A., Abuzar, M. K., Ahmad, B., Ahmad, M. M., & Hussain, Q. (2017). Modeling risk of soil erosion in high and medium rainfall zones of pothwar region, Pakistan. Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: Part B, 54(2), 67–77.
Atalay, I. (2016). A New Approach to the Land Capability Classification: Case Study of Turkey. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 32, 264–274. doi: 10.1016/j.proenv.2016.03.031
Balabathina, V. N., Raju, R. P., Mulualem, W., & Tadele, G. (2020). Estimation of soil loss using remote sensing and GIS-based universal soil loss equation in northern catchment of Lake Tana Sub-basin, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Northwest Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 9(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00203-3
Barbosa, W. C. de S., Guerra, A. J. T., & Valladares, G. S. (2024). Soil Erosion Modeling Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation and a Geographic Information System in a Watershed in the Northeastern Brazilian Cerrado. Geosciences (Switzerland), 14(3). doi: 10.3390/geosciences14030078
Bayabil, H. K., Tebebu, T. Y., Stoof, C. R., & Steenhuis, T. S. (2015). Spatial and temporal runoff processes in the degraded Ethiopian Highlands: The Anjeni Watershed. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 12(4), 4387–4411. doi: 10.5194/hessd-12-4387-2015
Bekele, M. (2021). Geographic information system (GIS) based soil loss estimation using RUSLE model for soil and water conservation planning in anka_shashara watershed, southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Hydrology, 5(1), 9–27. doi: 10.15406/ijh.2021.05.00260
Belayneh, M., Yirgu, T., & Tsegaye, D. (2019). Potential soil erosion estimation and area prioritization for better conservation planning in Gumara watershed using RUSLE and GIS techniques’. Environmental Systems Research, 8(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-019-0149-x
Benzer, N. (2010). Using the geographical information system and remote sensing techniques for soil erosion assessment. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 19(5), 881–886.
Bewket, W., & Teferi, E. (2009). Assessment of soil erosion hazard and prioritization for treatment at the watershed level: Case study in the Chemoga watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 20(6), 609–622. doi: 10.1002/ldr.944
Borrelli, P., Robinson, D. A., Panagos, P., Lugato, E., Yang, J. E., Alewell, C., Wuepper, D., Montanarella, L., & Ballabio, C. (2020). Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015-2070). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117(36), 21994–22001. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2001403117
Buraka, T., Elias, E., Suryabhagavan, K. V., & Lelago, A. (2022). Assessment of soil erosion risks in response to land-use and land-cover changes in Coka watershed, Southern Ethiopia. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, 00(00), 1–14. doi: 10.1080/24749508.2022.2109825
Darmawan, Y., Munawar, Atmojo, D. A., Wahyujati, H., & Nainggolan, L. (2023). Accuracy assessment of spatial interpolations methods using ArcGIS. E3S Web of Conferences, 464. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202346409005
Degefu, M. A., Rowell, D. P., & Bewket, W. (2017). Teleconnections between Ethiopian rainfall variability and global SSTs: observations and methods for model evaluation. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, 129(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1007/s00703-016-0466-9
Desalegn Chanie, Daniel Azaze, Teshome Yirgu, & A. Z. (2020). Soil Loss and Its Impact on Crop Productivity Under Varying Land Uses in Demba-Gofa District, Southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Business and Social Scienc, 3(1), 57–89. doi: 10.59122/23502lk
Desalegn, A., Tezera, A., & Tesfay, F. (2018). Developing GIS-Based Soil Erosion Map Using RUSLE of Andit Tid Watershed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 19(1), 1–13. doi: 10.9734/jsrr/2018/40841
Desmet and Govers. (1996). Two dimensional modelling of the within field variation in rill and gully geometry and location related to topography. CATENA, 29(1997), 283_306. doi: PII so341-8162(96)00074-4
Dotterweich, M., Stankoviansky, M., Minár, J., Koco, Š., & Papčo, P. (2013). Human induced soil erosion and gully system development in the Late Holocene and future perspectives on landscape evolution: The Myjava Hill Land, Slovakia. Geomorphology, 201, 227–245. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.06.023
Duan, X., Shi, X., Li, Y., Rong, L., & Fen, D. (2017). A new method to calculate soil loss tolerance for sustainable soil productivity in farmland. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 37(1). doi: 10.1007/s13593-016-0409-3
Essaadia, A., Abdellah, A., Ahmed, A., Abdelouahed, F., & Kamal, E. (2022). The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the Zat valley, Marrakech: comparison and dynamics. Heliyon, 8(12), e12204. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12204
FAO. (2006). Guidelines for Guidelines. In Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. Management Service Information Division Rome, Italy. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-33443-7_3
Farhan, Y., Zregat, D., & Farhan, I. (2013). Spatial Estimation of Soil Erosion Risk Using RUSLE Approach, RS, and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of Kufranja Watershed, Northern Jordan. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 05(12), 1247–1261. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.512134
Firoozi, A. A., & Firoozi, A. A. (2024). Water erosion processes: Mechanisms, impact, and management strategies. Results in Engineering, 24(September), 103237. doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103237
Gashaw, T., Bantider, A., Zeleke, G., Alamirew, T., Jemberu, W., Worqlul, A. W., Dile, Y. T., Bewket, W., Meshesha, D. T., Adem, A. A., & Addisu, S. (2021). Evaluating InVEST model for estimating soil loss and sediment export in data scarce regions of the Abbay (Upper Blue Nile) Basin: Implications for land managers. Environmental Challenges, 5(November), 100381. doi: 10.1016/j.envc.2021.100381
Gashaw, T., Tulu, T., & Argaw, M. a. (2018). Erosion risk assessment for prioritization of conservation measures in Geleda watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 6(1), 1–14. doi: 10.1186/s40068-016-0078-x
Getachew Abebe, T., & Woldemariam, A. (2024). Erosion spatial distribution mapping and sediment yield estimation using RUSLE and Arc GIS of Ayigebire watershed, North Shewa zone of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Water-Energy Nexus, 7, 124–134. doi: 10.1016/j.wen.2023.12.002
Getachew, B., Manjunatha, B. R., & Bhat, G. H. (2021). Assessing current and projected soil loss under changing land use and climate using RUSLE with Remote sensing and GIS in the Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia. Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science, 24(3), 907–918. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrs.2021.10.001
Getahun, Y. S., Tesfay, F., Kassegne, A. B., & Moges, A. S. (2024). Geospatial based soil loss rate and land degradation assessment in Debre Berhan Regio-Politan city, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Central Ethiopia. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 15(1). doi: 10.1080/19475705.2024.2359993
Getu, L. A., Nagy, A., & Addis, H. K. (2022). Soil loss estimation and severity mapping using the RUSLE model and GIS in Megech watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8(May). doi: 10.1016/j.envc.2022.100560
Girma, R., & Gebre, E. (2020). Spatial modeling of erosion hotspots using GIS-RUSLE interface in Omo-Gibe river basin, Southern Ethiopia: implication for soil and water conservation planning. Environmental Systems Research, 9(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00180-7
Girmay, G., Moges, A., & Muluneh, A. (2020). Estimation of soil loss rate using the USLE model for Agewmariayam Watershed, northern Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security, 9(1), 1–12. doi: 10.1186/s40066-020-00262-w
Girmay, G., Sebnie, W., & Reda, Y. (2018). Land capability classification and suitability assessment for selected crops in Gateno watershed, Ethiopia. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 4(1). doi: 10.1080/23311932.2018.1532863
Haile, D. C., Bizuneh, Y. K., & Bedhane, M. D. (2024). Determinants of land management technology adoptions by rural households in the Goyrie watershed of southern Ethiopia : Multivariate probit modeling estimation. Heliyon, 10(11), 1–18. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31894
Haileslassie, A., Priess, J., Veldkamp, E., Teketay, D., & Lesschen, J. P. (2005). Assessment of soil nutrient depletion and its spatial variability on smallholders’ mixed farming systems in Ethiopia using partial versus full nutrient balances. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 108(1), 1–16. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2004.12.010
Haregeweyn, N., Tsunekawa, A., Poesen, J., Tsubo, M., Meshesha, D. T., Fenta, A. A., Nyssen, J., & Adgo, E. (2017). Comprehensive assessment of soil erosion risk for better land use planning in river basins: Case study of the Upper Blue Nile River. Science of the Total Environment, 574, 95–108. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.019
Haseeb, M., Tahir, Z., Mahmood, S. A., Batool, S., & Farooq, M. U. (2024). Spatial soil loss prediction impacted by long-term land use/land cover change: a case study of Swat District. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(1). doi: 10.1007/s10661-023-12200-x
He, L., Shan, Y. Q., Liu, C., Cao, H., Liu, X. N., & Guo, Y. (2024). Prediction of bedload transport inside vegetation canopies with natural morphology. Journal of Hydrodynamics, 36(3), 556–569. doi: 10.1007/s42241-024-0033-7
Heyder, S. M., Beza, S. A., & Demissie, S. T. (2023). Optimization of land management measures for soil erosion risk using GIS in agricultural landscape of western Hararghe highlands, Ethiopia. Scientific African, 21(August 2022), e01853. doi: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01853
Hurni, H. (1985). Erosion-productivity-conservation systems in Ethiopia Conservation Systems in Ethiopia IV International Conference on Soil Conservation, Maracay, Venezuela. October.
Hurni, H., Herweg, K., Portner, B., & Liniger, H. (2008). Soil erosion and conservation in global agriculture. Land Use and Soil Resources, 41–71. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-6778-5_4
Karimzadeh Motlagh, Z., Derakhshani, R., & Sayadi, M. H. (2023). Groundwater vulnerability assessment in central Iran: Integration of GIS-based DRASTIC model and a machine learning approach. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 23(November), 101037. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2023.101037
Kebede, S., & Fufa, F. (2023). Estimation of average annual soil loss rates and its prioritization at sub-watershed level using rusle: A case of Finca’aa, oromiya, Western Ethiopia. Environmental Health Engineering and Management, 10(1), 41–50. doi: 10.34172/EHEM.2023.05
Kimberlin, L. W., & Moldenhauer, W. C. (1977). Predicting Soil Erosion. In ASAE Publ (Issues 4–77, pp. 31–42).
Lal, R. (2017). Soil erosion research methods (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
Lee, E., Ahn, S., & Im, S. (2017). Estimation of soil erosion rate in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea using the RUSLE model. Forest Science and Technology, 13(3), 100–108. doi: 10.1080/21580103.2017.1341435
Liu, B. Y., Nearing, M. A., Shi, P. J., & Jia, Z. W. (2000). Slope Length Effects on Soil Loss for Steep Slopes. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 64(5), 1759–1763. doi: 10.2136/sssaj2000.6451759x
Luzio, M. Di, Srinivasan, R., Arnold, J. G., & Neitsch, S. L. (2002). A RC V IEW I NTERFACE F OR SWAT2000 U SER ’ S G UIDE. 193.
Mahapatra, S. K., Obi Reddy, G. P., Nagdev, R., Yadav, R. P., Singh, S. K., & Sharda, V. N. (2018). Assessment of soil erosion in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem of Uttarakhand, India using USLE and GIS for sustainable productivity. Current Science, 115(1), 108–121. doi: 10.18520/cs/v115/i1/108-121
Maimouni, S., Daghor, L., Oukassou, M., Moutaki, S. El, & Lhissou, R. (2021). Evaluate the Effect of Topographic Factors and Lithology on Forest Cover Distribution: a Case Study of the Moroccan High Atlas. Environmental Modeling and Assessment, 26(5), 787–801. doi: 10.1007/s10666-021-09785-3
Maqsoom, A., Aslam, B., Hassan, U., Kazmi, Z. A., Sodangi, M., Tufail, R. F., & Farooq, D. (2020). Geospatial assessment of soil erosion intensity and sediment yield using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 9(6). doi: 10.3390/ijgi9060356
Masha, M., Yirgu, T., & Debele, M. (2021). Impacts of Land Cover and Greenness Change on Soil Loss and Erosion Risk in Damota Area Districts, Southern Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2021. doi: 10.1155/2021/9148138
Mathewos, M., Tsegaye, M., & Wondrade, N. (2023). Soil erosion variations along land use and land cover dynamics in Matenchose watershed, Rift Valley Basin, Southern Ethiopia. Natural Resource Modeling, 36(4). doi: 10.1111/nrm.12379
Mekuriaw, A. (2017). Assessing the effectiveness of land resource management practices on erosion and vegetative cover using GIS and remote sensing techniques in Melaka watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 6(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-017-0093-6
Mengie, M. A., Hagos, Y. G., Malede, D. A., & Andualem, T. G. (2022). Assessment of soil loss rate using GIS–RUSLE interface in Tashat Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 7(3), 617–631. doi: 10.1007/s43217-022-00112-8
Millward, A. A., & Mersey, J. E. (1999). Adapting the RUSLE to model soil erosion potential in a mountainous tropical watershed. Catena, 38(2), 109–129. doi: 10.1016/S0341-8162(99)00067-3
Moisa, M. B., Gabissa, B. T., Wedajo, Y. N., Gurmessa, M. M., Deribew, K. T., Negasa, G. G., Negassa, M. D., & Gemeda, D. O. (2023). Analyzing the correlation of forest and wetland with land surface temperature by using geospatial technology: a case of Yayo district, Southwestern Ethiopia. Geocarto International, 38(1). doi: 10.1080/10106049.2023.2256300
Molla, T., & Sisheber, B. (2017). Estimating soil erosion risk and evaluating erosion control measures for soil conservation planning at Koga watershed in the highlands of Ethiopia. Solid Earth, 8(1), 13–25. doi: 10.5194/se-8-13-2017
Morgan, R. (2005). Soil Erosion and Conservation, 3rd edition. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2389.2005.0756f.
Mustefa, M., Fufa, F., & Takala, W. (2020). GIS estimation of annual average soil loss rate from hangar river watershed using rusle. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 11(2), 529–539. doi: 10.2166/wcc.2019.181
Negese, A. (2021). Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Soil Erosion and Hydrological Responses in Ethiopia. In Applied and Environmental Soil Science (Vol. 2021). Hindawi Limited. doi: 10.1155/2021/6669438
Negese, A., Fekadu, E., & Getnet, H. (2021). Potential Soil Loss Estimation and Erosion-Prone Area Prioritization Using RUSLE, GIS, and Remote Sensing in Chereti Watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. Air, Soil and Water Research, 14. doi: 10.1177/1178622120985814
Neitsch, C., Golden, M., & Hossner, L. R. (1997). Land Capability Classification. Journal American Society of Mining and Reclamation, 1997(1), 141–151. doi: 10.21000/jasmr97010141
Nurhussen Ahmed Mohammed and Desale Kidane Asmamaw. (2016). Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Soil Loss Estimation Using RUSLE in Bahir Dar Zuria District, Ethiopia. Intech, 11(tourism), 13. https://www.intechopen.com/books/advanced-biometric-technologies/liveness-detection-in-biometrics
Oluwatosin G.A, O.D. Adeyolanu, A. O. O. and O. J. I. (2006). From Land Capability Classification To Soil Quality: an Assessment. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 6(2006), 49–55.
Panagos, P., Borrelli, P., & Meusburger, K. (2015). A new European slope length and steepness factor (LS-factor) for modeling soil erosion by water. Geosciences (Switzerland), 5(2), 117–126. doi: 10.3390/geosciences5020117
Panagos, P., Matthews, F., Patault, E., De Michele, C., Quaranta, E., Bezak, N., Kaffas, K., Patro, E. R., Auel, C., Schleiss, A. J., Fendrich, A., Liakos, L., Van Eynde, E., Vieira, D., & Borrelli, P. (2024). Understanding the cost of soil erosion: An assessment of the sediment removal costs from the reservoirs of the European Union. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434(September 2023), 140183. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140183
Panagos, P., Standardi, G., Borrelli, P., Lugato, E., Montanarella, L., & Bosello, F. (2018). Cost of agricultural productivity loss due to soil erosion in the European Union: From direct cost evaluation approaches to the use of macroeconomic models. Land Degradation and Development, 29(3), 471–484. doi: 10.1002/ldr.2879
Pandey, S., Kumar, P., Zlatic, M., Nautiyal, R., & Panwar, V. P. (2021). Recent advances in assessment of soil erosion vulnerability in a watershed. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 9(3), 305–318. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2021.03.001
Phinzi, K., & Ngetar, N. S. (2019). The assessment of water-borne erosion at catchment level using GIS-based RUSLE and remote sensing: A review. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 7(1), 27–46. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2018.12.002
Pimentel, D., Harvey, C., Resosudarmo, P., Sinclair, K., Kurz, D., McNair, M., Crist, S., Shpritz, L., Fitton, L., Saffouri, R., & Blair, R. (1995). Environmental and economic costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits. Science, 267(5201), 1117–1123. doi: 10.1126/science.267.5201.1117
Reith, J., Ghazaryan, G., Muthoni, F., & Dubovyk, O. (2021). Assessment of land degradation in semiarid Tanzania-using multiscale remote sensing datasets to support sustainable development goal 15.3. Remote Sensing, 13(9). doi: 10.3390/rs13091754
Reta Roba, Z., Moisa, M. B., Purohit, S., Tsegay Deribew, K., & Obsi Gemeda, D. (2025). Assessment of soil erosion and sediment yield in response to land use and land cover changes using geospatial techniques in Dumuga Watershed, Ethiopia. All Earth, 37(1), 1–18. doi: 10.1080/27669645.2025.2460917
Reusing, M., Schneider, T., & Ammer, U. (2000). Modelling soil loss rates in the Ethiopian Highlands by integration of high resolution MOMS-02/D2-stereo-data in a GIS. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 21(9), 1885–1896. doi: 10.1080/014311600209797
Saguye, T. S. (2017). An Empirical Analysis of Land Degradation Risk from Local Community Knowledge Perspective: the Case of Geze Gofa District, Southern Ethiopia. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research: H Environment & Earth Science, 17(2), 59–75. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234691250.pdf
Sahle, M., Saito, O., Fürst, C., Demissew, S., & Yeshitela, K. (2019). Future land use management effects on ecosystem services under different scenarios in the Wabe River catchment of Gurage Mountain chain landscape, Ethiopia. Sustainability Science, 14(1), 175–190. doi: 10.1007/s11625-018-0585-y
Schmidt, S., Tresch, S., & Meusburger, K. (2019). Modification of the RUSLE slope length and steepness factor (LS-factor) based on rainfall experiments at steep alpine grasslands. MethodsX, 6, 219–229. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.01.004
Selassie, Y. G., Ayalew, G., Elias, E., & Getahun, M. (2014). Soil Characterization and Land Suitability Evaluation to Cereal Crops in Yigossa Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Science, 6(5). doi: 10.5539/jas.v6n5p199
Shiferaw, A. (2011). Assessment of Soil Erosion in the South Wollo Highlands of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Natural Resources. Ethiopian Journal of Natural Resources, 13(2), 139–163. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2015.1083913%0
Tadele, T. T., Gebremedhin, C. C., Markos, M. U., & Fitsum, E. L. (2022). Stunting and associated factors among 6–23 month old children in drought vulnerable kebeles of Demba Gofa district, southern Ethiopia. BMC Nutrition, 8(1), 1–11. doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00501-2
Tadesse, A., & Abebe, M. (2014). GIS Based Soil Loss Estimation Using RUSLE Model: The Case of Jabi Tehinan Woreda, ANRS, Ethiopia Keywords GIS, Remote Sensing, Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE), RUSLE, Weighted Overlay, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), Soil Loss. Natural Resources, 5, 616–626. http://www.scirp.org/journal/nr%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2014.511054%0Ahttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Temesgen, A. E. (2021). Land Degradation and Sustainable Land Management in the Upper Blue Nile : The Case of North Gojjam Sub-Basin Land Degradation and Sustainable Land Management in the Upper Blue Nile : The Case of North Gojjam Sub-Basin. July.
Tesema, M., Feyessa, F. F., Kebede, A. B., & Geresu, B. A. (2024). Evaluation of soil erosion rate using geospatial techniques for enhancing soil conservation efforts. Environmental Systems Research, 13(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-024-00357-4
Tesfay, T., Biedemariam, M., Hagazi, M., & Gebretinsae, T. (2017). Land capability and suitability evaluation for rain-fed crops in semi-arid lowland area of north Ethiopia. Vegetos, 30(3), 18–22. doi: 10.5958/2229-4473.2017.00160.4
Tesfaye, G. (2018). Soil Erosion Modeling Using GIS Based RUSEL Model in Gilgel Gibe-1 Catchment, South West Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, 15(5). doi: 10.19080/ijesnr.2018.15.555923
Tessema, Y. M., Jasińska, J., Yadeta, L. T., Świtoniak, M., Puchałka, R., & Gebregeorgis, E. G. (2020). Soil loss estimation for conservation planning in the welmel watershed of the Genale Dawa Basin, Ethiopia. Agronomy, 10(6), 1–19. doi: 10.3390/agronomy10060777
Thapa, P. (2020). Spatial estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE modeling: a case study of Dolakha district, Nepal. Environmental Systems Research, 9(1). doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00177-2
Tundu, C., Tumbare, M. J., & Onema, J. M. K. (2018). Sedimentation and its impacts/effects on river system and reservoir water quality: Case study of Mazowe catchment, Zimbabwe. Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, 377, 57–66. doi: 10.5194/piahs-377-57-2018
Usman, K., Deribew, K. T., Alemu, G., & Hailu, S. (2023). Spatial modeling of soil loss as a response to land use-land cover change in Didessa sub-basin, the agricultural watershed of Ethiopia. Heliyon, 9(3), e14590. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14590
Usman, S., & Onokebhagbe, V. (2017). Soil problems in dryland environment of sub-Saharan Africa: a review of the impact on soil erosion and desertification soil problems in dryland environment of sub-Saharan Africa. Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal for the Tropics, 14(1). doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13233.12641
van der Knijff, J. M., Jones, R. J. A., & Montanarella, L. (2000). Soil erosion risk assessment in Europe. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, EUR 19022, 32. http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&btnG=Search&q=intitle:Soil+Erosion+Risk+Assessment+in+Italy#0
Wassie, S. B. (2020). Natural resource degradation tendencies in Ethiopia: a review. Environmental Systems Research, 9(1), 1–29. doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00194-1
Wischmeier, W. H. and, & Smith, D. D. (1978). Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses: A Guide to Conservation Planning. Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration, Washington, DC, USA,. 537, 1978.
Woldemariam, G. W., Iguala, A. D., Tekalign, S., & Reddy, R. U. (2018). Spatial modeling of soil erosion risk and its implication for conservation planning: The case of the gobele watershed, east hararghe zone, ethiopia. Land, 7(1). doi: 10.3390/LAND7010025
Workie, M. D., & Teku, D. (2025). Assessing soil erosion hotspots and land degradation extent in Beshilo Watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia: integrating geospatial and field survey techniques, for sustainable land management. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 13(March), 1–17. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2025.1548881
Yadeta, T., Deribew, K. T., Getahun, K., Debesa, G., Abreha, G., & Hailu, S. (2022). Recent resettlement programs, as drivers for Afromontane forest loss in the Hawa-Galan district of Ethiopia. Cogent Social Sciences, 8(1). doi: 10.1080/23311886.2022.2088462
Yagaso, Z. S., Bayu, T. Y., & Bedane, M. D. (2024). Estimating soil erosion in response to land use/cover change around Ghibe III hydroelectric dam, Southern Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability, 5(1). doi: 10.1007/s43621-024-00608-5
Yesuph, A. Y., & Dagnew, A. B. (2019). Soil erosion mapping and severity analysis based on RUSLE model and local perception in the Beshillo Catchment of the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 8(1), 1–21. doi: 10.1186/s40068-019-0145-1
Yirgu, T. (2022). Assessment of soil erosion hazard and factors affecting farmers’ adoption of soil and water management measure: A case study from Upper Domba Watershed, Southern Ethiopia. Heliyon, 8(6), 1–12. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09536
Water and Soil Management and Modelling
Volume 5, Issue 4
November 2025
Pages 41-64

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 05 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 October 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics