scholarly journals Watershed Prioritization Using Morphometric Analysis & RUSLE Model for Soil Conservation Planning, in Gilgel Abay Watershed, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agumassie Genet Gela ◽  
Daniel Ayalew Mengistu ◽  
Seniet Maru
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Watershed Prioritization ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Abstract Background: Soil erosion is the predominant global land degradation process which leads to a decline in ecosystem services and functions. The Gilgel Abay watershed is one of the watersheds in Upper Blue Nile basin characterized by rapid population growth, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, waterlogging and flooding. These contribute the land and water resources of the watershed and its ecosystem are under high risk. This study was aimed to prioritize high erosion risk areas of Gilgel Abay watershed for soil and water conservation planning using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model and morphometric analysis. Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model, Sub watershed Prioritization was done by computing the annual soil loss rate by considering the five model parameters. The compound factor analysis technique was used for prioritize sub-watersheds through morphometric analysis. Results: The result of estimated annual soil loss rates in Gilgel Abay watershed ranges from 0 to 781 t ha-1year-1, which is higher as compared to the limits of soil loss tolerance rates of the northern highlands of Ethiopia. From RUSLE model results, Sub watershed 4 was experiencing high erosion risks while, Subwatershed2 followed by sub watershed 4 are high erosion risk areas of compound factor analysis. Conclusion: The results of prioritization through both approaches show a quite alike output that is both identifies sub-watershed 4 and 2 as high erosion prone area. Therefore, both the results display a good efficiency in the assessment of erosion risks and giving priority in sub-watershed scale. Hence, the two approaches can be used to identify and delineate erosion-prone areas, and prioritize the areas for effective planning of sustainable land management options.

scholarly journals Analysis of Ownership Data from Consolidated Land Threatened by Water Erosion in the Vlára Basin, Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Alexandra Pagáč Mokrá ◽  
Jakub Pagáč ◽  
Zlatica Muchová ◽  
František Petrovič
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
Land Fragmentation ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

Water erosion is a phenomenon that significantly damages agricultural land. The current land fragmentation in Slovakia and the complete ambiguity of who owns it leads to a lack of responsibility to care for the land in its current condition, which could affect its sustainability in the future. The reason so much soil has eroded is obvious when looking at current land management, with large fields, a lack of windbreaks between them, and no barriers to prevent soil runoff. Land consolidation might be the solution. This paper seeks to evaluate redistributed land and, based on modeling by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) method, to assess the degree of soil erosion risk. Ownership data provided information on how many owners and what amount of area to consider, while taking into account new conditions regarding water erosion. The results indicate that 2488 plots of 1607 owners which represent 12% of the model area are still endangered by water erosion, even after the completion of the land consolidation project. The results also presented a way of evaluating the territory and aims to trigger a discussion regarding an unambiguous definition of responsibility in the relationship between owner and user.

scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Erosion and Its Impact on Agricultural Productivity by Using the RMMF Model and Local Perception: A Case Study of Rangun Watershed of Mid-Hills, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Dinesh Bhandari ◽  
Rajeev Joshi ◽  
Raju Raj Regmi ◽  
Nripesh Awasthi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Barren Land ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
The Impact

Soil erosion is a major concern for the environment and natural resources leading to a serious threat to agricultural productivity and one of the major causes of land degradation in the mid-hills region of Nepal. An accurate assessment of soil erosion is needed to reduce the problem of soil loss in highly fragile mountainous areas. The present study aimed to assess spatial soil loss rate and identified risk areas and their perceived impact on agricultural productivity by using the Revised Morgan–Morgan–Finney (RMMF) model and social survey in the Rangun watershed of Dadeldhura district, Nepal. Soil erosion was assessed by using data on soil, digital elevation model, rainfall, land use, and land cover visually interpreted from multitemporal satellite images, and ILWIS 3.3 academic software was used to perform the model. A household questionnaire survey (n = 120) and focus group discussion (n = 2) in identified risk areas were carried out to understand the people’s perception towards soil erosion and its impact on agricultural productivity. The predicted average soil erosions from the forest, agriculture, and barren land were 2.7 t ha−1 yr−1, 53.73 t ha−1 yr−1, and 462.59 t ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The erosion risk area under very low to low, moderate to moderately high, and high to very high covers 92.32%, 4.96%, and 2.73%, respectively. It indicates that the rate of soil erosion was lower in forest areas, whereas it was higher in the barren land. The cropped area of the watershed has been reduced by 2.96 ha−1 yr−1, and productivity has been decreased by 0.238 t ha−1 yr−1. The impacts such as removal of topsoil (weighted mean = 4.19) and gully formation (weighted mean = 3.56) were the highest perceived factors causing productivity decline due to erosion. People perceived the impact of erosion in agricultural productivity differently ( ∗ significant at P ≤ 0.05 ). The study concluded that, comparatively, barren and agricultural lands seem more susceptible to erosion, so the long-term conservation and management investment in susceptible areas for restoration, protection, and socioeconomic support contribute significantly to land rehabilitation in the Rangun watershed.

Soil erosion risk in Korean watersheds, assessed using the revised universal soil loss equation

2011 ◽  
Vol 399 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 263-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soyoung Park ◽  
Cheyoung Oh ◽  
Seongwoo Jeon ◽  
Huicheul Jung ◽  
Chuluong Choi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Universal Soil Loss Equation ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Soil Erosion Risk ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

scholarly journals Impacts of Land Cover and Greenness Change on Soil Loss and Erosion Risk in Damota Area Districts, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Mamush Masha ◽  
Teshome Yirgu ◽  
Mulugeta Debele
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Aster Gdem ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Soil And Water

Soil erosion is a key problem in Ethiopia in view of tropical climate, lack of vegetation, and landscape relief. Therefore, soil and water conservation (SWC) measures have been practiced, but their impacts on soil loss have not been estimated adequately. The RUSLE modeling was applied using satellite imageries, ASTER GDEM, rainfall, and soil data to estimate total annual soil loss for a 100 km2 hilly and highly populated area in Ethiopia. Soil loss decreased in the Damota districts from 21 to 13 million tons from 2000 to 2020. Similarly, the average annual soil loss decreased by 36%. Very slight-risk areas (< 5 t ha−1 yr−1) increased from 42.66 to 53.72%, and very high-risk areas (> 50 t ha−1 yr−1) decreased from 12 to 5%. Soil and water conservation measures showed an important implication against soil erosion through improved land cover and landscape greenness. However, still, the rate of soil erosion is high compared to the soil loss tolerance of 1–6 t ha−1 yr−1 for the Ethiopian highlands.

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