Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia
AbstractThe Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is the most widely used erosion model for decision making on conservation priority. However, interpreting estimates of the mean annual soil loss alone could not accurately depict the spatial variation of soil erosion severity due to its inhere...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Geomatics, Natural Hazards & Risk |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475705.2023.2257363 |
| _version_ | 1797389235968278528 |
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| author | Eyasu Mekonnen Asfaw Kebede Solomon Asfaw Samuel Feyissa |
| author_facet | Eyasu Mekonnen Asfaw Kebede Solomon Asfaw Samuel Feyissa |
| author_sort | Eyasu Mekonnen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AbstractThe Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is the most widely used erosion model for decision making on conservation priority. However, interpreting estimates of the mean annual soil loss alone could not accurately depict the spatial variation of soil erosion severity due to its inherent mathematical errors. This study aims to optimize the model’s outputs through detailed analysis of land use/cover dynamics in Upper Awash River Basin, central Ethiopia (7815.1 km2). The analysis include annual rate of change, net gain or loss, and conversion pathways. Results of the estimated mean annual soil loss in the basin varies between 4.1 t/ha/y and 5.1 t/ha/y during three consecutive decades (1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2020). The cultivated land cover exhibits slight erosion severity (< 5 t/ha/y), while contributing up to 59% the total annual soil loss (3198.8 Mt/ha). Although the net loss of cultivated land cover outweighing the gain during these decades, it progressively encroaches forests (142.2 km2), shrubs (780.8 km2), and grasslands (274.5 km2). Such net loss of protective land covers will inevitably increase the soil erosion risk. Findings from the study would be useful, enabling conservation practitioners to understand the overall severity of soil erosion and make informed decisions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:52:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d58dc23f40574e7f8c6b4fa6399913e2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1947-5705 1947-5713 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:52:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geomatics, Natural Hazards & Risk |
| spelling | doaj.art-d58dc23f40574e7f8c6b4fa6399913e22023-12-16T08:49:46ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGeomatics, Natural Hazards & Risk1947-57051947-57132023-12-0114110.1080/19475705.2023.2257363Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central EthiopiaEyasu Mekonnen0Asfaw Kebede1Solomon Asfaw2Samuel Feyissa3Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaSchool of Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering, Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaSchool of Geography and Environmental Studies, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaSchool of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaAbstractThe Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is the most widely used erosion model for decision making on conservation priority. However, interpreting estimates of the mean annual soil loss alone could not accurately depict the spatial variation of soil erosion severity due to its inherent mathematical errors. This study aims to optimize the model’s outputs through detailed analysis of land use/cover dynamics in Upper Awash River Basin, central Ethiopia (7815.1 km2). The analysis include annual rate of change, net gain or loss, and conversion pathways. Results of the estimated mean annual soil loss in the basin varies between 4.1 t/ha/y and 5.1 t/ha/y during three consecutive decades (1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2020). The cultivated land cover exhibits slight erosion severity (< 5 t/ha/y), while contributing up to 59% the total annual soil loss (3198.8 Mt/ha). Although the net loss of cultivated land cover outweighing the gain during these decades, it progressively encroaches forests (142.2 km2), shrubs (780.8 km2), and grasslands (274.5 km2). Such net loss of protective land covers will inevitably increase the soil erosion risk. Findings from the study would be useful, enabling conservation practitioners to understand the overall severity of soil erosion and make informed decisions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475705.2023.2257363The RUSLE modeloptimizemean annual soil losserosion severityland use/coverUpper Awash River Basin |
| spellingShingle | Eyasu Mekonnen Asfaw Kebede Solomon Asfaw Samuel Feyissa Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia Geomatics, Natural Hazards & Risk The RUSLE model optimize mean annual soil loss erosion severity land use/cover Upper Awash River Basin |
| title | Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia |
| title_full | Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia |
| title_short | Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia |
| title_sort | optimizing soil erosion estimates of rusle model by analyzing land use cover dynamics in upper awash river basin central ethiopia |
| topic | The RUSLE model optimize mean annual soil loss erosion severity land use/cover Upper Awash River Basin |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475705.2023.2257363 |
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