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Soil erosion risk assessment for prioritization of sub-watershed: the case of Chogo Watershed, Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia

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Abstract

Mis-management of agricultural land and overexploitation of natural resources like forest and grasslands accelerated the problem of soil erosion in developing countries, where agriculture plays an important role in the economy. Moreover, the rapid population growth and advancement in science and technology increased the risk of soil erosion and its associated problems. The overexploitations of natural resources by the local communities for the sake of agricultural expansions accelerated the problems of soil erosions in the highland areas of Ethiopia. Thus, soil erosion risk assessment is crucial to influence policy makers for mitigation measures. In the present study, soil data, satellite image, ASTER DEM, and rainfall data were collected from different sources to estimate the amount of soil loss per year in the study area. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to estimate the mean annual soil loss in the study area. Results showed that the total annual soil loss in the sub-watershed was 377.26 tons hectare per year. The annual soil loss of Chogo watershed ranging from 0.00 at plain surface to 786.969 tons hectares per year. The reported results can support decision-makers for soil erosion risk prevention strategies and conservation measures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urban Land Administration, Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Daniel Assefa Negash

  2. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Wollega University Shambu Campus, Shambu, Ethiopia

    Mitiku Badasa Moisa

  3. Department of Geographic Information Science, Institute of Land Administration, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia

    Biratu Bobo Merga

  4. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wollega University, Gimbi campus, Gimbi, Ethiopia

    Firdissa Sedeta

  5. Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda

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  1. Daniel Assefa Negash
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  2. Mitiku Badasa Moisa
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Negash, D.A., Moisa, M.B., Merga, B.B. et al. Soil erosion risk assessment for prioritization of sub-watershed: the case of Chogo Watershed, Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia. Environ Earth Sci 80, 589 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09901-2

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