Range Ecology and Dryland Biodiversity Program, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Maya City, Ethiopia.
Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Dire Dawa University, P.O Box, 1362, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
Environ Monit Assess. 2024 Nov 1;196(11):1149. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-13338-y.
Soil erosion by water is a serious problem in Ethiopia, contributing to diminishing crop yields and food shortages. Apart from understanding the magnitude, risk, and spatial distribution of the problem, identifying erosion hotspot areas is essential for effectively reversing the problem. This study aims to identify erosion hotspots in the Gotu watershed, in northeastern Ethiopia, using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and incorporating local farmers' perspectives to prioritize conservation efforts. The RUSLE model reveals that 29,744.3 metric tons of soil is lost annually from the Gotu watershed, with an average loss of 65.3 to t ha⁻ year⁻. The main contributing factors to soil erosion in the watershed include undulating topography, loss of plant cover, and continuous cultivation. The highest soil loss rates (> 80 t ha⁻ year⁻) were found in the western, northern, and southern parts of the watershed, where cultivation occurs on moderate to steep slopes with sparse vegetation cover. These areas should be prioritized for conservation interventions. Farmers identified poor crop yields and damaged conservation structures as key indicators of soil erosion prevalence in the watershed. Increasing farmer's understanding of soil erosion and the importance of soil and water conservation is essential for effectively controlling soil erosion and improving food security in the area.
水土流失是埃塞俄比亚的一个严重问题，导致作物产量下降和粮食短缺。除了了解问题的严重程度、风险和空间分布外，确定侵蚀热点地区对于有效扭转这一问题至关重要。本研究旨在利用修正后的通用土壤流失方程（RUSLE）并结合当地农民的观点，确定埃塞俄比亚东北部戈图流域的侵蚀热点地区，以优先开展保护工作。RUSLE 模型显示，戈图流域每年流失 29744.3 公吨土壤，平均流失率为 65.3 吨/公顷/年。导致流域土壤侵蚀的主要因素包括起伏的地形、植被覆盖的丧失和持续的耕作。土壤流失率最高（>80 吨/公顷/年）的地区位于流域的西部、北部和南部，这些地区的耕作活动发生在坡度中等至陡峭、植被覆盖稀疏的地方。这些地区应优先考虑采取保护干预措施。农民们指出，作物产量低和保护结构受损是该流域土壤侵蚀普遍存在的关键指标。提高农民对土壤侵蚀和土壤及水资源保护的认识，对于有效控制土壤侵蚀和提高该地区粮食安全至关重要。
