Research Article Open Access

Estimation of Soil Loss, Evaluating Effectiveness of Soil and Water Conservation Practices and Identification of Erosion Hotspot Area, the Case of Gina-Beret Watershed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil erosion is a global problem which has eroded the top soil that is vital for crop production. This study was conducted in Gina-beret watershed in 2017/2018 to estimate soil loss, evaluate effectiveness of Soil and Water Conservation Practices (SWCP) and identify the erosion hotspot areas. The impact of SWCP on soil loss was investigated using the USLE model to areas before and after implementation of SWCP. Moreover, field measurement of soil erosion was conducted using erosion pin to validate the estimated soil loss with the model. Satellite imagery of 2007 and 2017 were used for generating the land management factor of USLE. Soil laboratory analysis was done for bulk density. The modeling result shows an average soil loss rate of 26.68 t ha^-1 yr^-1 and 14.07 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in the year of 2007 and 2017. Respectively. Field measurement showed the current soil loss rate as 16.26 t ha^-1 yr^-1. Erosion hotspot areas in the watershed which needs special treatment was identified and mapped at micro-watershed scale. So as to reduce the soil erosion problems, SWC measures might start from identified hotspot areas so that integrated physical and biological soil and water conservation practices shall have proposed.

Andinet Fikre*, Getachew Fissha, Mulatie Mekonnen

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