estimating soil loss rates and land capability classification based on erosion severity in the womba watershed, southern ethiopia

Land degradation, mainly through soil erosion and nutrient depletion, threatens agricultural sustainability in sub-saharan africa, particularly in ethiopia. this study focuses on estimating annual soil loss rates and evaluating land capability in the womba watershed to inform conservation strategies. key factors considered include rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope, land use, and management practices. the study uses arcgis 10.8 tools and rusle equation methods soil loss within the study area. soil loss in the watershed, utilizing digital elevation models (dem) for slope calculations. annual soil loss ranged from 2.18 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (slightly severe) to 163.58 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (highly severe), with an average rate of 10.84 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, totaling 28,552.96 tons annually. while soil loss in less severe classes was within tolerable limits, highly severe categories exceeded acceptable thresholds. the watershed is classified into four erosion classes, with 1,697.33 ha (64.3%) in class i and 675.13 ha (25.6%) in class ii, suitable for agriculture and annual crops. about 208.02 ha (7.8%) of the watershed is classified as class iv, suitable for perennial crops, urban development, and grazing, while 55.52 ha (2.3%) is class vi, suitable for forest development and wildlife conservation. despite their small area, both classes face significant soil erosion, highlighting the need for strategies from the government and local stakeholders to prevent further soil loss. land degradation, mainly through soil erosion and nutrient depletion, threatens agricultural sustainability in sub-saharan africa, particularly in ethiopia. this study focuses on estimating annual soil loss rates and evaluating land capability in the womba watershed to inform conservation strategies. key factors considered include rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope, land use, and management practices. the study uses arcgis 10.8 tools and rusle equation methods soil loss within the study area. soil loss in the watershed, utilizing digital elevation models (dem) for slope calculations. annual soil loss ranged from 2.18 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (slightly severe) to 163.58 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (highly severe), with an average rate of 10.84 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, totaling 28,552.96 tons annually. while soil loss in less severe classes was within tolerable limits, highly severe categories exceeded acceptable thresholds. the watershed is classified into four erosion classes, with 1,697.33 ha (64.3%) in class i and 675.13 ha (25.6%) in class ii, suitable for agriculture and annual crops. about 208.02 ha (7.8%) of the watershed is classified as class iv, suitable for perennial crops, urban development, and grazing, while 55.52 ha (2.3%) is class vi, suitable for forest development and wildlife conservation. despite their small area, both classes face significant soil erosion, highlighting the need for strategies from the government and local stakeholders to prevent further soil loss.