Soil erosion risk assessment and treatment priority classification: A case study on guder watersheds, Abay river basin, Oromia, Ethiopia

Soil erosion is the most persistent environmental problem in the Upper Blue Nile River (UBNR) basin of Ethiopia. Guder River is one of thetributaries of UBNR basin which critically required soil conservation practices. The main objective of this particular research article was to appraise soil erosion hazard priority classification with an easy and uncomplicated erosion modelling tool, the universal soil loss equation (USLE) using GIS software and RS data. Remote Sensing data such as annual mean precipitation, land-use land-cover, and soil map, digital elevation model map were used to determine the USLE factor values. The average annual rainfall data was derived from the widely used climate dataset CRU TS (Climatic Research Unit gridded Time Series) and converted to rainfall erosivity factor. Soil Erodibility Factor Soil (K) was calculated from FAO soil data “Digital Soil Map of the World - ESRI shapefile format”. Topographic Factor (LS) was delineated from a 30m digital elevation model. Cover Factor (C) and Support Practice Factor (P) were estimated from a 20m Ethiopia Sentinel2 Land-use Land-cover year, 2016. The study classified the Guder watersheds into different kinds of severity classes for prioritization of soil and water management options and conservation strategy. The mean annual soil eroded for the whole sub-basin was estimated at 25.23 tha(−1)y(−1). The study output outcomes demonstrated that about 0.1% (426ha) 6.9% (46764 ha), 8.9% (60055 ha), and 19.8 % (134320ha) have been under Catastrophic, very severe, severe, high erosion severity class respectively. About half of the Guder sub-basin has been underneath a very slight erosion. Nevertheless, the area covered by very severe erosion was 6.9%, and the annual percent of sum-total soil erosion accounted for was 46.86%. The second and third in magnitude soil lost annually from the sub-basin with regards to per cent of total soil loss were severe (26.53%), and high (21.53%) respectively. In only 7% of the area under investigation, soil erosion estimated was to go beyond 100 t/ha/yr. erosion rate. District wise erosion affected and hotspot areas were identified: Middle of Steep slopes Mountainous parts of Ginde Beret, Jeldu, Ifata, Ambo, parts Ababo and Horo Guduru located in the study area borderline, Toke Kutaye, along the boundary of Midakegn and Cheliya were found in severe to very severe erosion. Finally, the study proposed that the government, policymakers, and soil and water management agents plan and implement the conservation measures and give awareness to stakeholders for optimum use of limited precious resources.