Assessing Soil Erosion Hotspots and Land Degradation Extent in Beshilo Watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia: Integrating geospatial and field survey techniques, for Sustainable Land Management

Degfie Teku ^* Melak Workie ^*

• College of Natural and Computational Science, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

Soil erosion and land degradation present critical challenges to sustainable resource management in the Beshilo Watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. This study combines geospatial analysis and field surveys to assess land degradation severity and identify soil erosion hotspots. Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, land use/land cover (LULC) analysis, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) mapping, the research incorporates FAO soil data, including soil organic matter (SOM), texture, and permeability assessments, alongside GPS-documented inventories of active landslides and gullies.The results indicate alarming soil erosion rates, with RUSLE values ranging from 0 to 1,288 t/ha/year, an average loss of 68.3 t/ha/year, and a total annual soil loss of 664,333 tonnes, far exceeding Ethiopia's tolerable limits of 12-18 t/ha/year. Approximately 38.5% of the watershed is categorized as high or severe erosion risk, attributed to steep slopes, unsustainable agricultural practices, and degraded soil health. GIS analysis reports a standard deviation of 100.06 for soil loss, highlighting spatial variability. LULC analysis reveals that 73.4% of the area is under cultivation, while forest cover has dwindled to 7%. NDVI values range from -0.24 to 0.58, indicating severe vegetation degradation. Soil assessments show low SOM levels (1-3%), weak soil structure ratings (1-4), and a predominance of sandy loam texture (78%), all of which exacerbate erosion risks. This comprehensive study underscores the urgent need for targeted Sustainable Land Management (SLM) interventions. Recommended measures include terracing, agroforestry, vegetative buffer strips, and integrated soil and water conservation strategies. These interventions aim to reduce soil erosion, rehabilitate degraded lands, and enhance agricultural productivity. The findings provide critical data and actionable recommendations to guide policies and the implementation of effective land management practices in erosion-prone regions.