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Environmental sustainability

Sustainability Research Reveals Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Soil Erosion in Ethiopian Watershed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study published in Discover Sustainability has shed light on the significant impact of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion in the Gimbora river catchment of Ethiopia. Using Landsat images from 1994, 2009, and 2024, researchers from Wollo University found that agricultural land, settlement, and riverbed areas expanded by 25.56%, 331.47%, and 2.91%, respectively, while forest and grazing lands declined by 3.67% and 29.84%. The study revealed that these changes led to a significant increase in mean annual soil erosion from 34.71 to 39.07 ton ha-1 year-1.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that land use and land cover changes in the Gimbora river catchment had a significant impact on soil erosion, with a 4.36 ton ha-1 year-1 increase in mean annual soil erosion from 1994 to 2024.
  • Agricultural land, settlement, and riverbed areas expanded by 25.56%, 331.47%, and 2.91%, respectively, while forest and grazing lands declined by 3.67% and 29.84% during the same period.
  • The study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation to determine the potential risk of soil erosion, finding that the potential risk increased significantly due to land use and land cover changes.
  • The study concluded that an evidence-based land use and land cover management plan is necessary to reduce soil erosion in the study watershed.
  • The study included data from Landsat images from 1994, 2009, and 2024, with Kappa coefficient values of 90.78%, 93.01%, and 95.38% for the classified images.
  • Results showed that agricultural land accounted for the largest increase in soil erosion, causing a noticeable increment in soil erosion.
  • Authors of the study included Alemu Ale, Abebe Mohammed Ali, Semaigzer Ayalew, and Nurhussen Ahmed.
  • Keywords for this study included Wollo University, Agricultural, and Sustainability Research.

Statistics:

  • Mean annual soil erosion increased from 34.71 ton ha-1 year-1 in 1994 to 39.07 ton ha-1 year-1 in 2024.
  • The study found a 4.36 ton ha-1 year-1 increase in mean annual soil erosion from 1994 to 2024.
  • Agricultural land, settlement, and riverbed areas expanded by 25.56%, 331.47%, and 2.91%, respectively, while forest and grazing lands declined by 3.67% and 29.84% during the same period.
  • The Kappa coefficient values for the classified images were 90.78%, 93.01%, and 95.38% for the years 1994, 2009, and 2024, respectively.

Sources:

  • "Assessing the impact of land use and land cover change on soil erosion potential in Gimbora river catchment of Gubalafto Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia." Discover Sustainability, 2025, 6(1):1-26.
  • Springer. (Publisher of Discover Sustainability)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01646-3 (Free online journal article)

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