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