Soil erosion variations along land use and land cover dynamics in Matenchose watershed, Rift Valley Basin, Southern Ethiopia

The global community recognizes land use and cover change (LULC) as a primary cause of ecological modification that has considerable impact on natural resources, particularly soil water resources. aim this research was to investigate change's influences erosion in the Matenchose watershed Ethiopia 1991, 2003, 2020. maximum likelihood classification (MLC) method used study for supervised image analysis. Soil estimated using geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, Revised Universal Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. According LULC data from mostly covered by grassland (35%), while 2003 2020, it typically enclosed cultivated (36%) (52%), respectively. watershed's mean annual rate grew significantly 13 t/ha 1991 18 21 Based current loss result, divided into five priority groups management practices. In contrast, is made up 2052 ha (21%) areas with high very risk, 3304 (33%) moderate 2866 (29%) severe risk. average erosion, several vital subwatersheds were identified potential future management-related actions. Over 29 years, area forest decreased agricultural settlement expanded, they contributed enhanced hazards erosion. Particularly vulnerable are hilly steeper areas. most at risk should be given upcoming initiatives, proper participatory planning management, measures conserve preserve