Assessment of Soil Erosion Hazard and its Driving Force: The case of Gumara -Maksegnit Watershed, North-East Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Soil erosion hazard is one of the major problems of watershed areas in Ethiopia or in Amhara region. It is derived by several factors largely induced by human beings. In this context this study aimed to investigate soil erosion hazard and its driving forces specific to the case of Gumara – Maksegniit watershed area using RUSLE model and the local people’s observations so that to come up with contextually relevant suggestions helpful for the management of the watershed area. For this purpose land-sat images, DEM, FAO soil map and rainfall data from metrology offices were taken to estimate the overall and component factors of RUSLE. In addition Data collected from sample of local people and officers were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative procedures. Questionnaire was administered to 125 randomly selected household farmers from among 215 living in three target kebeles (Degola-Chinchaye, Jayera and TsionSeguaj)

found at upper, middle and lower course of the watershed. Three focus group discussions were conducted with 21 purposefully selected key farmers having different positions ranging from security persons to chairman of target kebeles. Interviews were made with 6 agricultural workers of the target kebeles. Results of data analysis indicated that, soil erosion in the area was found to be very high and varies from place to place. Consequently the impact of soil erosion hazard to the watershed area was found to be high and threatening the lives of people and natural environment. People in the area were exposed to food security problems. The natural resource especially vegetation cover, wild life, underground water reserve were also severely depleted. The driving forces of soil erosion in the area were found to be deforestation, lack of concern of farmers for their environment, topography, population growth and poverty.