Abstract:
An accurate and up-to-date knowledge of landuse/landcover features and their relative risk for
environmental hazards represents the foundation for effective sustainable land resource
management. It guides local managers in managing land resources in a more sustainable
manner and to implement conservation measures. Hence, this study attempted to identify and
quantify the major landuse/landcover changes over the past 32 years (1973-2005) using Remote
Sensing and GIS techniques as well as to produce potential soil erosion risk map and to estimate
the rate of soil erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in combination
with Remote Sensing and GIS in Antsokia-gemza Woreda. In line with this, three satellite
imageries (Landsat MSS 1973, Landsat TM 1986, and Landsat ETM+ 2000) have been utilized
for the change detection analysis; and 15years rainfall data, soil map (FAO, 1996), topography
map (SRTM) and landcover map of the year 2005 have been considered for soil erosion risk
analysis. As a result, landuse/landcover map of 1973, 1986, 2005, and potential soil erosion risk
map of the study area was generated. The results showed that during the last 32 years 3 major
changes have been observed, forest cover and wetland resource significantly decreased at a rate
of (0.93 km2/yr) and (0.53 km2/yr) respectively; on the other hand cultivated land and bare land
has shown increment in size at a rate of (0.98 km2/yr) and (1.32 km2/yr) respectively; and
settlement and urbanization has intensified. Concerning the soil erosion risk analysis the woreda
exhibited soil erosion between 0.019 to 327.011 ton ha-1 yr-1, with 32.86 ton ha-1 yr-1 of mean
annual rate of soil loss which has shown the woreda is prone to rainfall erosion. Particularly the
steeper slopes in the mid-highland area is highly susceptible to erosion. Therefore, detail
assessment based landuse/landscover plan and management, soil and water conservation
practices are some of the appropriate interventions recommended.
Key Words: Landuse/Landcover, Dynamics, Soil erosion Risk, GIS, Remote Sensing, USLE