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<p>Expansion of surface irrigation has an effect on soil moisture and salinity patterns in an intensively cultivated semi-arid landscape. In this study, we evaluated the dynamics of soil moisture and salinity implications for sustainable land management in semi-arid croplands of the Omo Gibe River Sub-Basin over 25 years (2000–2025). Multispectral and thermal Landsat images from 2000 to 2025 were used to classify LULC and to calculate the Soil Moisture Index (SMI) and Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI) using ArcGIS and ERDAS Imagine software. LULC analysis from 2000 to 2025 revealed a substantial increase in irrigated land from 389.3&#xa0;km² (4.9%) to 1,577.4&#xa0;km² (19.9%), accompanied by marked reductions in grassland and shifts in cultivated area. SMI mapping showed a decline of the dry to very dry soil class from 19.4% to 10.8% and an increase in moist to very wet soils from 17.3% to 21.4%, reflecting the hydrological influence of 25 years of irrigation. However, NDSI results indicated that highly saline soils expanded by 780.1&#xa0;km² (42.1%), with non-saline areas collapsing from 12.2% to 1.0%. Spatial salinity patterns shifted downslope, driven by salt mobilization with irrigation water and accumulation in low-lying areas with poor drainage. The integration of SMI and NDSI proved effective for spatiotemporal monitoring of soil hydro-salinity dynamics, providing a basis for targeted management interventions. The finding suggested that sustainable irrigation practices, improved drainage, and salt-tolerant cropping systems are essential to mitigate salinity risks while sustaining the agronomic benefits of irrigation.</p> Graphical Abstract <p> This graphical abstract summarizes the investigation of the spatiotemporal impacts of irrigation development on soil moisture and salinity in the Omo Gibe River Sub-Basin, Ethiopia, from 2000 to 2025. The rationale at the top identifies the key driver of the findings: irrigation mobilized salts into lowland soils, inducing deep environmental shifts. The research procedure is divided into three stages, data collection, data analysis, and results, illustrating the methodological procedure that utilized multispectral and thermal Landsat imagery for land use and soil condition monitoring. The maps on the left depict the changes in soil moisture between the years 2000 and 2025. Whereas the landscape in 2000 was dominated by very dry soils, by 2025 there is a readily apparent increase in moist and very wet soils, a signature of the hydrologic effects of irrigation. The legend indicates the decreases in very dry soils by 100% and the increases in moist soils by 26% and very wet soils by 19%, reflecting the role of irrigation in increasing water availability in soils. The maps on the right show the change in soil salinity during the same period. Non-saline soils reduced drastically by 92%, while highly saline soils expanded by 42%. The trend shows the side effect of irrigation mobility and accumulation of salts in poorly drained areas, threatening long-term soil fertility.At the bottom, scatter plots illustrate interrelationships between soil salinity, moisture, and slope, corroborating the conclusion that salinity build up is strongly associated with low-lying areas. On the right-hand side, the results point out that irrigation amplified land use and soil moisture but boosted salinity risks. The recommendations emphasize salt-tolerant crops and improved drainage to sustain productivity while preventing salinity buildup. </p>

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Mapping the Spatiotemporal Nexus of Soil Moisture and Salinity in Semi-Arid Croplands for Sustainable Agriculture

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月29日

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  • Mitiku Badasa Moisa,
  • Birhanu Iticha,
  • Fedhasa Benti Chalchissa,
  • Zenebe Reta Roba,
  • Harison Kiplagat Kipkulei,
  • Kiros Tsegay Deribew,
  • Bayisa Negasa Wolteji,
  • Nazih Y. Rebouh,
  • Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda,
  • Aqil Tariq

摘要

Expansion of surface irrigation has an effect on soil moisture and salinity patterns in an intensively cultivated semi-arid landscape. In this study, we evaluated the dynamics of soil moisture and salinity implications for sustainable land management in semi-arid croplands of the Omo Gibe River Sub-Basin over 25 years (2000–2025). Multispectral and thermal Landsat images from 2000 to 2025 were used to classify LULC and to calculate the Soil Moisture Index (SMI) and Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI) using ArcGIS and ERDAS Imagine software. LULC analysis from 2000 to 2025 revealed a substantial increase in irrigated land from 389.3 km² (4.9%) to 1,577.4 km² (19.9%), accompanied by marked reductions in grassland and shifts in cultivated area. SMI mapping showed a decline of the dry to very dry soil class from 19.4% to 10.8% and an increase in moist to very wet soils from 17.3% to 21.4%, reflecting the hydrological influence of 25 years of irrigation. However, NDSI results indicated that highly saline soils expanded by 780.1 km² (42.1%), with non-saline areas collapsing from 12.2% to 1.0%. Spatial salinity patterns shifted downslope, driven by salt mobilization with irrigation water and accumulation in low-lying areas with poor drainage. The integration of SMI and NDSI proved effective for spatiotemporal monitoring of soil hydro-salinity dynamics, providing a basis for targeted management interventions. The finding suggested that sustainable irrigation practices, improved drainage, and salt-tolerant cropping systems are essential to mitigate salinity risks while sustaining the agronomic benefits of irrigation.

Graphical Abstract

This graphical abstract summarizes the investigation of the spatiotemporal impacts of irrigation development on soil moisture and salinity in the Omo Gibe River Sub-Basin, Ethiopia, from 2000 to 2025. The rationale at the top identifies the key driver of the findings: irrigation mobilized salts into lowland soils, inducing deep environmental shifts. The research procedure is divided into three stages, data collection, data analysis, and results, illustrating the methodological procedure that utilized multispectral and thermal Landsat imagery for land use and soil condition monitoring. The maps on the left depict the changes in soil moisture between the years 2000 and 2025. Whereas the landscape in 2000 was dominated by very dry soils, by 2025 there is a readily apparent increase in moist and very wet soils, a signature of the hydrologic effects of irrigation. The legend indicates the decreases in very dry soils by 100% and the increases in moist soils by 26% and very wet soils by 19%, reflecting the role of irrigation in increasing water availability in soils. The maps on the right show the change in soil salinity during the same period. Non-saline soils reduced drastically by 92%, while highly saline soils expanded by 42%. The trend shows the side effect of irrigation mobility and accumulation of salts in poorly drained areas, threatening long-term soil fertility.At the bottom, scatter plots illustrate interrelationships between soil salinity, moisture, and slope, corroborating the conclusion that salinity build up is strongly associated with low-lying areas. On the right-hand side, the results point out that irrigation amplified land use and soil moisture but boosted salinity risks. The recommendations emphasize salt-tolerant crops and improved drainage to sustain productivity while preventing salinity buildup.