Impact of Land Use and Climate Change on Soil Erosion: Mid- and Long-Term Analysis for the Jhelum Basin
摘要
Effective soil erosion management is crucial for sustainable soil and water conservation, particularly in vulnerable agricultural areas. This study examines soil erosion dynamics in the Jhelum Catchment, India, emphasizing its significance for sustainable soil and water conservation in agricultural regions. Using advanced mapping and modeling, including the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), the study integrates climate forecasts, land-use data, and spatial analysis to predict soil loss for mid-term (2050) and long-term (2100) scenarios. Critical factors considered are rainfall erosivity, based on CMIP6 climate data, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover, and conservation practices, all analyzed through GIS tools. Results reveal an increasing trend in soil loss, with SSP245 rising from 46.17 t/ha/year in 2020 to 51.54 t/ha/year in 2050 and SSP585 peaking at 71.67 t/ha/year in 2100. Projections based on land use and soil type indicate significant trends in categories such as Agriculture, Forest, Built-up Areas, and Grass/Grazing Land, as well as soil types including Cambisols, Lithosols, Glaciers, and Inland Water. The mean soil erosion is projected to increase significantly by 2100, with the highest increases observed in SSP585. This trend highlights the urgent need for soil conservation measures. Specific LULC categories like agriculture and built-up areas and soil types such as Cambisols and Lithosols show substantial increases in soil erosion, emphasizing the growing challenge of soil degradation due to land use changes and climate variability. These findings underscore the urgency for proactive soil conservation measures and provide practical guidance for sustainable land management and climate adaptation strategies.