Assessing the impact of land cover changes on soil erosion in the Sindh River Basin, North-Western Himalaya, India using geospatial technology

Abstract Soil erosion is a serious threat to land and water resources, affecting groundwater availability and agricultural productivity on a global scale. Accurate data on soil erosion rates is important for organising effective land conservation strategies. This study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns of soil erosion in the Sindh catchment of Kashmir Valley, India, over a decade (2013–2023) using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The results reveal significant spatial variability in soil erosion rates, with elevated erosion observed in areas with sparse vegetation, steep slopes, and intensive agricultural practices. Between 2013 and 2023, the mean annual soil loss rose from moderate (17.04 t/ha/yr) to moderately high (33.12 t/ha/yr), corresponding to the standard RUSLE erosion severity classification (very slight: 0–5; slight: 5–10; moderate: 10–20; moderately high: 20–40; high: 40–80; severe: 80–120; very severe: >120 t/ha/yr). Different Land Cover/Land Use (LULC) classes exhibited varying rates of soil erosion. In 2013 and 2023, it rose from 13.18 to 53.63 t/ha/yr in agricultural land, from 20.82 to 45.94 t/ha/yr in riverine cover, from 21.96 to 37.72 in barren land, from 10.19 to 27.29 t/ha/yr in forest cover, and from 13.02 to 41.49 t/ha/year in build-up area. However, in glaciated terrain, the average soil loss decreased from 25.47 to 11.93 t/ha/yr in 2023 and from 14.66 to 13.81 t/ha/yr in the waterbody class of land use. These changes highlight the significant role of LULC dynamics, particularly the expansion of build-up areas and agricultural land, in influencing soil erosion patterns. The study highlights the critical implementation of integrated soil conservation measures, reduce soil erosion, and ensure sustainable land management in Sindh catchment.