Effect of land-use change on soil erosion potential in the Ahuacatlan River Sub-basin (Nayarit, Mexico)

The evaluated the effect of land-use and land cover change (LUCC) on soil erosion potential in the Ahuacatlán River Sub-basin, located in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model integrated with GIS tools. The analysis compared data from 1997 and 2021 to identify changes in land use and their impact on erosion dynamics. Results revealed a significant reduction in natural vegetation, particularly oak (Genus Quercus) forests with a decrease of 3,000 hectares and human-induced grasslands that lost 13,000 hectares, alongside an increase in agricultural areas by more than 10,000 hectares. These changes contributed to an increase in erosion potential, with extreme erosion zones expanding by 6,599 hectares, while low erosion areas decreased by 10,695 hectares. Rainfall erosivity (R) and cover management (C) factors were identified as critical drivers of soil erosion, exacerbated by human activities and changing climatic conditions. The findings underscore the need for effective soil conservation practices and sustainable land management strategies to mitigate erosion risks and preserve the ecological stability of the sub-basin. Furthermore, the study offers a comprehensive overview of the situation in the Ahuacatlán River Sub-basin, regarding their erosion susceptibility which may be useful for politicians, planners, and decision-makers in making well-informed decisions.