Published September 6, 2025 | Version 1
Dataset Open

Potential annual soil loss by erosion (RUSLE), Ethiopia

  • 1. ROR icon ISRIC - World Soil Information
  • 1. ISRIC World Soil Information
  • 2. ROR icon Wageningen University & Research
  • 3. ROR icon ISRIC - World Soil Information

Description

Average annual soil loss (t ha-1 yr-1) calculated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE): A = R × K × LS × C × P. This model estimates sheet and rill erosion risk based on five factors: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), topography (LS), cover-management (C), and support practices (P). The resulting map supports erosion risk assessment and soil conservation planning in Ethiopia.

Each input layer (R, K, LS, C, P) was derived as a separate spatial dataset as follows:
  • R factor: Rainfall erosivity factor (MJ mm ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Derived by clipping the global rainfall erosivity dataset of Panagos et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04282-8), as published in Panagos et al. (2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.1094820), to the administrative country boundry of Ethiopia.
  • K factor:  Soil erodibility factor ((Mg/ha)[(MJ/ha)(mm/h)]⁻¹), calculated following the method of Torri et al. (1997, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(97)00036-2). 
    The input sand, silt, clay and soil organic carbon maps were obtained from SoilGrids (https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-217-2021)
  • LS factor: Topographic factor computed using slope and flow accumulation following the method of Luvai et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.7176/JEES/11-16-06), and applied to areas with slope <50% in accordance with Panagos, Borrelli, and Meusburger (2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.01.008). The LS factor was derived from the MERIT Digital Elevation Model (https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL072874).
  • C factor: Cover-management factor, calculated following the method of Negese (2024: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2023.101089), using NDVI data derived from Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance Tier 1 Collection 2 imagery (2018–2023) (https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-8).
  • P factor: Support practices factor. P = 1 due to data gaps.

This research was carried out for the LSC-IS hubs project under the funding program Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA), European Union. EU Contribution Agreement to MinBUZA: FOOD/2020/419-433 ; MinBUZA to WUR Grant number: 4000004100.

 

Coordinate Reference System - EPSG:20138

Other

DISCLAIMER:

These soil property maps were generated at a resolution of 100m, with the best available data at the time of production, including global datasets and legacy national level data, using digital soil mapping and GIS modelling. The derived products are provided 'as-is' without any warranty, regarding accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Users are advised to verify the information independently before making decisions based on it. Additionally, users should assess the local 'predictive' accuracy of the maps prior to using them for making recommendations at local (or field) level.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of ISRIC concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of is authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Despite the fact that this product is created with utmost care, the author(s) and/or publisher(s) and/or ISRIC cannot be held liable for any damage caused by the use of this portal or any content therein in whatever form, whether or not caused by possible errors or faults nor for any consequences thereof.

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Additional details

Funding

European Commission
DeSIRA - LSC-IS 4000004100

Dates

Available
2025-09-08