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Extent of Cropland and Related Soil Erosion Risk in Rwanda

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  • Fidele Karamage

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda)

  • Chi Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    School of Resources Environment Science and Engineering, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 430000, China)

  • Felix Ndayisaba

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda)

  • Hua Shao

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Alphonse Kayiranga

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda)

  • Xia Fang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Lamek Nahayo

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda)

  • Enan Muhire Nyesheja

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda)

  • Guangjin Tian

    (State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Land conversion to cropland is one of the major causes of severe soil erosion in Africa. This study assesses the current cropland extent and the related soil erosion risk in Rwanda, a country that experienced the most rapid population growth and cropland expansion in Africa over the last decade. The land cover land use (LCLU) map of Rwanda in 2015 was developed using Landsat-8 imagery. Based on the obtained LCLU map and the spatial datasets of precipitation, soil properties and elevation, the soil erosion rate of Rwanda was assessed at 30-m spatial resolution, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. According to the results, the mean soil erosion rate was 250 t·ha −1 ·a −1 over the entire country, with a total soil loss rate of approximately 595 million tons per year. The mean soil erosion rate over cropland, which occupied 56% of the national land area, was estimated at 421 t·ha −1 ·a −1 and was responsible for about 95% of the national soil loss. About 24% of the croplands in Rwanda had a soil erosion rate larger than 300 t·ha −1 ·a −1 , indicating their unsuitability for cultivation. With a mean soil erosion rate of 1642 t·ha −1 ·a −1 , these unsuitable croplands were responsible for 90% of the national soil loss. Most of the unsuitable croplands are distributed in the Congo Nile Ridge, Volcanic Range mountain areas in the west and the Buberuka highlands in the north, regions characterized by steep slopes (>30%) and strong rainfall. Soil conservation practices, such as the terracing cultivation method, are paramount to preserve the soil. According to our assessment, terracing alone could reduce the mean cropland soil erosion rate and the national soil loss by 79% and 75%, respectively. After terracing, only a small proportion of 7.6% of the current croplands would still be exposed to extreme soil erosion with a rate >300 t·ha −1 ·a −1 . These irremediable cropland areas should be returned to mountain forest to foster environmental sustainability or further sustainable alternative erosion control techniques may be applied, such as applying Vetiver Eco-engineering Technology due to its economical soil erosion control and stabilization of steep slopes and the construction of erosion control dams to absorb and break down excess runoff from unusually intense storms in various parts of the watersheds.

Suggested Citation

  • Fidele Karamage & Chi Zhang & Felix Ndayisaba & Hua Shao & Alphonse Kayiranga & Xia Fang & Lamek Nahayo & Enan Muhire Nyesheja & Guangjin Tian, 2016. "Extent of Cropland and Related Soil Erosion Risk in Rwanda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:7:p:609-:d:72967
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Gezahegn Weldu Woldemariam & Arus Edo Harka, 2020. "Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Soil Erosion in Erer Sub-Basin, Northeast Wabi Shebelle Basin, Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-25, April.
    6. Gezahegn Weldu Woldemariam & Anteneh Derribew Iguala & Solomon Tekalign & Ramireddy Uttama Reddy, 2018. "Spatial Modeling of Soil Erosion Risk and Its Implication for Conservation Planning: the Case of the Gobele Watershed, East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-25, February.
    7. Guokun Chen & Zengxiang Zhang & Qiankun Guo & Xiao Wang & Qingke Wen, 2019. "Quantitative Assessment of Soil Erosion Based on CSLE and the 2010 National Soil Erosion Survey at Regional Scale in Yunnan Province of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-23, June.
    8. Jean Marie Vianney Nsabiyumva & Ciro Apollonio & Giulio Castelli & Elena Bresci & Andrea Petroselli & Mohamed Sabir & Cyrille Hicintuka & Federico Preti, 2025. "Impact of Slow-Forming Terraces on Erosion Control and Landscape Restoration in Central Africa’s Steep Slopes," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-22, July.
    9. Jean de Dieu Nambajimana & Xiubin He & Ji Zhou & Meta Francis Justine & Jinlin Li & Dil Khurram & Richard Mind’je & Gratien Nsabimana, 2019. "Land Use Change Impacts on Water Erosion in Rwanda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, December.
    10. Félicien Majoro & Umaru Garba Wali, 2022. "Analyzing Various Factors Affecting Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Soil Erosion Control Measures in the Sebeya Catchment, Rwanda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    11. Taingaun Sourn & Sophak Pok & Phanith Chou & Nareth Nut & Dyna Theng & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2022. "Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Soil Erosion Using Remote Sensing, GIS and RUSLE Model: A Case Study of Battambang Province, Cambodia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-24, March.
    12. Jean Baptiste Nsengiyumva & Geping Luo & Lamek Nahayo & Xiaotao Huang & Peng Cai, 2018. "Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation Model in Rwanda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.
    13. Geoffrey Gasore & Helene Ahlborg & Etienne Ntagwirumugara & Daniel Zimmerle, 2021. "Progress for On-Grid Renewable Energy Systems: Identification of Sustainability Factors for Small-Scale Hydropower in Rwanda," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Walter Ocimati & Jeroen J. C. Groot & Pablo Tittonell & Godfrey Taulya & Jules Ntamwira & Serge Amato & Guy Blomme, 2020. "Xanthomonas Wilt of Banana Drives Changes in Land-Use and Ecosystem Services Across Infected Landscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, April.
    15. Fidele Karamage & Chi Zhang & Alphonse Kayiranga & Hua Shao & Xia Fang & Felix Ndayisaba & Lamek Nahayo & Christophe Mupenzi & Guangjin Tian, 2016. "USLE-Based Assessment of Soil Erosion by Water in the Nyabarongo River Catchment, Rwanda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, August.
    16. Athanase Niyogakiza & Liu Qibo, 2026. "Integrating Landscape Gene Mapping and Environmental Adaptation for Sustainable Rural Settlements in Rwanda's Western Highlands," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(2), pages 2000-2021, April.

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