Unveiling Soil Erosion Hotspots: Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Sub Watersheds in the Kumaradhara River Basin using AHP

K Shrikrishna; M Sasi  lowast; Sawant Sushant Anil

doi:10.53989/bu.ga.v14i1.24.13

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DOI: 10.53989/bu.ga.v14i1.24.13

Year: 2025, Volume: 14, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-8

Original Article

Unveiling Soil Erosion Hotspots: Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Sub Watersheds in the Kumaradhara River Basin using AHP

K Shrikrishna¹, M Sasi^1∗, Sawant Sushant Anil¹

¹School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding Author
Email: [email protected]

Received Date:27 February 2024, Accepted Date:04 March 2024

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Soil erosion poses a significant threat to the region of Southern Karnataka, demanding urgent attention from governmental bodies and urban planners. Extensive research has introduced various methodologies and models aimed at assessing soil erosion on a watershed scale. Among these approaches, morphometric characterization of rivers stands out as a natural indicator of watershed health, offering insights into soil erosion, sediment yield, and groundwater potential. In this study, we employ morphometric analysis to scrutinize the risk of soil erosion at the sub-watershed level, recognizing its pivotal role in natural resource planning and sustainable development. The utilization of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for prioritizing sub-watersheds underscores the growing importance of strategic decision-making in soil erosion conservation and management. By employing AHP, we can effectively rank sub-watersheds based on their urgency for conservation interventions. Our findings pinpoint the sub-watersheds situated in the eastern middle of the watershed as particularly vulnerable to soil erosion, necessitating immediate attention and tailored management practices to safeguard the overall health of the watershed. This critical analysis underscores the significance of integrating advanced methodologies such as morphometric analysis and AHP into watershed management strategies. By identifying high-risk areas and prioritizing conservation efforts, we can enhance the resilience of ecosystems and ensure the sustainable utilization of natural resources. The results of this study serve as a valuable foundation for informed decision-making and targeted interventions aimed at mitigating soil erosion and promoting long-term environmental sustainability in the Southern Karnataka region.

Keywords: Soil Erosion, Morphometry, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Prioritization

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Copyright

© 2025 Shrikrishna et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Published By Bangalore University, Bengaluru, Karnataka