Assessing Farmers’ Perception of Soil Erosion Risk in Northern Jordan

Abstract

Socioeconomic factors and farmer’s perception of soil erosion and conservation were examined with special reference to Wadi Kufranja catchment, northern Jordan. Field data were collected through a household field survey, and soil erosion loss was calculated and mapped using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), within a GIS/RS environment. In-situ field measurements of soil erosion were also conducted to assess splash, sheet and runoff soil erosion. The estimated potential average annual soil loss is 10 ton∙ha−1 year for the watershed. 42.1% (5317. 23 ha) of the watershed area was estimated to have moderate soil loss (5 - 25 ton∙ha−1∙years −1). Soil erosion risk is severe to extreme over 31.2% (3940.56 ha) of the catchment, whereas the calculated soil loss is 25 - 50 and >50 ton∙ha−1∙year−1. The measured sheet and splash soil erosion in W. Kufranja was 10 ton∙ha−1∙year−1 from tillage land, and 3 ton∙ha−1∙year−1 from the fallow land, with an average ranges from 8 to 10...