Anik Juli Dwi Astuti
Land degradation, driven by human activities and climate change, remains a significant global issue, particularly in upland areas prone to soil erosion. This study focuses on the Gumara and Rib catchments in Ethiopia, aiming to enhance the assessment of water and sediment connectivity through a novel weight factor in the modified index of connectivity (mic). The study evaluates connectivity at both annual and monthly scales and identifies potential sediment sources. By integrating remote sensing and gis techniques with connectivity indices, the research reveals strong correlations between sediment yield and mic values, highlighting the impact on connectivity processes of rainfall, land cover, slope and soil erodibility. The findings underscore the utility of connectivity indices as a tool for monitoring sediment transport, particularly in regions with limited spatial data, and emphasise the importance of considering connectivity in erosion management strategies. © 2025 Astuti.
Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan, Indonesia
