The removal of soil by runoff is a major ecological concern, exacerbated by human-caused land degradation. A detailed procedure that combines the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with Geographic Information System (GIS) methods was used to estimate soil erosion in Arequa watershed. The RUSLE components were applied to evaluate the average annual soil loss due to runoff in the region. The fundamental GIS data layers for RUSLE, encompassing precipitation, soil properties, topography, land use, and agricultural management approaches, were compiled in raster format. The raster calculator was utilized with these layers as input to ascertain the spatial distribution of yearly soil erosion throughout the watershed. A large portion of the drainage area had extremely low (0-6.7 t/ha/yr) to low (6.7-11.2 t/ha/yr) erosion rates, although a considerable segment also indicated moderate (11.2-22.4 t/ha/yr) to elevated (22.4-33.6 t/ha/yr) erosion rates. In certain locations in the study area, the model identified significant erosion rates. Therefore, the combined RUSLE and GIS methodology facilitates a relatively straightforward, rapid, and cost-effective estimation of spatial distribution of sediment output and soil loss, and it aids in determining which watershed areas should be prioritized and receive early treatment, taking into account time and budget limitations. Therefore, to lessen the consequences of erosion on agricultural areas, different cropping patterns and conservation support techniques should be put into place.
