<![CDATA[The Melawi watershed is increasingly burdened by environmental pressures stemming from rapid population growth and significant land-use transformations, which have intensified soil erosion processes. This study was undertaken to (a) estimate erosion rates and delineate erosion hazard levels through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, (b) identify the principal factors contributing to erosion, and (c) assess the applicability of conservation measures aimed at erosion mitigation. The research involved field surveys, laboratory analyses, and geospatial data processing to quantify the USLE parameters: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), land cover (C), and conservation practices (P). Results indicate an average erosion rate of 275,099.17 tons per hectare per year, with moderate erosion hazard levels encompassing approximately 41% of the total study area. Despite these findings, a comprehensive evaluation of conservation strategies was constrained by the predominance of moderate erosion levels. Nevertheless, the outcomes of this study provide critical insights to inform regional land use policy and the development of targeted soil conservation initiatives.]]>
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