Effect of Land‐Use Management on Soil Erosion Under Two Distinct Climates of Indian Himalayas

ABSTRACT Soil erosion is a growing concern, especially in regions where the combination of climate, land‐use, and soil characteristics increases the risk of degradation. The study utilized a stratified random sampling method across various land‐use types in both subtropical and temperate climatic zones of the Indian Himalayas. A total of 50 sampling locations were strategically selected, with 25 in each climate zone, to ensure representative data collection. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm) for thorough analysis. This study set out to examine several key indicators of soil erodibility factors like the dispersion ratio (DR), clay/moisture equivalent (meq) ratio (CMR), percolation ratio (PR), clay ratio (CR), erosion ratio (ER), moisture equivalent (ME), critical level of organic matter (CLOM), and particle size distribution across different land‐uses in both subtropical and temperate climates. The goal was to better understand how these factors interact and what that means for soil health in vulnerable areas. The results suggest that soils in subtropical climates are generally more prone to erosion than those in temperate regions, regardless of how the land is used. For example, subtropical wastelands exhibited the highest levels of erodibility, with particularly high DR (19.20), PR (15.54), and ER (23.91), while temperate wastelands had a higher CR (2.12). On the other hand, undisturbed forest areas in both climates had the lowest risk of erosion, due to their higher clay content, organic matter (OM), and other favorable soil properties. The findings highlights that subtropical soils are significantly more vulnerable to erosion, emphasizing the importance of targeted management strategies. The choice of land‐use can drastically influence soil erodibility, with horticultural practices presenting a viable approach to reducing soil loss while promoting livelihoods. Maintaining undisturbed forest areas is critical for protecting soil health and implementing thoughtful land‐use practices is essential for mitigating erosion risks and ensuring the sustainability of soil resources. These insights are particularly relevant for the Indian Himalayas, where sustainable land management is crucial for both environmental preservation and community well‐being. land‐useland‐useland‐useland‐useland‐useland‐use.