Integrating RUSLE, AHP, GIS, and cloud-based geospatial analysis for soil erosion assessment under mediterranean conditions

Soil erosion is a major environmental challenge in Mediterranean regions, where climatic variability, steep slopes, and human activities accelerate land degradation. In the north-central region of Algeria, the Mitidja Plain faces increasing erosion pressure, threatening biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and long-term soil sustainability. This study aims to assess soil erosion risk by integrating the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques within a Cloud-Based Geospatial (CBG) framework using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. High-resolution datasets on rainfall, topography, soil properties, and land cover were processed in GEE to derive five RUSLE factors: rainfall runoff erosivity (R^E), soil erodibility (K^S), slope length steepness (L^S), cropping management (C^M), and management practices (P^C). The analysis revealed that 41% of the Mitidja Plain is at severe erosion risk, with an average soil loss of 88.72 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and a maximum of 161.13 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Erosion hotspots correspond to areas where slopes exceed 22°, vegetation cover is sparse, and rainfall intensity is high. The AHP-weighted integration achieved strong predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.87), identifying slope characteristics as the most influential factor (weight = 0.292). Forested areas reduced erosion risk in 30% of the region, while unprotected mountainous zones covering 22% of the study area require urgent intervention. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of CBG-enhanced modeling for mapping priority conservation areas. Recommendations include terracing, check dams, vegetation restoration, and adaptive agricultural practices to reduce soil loss, particularly in agricultural lands with moderate to high vulnerability (48% of the plain). The methodology provides a replicable framework for other Mediterranean regions facing similar erosion pressures, offering robust spatial data to guide soil management and conservation planning.