Effects of Gully Erosion on Natural Resource Degradation among Agro pastoralists in Dhubato Village, Hargeisa District, Somaliland/Somalia.

ABSTRACT This study explored the effect of Gully Erosion on Natural Resource Degradation Among Agro pastoralists in Dhubato Village, Hargeisa District, Somaliland/Somalia. The study sought to establish whether there was a significant effect of gully erosion on agricultural lands, vegetation cover and pasture lands, soil fertility and biodiversity. The study employed a descriptive survey design following a quantitative approach. Data was collected using a questionnaire from sample size of 97 of agro pastoralist’s, who were selected by using a purposive sample in October 2023. Data was analysed at a univariate level using Frequency Counts, percentage distributions, means and standard deviation, at a bivariate level using Regression Analysis and at a multivariate level using Multiple Regression Analysis. The findings revealed that gully erosion to agricultural lands (r= .108; p = 0.384 < .05), and gully erosion to vegetation cover and pasture lands (r = .183; p= .0139 < .05) and the third result was the effect of gully erosion on soil fertility and biodiversity (r= .211; p= .022 < .05) that means the gully erosion has a significant impact on natural resource degradation among agro- pastoralists in Dhubato village, Hargeisa district Somaliland. The study concluded that the gully erosion had a considerable effect on the natural resource degradation. The researcher recommends that government should build the community resilience and climate adaptation capacity through introducing sustainable land management practices that leads the reduction of natural resource degradation, promotes ecosystem benefits, biodiversity and environmental conservation. The researcher recommends that the government develop community adaptation and mitigation plans and provide support to access the implementation of those plans. Moreover, the government should make policy enforcement, particularly the environmental protection policies. The communities should establish local initiatives and community networks with government support for reducing the adverse impacts of natural resource degradation including voluntary activities for nature rebuilding strategies.