Determining and mapping the soil erodibility factor (K) in relation to pedological properties across land uses in the Umsarang micro-watershed, Meghalaya

Soil erosion poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability and sustainable land management, particularly in fragile hill landscapes of the Northeastern Himalayas. The soil erodibility factor (K) plays a critical role in determining the susceptibility of soils to detachment and transport by water, with key controls including organic matter, texture, structure and permeability. Despite its importance, knowledge of K variability under different land-use systems in Meghalaya remains limited, constraining effective soil conservation planning. Therefore, this study focused on determining and mapping the soil erodibility factor across the Umsarang micro-watershed, while examining its relationship with critical pedological properties. Forest and agricultural land-use systems were treated as comparative management conditions to assess land-use-induced variability in soil erodibility. The K-factor values ranged from 0.135 to 0.345 t ha h ha-1 MJ-1 mm-1, with forest soils exhibiting higher soil organic matter content (4.32 %) and lower variability in K compared to agricultural soils (3.49 %). Forest soils exhibited balanced texture and greater aggregate stability, resulting in lower and more uniform K-values, whereas agricultural soils showed reduced organic matter and greater variability in K, indicating higher erosion risk. Correlation analysis showed that K increased with silt content and decreased with organic matter, sand and clay fractions, highlighting the combined influence of soil composition and structural stability on erodibility. The generated spatial maps provide a clear visualization of erosion-prone areas and offer a practical tool for prioritizing site-specific soil and water conservation interventions to minimize crop loss. By linking soil properties with erosion vulnerability, the study provides actionable insights for sustainable watershed management, emphasizing the importance of maintaining organic matter, stable soil structure and vegetative cover to reduce erosion risks and enhance long-term soil health, which further safeguards crop yield and health in hilly regions.