Unsustainable crop land use in Ethiopia's Jema watershed threatens soil and water.
The study analyzed land use in the Jema watershed in Ethiopia to determine how much cultivated land is on non-arable areas. They used soil surveys, weather data, and satellite images to classify the land based on its capability for farming. They found that a significant portion of the land is not suitable for agriculture, yet some of it is still being used for crops. This unsustainable practice could lead to soil erosion and flooding. The researchers suggest replacing annual crops on non-arable land with perennial crops or other land uses to prevent environmental damage.