A Review of Soil Erosion Risks in Somalia

Abstract

Soil erosion represents critical environmental and agricultural challenges in Somalia, where climate variability, recurrent droughts, and unsustainable land-use practices exacerbate vulnerability. This review synthesises findings from published and unpublished studies, reports, and geospatial assessments to evaluate rainfall erosivity, soil loss, and land degradation dynamics across different regions of Somalia. Data were collected from 2000 to 2024 and analyzed using established frameworks, including the Modified Fournier Index (MFI), Bagnouls–Gaussen Index (BGI), the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), and the CORINE methodology. The evidence indicates that high rainfall erosivity affects nearly 40% of Somalia, particularly in southern regions, where alternating drought and intense rainfall events increase erosion susceptibility. Soil loss estimations in Hirshabelle and Bay regions highlight moderate to high erosion risks, influenced by rainfall intensity, slope steepness, and land management practices. The Actual Soil Erosion Risk (ASER) assessment in Waqooyi Galbeed shows that 99% of the landscape faces moderate erosion risk, with localized hotspots of high vulnerability. Furthermore, widespread land degradation, driven by deforestation, overgrazing, and climate change, is diminishing soil fertility and undermining agricultural productivity, thereby worsening food insecurity. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated soil and water conservation strategies, including water harvesting, vegetative cover restoration, and sustainable land management practices. By consolidating secondary data and modeling evidence, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of erosion dynamics in Somalia and offers decision support for policymakers, land managers, and development partners seeking to strengthen resilience and promote sustainable food systems.