Land use and land cover change (LULC) is known worldwide as a key factor of environmental modification that significantly affects natural resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of land use and land cover in the Matenchose watershed from the years 1991, 2003, and 2020, and future prediction of land use changes for 2050. Landsat TM for 1991, ETM+ for 2003, and Landsat-8 OLI were used for LULC classification for 2020. A supervised image sorting method exhausting a maximum likelihood classification system was used, with the application using ERDAS Imagine software. Depending on the classified LULC, the future LULC 2050 was predicted using CA-Markov and Land Change Models by considering the different drivers of LULC dynamics. The 1991 LULC data showed that the watershed was predominantly covered by grassland (35%), and the 2003 and 2020 LULC data showed that the watershed was predominantly covered by cultivated land (36% and 52%, respectively). The predicted results showed that cultivated land and settlement increased by 6.36% and 6.53%, respectively, while forestland and grassland decreased by 63.76% and 22.325, respectively, from 2020 to 2050. Conversion of other LULC categories to cultivated land was most detrimental to the increase in soil erosion, while forest and grassland were paramount in reducing soil loss. The concept that population expansion and relocation have led to an increase in agricultural land and forested areas was further reinforced by the findings of key informant interviews. This study result might help appropriate decision making and improve land use policies in land management options.

and bare land increased by 83.20 and 65.54 ha respectively while shrub & grass land and forest land decreased by 112.59 and 46.16 ha respectively. The results showed that cultivated land and settlement land expanded by 67.38% and 532% respectively whereas forest land, shrub land &grass land declined by 66.35%, 18.36% respectively over the analysis period (1972-2017). There should be appropriate rural land use/management policy by identifying proper land for specific purpose so that degraded lands would not put under cultivation.

The global ecosystem services that are essential to sustaining life on the planet have been disrupted by different anthropogenic activities. This study’s objective is to examine how ecosystem services vary with changes in land use and land cover (LULC) across 29 years at the Matenchose watershed. Landsat images for 1991 (TM), 2003 (ETM+), and 2020 (OLI-8) were used for the categorization of LULC. To evaluate the changes in ecosystems service valuations (ESVs) as a result of LULC changes in combination with ArcGIS, the value transfer valuation approach was utilized. Farmlands, towns, and bare land exhibited growing trends among the five major LULC classes, but forest and grassland showed declining trends. From 1991 to 2020, ESVs decreased by a total of US $157.24 million due to the LULC modifications. In terms of ESV functions, provisional services (US $89.23 million) and cultural services (US $69.36 million) made up the majority of the loss of ESV. Overall, the reduction of ESV showed the environment is degrading because of existing LULC changes, this calls for immediate sustainable land management intervention by responsible actors. To attain sustainable development goals regarding food and life on the land, it is imperative to reverse the loss of ecosystem services.

The global community recognizes land use and land cover change (LULC) as a primary cause of ecological modification that has a considerable impact on natural resources, particularly soil and water resources. The aim of this research was to investigate land use change's influences on soil erosion in the Matenchose watershed of Ethiopia in 1991, 2003, and 2020. The maximum likelihood classification (MLC) method was used in the study for supervised image analysis. Soil erosion was estimated using the geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. According to the LULC data from 1991, the watershed was mostly covered by grassland (35%), while in 2003 and 2020, it was typically enclosed by cultivated land (36%) and (52%), respectively. The watershed's mean annual soil erosion rate grew significantly from 13 t/ha in 1991 to 18 t/ha in 2003 to 21 t/ha in 2020. Based on the current soil loss rate result, the Matenchose watershed was divided into five priority groups for soil management practices. In contrast, the watershed is made up of 2052 ha (21%) of areas with high to very high erosion risk, 3304 ha (33%) of areas with moderate erosion risk, and 2866 ha (29%) of areas with severe erosion risk. Based on the average annual rate of soil erosion, several vital subwatersheds were identified for potential future land management‐related actions. Over the 29 years, the area of grassland and forest decreased while agricultural and settlement areas expanded, and they contributed to the enhanced hazards of soil erosion. Particularly vulnerable to erosion are the watershed's hilly and steeper areas. The identified subwatersheds that are most at risk of erosion should be given priority for upcoming LULC initiatives, proper participatory watershed planning and management, and measures to conserve soil and water to preserve the Matenchose watershed's soil resources.

The natural resources are becoming scanty in developing country like Ethiopia to support over increased human population without deprivation, scientific approach of land suitability is important to make a proper decision for sustainable agricultural development and maximizing the best use of the land resources. With the deliberation of Rainfed conditions of maize, sorghum and wheat, land suitability evaluation was carried out at Bilate Alaba Subwatershed. Uses of maximum limitation and parametric (Storie and Square root) were applied for the determination of land suitability categories of land characteristics. The result showed that climate is highly suitable (S1) for maize whereas moderately suitable (S2) for sorghum and wheat. From total sub-watershed, 2.45% is marginally suitable (S3) for wheat and 97.55% is moderately suitable (S2) for maize and sorghum production using FAO land evaluation method whereas offering Storie method, 14.75% of sub-watershed is marginally suitable (S3) for sorghum and wheat, 85.25% is moderately suitable (S2) for sorghum and wheat cultivation. Considering maize production under rain-fed conditions, all mapping units were moderately suitable (S2). Parametric Square root result revealed that four soil mapping units were moderately suitable (S2) for maize, wheat and sorghum crops in the sub-watershed. Soil fertility (phosphorus and nitrogen), moisture stress and erosion hazard were the most limiting factors in the sub-watershed. Soil management practices may recover soil fertility with the application of animal manures and household wastes for nitrogen and phosphorus limitations, proper natural resource protection practice to cut the effects of erosion due to topographic features.