Integrating Soil Erosion and Sediment Connectivity Indices to Identify Sediment Hotspots in the Godavari River Basin

Soil erosion and sediment connectivity play a crucial role in shaping river basin health, especially in monsoon-dominated regions where both natural processes and human interventions strongly influence sediment dynamics. This study investigates soil erosion patterns and sediment connectivity across two contrasting sub-basins of the Godavari River—Sabari, representing a near-natural system, and Manjira, a highly human-modified basin. Using multi-temporal land-use and land-cover data from 1985 to 2022, along with probabilistic indices such as sediment transport potential (STP) and the soil erosion and transport index (SETI), the study evaluates how geomorphic conditions, hydrological processes, and anthropogenic activities jointly control sediment generation and delivery. Six land-use classes were analysed to capture long-term landscape transformations, revealing rapid agricultural expansion and urban growth in Manjira, while Sabari remained largely forest-dominated. The combined STP–SETI analysis highlights distinct sediment hotspots, particularly in north–northwestern Manjira and central–southeastern Sabari, where steep slopes, reduced vegetation cover, and altered connectivity increase erosion risk. Major reservoirs, including Nizamsagar, Donkarayi, Singur, and Balimela, emerge as key regulators by disrupting sediment pathways and creating upstream sediment storage zones. The novelty of this work lies in integrating static erosion indicators with dynamic land-use changes using a probabilistic framework to identify spatially explicit sediment regimes. The findings emphasize the need for basin-specific management strategies, advocating vegetation restoration in Sabari and integrated sediment–reservoir management in Manjira to promote sustainable sediment governance.