Abstract
Abstract Increased soil erosion by water in river basins affects the siltation of rivers and the productive capacity of reservoirs and disrupts ecosystems, leading to cascading effects. This systematic review assesses soil erosion status and approaches used in soil erosion assessments in river basins under changing climate based on an analysis of 49 published manuscripts. Results show increased soil erosion and sedimentation in 73% of the river basins, while 27% of the basins show a decreasing trend out of the case studies reviewed. These trends are mainly attributed to the precipitation variation within the river basin, as evidenced by the positive correlation between future precipitation and soil erosion. The primary approach for evaluating future soil erosion is through modeling and simulation, with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation being the most commonly used model across various climate change scenarios. This review concludes that there is a clear tendency to increase future soil erosion and sedimentation in river basins around the world, and the modeling and simulation of river basins are the most popular approaches in assessing future soil erosion. To capture future climate changes, this study suggests using future rainfall projections from an ensemble of best-fitted GCMs tailored to the basin. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of employing process-based models, along with algorithms for simulating future land use, canopy cover, and streambank and gully erosion. A study is suggested to recommend a common base period in assessing future soil erosion and defining the far and near future. However, the results of the current studies are capable of identifying the relative soil erosion vulnerable areas under changing climates, and policymakers can use the results to make proactive decisions for soil conservation in river basins.