Ecotourism Opportunities Research Articles

Panafricanism, cultural resilience, and biodiversity conservation: A historical perspective in the face of climate change

Pan-Africanism, a socio-political and cultural movement aimed at unifying African nations and people, has played a critical role in shaping the continent's response to global challenges, including climate change. This study explores how Pan-Africanism, cultural resilience, and biodiversity conservation intersect with the urgent issue of climate change. Pan-Africanism, which promotes unity and identity across Africa, is connected to the current need to address environmental problems. Cultural resilience, supported by traditional knowledge, plays a key role in managing resources sustainably and adapting to climate change. By combining these ideas, we can create opportunities for teamwork, sustainable farming, eco-tourism, and climate education. However, this approach also faces challenges, such as varying cultural contexts, limited resources, and balancing development with conservation. Recognizing these challenges and strategically using our strengths can help us use cultural heritage to improve climate resilience and protect biodiversity. This approach aligns with Pan-Africanism's goal of collective progress, providing a guide for societies as they navigate the complexities of climate change while preserving their cultural heritage.

The Potential Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review

This study aims to establish the relationship between sustainable development and ecotourism and showcase how ecotourism can contribute to sustainable development. Result from systematic review revealed that community access to ecotourism opportunities is limited, thereby limiting its contribution to sustainable development. The study concludes that for ecotourism to contribute to sustainable development in local communities, there is a need to reduce social inequality and motivate local community members to contribute to the protection of the local environment and culture. The implications are that ecotourism initiatives can benefit local communities if they are involved in the planning, execution, and control of ecotourism projects.

Mangrove Ecotourism along the Coasts of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Systematic Review

Mangrove ecotourism is gaining immense popularity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as a neoliberal conservation tool, and it has contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism sector in the region over the past two decades. However, there is no comprehensive review on the full extent of mangrove ecotourism activities and the contribution to mangrove conservation/restoration and economic growth in the region. A systematic literature review approach was used to examine the evolution of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 55 articles were retrieved from the Google and Google Scholar search engines, and the Scopus and Web of Science databases were incorporated. We synthesized the results and provided perspectives on the following: (1) the geographical and temporal distribution of studies in relation to mangrove extent, (2) key sites, attractions, and values for mangrove ecotourism activities, (3) the positive and negative impacts of mangrove ecotourism, and (4) existing mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for the growth of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries. The findings underscore the significance of mangrove ecotourism in supporting economic development, protecting coastal ecosystems, and sustaining local livelihoods in the GCC countries. However, this study highlights the crucial need for sustainable coastal environmental management through integrated land use planning and zoning to address the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism attractions. The use of remote sensing tools is invaluable in the monitoring of mangrove ecosystems and associated ecotourism impacts for informing evidence-based conservation and restoration management approaches. Thus, harnessing mangrove ecotourism opportunities can help the GCC countries with balancing economic growth, coastal environmental sustainability, and community well-being.

Valuation of Ratargul swamp forest conservation: Does climate knowledge matter?

The degradation of swamp forest ecosystem services due to the adverse effects of climate change has already been observed. Ratargul Swamp Forest (RSF), the only swamp forest in Bangladesh, provides livelihood and ecotourism opportunities for millions. It forms a crucial nexus between the community's economic well-being and the preservation of a unique, ecologically significant natural habitat. However, this ecosystem has experienced severe degradation due to various climatic and anthropogenic factors. Conservation of this unique ecosystem is expected to play a crucial role in addressing climate change and achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to estimate household Willingness to Pay (WTP) and total economic value for this ecosystem using the contingent valuation under a climate change scenario. The mean WTP is estimated to be 7,360.00 BDT, while the total annual benefit of the RSF conservation program is estimated to be 31,798,129.50 BDT per year using a parametric approach. Our result shows that individuals with higher incomes whose primary livelihood depends on this ecosystem, receive benefits from this ecosystem, and have a good understanding of climate change are likely to pay more for the RSF conservation program. Therefore, implementing a communication policy to increase knowledge about climate change would significantly contribute to conserving this unique ecosystem and thus achieve the country's SDGs and the United Nations REED+ program in developing countries.

Evaluating Ecotourism Opportunities for a Sustainable Environment: The Case of Lake Beysehir (Türkiye)

In addition to providing the basic needs for survival for all living things, the environment also supplies the financial means required to maintain social order. One of the primary resources used by the tourism sector is the environment. Ecotourism and other environmentally conscious tourism initiatives have the power to promote environmental sustainability. In this context, the aim of the current research is to investigate the ecotourism opportunities of Lake Beysehir and the surrounding area and to evaluate them on the axis of sustainable environment. For this purpose, a study was conducted with a quantitative research design. A survey form suitable for SWOT analysis was preferred as the data collection tool. Data for the study were obtained from participants determined using the guided sampling technique, which is preferred for quantitative studies. By analyzing the obtained data, research area's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities in terms of ecotourism, and possible threats to the region's tourism are revealed. In the conclusion of the study, strategies that will enable the identified strengths and opportunities to be transformed into sustainable and environmental friendly tourism activities have been developed. Strategies to counter threats and strengthen weaknesses have also been developed and are included in the conclusion.

Environmental Health Impacts on The Sustainability of The Coral Reef Ecosystem in Gede Island, Indonesia

Gede Island, located north of Rembang Regency in Central Java, Indonesia, hosts coral reefs in poor environmental health. This study aimed to assess the impact of environmental health on various dimensions of sustainability to guide stakeholder decision-making. A descriptive quantitative method was employed. Observations of coral reef variables, including type and percentage of cover, were conducted using the Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method. The sustainability status of management practices was analysed using the Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) method with Rapfish (Rapid Assessment Techniques for Fisheries) 2013 version R software. The results identified 16 genera from three sampling points: Station 1 had 30.35% hard coral cover, Station 2 had 1%, and Station 3 had 12.94%. The sustainability status of Gede Island's coral reefs was evaluated across five attributes: ecological (41.61%), social (48.05%), economic (40.08%), institutional (26.36%), and technological (57.03%). Among these, only the technological attribute was classified as moderately sustainable, while the others were deemed less sustainable. A high sustainability status offers significant potential and benefits for the local community, such as opportunities for ecotourism and fisheries sustainability.

Protecting Japanese giant salamanders (Andrias japonicus) in the Nawa River Basin, Japan: policy recommendations addressing water pollution and waterway disruption

The Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus, is an iconic but declining species of aquatic amphibian. A population within the Nawa River Basin of Tottori Prefecture persists but faces two significant threats. The first major threat is waterway obstructions, in the form of dams, weirs, and concrete embankments, which severely fragment and degrade the habitat. The second is water pollution, primarily caused by runoff from animal farms. Both threats to A. japonicus can be mitigated with proper actions. We provide science-based recommendations, advocating for the modification of dams and weirs by implementing ladderways to restore habitat connectivity and the provisioning of adequate breeding habitat in the form of artificial nest boxes. We also recommend the implementation of regular water quality monitoring and the enforcement of regulations regarding allowed runoff from animal farms. The Nawa River Basin could also be designated as an official sanctuary area for the Japanese Giant Salamander, lending additional formal protection and providing ecotourism opportunities for economically declining rural areas. Though the threats to A. japonicus are serious, the implementation of these mitigation measures and continual monitoring can allow this remarkable species to thrive.

Intention to engage in ecotourism development: validation and extension of the Resident Empowerment through Tourism Scale (Version 2.1)

ABSTRACT This work, based on the conceptual work by Scheyvens and van der Watt (2021), amends the original Resident Empowerment through Tourism Scale (RETS) by including three new dimensions: economic empowerment, cultural empowerment, and environmental empowerment. In so doing, the modified scale is applied in a region of Ecuador not known for its ecotourism opportunities, to determine how residents’ (n = 500) perceived empowerment factors into their intent to engage in ecotourism endeavours through a modified theory of planned behaviour model. Psychometric properties of the 13-item modified RETS were strong. Six of the nine proposed hypotheses were supported via structural equation modelling using IBM Amos 28.0. The first-order model (of perceived empowerment) accounted for 33% of the variance in attitudes about engaging in ecotourism and 82% of the variance in behavioural intentions to engage in ecotourism. A second-order model increased variance explained in attitudes to 70% and in behavioural intentions to 89%.

ЕКОТУРИСТИЧНА АТРАКТИВНІСТЬ РЕГІОНАЛЬНОГО ЛАНДШАФТНОГО ПАРКУ «ПРИТИСЯНСЬКИЙ»

Purpose. The purpose of the article is scientific and practical research into the possibilities of using ecotourism attractiveness within the regional landscape park "Prytysianskyi" (hereinafter referred to as RLP) of the Transcarpathian region. Methodology. The study is based on the integration of scientific approaches to the study of various aspects of the development of ecotourism attractiveness at the regional level. The main research methods are comparative- geographical, statistical, descriptive and analytical. Results. A number of works of domestic scientists, legislative, regulatory and program documents regulating tourist traffic within nature protected territories were analyzed. The essence of the tourist attractiveness of the study area, the possibilities for the development of ecological tourism, and the prerequisites for the functioning of ecotourism infrastructure at the regional level are revealed. It has been proven that attractiveness is the tourist attractiveness of a territory, which is formed primarily in the presence of natural, historical and cultural objects. The prospect of using tourist attractions within a large spacial environmental object is analyzed. A detailed analysis of the ecotourism opportunities of the regional landscape park "Prytysianskyi", located within the Carpathian region of the Transcarpathian region, is given as an example. Based on a thorough analysis, natural, historical and cultural attractions have been studied, and the most popular tourist sites within the RLP have been identified. In addition to interesting tourist sites (natural or historical and cultural), the territory of the Prytysianskyi RLP is conditionally divided into three parts: 1) Latorytska; 2) Borzhavska; 3) Tysianska. For each part, a characteristic of the uniqueness of plant and animal biotopes has been compiled. The Regional Development Strategy of the Transcarpathian Region for the period 2021-2027 has been analyzed, problematic issues of the development of tourism and recreation have been highlighted. For example, the presence and condition of tourist heritage objects, the absence of an investment policy, the outflow of personnel from the service sector abroad, and the low interest of residents of the study area in travelling through their own and neighboring territorial communities are omitted. Scientific novelty. The main accents of the relationship "tourist attractiveness - recreationist (ecotourist) - nature conservation area" have been determined. For the first time, the main tourist attractions within the "Prytysianskyi" RLP have been highlighted. Practical significance. The problems and prospects for the development of ecotourism related to the use of ecotourist attractions, the need to develop tourist routes and brands of the study area, the creation of a unified information space, and modern advertising are highlighted.

Potential for aquatic cultural services in fresh water for fresh water- based ecotourism, Vawnikulam reservoir, in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka

Freshwater-based tourism comprises both tourism and an ecotourism component. The current study evaluates the diversity of freshwater fish in water resources that may suffer from freshwater-based tourism (Ecotourism) within the zone and investigates conceivable opportunities for such ecotourism in Vawnikulam major reservoir in Mullaitive district, Sri Lanka. The Mullaitive district has distinctive topographical highlights that have a high potential for fresh water resources. These highlights include three major tanks, sixteen medium tanks, and more than 100 minor tanks. There are just 21,399 land-based freshwater bodies, 8% of the total land area, and no significant perennial rivers that can be used to irrigate crops. This study used a mix of primary (qualitative and quantitative) and secondary information sources. Multi-gillnet rods and hooks were chosen as the material for the particular harvest strategy, which was utilized to gather the sample. From January to December 2022, the Vawnikulam major reservoir within the Mullaitive district was considered. Fish diversity, relative abundance, and diversity indices were determined and applied to analyze the potential for ecotourism based on freshwater resources. During the study period, 28 species including 11 families were recorded. According to national conservation status (NCS) ,7 Endemic (E) species 14 Native species (NA), 6 Introduced species, and 1 species were Near threatened (NT) were identified. In order to disentangle the pathways of fresh water as aquatic cultural services and create fresh water-based ecotourism activities that can develop in Mullaitive district, Sri Lanka, this investigation distinguished the travellers within the considered area. It also analyses appropriate freshwater-based ecotourism activities.

Assessing Sustainable Ecotourism Opportunities in Western Rajasthan, India, through Advanced Geospatial Technologies

The present study focuses on finding potential sites for ecotourism development using GIS and remote-sensing-based weightage sum overlay techniques in Western Rajasthan, India. Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing and revenue-making sectors incorporating a sustainable future. Western Rajasthan has a broad scope to develop tourism-based activity in various ways, mainly through cultural heritage, historical and archaeological wonders, and rare wildlife. Weightage sum overlay analysis is a useful and simple tool to compare each thematic layer. These values are based on various factors and understanding taken during the study. For this purpose, different data types have been taken from the USGS website. Arc GIS 10.8 and ERDAS Imagine software 2015 have been utilized to process the data. This research incorporates seven thematic layers, i.e., elevation, proximity to streams, land use/cover, population density, road connectivity, proximity to protected areas, and heritage hotspots. Based on the physical and cultural characteristics of Western Rajasthan, the weightage of each thematic layer has been decided, which is finally overlaid using Arc GIS software. After processing all the thematic layers, we finally get an outcome in the form of a suitability map. The final suitability map represents five suitability classes that divide the total area into the following categories, very high (37.31%), high (26.85%), moderate (7.89%), low (0.83%), and very low (27.12%), which represents the potential of ecotourism in Western Rajasthan.

Enhancing human-tiger coexistence in forest corridors of Nepal through a socio-ecological approach to conservation

Forest corridors in lowlands of Nepal provide connectivity for endangered Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) between Nepal and India. In recent years, both Bengal tiger and human populations in these areas have increased, leading to greater potential for conflict. Although people's attitudes and behaviors towards Bengal tigers have been relatively positive, increased tiger attacks are likely to negatively impact human perceptions of risks. We investigated current views of people living in four different communities of the Khata Corridor of Nepal and inferred how their opinions of Bengal tigers varied based on multiple locality-specific effects. We conducted in-person household surveys (N = 177) using a systematic random sampling design and semi-structured questionnaires. In general, people had positive attitudes towards Bengal tigers but also believed expanding populations in the region were responsible for greater conflict. There was a consensus opinion that Bengal tiger abundances should remain constant or be reduced in the next 10 years, indicating potential for reduced acceptance. However, individual's attitude and tolerance for Bengal tigers varied based on structure of local human settlements. Our finding suggest individuals living in communities lacking formal education, with more frequent visitation to forest habitats, higher intensity of hostile interactions, and no benefits from tourism had lower levels of tolerance. Greater tolerance for Bengal tigers was conversely most associated with opposite settlement demographics. Coexistence between humans and Bengal tigers may be enhanced by working towards equal opportunities for eco-tourism among settlements, and public reporting of research findings to counter negative opinions that are not supported by data.

Mapping cultural ecosystem services provision: An integrated model of recreation and ecotourism opportunities

Recreation and ecotourism opportunities are significant and complex Cultural Ecosystem Services, including various ecological and socio-economic aspects. Therefore, an integrated approach is needed to address these service complexities to help inform recreation and tourism planning and management. This study aims to develop an integrated model to map and assess Recreation Opportunity Ecosystem Services (ROES) in the north of Iran involving various ecosystem attributes and indicators. The methodological framework followed in this study allowed us to identify the spatial distribution pattern of recreation ES supply and demand in the study area. Particularly, this study explored the spatial mismatches between the capacity of ecosystems to provide recreational services and societal needs by applying a supply-demand ratio indicator. To predict the future pattern of recreation ES provision in the study area, two scenarios were performed. The results showed that the areas with the highest ROES provision account for only a small share of the study area where there is a high ecosystem potential to fulfill human demand for recreation ES. The results of the mismatch analysis revealed that urban and rural areas showed a shortfall in supply, whereas the areas with a high degree of naturalness exhibited an excess supply than demand. The hot spot analysis performed for two current and future scenarios showed that the areas of recreation ES hot spots considerably decreased due to population growth and land use change in the study area over a 30-year period. Our findings can provide insights for decision-making and spatial planning to maintain recreation ES and the benefits delivered to users.

POTENTIAL NATURAL TOURISM AREA IN SUPPORTING THE ASAHAN GO WISATA PROGRAM (Case of Asahan River Rafting Tour, Asahan Regency)

The objectives of this study are: To analyze the ecotourism potential in the Asahan River Rapids area based on the ECOS (Ecotourism Opportunity Spectrum). This qualitative descriptive study uses four data collection techniques: observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. The sampling technique in this study uses non-probability precisely, namely Purposive Sampling and Incidental Sampling. Then the data obtained were analyzed using the ECOS approach. Research shows that the potential for ecotourism in the Asahan River Rapids area based on the ECOS approach is to have an Eco Specialist indicator. Where these indicators are assessed using seven components in ECOS, namely the access component with the Eco Specialist indicator, other related resource components with the intermediate indicator, the attraction component with the Eco Specialist indicator, the infrastructure component with the Eco Specialist indicator, and the social interaction component with the Eco indicator. Specialist, component level of ability and knowledge with indicator Intermediate, and the component of visitor impact with indicator Intermediate.

Potentials, opportunities and challenges of ecotourism development in selected historical and sacred sites of North Shewa Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia

PurposeEcotourism has emerged as a new hope of the tourism sector and is expected to overcome past pitfalls of mass tourism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the potentials and challenges of ecotourism development in the historic and sacred sites of North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through interview, household questionnaire, field observation and focused group discussion. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23) and Excel.FindingsBased on household’s perception, churches and monasteries were mentioned as the main (17.58%) ecotourism attractions that have crucial role in ecotourism development in the area followed by biodiversity resources (17.23%) and Holy Water (16.01%). These existing ecotourism potentials and opportunities were discussed on the basis of five dimensions, i.e. historical and sacred attractions, biological attractions, cultural attractions, infrastructures and institutional potentials. The mean score values of a five-point Likert scale level of agreement or disagreement of respondents were between 2 and 4.5, implying overall responses of respondents spread between agree and strongly agree.Originality/valueThe findings reveal that although the historic and sacred sites of the area have potential ecotourism opportunities, different anthropogenic activities are affecting its development. The researchers recommended awareness creation programs, promotion of sites, development of infrastructures, employments of well-trained professionals and allocation of sufficient budgets as a mechanism to use the ecotourism potential and solving the existing challenges.

Ecosystem services based on land use/cover and socio-economic factors in Lake Burullus, a Ramsar Site, Egypt

The ecosystem valuation of Lake Burullus, a coastal lake, has undergone a number of limnological changes as a result of recent land use changes and developments. Lake Burullus is an ecological system that supplies various ecosystem services (ESs) to the local community. The value of these services depends on changes in land use/cover (LU/LC) and socio-economic factors, such as fish production. A supervised classification was applied to show four categories: water, vegetation, fish farms, and service lands. Markov and cellular automata–Markov models were applied to investigate and predict the LU/LC transition. Results showed an increase in bodies of water owing to ongoing developments in Lake Burullus. Furthermore, the removal of aquatic plants reflected a decrease in vegetation. From 2009 to 2013, the fish farm area increased. This has led to an increase in the value of ESs. These changes in the LU/LC positively impacted the ESVs because of the conversion among the different classes. ESVs temporarily varied considerably in Lake Burullus. An increased ecosystem value provides increased opportunities for recreation and ecotourism. From 2009 to 2018, fish production in Lake Burullus increased by ∼34%, an increase of 18,000 tonnes, because of recent developments. Additionally, exploitation was the least in the central parts, towards the fish farm areas. The water pollution indicated that drainage waters are affecting the ESV. The obtained results will be useful in the updated management plan for this important protected area (Ramsar Site).

Investigating Ecotourism Opportunities Measurements in a Complex Adaptive System: A Systematic Literature Review

Identifying and quantifying ecotourism opportunities are critical processes in sustainable tourism planning, which is challenging, since ecotourism is a Complex Adaptive System (CAS). This study investigated Ecotourism Opportunities Measurements (EOMs) in the literature and mapped the research trends to provide practical implications for research in this area. A systematic quantitative literature review began with a scientometric analysis in CiteSpace to examine the existing knowledge and the state of the art in EOMs. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol was then applied to refine the initial search results, and snowballing was used to collect additional articles. The refined set was then thematically coded and quantitatively analyzed. Our findings show that existing studies on ecotourism opportunities predominantly focus on the impacts of ecotourism on the environment, stakeholders’ contributions toward ecotourism development, sustainability, and responsible behavior of local communities in ecotourism promotion. In addition, five dimensions have been identified under which ecotourism opportunities can be measured, including nature, environmental education/protection, sustainability, socio-cultural benefits, and tourist satisfaction. Existing scales or indices assess potential destinations qualitatively rather than quantitatively. In contrast, an index-based approach might help to solve the challenges of evaluating ecotourism opportunities as a CAS, as well as to quantitatively assess potential destinations to support decision-making related to ecotourism promotion.

Modern zoning plans versus traditional landscape structures: Ecosystem service dynamics and interactions in rapidly urbanizing cultural landscapes

Cultural landscapes provide abundant and diverse ecosystem services (ES) for human-wellbeing. However, many traditional cultural landscapes worldwide are currently undergoing rapid urbanization. In decision-making concerning sustainable urbanization, tradeoffs frequently occur between different objectives (i.e., between multiple ES) and between different pathways or urbanization strategies (e.g., following modern zoning principles or traditional landscape structures). This study aims to examine the dynamics and interactions between multiple ES under different strategies for the urbanization of cultural landscapes. A case study was conducted in Nansha, China. Three scenarios—business-as-usual, zoning plan-based, and traditional landscape structure-based—were developed to reflect the most common urbanization strategies, each parameterized with identical land-use quantities. Land-use change from 2020 to 2035 under different scenarios was simulated using the PLUS model (integrated Random Forest and Cellular Automata models). The traditional landscape structure-based scenario used the settlement pattern before urbanization to predict the chances of future urban areas’ occurrence. Eleven ES indicators were used to examine ES dynamics and interactions in the simulation outcomes. The results showed that the amount of ES provided by the landscape declined and significant tradeoffs occurred between cultural and non-cultural ES. The business-as-usual scenario resulted in the greatest decrease in ES. The zoning plan-based scenario did not offer a significant improvement over the business-as-usual scenario. The traditional landscape structure-based scenario was the most effective in limiting ES decline, which also mitigated the tradeoff between urban development and flood regulation and fostered synergy between urban efficiency and ecotourism opportunity. Based on these findings, we recommend that traditional landscape structures should be emphasized in the development of cultural landscapes.

Biodiversity in Lower Montane Forest of Petungkriyono: A Review

One of the symbols of biodiversity in Indonesia’s lower montane forest is Petungkriyono. Due to its location adjacent to populated areas, it has an impact on the survival of the local flora and animals in the Petungkriyono forest area. This study aims to provide a preliminary description of the plant and animal species found in the Petungkriyono forest area. A synoptic review method to Petungkriyono biodiversity publications was used in the writing of the article. The study’s findings revealed that the Petungkriyono forest region consisted of 168 species of wildlife and 204 species of plants. Certain species are endemic, while others fall into the IUCN conservation status categories of Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), and Critically Endangered (CR). It is also a certain that a number of species will be added to the CITES Appendix list in 2023 (Appendices I and II). The demands of population expansion and poaching are the current issues, burdening the forest areas that are already there. High biodiversity, stunning scenery, and the presence of indigenous knowledge can all present opportunities for ecotourism. Immediate implementation of conservative measures, such as maximizing current opportunities to preserve biodiversity, is essential.

Useful indicators and models for assessing erosion control ecosystem service in a semi-arid forest landscape.

Forests provide a large array of ecosystem services (ESs) such as wood supply, extreme natural event prevention, and ecotourism opportunities. The quantitative characterization of ESs is a crucial but costly task for environmental managers. The aim of this study was to develop easily applicable models and indicators for assessing erosion control ES in a semi-arid landscape. In order to accomplish this, 107 randomly selected plots were visited for field measurements and topsoil sampling. Several parametric tests were then used to analyze the field data. The findings revealed that (i) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), (ii) cover management (C) factor of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), (iii) soil organic matter content, (iv) canopy cover ratio, and (v) land use/land cover (LULC) types could be used as useful performance indicators of erosion control ES. Two regression models were developed based on these indicators and compared to RUSLE results for the study area. Using the first model, we were able to estimate the soil protection performance of different LULC types by NDVI at the pixel level (R2adj = 0.90, p < 0.05). The second model estimated annual potential soil loss using NDVI and ground slope values (R2adj = 0.57, p < 0.05). Based on the ES indicators framework, a practical approach was proposed in this study for rapid assessment of the soil erosion problem without running RUSLE. Thus, environmental managers are expected to make well-informed landscape planning decisions and improve their ES provision application capabilities at a reduced cost.