Assessing Agronomic Risk under Altitudinal-Slope Variations in Eastern India: A Conceptual Synthesis of Soil-Water-Productivity Interactions

Abstract

Topographic heterogeneity is a defining feature of the Eastern Region of India (ERI), where sharp gradients in altitude and slope exert strong control over soil formation processes, hydrological dynamics, vegetation distribution, and agricultural performance. There is an urgent need to synthesize multidisciplinary evidence to evaluate agronomic risks associated with altitudinal–slope variations across ERI's major landscape units—floodplains, piedmonts, undulating uplands, and hilly terrains. Steeper slopes and higher elevations consistently elevates risks due to enhanced runoff generation, severe soil erosion, rapid nutrient loss, reduced soil organic carbon (SOC), and diminished soil moisture retention, collectively heightening susceptibility to crop failure. In contrast, mid-altitude zones with higher vegetation cover tend to exhibit moderated erosion and improved soil stability, while lower elevations face complex risks driven by intensive cultivation, sedimentation, land-use transitions, and expanding urbanization. Comparable evidence from Himalayan and other terraincomplex regions reinforces these topography-driven degradation patterns, particularly regarding erosion rates, nutrient redistribution, and SOC variability. The terrain attributes fundamentally regulate soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, influencing micronutrient availability, infiltration capacity, SOC stocks, and vegetation structure—key determinants of agronomic suitability. With projected increases in rainfall intensity and monsoonal variability under climate change, these topographylinked risks are expected to intensify. Incorporating high-resolution terrain metrics into agronomic risk assessments can substantially strengthen land-use planning, soil conservation strategies, and climate-resilient agricultural management. Thus, there is urgent need for altitude- and slope-responsive interventions including erosion control, vegetative reinforcement, precision nutrient management, and landscape-specific conservation practices to safeguard soil health and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity in the highly diverse and vulnerable eastern region of India.