## 1 Introduction
Additionally, in the present paper, the emphasis is on the practical implementation of our results for the sustainable management of watersheds, addressing deep and unique challenges faced by the Wadi Haly catchment that might not apply in other areas. By identifying, analyzing, and assigning the studied sub-catchments based on their sustainability to soil erosion, in the present paper, specific intervention techniques are provided that can guide local decision-makers and the allocation of resources, thereby increasing the resilience of systems for managing water resources in Saudi Arabia. In contrast to earlier research, which frequently restricted analysis to a smaller number of morphometric parameters, in our study, a comprehensive approach is taken by integrating a wide variety of indices to reflect the hydrological and geomorphological complexity of the catchment. In particular, the areal parameters (drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, elongation ratio, circularity ratio, and compactness coefficient), linear parameters (stream order, stream number, bifurcation ratio, stream length, and length of overland flow), and relief parameters (basin relief, relief ratio, ruggedness number, and slope) are examined. A more thorough knowledge of the mechanisms affecting soil erosion in the Wadi Haly catchment is made possible by the inclusion of these many characteristics. Another unique aspect of this study is the priority strategy used. Unlike generic ranking techniques, in the present study, a weighted ranking strategy is developed that integrates the combined influence of multiple morphometric parameters. The unique hydrological and environmental features of the Wadi Haly catchment, including the region's arid climate, sporadic and heavy rainfall events, diverse soil types, little vegetation cover, and steep slopes, were taken into consideration when designing this system. These regional factors improve the prioritizing framework's accuracy and guarantee that it is pertinent and applicable to the difficulties encountered in this area. Furthermore, the sub-catchments can be divided into three different erosion risk categories (high, moderate, and low) using the composite parameter created for this study. This classification makes it easier to create efficient soil and water conservation plans and helps decision-makers pinpoint areas that need urgent attention. Examples that can be explicitly implemented in the sub-catchments that our study identified as high-risk include terracing, check dams, contour farming, and reforestation projects. The methods and conclusions of this investigation have wider ramifications than just their local significance. The enlarged collection of morphometric parameters and the thorough prioritization process offer a scalable model that may be modified for application in comparable arid and semi-arid areasaround the world. This scalability guarantees that the research advances watershed management techniques in other areas dealing with similar environmental issues in addition to improving our knowledge and control of soil erosion in the Wadi Haly catchment. In the present study, the morphometric analysis and the power of the geographic information systems (GIS) in the Wadi Haly catchment are integrated to identify the areas most vulnerable to soil erosion. Furthermore, in this study, the focus is on performing a thorough morphometric evaluation, examining several parameters that influence watershed characteristics and the dynamics of erosion processes in the sub-catchments of this study. This method supports efficient land and water resource management by offering a thorough understanding of erosion-prone areas. The results of this investigation are expected to provide essential insights for decision-makers, water resource managers, and agricultural practitioners. By pinpointing regions severely impacted by soil erosion process, this study supports the formulation of specific conservation measures and effective management strategies.