2023/11/04 by Kitila, Getahun
#Erosion #Land use types #land productivity #mono-cropping #soil properties
paper · doi:10.20372/star.v11i2.03
Deterioration of soil qualities is brought on by agricultural practices like deforestation, ongoing cultivation, and extensive grazing. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of different land-use types on soil quality indicators in the Gibe watershed of Bako Tibe District in Western Ethiopia. Land use systems, including forest, grazing, and cultivated land, were identified. Soil samples were collected from the 0–20 cm depth of three different adjacent land uses. Specific soil fertility indicators were examined using standard laboratory techniques. Land use changes from forest to agriculture resulted in significant decreases in silt contents, aggregate stability, N, P, K, and organic matter, and with this change, bulk density, sand content, and pH were significantly increased. A considerable difference between cultivated and uncultivated fields was found in the clay content and bulk density of the soil. According to the study's findings, intensive farming, excessive grazing, monoculture, inadequate soil management, and water-saving practices severely deplete the soil's natural resources, lower land productivity, and leave the soil vulnerable to leaching and erosion. Generally speaking, farmed land's soil qualities are worsening in comparison to soils in forested and grassland areas. The studied soils were found to be predominantly clays with slightly acidic and low SOC contents and a slow infiltration rate. Thus, integrated and sustainable land management, aimed at enhancing proper land use systems, is crucial for the functioning of sustainable ecosystems and is the most effective way to reverse soil quality deterioration.