Effect of Environmental Gradient on Organic Carbon Stock of Wacho Forest Soil, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

We present the study of environmental gradients such as altitudinal gradient, slope class, and aspect on the organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil in south western Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to collect the soil samples. The soil organic carbon stock was determined by a standardized mathematical equation. A one-way analysis of variance was used to test the effect of environmental gradients such as altitudinal gradient, slope class, and aspect on organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil. The organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil varied from 94.58 ± 9.6 t/ha (15.1–20% slope class) to 130 ± 14 t/ha (5–10% slope class). The organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil ranged from 92 to 140 t/ha in the west and east, respectively. Both slope class and aspect had a statistically significant effect on organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil.