Impact of soil and water conservation intervention on soil physico-chemical properties in Awash Basin, Ethiopia

Soil security Pub Date : 2025-05-04 DOI:10.1016/j.soisec.2025.100189

Alebachew Shumye Moges, Sisay Assefa Wondimagegn

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Abstract

Since 2010, soil and water conservation practices have been implemented throughout the Dawule watershed to restore its degraded landscape. However, a comprehensive evaluation of these conservation measures' effects on soil physico-chemical properties has not been conducted. This study assessed the influence of conservation interventions on soil characteristics within the watershed.

The research examined various land use types (enclosures, cultivated land, open grazing land, and bare land) and conservation approaches (physical and biological) across three slope gradients (gentle, medium, and steep). Non-conserved areas with comparable slope classifications were included as controls. Soil analysis employed a two-way ANOVA design. Thirty-six soil samples were collected at 0–30 cm depth from each land use type for laboratory analysis, and 208 households were surveyed to evaluate conservation practices' impact on land productivity, erosion control, runoff reduction, and sediment retention.

Results demonstrated significant variations in soil physical properties (bulk density, moisture content, and texture) between conserved and non-conserved areas. Chemical properties—including pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable potassium, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, organic matter, and available phosphorus—showed significant differences across land management types and slope positions (p < 0.05). Areas managed with stone-face soil bunds exhibited particularly significant improvements in soil physico-chemical properties (p < 0.05).

Additionally, most respondents reported decreased soil erosion rates and increased land productivity following the implementation of conservation practices. These findings highlight the importance of appropriate conservation measures for reducing soil loss, enhancing soil physical and chemical properties, and improving overall land productivity in the watershed.

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水土保持干预对埃塞俄比亚阿瓦什盆地土壤理化性质的影响

自2010年以来，在整个达乌勒流域实施了水土保持措施，以恢复其退化的景观。然而，目前还没有对这些保护措施对土壤理化性质的影响进行全面评价。本研究评估了保护措施对流域土壤特征的影响。该研究考察了三种坡度（平缓、中等和陡峭）的不同土地利用类型（圈地、耕地、露天放牧地和裸地）和保护方法（物理和生物）。具有可比坡度分类的非保护区作为对照。土壤分析采用双向方差分析设计。研究人员从每一种土地利用类型中收集了36个0-30 cm深度的土壤样本进行实验室分析，并对208户家庭进行了调查，以评估保护措施对土地生产力、侵蚀控制、径流减少和泥沙保持的影响。结果表明，在保护区和非保护区之间，土壤物理性质（容重、含水量和质地）存在显著差异。化学性质——包括pH值、电导率、可交换钾、阳离子交换量、有机碳、有机质和速效磷——在土地管理类型和坡位之间存在显著差异(p <；0.05)。石面土壤带管理的地区在土壤理化性质方面表现出特别显著的改善(p <；0.05)。此外，大多数答复者报告说，在实施保护措施后，土壤侵蚀率下降，土地生产力提高。这些发现强调了适当的保护措施对于减少土壤流失、提高土壤物理和化学性质以及提高流域整体土地生产力的重要性。

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