Dynamics of Selected Soil Quality Indicators in Response to Land Use/Cover and Elevation Variations in Wanka Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands

Abera, Wondwosen; Assen, Mohammed

doi:10.2478/eko-2019-0010

Abstract

Soil quality (SQ) dynamics assessment vis-à-vis land use/land cover (LULC) and elevation variations in Ethiopia is desirable as elevation impact on land use is highly pronounced. This study examined SQ indicators dynamics across LULC and elevation variations. For this, surface soil samples (0−20 cm) were collected from the recognized LULC categories of different elevations in Wanka watershed, northwestern Ethiopian highlands. Both disturbed and undisturbed soil samples that were taken from three adjacent LULC (natural forest, grazing and cultivated lands) and elevation (2238–2300, 2400–2600, and 2700–2800) classes analysed for the selected physico-chemical SQ indicators. Two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparison test and SQ deterioration index were computed. The impact of LULC and elevation was found significant on key SQ indicators. In cultivated and grazing lands, soil organic matter (SOM) and soil nutrients like total nitrogen declined significantly (p < 0.01). Conversely, bulk density increased significantly (p < 0.01). The divalent basic cations (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺), cation exchange capacity and pH significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in upper elevation. Synergetic effect of LULC and elevation variations was found significant (p < 0.01) on SOM, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, water content at field capacity and soil particle distribution (silt and clay). Thus, elevation specific land management strategies that improve these SQ indicators need to be emphasized.

References

Abegaz, A., Winowiecki, L.A., Vågen, T.G., Langan, S. & Smith J.U. (2016). Spatial and temporal dynamics of soil organic carbon in landscapes of the upper Blue Nile basin of the Ethiopian highlands. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 218, 190–208. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2015.11.019.10.1016/j.agee.2015.11.019
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Abrham, K., Heluf, G., Tekalign, M. & Kibebew K. (2012). Impact of altitude and land use type on some physical and chemical properties of acidic soils in Tsegede highlands, Northern Ethiopia. Open Journal of Soil Science, 2, 223–233. DOI: 10.4236/ojss.2012.2302710.4236/ojss.2012.23027
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Adugna, A. & Abegaz A. (2016). Effects of land use changes on the dynamics of selected soil properties in north-east Wellega, Ethiopia. Soil, 2, 63–70. DOI: 10.5194/soil-2-63-2016.10.5194/soil-2-63-2016
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aghasi, B., Jalalian, A. & Honarjoo N. (2011). Decline in soil quality as a result of land use change in Ghareh Aghaj watershed of Semirom, Isfahan, Iran. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(4), 992–997. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR10.681.10.5897/AJAR10.681
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Andrews, S.S., Karlen, D.L. & Mitchell J.P. (2002). A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 90, 25–45. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8809(01)00174-8.10.1016/S0167-8809(01)00174-8
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ashagrie, Y., Zech, W. & Guggenberger G. (2005). Transformation of a Podocarpus falcatus dominated natural forest into a monoculture Eucalyptus globulus plantation at Munesa Ethiopia : Soil organic C, N and S dynamics in primary particle and aggregate-size fractions. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 106, 89–98. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2004.07.015.10.1016/j.agee.2004.07.015
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Asmamaw, L.B. & Mohammed A.A. (2013). Effects of slope gradient and changes in land use/cover on selected soil physico-biochemical properties of the Gerado catchment, north-eastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 70(1), 111–125. DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2012.751167.10.1080/00207233.2012.751167
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Awotoye, O., Ogunkunle, C.O. & Adeniyi A.A. (2011). Assessment of soil quality under various land use practices in a humid agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. African Journal of Plant Science, 5(10), 565–569.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ayalew, D.M. & Kassahun D.W. (2016). Monitoring land use/land cover change impacts on soils in data scarce environments: a case of south-central Ethiopia. Journal of Land Use Science, 11(1), 96−112. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2014.927011.10.1080/1747423X.2014.927011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Carter, M.R. & Gregorich E.G. (2006). Soil sampling and methods of analysis. Taylor and Francis: Canadian Society of Soil Science.10.1201/9781420005271
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Diao, X., Hazell, P. & Thurlow J. (2010). The role of agriculture in African development. World Development, 38(10), 1375–1383. DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.06.011.10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.06.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Duguma, L.A., Hager, H. & Sieghardt M. (2010). Effects of land use types on soil chemical properties in smallholder farmers of Central Highland Ethiopia. Ekológia (Bratislava), 29 (1), 1–14. DOI: 10.4149/ekol_2010_01_1.10.4149/ekol_2010_01_1
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Estefan, G., Sommer, R. & Ryan J. (2013). Methods of soil, plant, and water analysis : A manual for the West Asia and North Africa region. Beirut: ICARDA.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Eyayu, M., Heluf, G., Tekalign, M. & Mohammed A. (2009). Effects of land use change on selected soil properties in the Tara Gedam Catchment and adjacent agro-ecosystems, Northwest Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Natural Resources, 11(1), 35–62.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
FAO (1990). FAO/UNESCO soil map of the world revised legend. Rome.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fu, B., Chen, L., Ma, K., Zhou, H. & Wang J. (2000). The relationships between land use and soil conditions in the hilly area of the loess plateau in northern Shaanxi, China. Catena, 39, 69–78. DOI: 10.1016/S0341-8162(99)00084-3.10.1016/S0341-8162(99)00084-3
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gebrelibanos, T. & Assen M. (2013). Effects of slope aspect and vegetation types on selected soil properties in a dryland Hirmi watershed and adjacent agro-ecosystem, northern highlands of Ethiopia. Afr. J. Ecol., 52, 292–299. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12118.10.1111/aje.12118
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gelaw, A.M., Singh, B.R. & Lal R. (2015). Soil quality indices for evaluating smallholder agricultural land uses in Northern Ethiopia. Sustainability, 7(3), 2322–2337. DOI: 10.3390/su7032322.10.3390/su7032322
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gui, D., Lei, J., Mu, G. & Zeng F. (2009). Effects of different management intensities on soil quality of farmland during oasis development in southern Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. World Ecol., 16(4), 295–301. DOI: 10.1080/13504500903108887.10.1080/13504500903108887
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guillaume, T., Maranguit, D., Murtilaksono, K. & Kuzyakov Y. (2016). Sensitivity and resistance of soil fertility indicators to land-use changes: New concept and examples from conversion of Indonesian rainforest to plantations. Ecological Indicators, 67, 49–57. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.02.039.10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.02.039
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guo, L., Wu, G., Li, Y., Li, C., Liu, W., Meng, J., Liu, H., Yu, X. & Jiang G. (2016). Soil and tillage research effects of cattle manure compost combined with chemical fertilizer on topsoil organic matter, bulk density and earthworm activity in a wheat – maize rotation system in Eastern China. Soil Tillage Res., 156, 140–147. DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2015.10.010.10.1016/j.still.2015.10.010
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guteta, D. & Abegaz A. (2017). Dynamics of selected soil properties under four land uses in Arsamma watershed, Southwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Physical Geography, 38(1), 83−102, DOI: 10.1080/02723646.2016.125173410.1080/02723646.2016.1251734
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hurni, H. (1998). Agroecologial belts of Ethiopia: Explanatory notes on three maps at a scale of 1:1 000 000. Research Report, Soil Conservation Research Program. Addis Ababa.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hussien, H.W., Mohammed, A.A. & Nicolau M.D. (2015). Impact of land cover changes and topography on soil quality in the Kasso catchment, Bale Mountains of southeastern Ethiopia. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 36, 357–375. DOI: 10.1111/sjtg.12124.10.1111/sjtg.12124
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Islam, K.R. & Weil R.R. (2000). Land use effects on soil quality in a tropical forest ecosystem of Bangladesh. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 79, 9–16. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00145-0.10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00145-0
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Karlen, D.L., Ditzler, C.A. & Andrews S.S. (2003). Soil quality: why and how? Geoderma, 114, 145–156. DOI: 10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00039-9.10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00039-9
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Landon, J. (1991). Booker tropical soil manual: A hand book for soil survey and agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and subtropics. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lemenih, M. & Itanna F. (2004). Soil carbon stocks and turnovers in various vegetation types and arable lands along an elevation gradient in southern Ethiopia. Geoderma, 123, 177–188. DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2004.02.004.10.1016/j.geoderma.2004.02.004
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lemenih, M., Karltun, E. & Olsson M. (2005). Assessing soil chemical and physical property responses to deforestation and subsequent cultivation in smallholders farming system in Ethiopia. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 105, 373–386. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2004.01.046.10.1016/j.agee.2004.01.046
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mohr, P.J. (1971). The geology of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Haile-Selassie I University Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
NMSAE (National Meteorological Service Agency of Ethiopia) (2015). Temperature and Rain Fall Data of Mekaneyesus Town (Addis Ababa: Unpublished Document).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sağlam, M., Dengiz, O. & Saygın F. (2015). Assessment of horizantal and vertical variabilities of soil quality using multivariate statistics and geostatistical methods. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 46, 1677−1697. DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2015.1045596.10.1080/00103624.2015.1045596
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Savci, S. (2012). Investigation of effect of chemical fertilizers on environment. Procedia APCBEE, 1, 287–292. DOI: 10.1016/j.apcbee.2012.03.047.10.1016/j.apcbee.2012.03.047
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schjønning, P., Elmholt, S. & Christensen B.T. (2004). Managing soil quality: Challenges in modern agriculture. Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences Research Centre Foulum Tjele Denmark.10.1079/9780851996714.0000
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Teferi, E., Bewket, W. & Simane B. (2016). Effects of land use and land cover on selected soil quality indicators in the Headwater area of the Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Environ. Monit. Assess., 188, 83. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-015-5086-1.10.1007/s10661-015-5086-126744135
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tesfahunegn, G.B. (2013). Soil quality indicators response to land use and soil management systems in Northern Ethiopia’s Catchment. Land Degrad. Dev., 27, 438–448. DOI: 10.1002/ldr.2245.10.1002/ldr.2245
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Teshome, Y. (2013). Soil survey, impacts of land use on selected soil properties and land suitability evaluation in Abobo Area, Gambella Regional State of Ethiopia. Dissertation, Haromaya University.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Van-Reeuwijk, L.P. (2002). Procedures for soil analysis. Wageningen: International Soil Reference and Information Centre.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang, J., Fu, B., Qiu, Y. & Chen L. (2001). Soil nutrients in relation to land use and landscape position in the semi-arid small catchment on the loess lateau in China. J. Arid Environ., 48, 537–550. DOI: 10.1006/jare.2000.0763.10.1006/jare.2000.0763
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Woldeamlak, B. (2003). Towards integrated watershed management in Highland Ethiopia: The Chemoga watershed case study. Dissertation, Wageningen University.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yimer, F., Ledin, S. & Abdelkadir A. (2006). Soil property variations in relation to topographic aspect and vegetation community in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. For. Ecol. Manag., 232, 90–99. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2006.05.055.10.1016/j.foreco.2006.05.055
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Dynamics of Selected Soil Quality Indicators in Response to Land Use/Cover and Elevation Variations in Wanka Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract

Paradigm

My account