Effect of Different Land-Use Types on Soil Properties in Cheha District, South-Central Ethiopia

Solomon Kebebew,Lemma Wogi,Bobe Bedadi,Teklu Erkossa,Fantaw Yimer

doi:10.3390/su14031323

Solomon Kebebew, Lemma Wogi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031323

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Abstract

Land-use changes under poor management practices are among the major causes of decline in soil fertility and agricultural productivity in south-central Ethiopia. Therefore, the study of soil properties variations across land-use types will have implications for planning proper soil management strategies. This study assessed the effects of land-use types on soil physicochemical properties in the Cheha district, south-central Ethiopia. Seven land-use types, eucalyptus plantation, cultivated, grazing, shrub, enset (Ensete ventricosum), khat (Chata edulis), and natural forest, were considered in describing soil fertility. A total of 21 soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected randomly from three representative soil sampling plots across each land-use type and examined for their analysis of soil physicochemical properties. Results showed that land-use changes induced significant (p < 0.05) differences in the soil OC, total N, CEC, pH, aluminum saturation, and Fe among land-use types were observed. Soils under eucalyptus plantation were considerably low in the sand (23.44%), silt (24.00%), and available water content (111.13 mm/m), whereas high in clay (52.56%) content and bulk density (1.39 g cm−3) as compared to enset land-use type. Compared to natural forest, soils under enset land-use type were high in soil OC (2.41%), total N (0.23%), and CEC (37.61 cmol (+) kg−1) followed by khat land-use. Correlation analysis also showed a highly significant positive relationship between soil OC and CEC but negative with bulk density, soil pH, and aluminum saturation. Total N in eucalyptus plantation, cultivated, khat, and enset lands were depleted by 56.0%, 40.0%, 36.0%, and 8.0%, respectively. Relative to forest land, lower exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Na contents were recorded in soils of cultivated land use. The extractable Fe, Mn, and Zn contents of soils were generally high and are not limiting for crop production. The intensive exploitation of land resources and improper soil management systems in the area could be the major factors for variations in soil properties across land-use types. Therefore, there is a need to develop integrated soil management practices that could help to restore soil nutrients and thereby minimize the continuing soil degradation for sustainable agricultural productivity.

Highlights

The results showed that the soil properties varied across different land-use types in the Cheha district
A substantial variability exhibiting in most soil properties among land-use types was observed that could affect proper soil functions
These findings indicated that soil physicochemical properties under different land-use types had significant changes

Summary

Introduction

Soil is the foundation resource for most land uses, and the most important component of sustainable agriculture [1]. Land degradation caused by inappropriate land use is a worldwide problem that has attracted attention in sustainable agricultural production systems. The unusual land management practices can lead to a loss in potential soil nutrients and soil quality, thereby affecting agricultural production, food security, and livelihoods [2]. The growing population and increasing socio-economic necessities create pressure on land use and land cover, resulting in unplanned and uncontrolled changes in land use [3]. This rapid increase in population has led to diminishing cultivable land, Sustainability 2022, 14, 1323.

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