Abstract
Soil erosion is a major challenge in sustaining agricultural production. Area closure with tree planting and physical conservation measures, implemented by various land rehabilitation programs is one of the best options to address the soil erosion problem. This study was conducted to assess the effect of integrated soil and water conservation (SWC) practices on woody vegetation rehabilitation and soil erosion reduction in Hawassa Zuriya Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Vegetation cover type classification and delineation were completed for each land management category (closure area with SWC, closure area without SWC and open grazing area) in the field. RUSLE model integrated with a GIS environment was used to estimate the annual soil losses. Results showed that SWC practices were increased forest, shrub and grass coverage, and reduced bare land surface coverage. The average C (p=0.02) and P values (p=0.04), and annual soil erosion rate were significantly lower in closure with SWC (p=0.0001) compared to the value without SWC and open grazing land. Thus, the average annual soil erosion rate was reduced below a tolerable (< 1 t/ha/yr.) level by SWC practices. The overall results confirmed that integrated soil and water conservation practices reduced soil erosion rates and improved woody species diversity. Therefore, area closure integrated with SWC practices is the best option to improve the biophysical condition of degraded lands.
Highlights
Land degradation is a serious global environmental problem confronting mankind over the year [1]
Establishment of area closure integrated with soil and water conservation (SWC) practices was played a great role in vegetation rehabilitation and soil erosion reduction in the study area
The results revealed that SWC practices, area closure with hillside traces and tree planting were helped to improve the vegetation cover
Summary
Land degradation is a serious global environmental problem confronting mankind over the year [1]. Soil erosion by water is a major agent of land degradation in Ethiopia and it has significant impacts on ecosystem services, crop production, downstream flooding, and reservoir sedimentation and economic costs [5]. The amount of yield reduction following the loss of topsoil in each year has been increasing considerably [6]. This makes the issue of soil conservation measures as a vital concern for Ethiopia to achieve sustainable development of its agricultural sector and the economy at large [7]. Soil conservation measures are a necessary part of the system for combating erosion during critical times of the year and showed a certain effect [9]. It has a positive contribution to the reduction of soil erosion, conservation of soil moisture and restoration of vegetation cover and diversity [10]
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