Abstract
Land degradation affecting the livelihoods of people living in dryland areas, particularly the Sub-Saharan Africa countries like Ethiopia. Degraded land rehabilitation in dryland is a challenging task due to moisture limitation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil and water conservation structures on growth of planted tree and rehabilitation of indigenous plant species in West Guji Zone, Dugda Dawa District. Four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) namely Faidherbia albida, Melia azedarach, Moringa stenopetala, and Sesbania sesban were planted in four soil and moisture conservation structures (soil level bund, half-moon, trench and normal pit). Data of survival rate, height and diameter growth of planted tree species and, diversity and species richness of indigenous plant species were collected. The survival rate of all planted MPTs species were declining along the study years; however, the survival rate was better under soil level bund and half-moon. Under control treatments, all planted MPTs died at the end of the study period. The height and stem diameter of F. albida, M. azedarach and M. stenopetala were best in soil level bund and half-moon and followed by the trench. Whereas, the growth performance of Sesbania sesban was not significantly different among the three moisture conservation structures. Furthermore, soil moisture conservation structures significantly increased the indigenous plant species regeneration after the intervention. The mean indigenous plant species diversity and richness were significantly highest in half-moon and soil level bund followed by trench and, lowest in Control (normal pit). Thus, the results a potential for alternative forest and soil restoration in arid areas. Key words: Rehabilitation, Land degradation, survival rate,Trees growth, Indigenous plant species diversity, Moisture conservation structures.
Highlights
Land degradation is the process by which ecosystem goods and services associated with primary productivity are declines compared with their provider under human pressures (Olsson et al, 2019; MA, 2005)
The result agrees with the report from West Hararghe Zone by Desalegn et al (2016) which showed the survival rate of different multipurpose tree species planted in moisture conservation structures declined each year after transplanting (Figure 4a to d)
Our study found that tree species planted in soil level bund and half-moon moisture conservation structures were well survived and high growth performance followed by trench
Summary
Land degradation is the process by which ecosystem goods and services associated with primary productivity are declines compared with their provider under human pressures (Olsson et al, 2019; MA, 2005). The severely degraded lands are typically characterized by heavily eroded or nutrientdeficient soils, hydrological instability, reduced primary productivity and low biological diversity (Verma et al, 1999) and these are common phenomena in the dry areas of Ethiopia especially in southern parts of the country. Land degradation is a major cause of the country‟s low and declining agricultural productivity, persistent food insecurity, and rural poverty and associated adverse economic and social consequences. The minimum estimated annual costs of land degradation in Ethiopia range from 2 to 3% of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is a significant loss for a country where agriculture accounts for nearly 50% of GDP, 90 percent of export revenue and is a source of livelihood for more than 85% of the country‟s 90 million peoples.
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