Impact of Watershed Interventions on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Kechi Micro-Watersheds of Kechi District, Dawuro Zone, Ethiopia

Gemechu Fufa Arfasa

doi:10.7176/jrdm/74-04

Abstract

A watershed refers to any topographically delineated area that can collect water and is drained by river system with an outlet. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of watershed interventions on soil properties micro-watershed of Kechi distirict, Dawuro zone, SNNPR Ethiopia. In this study the researcher adopted a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The necessary information was collected from both from primary and secondary sources. Soil samples were collected using 15-cm depth auger and 294.375 cm3 core sampler at a depth of 0–30 cm. A total of 24 composite and core soil samples from Conserved and Non conserved watershed were collected. Soil samples were collected from upstream, midstream, and downstream part of the watershed to make representative for the whole watershed. Soil sample which was taken from representative area was analyzed by soil laboratory analysis. Watershed interventions have resulted in a statistically significantly higher mean value of total nitrogen, exchangeable Na+ and Mg2+ at p < 0.01, and of soil organic carbon and organic matter at p < 0.05 in the watershed. The clay content, soil reaction, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable K+ showed non-significant, but higher mean values in conserved plots. Furthermore, the effects of conservation practices on soil properties were found more effective in cultivated land uses as compared to that of grazing land uses. This is because conservation treatments had significant effects on organic carbon, total nitrogen, exchangeable Na+ and Mg2+ in cultivated land uses but only on exchangeable Na+ in grazing land uses. The interaction effect of treatments and land uses did not reach a statistically significant result for any of the soil properties considered in this study. Watershed interventions have important implications for improving soil fertility in the kechi micro watershed. Therefore, proper guidance and follow-up, use of agro-forestry and grass strips, and maintenance are required for the watershed’s sustainability and good soil Keywords: - Analysis of variance, Kechi micro watersheds, Socio-Economic Status, Soil properties DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/74-04 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

Highlights

Government of Ethiopia have initiated watershed development since 1970’s and 1980’s respectively and increasingly been managed and developed for poverty alleviation and environmental conservation (Chimdesa, 2016).In Ethiopia 85 percent of the population are directly dependent on the agricultural economy
Selected Soil Physical Properties under Different Land Use Types Soil particle size distributions The textural classes were identified using soil equilateral triangle recommended by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and described by Osman (2013)
The soil in the study area has been dominated by clay content experiencing a mean value of 67.8% and 60.5% in conserved and non-conserved soil respectively (Table 1), which implies that the mean value of clay content was higher under conserved plots

Summary

Introduction

Government of Ethiopia have initiated watershed development since 1970’s and 1980’s respectively and increasingly been managed and developed for poverty alleviation and environmental conservation (Chimdesa, 2016).In Ethiopia 85 percent of the population are directly dependent on the agricultural economy. Watershed resource degradation is a serious problem in the Ethiopian which threatening agricultural development and rural livelihood. The Government has been recognized that protection of watersheds cannot be achieved without the improving the livelihood of local people and taking lessons from the past shortcomings and it has been initiated community based watershed management (Habtamu, 2011). Watershed management is the management of land and other resources on a watershed to achieve well-defined environmental, social, and economic goals. In turn, leads to accelerated ecological degeneration, reduced economic opportunities and increased social problems (Berry, 2016)

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