Soil Quality Analysis for Sustainability of Forest Ecosystem: The Case of Chilimo-Gaji Forest, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Siraj Mammo ,Zhang Kebin ,Achalu Chimidi ,Hamza Awad Hamza Ibrahim

doi:10.7176/jees/9-3-01

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the soil quality with respect to the sustainability of Chilimo-Gaji Forest ecosystem using selected soils physicochemical parameters. Soil samples were taken through random sampling from the natural forest land under three different forest user groups (FUGs) in order to determine selected soils physicochemical properties. The result of the present study indicated that total N, available P and K, and % C were higher on the surface soil (0-20cm) than in the subsoil (20-30cm) depth indicating more nutrients are concentrated in the surface soil. The result of the study also revealed that presence of low bulk density ranges from 0.4 to 1.029 and high moisture content of soil ranging 4.89%-7.60%. The result also indicated that there is a higher per cent of carbon and organic matter across the three FUGs with Galessa recording the highest % carbon (7.69) and organic matter (13.25), followed by Gaji and Chilimo FUGs. The study also revealed that forest soil of the study area was very fertile and sustainable as the parameters analyzed indicating the forest ecosystem in the study area is sustainably managed under the new paradigm of participatory forest management. Scaling up participatory forest management to other protected forests in Ethiopia is crucial and plays a key role in the sustainability of healthy forest ecosystem. Keywords : Ethiopia; Forest user groups; physicochemical parameters; Soil organic carbon; Soil quality DOI : 10.7176/JEES/9-3-01 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

Highlights

According to Doran, (1997), soil health is defined as the continued ability of soil to function as a vital living system, within ecosystem and land-use boundaries; promote the quality of air and water environments; to sustain biological productivity; and maintain plant, animal, and human health
This study demonstrated that natural forest land systems have good soil quality as per the parameters measured
The overall result of this study showed that total N, available P and K, % OM and % C are higher in the surface soil (0-20cm) than in the sub soil (20-30cm), that is to say more nutrients are concentrated in the surface soil of the study area, implying that species on this soil can have more access to nutrients within the rooting depth

Summary

Introduction

According to Doran, (1997), soil health is defined as the continued ability of soil to function as a vital living system, within ecosystem and land-use boundaries; promote the quality of air and water environments; to sustain biological productivity; and maintain plant, animal, and human health. Assessing soil properties has gained a worldwide attention in determining the effect of management practices on the quality of soil relative to the sustainability of forest ecosystem functions in addition to plant productivity (Schoenholtz et al, 2000). SOC plays a significant role in alleviating the impacts of greenhouse gases and storing, maintaining clean water and reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, enhancing soil quality, sustaining and improving food production (Sakin, 2012). Restoration of degraded soils and adoption of improved management practices of agricultural and forestry soils are the most important strategies of soil C sequestration

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion