The Effect of Land Use Change on Soil Physicochemical Properties over Time in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted at Munesa Shashemane, Ethiopia to understand the long term effects of land use change on soil properties under different land use types. Comparison of change in soil properties over time was made by using samples from Mechanized farm (MF), Traditional farm (TF), plantations of Cupresus lusitanica (CL) and Euclayptus saligna (ES), and Natural Forest (NF), the data before ten years ago on the same site at this study was made. All data collected were subjected to ANOVA using the general linear model of SAS 9.0 at p < 0.05. Based on the result, under both plantation tree species, the total N, BS, and exchangeable Ca at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm; available K and exchangeable K at 10-20 cm soil layer was increased significantly compared to the data before ten years ago. Under MF the bulk density, exchangeable Ca and exchangeable Na at 10-20 cm; total N, BS and available K at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil depths increased significantly. Under TF, available K at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layer, BS and exchangeable Ca at 10-20 cm soil layer increased significantly. The CEC at 0-10 and 10-20 cm; the available P and exchangeable Na at 10-20 cm soil layer were decreased significantly compared to the data before ten years ago. Based on the results, the change in soil physicochemical properties is exacerbated by the land management practices, which may include selecting the right plantation species for restoring the site, and the plant residue management under different land use systems over time.

Keywords: Harvest, Macronutrient, Mechanized farming, Plantation, Traditional farming