Land Degradation in Ethiopia: Causes, Impacts and Rehabilitation Techniques

Abstract

Land degradation is the common environmental problem in Ethiopia. It is one of the major causes of low and declining agricultural productivity and continuing food insecurity and rural poverty. In addition, land degradation directly affected the type of plant grown on the area, reduced availability of potable water, lessened volumes of surface water, depletion of aquifers and biodiversity loss. The major causes are rapid population increase, severe soil loss, deforestation, low vegetative cover and unbalanced crop and livestock production. Topography, soil types and agro-ecological parameters are also additional factors affecting the land degradation processes in Ethiopia influenced by man. Throughout history, efforts to combat land degradation is focused on physical conservation structures. However, use of vegetative measures is very much limited.

Key words: land degradation, rehabilitation