Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Some Soil Chemical and Physical Properties in Ameleke Watershed, South Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of land use and land cover change on some soil chemical and physical properties. Soil samples were collected from six sample sites.  From these sample sites, composite soil samples were collected from agroforestry, crop land, grass land and shrub lands in three replications at 0-15cm and 15-30 cm depth. Soil samples’ chemical and physical properties were analyzed in soil laboratory. Laboratory result shows that there is a significant difference (p < 0.05) in soil available K, TN, OC, OM, available P, silt and sand content among land use and land covers of study watershed. There is also a difference in soil colour among land use and land covers. But there is no significant difference in soil pH and CEC among land use and land covers. The difference in soil properties among land use land covers is more significant at 0-15cm depth than at 15-30cm depth. Most soil nutrients subject to laboratory analysis are low at croplands of Cheketa sub catchment and grass lands of Debeka sub catchment. This study recommends a need to promote sustainable soil management practices and improving management of grass and shrub land uses in the watershed.

Key words:land use and land cover change, changes in soil properties