Conversion in Land Use Change Soil Physiochemical Properties in the Highland of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Information on the effects of various land-use types on selected soil physicochemical properties is critical for the sustainable use of soil resources. As a result, this study was carried out to assess the effects of land use types on Soil Physiochemical Properties in the Sayo District of Western Highland of Ethiopia. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different land use types and soil depth on soil's physical and chemical properties. A total of 45 composite soil samples were collected from forest, grass, eucalyptus tree plantations, cultivating, and grazing lands using three soil depths (0-15cm, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) and three replications. Analysis of variance was used to test the mean differences in soil physicochemical properties. Sand and clay mean values were highest in grazing and forest, respectively. The mean bulk density of the soils ranged between 1.10 and 1.61gcm− 3, and the mean total porosity ranged between 39.37 and 58.49%, indicating lower soil compaction. The mean field capacity ranged from 34.21 to 42.93% whereas the permanent wilting point ranged from 19.79 to 27.87% and the mean water holding capacity ranged between 14.07 and 16.21%. The mean pH ranged from 4.92 to 5.55, with mean OM values ranging from 0.64 to 5.91% while the mean values of total N ranged from 0.04 to 0.31%. The mean value of available P ranged from 2.10 to 7.26mg kg− 1. Conversion of land use types harms soil properties, particularly overgrazing, eucalyptus plantation and cultivation of deforested land. Therefore, the deteriorated physiochemical properties of the soils should be amended with the application of different sources of nutrients and sustainable management practices.