Community Based Watershed Management Practices: Focus on Technical Fitness of Physical Structure and Its Effect on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties in Belo-Chikle Micro Watershed, Elfeta District, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Soil erosion is one of the major causes of food insecurity and environmental degradation in Ethiopia. In the near past, community based watershed management program have been introduced in Ethiopia. In Elfeta District, tangible and scientific information is not available on performance of soil conservation practices implemented through this program. The aim of this study was to assess technical fitness of physical soil conservation structures implemented via community based watershed management program, its effect on soil physicochemical properties, and extent of farmers’ participation on program. Field observation and physical structure component measurements were used to assess the technical fitness. Whereas, composite soil samples were collected from steep, moderate and gentle slope classes to evaluate the effects of conservation practices on soil properties. Structured questionnaire was used to assess farmers’ participation on soil conservation. As compared to nationally established specification of graded soil bund for areas similar with Elfeta District, technical errors were found in bund spacing and vertical interval. The studied soil properties were not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced with sample distance from soil bund. But, soil moisture content, bulk density, clay content, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity were significantly (p < 0 .05) affected with slope gradient. These properties become better as the slope gradient decreaseTo ensure the sustainability of watershed management practices and minimize observed technical faults on conservation structures continued technical supports, trainings, and follow-ups are required from Districts' experts and extension services in the study area.