Your search found 60 records
1 Mekuria, Wolde; Aynekulu, E. 2013. Exclosure land management for restoration of the soils in degraded communal grazing lands in northern Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 24(6): 528-538. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1146]
Land management ; Land degradation ; Soil properties ; Soil fertility ; Grazing lands ; Vegetation ; Statistical methods / Ethiopia / Atsbi Womberta District / Douga Tembein District / Axum District / Enda Mehoni District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044508)
(0.18 MB)
In the northern highlands of Ethiopia, establishment of exclosures to restore degraded communal grazing lands has been practiced for the past three decades. However, empirical data on the effectiveness of exclosures in restoring degraded soils are lacking. We investigated the influence of exclosure age on degree of restoration of degraded soil and identified easily measurable biophysical and management-related factors that can be used to predict soil nutrient restoration. We selected replicated (n = 3) 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old exclosures and paired each exclosure with samples from adjacent communal grazing lands. All exclosures showed higher total soil nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity than the communal grazing lands. The differences varied between 24 (061) and 69 (185) Mgha1 for the total N stock and from 17 (3) to 39 (7) kg ha1 for the available P stock. The differences in N and P increased with exclosure age. In exclosures, much of the variability in soil N (R2=064) and P (R2=071) stocks were explained by a combination of annual average precipitation, woody biomass, and exclosure age. Precipitation and vegetation canopy cover also explained much of the variability in soil N (R2=074) and P (R2=052) stocks in communal grazing lands. Converting degraded communal grazing lands into exclosures is a viable option to restore degraded soils. Our results also confirm that the possibility to predict the changes in soil nutrient content after exclosure establishment using regression models is based on field measurements.
2 Mekuria, Wolde; Sengtaheuanghoung, O.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Noble, A. 2012. Economic contribution and the potential use of wood charcoal for soil restoration: a case study of village-based charcoal production in Central Laos. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 19(5):415-425. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2012.686070]
Wood ; Trees ; Charcoal ; Fuelwood ; Case studies ; Production possibilities ; Chemicophysical properties ; Economic aspects ; Profitability ; Biomass ; Energy consumption ; Soil improvement ; Water availability ; Forestry ; Developing countries ; Rural areas ; Income / Laos
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044884)
(0.65 MB)
Wood charcoal production provides affordable energy in many developing countries and has substantially contributed to the economy through the provision of rural incomes. In several countries, charcoal production leads to overexploitation of forests due to inefficiencies in processing. This study was undertaken in central Laos to (1) examine and document traditional charcoal production systems; (2) investigate the production capacity, recovery efficiencies and economic gains of existing traditional charcoal production methods; (3) characterize the chemical properties of wood charcoal and investigate the potential for soil restoration and (4) investigate local charcoal producers’ perception on forest degradation and their species preferences. Through a socio-economic survey, a cost-based method for economic valuation was undertaken on a range of charcoal production methods currently being used. Laboratory chemical analyses were performed on wood charcoal samples. Results indicated that the traditional mud charcoal mound was used by the majority (82%) of charcoal producers. Total charcoal production per production cycle varied between 400 (produced from 2.7 m3 of wood) and 1600 kg (produced from 18 m3 of wood), with a mean of 938 kg (±120) for traditional mud charcoal mounds. The volume of the traditional mud charcoal mounds correlated positively and significantly with total charcoal production (R2 = 0.45, p = 0.03), whereas correlated negatively and significantly with the recovery efficiency (R2 = 0.58, p = 0.01). On average, the local producers receive a total net benefit of 457,272 Lao kip (USD 57.2) in 17 days. We also identified a rice husk mound method of charcoal production, which may not encourage further deforestation while producing rice husk biochar that can be used for soil restoration. Furthermore, we found that there are significant differences (p < 0.05) between the sampled wood charcoals in chemical properties, indicating that the potential of using wood charcoal for the restoration of degraded soils varies from charcoal to charcoal.
3 Yami, Mastewal; Mekuria, Wolde; Hauser, M. 2013. The effectiveness of village bylaws in sustainable management of community-managed exclosures in northern Ethiopia. Sustainability Science, 8(1):73-86. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-012-0176-2]
Natural resources ; Communal forests ; Community involvement ; Institutions ; Land degradation ; Grazing lands / Northern Ethiopia / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044966)
(0.43 MB)
Communities in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, have established exclosures on formerly degraded grazing lands and other land uses to promote natural regeneration of plants. Village bylaws devised by communities govern the management of exclosures. We analysed the effectiveness of village bylaws that are used to manage exclosures in addressing forest degradation, resolving conflicts among users over natural resource use, and meeting high expectations of users to realise economic benefits from exclosures through enhancing revenue from sale of grass and dry wood. We collected data using qualitative methods during July and November 2008 in two villages of Tigray. The village bylaws mitigated forest degradation by facilitating users to have common goals in the management of exclosures, and resolved conflicts among users by using monetary sanctions including penalties. The village bylaws were not effective in meeting the high expectations of users to realise economic benefits from exclosures. In some cases, the enforcement of village bylaws was constrained by high social capital, which resulted in the negligence among users in exposing free riders. This indicates that high social capital does not always enhance communal resource management. Moreover, recurrent drought, shortage of fuel wood, and the growing number of landless youths in both villages constrained the effectiveness of village bylaws and further expansion of exclosures. Village committees should focus on addressing the low level of rule enforcement and minimise negligence among users of exclosures through developing a sense of responsibility among users rather than focusing on penalties.
4 Aynekulu, E.; Aerts, R.; Moonen, P.; Denich, M.; Gebrehiwot, K.; Vagen, T.-G.; Mekuria, Wolde; Boehmer, H. J. 2012. Altitudinal variation and conservation priorities of vegetation along the Great Rift Valley escarpment, northern Ethiopia. Biodiversity and Conservation, 21(10):2691-2707. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-012-0328-9]
Vegetation ; Plants ; Species ; Biodiversity conservation ; Valleys ; Indicators / Ethiopia / Great Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044988)
(0.48 MB)
Understanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due to intensive human land-use pressure. To assist management of the remaining vegetation of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, plant species richness and diversity patterns were analyzed along the main elevation gradient (1,000–2,760 m) of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Ethiopia, using 29 plots established at 100-m elevation intervals. A total of 129 vascular plant species belonging to 59 families was recorded. Species richness and diversity showed a hump-shaped relationship with elevation, peaking at mid-elevation (1,900–2,200 m). Beta diversity values indicated medium species turnover along the elevation gradient and were lowest at mid-elevation. Elevation strongly partitioned the plant communities (r = 0.98; P\0.001). Four plant communities were identified along the elevation gradient: Juniperus procera–Clutia lanceolata community (2,400–2,760 m), Abutilon longicuspe–Calpurnia aurea community (1,900–2,300 m), Dracaena ombet–Acacia etbaica community (1,400–1,800 m), and Acacia mellifera–Dobera glabra community (1,000–1,300 m). To optimize conservation of species and plant communities, it is recommended that a conservation corridor be established along the elevation gradient that includes all four plant communities. This strategy—in contrast to creating single isolated reserves in zones with high species richness—is necessary for the habitat protection of species with narrow elevational ranges, in particular the globally endangered Nubian dragon tree (Dracaena ombet).
5 Mekuria, Wolde. 2012. The potential role of soil-based interventions in increasing maize yield: a case study of organic and clay-based soil amendments in Central Laos. [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the Annual Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural and Natural Resource Management (Tropentag) Conference on Resilience of Agricultural Systems Against Crises, Gottingen, Germany, 19-21 September 2012. 1p.
Agricultural production ; Maize ; Yields ; Case studies ; Climate change ; Land degradation / Central Laos
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045104)
(0.76 MB)
Soil management practices that produce optimal grain yields while preserving the ecosystem services of agricultural systems are essential in the face climate variability. This study was undertaken in central Laos to investigate the impacts of organic and clay-based soil amendments, and their combination on maize yield. Structured field experiments were established at Veunkham and Naphok sites with 10 treatments each in Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications in 2011. The treatments were rice husk biochar (applied at a rate of 10 t ha-1), Bentonite (10 t ha-1), compost (4 t ha-1), claymanure compost (10 t ha-1), rice husk biochar compost (10 t ha-1), and their combinations. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher maize yield was detected in soils amended with organic and clay-based soil amendments when compared to untreated control. At Veunkham, differences between the control and amended soils in maize yield ranged from 1.5 to 5.8 t ha-1 whereas differences at Naphok were varied between 0.4 and 3.6 t ha-1. The sizeable differences between the control and amended soils in maize yield can be logical consequences of nutrient use efficiency and soil properties improvements resulting from organic and clay-based soil amendments. Interestingly, soils amended with rice husk biochar compost showed maize yield increase of 72 and 45% against soils amended with rice husk biochar at Veunkham and Naphok respectively. Our results demonstrated that organic and clay-based soil amendments have a significant positive effect on the improvement of maize yield and thereby contributes to the improvement of crop water productivity.
6 Mekuria, Wolde; Yami, Mastewal. 2013. Changes in woody species composition following establishing exclosures on grazing lands in the lowlands of northern Ethiopia. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 7(1):30-40. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST11.378]
Grazing lands ; Land degradation ; Land use ; Vegetation ; Biomass ; Woody plants ; Species / Northern Ethiopia / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045629)
http://www.academicjournals.org/ajest/PDF/pdf%202013/Jan/Mekuria%20and%20Yami.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H045629.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H045629.pdf
(0.29 MB) (291.57KB)
Restoring vegetation in low rainfall areas is difficult and urges the need to design an effective and low-cost method of vegetation restoration. This study was undertaken in the lowlands of northern Ethiopia to: (1) investigate how exclosure age affects restoration of degraded native plant species richness, diversity and aboveground standing biomass, and (2) identify soil characteristics, which affect effectiveness of exclosures to restore degraded native vegetation. Replicated (n = 3) 5-, 10- and 15- year-old exclosures were selected and each exclosure was paired with an adjacent grazing land to detect changes in vegetation variables following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands. All exclosures displayed higher species richness, diversity and aboveground biomass when compared to the adjacent grazing lands. Results on vegetation composition indicate that all exclosures are at early stage of succession. In all exclosures and grazing lands, vegetation variables displayed significant (p < 0.05) correlations with soil variables indicating that consideration of soil fertility will help enhance natural regeneration in exclosures. Our study indicates that the establishment of exclosures on degraded communal grazing lands can be effective in restoring degraded native vegetations, and with time, exclosures may obtain an important role as source of seeds of indigenous woody species.
7 Mekuria, Wolde. 2013. Conversion of communal grazing lands into exclosures restored soil properties in the semi-arid lowlands of northern Ethiopia. Arid Land Research and Management, 27(2):153-166. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15324982.2012.721858]
Grazing lands ; Common lands ; Soil properties ; Soil organic matter ; Soil sampling ; Soil conservation ; Lowland ; Vegetation ; Biomass ; Climate change / Northern Ethiopia / Raya-azebo District / Alemata District / Tanqua-abergele District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045710)
(0.41 MB)
In the semi-arid tropics, communal grazing lands provide a livelihood for millions of people.However, it is highly threatened by overgrazing and continuous land degradation and, as a result, proper management is important to improve the livelihood of the people. This study investigated the effectiveness of exclosures established on communal grazing lands to restore soil properties and identified the relationship among soil properties, site and vegetation characteristics, and exclosure age. A space-for-time substitution approach to detect changes in soil properties following the establishment of exclosures on communal grazing lands was used. Replicated (n¼3) 5-, 10-, and 15-year-old exclosures were selected and paired, each exclosure with an adjacent communal grazing land. All exclosures showed higher soil organic matter (OM), total soil nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) than the adjacent grazing lands. The increases in soil properties between exclosures and grazing lands in the 0- to 0.2-m depth varied between 58 and 101% for OM, from 54 to 108% for N, from 26 to 128% for P, and from 18 to 28% for CEC over the grazing lands. Soil properties in exclosures and grazing lands showed significant (p<0.05) correlations with biomass and vegetation cover indicating that vegetation restoration is a key to restore degraded soils through exclosure establishment. Establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands can be effective in restoring the degraded soils in the semi-arid lowlands of Ethiopia. However, further studies are required on the ecological and economic benefits of future exclosures, as expansion of exclosure could cause grazing pressure on the remaining communal grazing lands.
8 Mekuria, Wolde. 2013. Changes in regulating ecosystem services following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands in Ethiopia: a synthesis. Journal of Ecosystems, 2013:12p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/860736]
Ecosystems ; Grazing lands ; Highlands ; Land management ; Land use ; Vegetation ; Soil fertility ; Soil organic matter ; Carbon ; Soil properties ; Statistical analysis / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045917)
(1.76 MB) (1.76MB)
In four separate studies undertaken in the northern highlands of Ethiopia, changes in regulating ecosystem services, economic viability, and the perception of local communities following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands were investigated. Replicated ( = 3) 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old exclosures were selected and paired each exclosure with an adjacent grazing land. All exclosures displayed higher ecosystem services than communal grazing lands. Differences between exclosures and grazing lands varied between 29 (±4.9) and 61 (±6.7)Mg C ha-1 for ecosystem carbon stock (ECS), 2.4 (±0.6) and 6.9 (±1.8)Mgha-1 for total soil N stock, and 17 (±3) to 39 (±7) Kg ha-1 for the available P stock, and all differences increased with exclosure duration. Differences in plant species richness and biomass between an exclosure age and communal grazing land were higher in oldest than in youngest exclosures. Over a period of 30 years, sequestered carbon dioxide was 246Mgha-1, total soil nitrogen increased by 7.9Mgha-1, and additional available phosphorous stocks amounted to 40 kg ha-1. The Net Present Value of exclosures ecosystem services under consideration was about 28% (837US$) higher than alternative wheat production indicating that exclosures are competitive to alternative land uses. There are substantial opportunities to mobilize the local communities in efforts to establish exclosures, given that more than 75% had a positive view on exclosures effectiveness to restore degraded ecosystems. Establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands can be effective for restoring degraded ecosystems and the services that they provide.
9 Mekuria, Wolde; Getnet, Kindie; Noble, Andrew; Hoanh, Chu Thai; McCartney, Matthew; Langan, Simon. 2013. Economic valuation of organic and clay-based soil amendments in small-scale agriculture in Lao PDR. Field Crops Research, 149(1):379-389. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.05.026]
Soil amendments ; Economic value ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Farming systems ; Crop yield ; Seasonality ; Maize ; Rain ; Sensitivity analysis ; Cost benefit analysis / Laos / Xaythany District / Veunkham / Naphok
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045994)
(1.68 MB)
At a farm level, economic returns are the single most important attributes that drive farmers to adopt agricultural technologies. This study was carried out at the Naphok and Veunkham villages, Lao PDR,to evaluate the yield response of a maize mono-cropping system to soil amendments and analyze the economic return of such interventions. The amendments were rice husk biochar, bentonite clay, compost, clay-manure compost, and rice husk biochar compost, in isolation and in various combinations. Over a period of two cropping seasons (2011–2012),the enhancement of maize yield due to soil amendments ranged from0.77 to 3.79tha-1 at Naphok and from 1.21 to 5.14tha-1 at Veunkham, resulting in net revenues ranging from -794 to 841 and -331 to 1391 US$ha-1 , respectively. Soils amended with low-cost amendments such as compost, rice husk biochar, rice husk biochar compost, and clay-manure compost were economically viable within the first cropping season. In contrast, soils amended with higher-cost amendments such as bentonite clay requires up to five years to be economically viable. Such variations indicate that taking into account maize yield revenues only does not provide sufficient incentives to farmers to adopt higher-cost soil amendments conclude that there is a possibility to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and improve the income of smallholders using locally available low-cost soil amendments. Our findings provide important information for decision makers to promote the adoption of low-cost soil amendments, and,thereby,to contribute to productivity growth and food security through sustainable intensification.
10 Mekuria, Wolde; Noble, Andrew. 2013. The role of biochar in ameliorating disturbed soils and sequestering soil carbon in tropical agricultural production systems. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2013:10p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/354965]
Agricultural production ; Climate change ; Soil fertility ; Carbon sequestration ; Land management ; Crop management ; Farmers ; Smallholders
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046145)
http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2013/354965.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046145.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046145.pdf
(2.47 MB) (2.46MB)
Agricultural soils in the tropics have undergone significant declines in their native carbon stock through the long-term use of extractive farming practices. However, these soils have significant capacity to sequester CO2 through the implementation of improved land management practices. This paper reviews the published and grey literature related to the influence of improved land management practices on soil carbon stock in the tropics. The review suggests that the implementation of improved land management practices such as crop rotation, no-till, cover crops, mulches, compost, or manure can be effective in enhancing soil organic carbon pool and agricultural productivity in the tropics. The benefits of such amendments were, however, often short lived, and the added organic matters were usually mineralized to CO2 within a few cropping seasons leading to large-scale leakage. We found that management of black carbon (C), increasingly referred to as biochar, may overcome some of those limitations and provide an additional soil management option. Under present circumstances, recommended crop and land management practices are inappropriate for the vast majority of resource constrained smallholder farmers and farming systems. We argue that expanding the use of biochar in agricultural lands would be important for sequestering atmospheric CO2 and mitigating climate change, while implementing the recommended crop and land management practices in selected areas where the smallholder farmers are not resource constrained.
11 Mekuria, Wolde; Hadgu, K. M.; Desta, L. T. 2014. The role of trees in regulating soil erosion. In de Leeuw, J.; Njenga, M.; Wagner, B.; Iiyama, M. (Eds.). Treesilience: an assessment of the resilience provided by trees in the drylands of Eastern Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) pp.94-97.
Trees ; Soil erosion ; Soil conservation ; Soil fertility ; Soil water ; Land management ; Sediment ; Arid zones
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046287)
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/publications/PDFs/B17611.PDF
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046287.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046287.pdf
(0.33 MB) (4.69 MB)
12 Mekuria, Wolde; Noble, Andrew; Hoanh, Chu Thai; McCartney, Matthew; Sengtaheuanghoung, O.; Sipaseuth, N.; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Langan, Simon; Getnet, Kindie. 2014. The potential role of soil amendments in increasing agricultural productivity and improving the livelihood of smallholders in Lao PDR. Paper presented at the 15th National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute Anniversary Symposium on Agriculture and Forestry Research for Development, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 8-10 April 2014. 15p.
Agricultural production ; Water productivity ; Soil amendments ; Smallholders ; Living standards ; Maize ; Nutrient uptake ; Biomass ; Economic aspects ; Case studies / Lao People's Democratic Republic
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046433)
The present study was undertaken in Lao PDR to investigate the impacts of organic and clay-based soil amendments on maize yield, total nutrient uptake and crop water productivity (CWP), and analyze the economic return of such interventions. Structured field experiments were established over two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) with maize as the test crop at the Veunkham and Naphok sites. Ten treatments were applied in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were control, rice husk biochar (applied at a rate of 10 t ha-1), bentonite clay (10 t ha-1), compost (4 t ha-1), clay-manure compost (10 t ha-1), rice husk biochar compost (10 t ha-1), and their combinations. All treatments were applied in 2011. CWP and the soil water balance of the various treatments were determined using the AquaCrop model. To determine the costs and benefits of soil amendments over the two cropping seasons a cost-based valuation method was applied. Significant (p < 0.05) treatment effects in maize grain yields, total nutrient uptake and CWP were observed. At Veunkham, differences in yield between the control and amended soils ranged from 0.9 to 3.3 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.3 t ha-1 in 2012, whereas differences at Naphok varied between 0.2 and 2.2 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.7 t ha-1 in 2012. Differences in CWP between the amended and control plots at Veunkham varied between 0.3 and 1.0 kg m-3 in 2011 and from 0.05 to 0.29 kg m-3 in 2012, whereas differences at Naphok varied between 0.1 and 0.6 kg m-3 in 2011 and from 0.1 to 0.4 kg m-3 in 2012. Differences between the control and amended soils in yield and the associated CWP can be attributed to the improvements in total N and P uptake, soil pH, exchangeable Ca++ and Mg++, and CEC following the application of soil amendments. At both sites, in most of the treatments, yields and CWP in 2012 were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 2011. This difference can be attributed to late season drought. Over the two cropping seasons , the enhancement of maize yield due to soil amendments resulted in net revenues ranging from -794 to 841 and -331 to 1391 US$ ha-1 at Naphok and Veunkham, respectively. The study found that soils amended with low-cost amendments such as compost, rice husk biochar, rice husk biochar compost, and clay-manure compost were economically viable within the first cropping season. In contrast, soils amended with higher-cost amendments such as bentonite clay required up to 5 years to be economically viable. Such variations indicate that maize yield revenues alone are an insufficient incentive for farmers to adopt higher-cost soil amendments. The results of this study confirm that soil amendments can be effective in improving crop yield and the associated CWP. In addition, the income of smallholders can be improved using locally available low-cost soil amendments. These findings provide important information for decision makers wishing to improve agricultural productivity and food security through sustainable intensification.
13 Mekuria, Wolde; Noble, Andrew; Sengtaheuanghoung, O.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Bossio, D.; Sipaseuth, N.; McCartney, Matthew; Langan, Simon. 2014. Organic and clay-based soil amendments increase maize yield, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties in Lao PDR. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 38:936-961. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2014.917144]
Soil amendments ; Soil properties ; soil organic matter ; Maize ; Rice husks ; Clay ; Nutrients ; Food security ; Food production ; Agricultural production ; Smallholders ; Bentonite ; Composts ; Biomass ; Land degradation / Lao People's Democratic Republic / Veunkham / Naphok
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046584)
(0.29 MB)
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), increasing food security remains a challenge since smallholder agricultural systems, which are the main source of food production, are under serious threat due to poor soil fertility and climate variability. This study was undertaken in Lao PDR to investigate the impacts of organic and clay-based soil amendments on maize yield, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties. Structured field experiments were established over two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) with maize as the test crop at the Veunkham and Naphok sites. Ten treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were control, rice husk biochar (applied at a rate of 10 t ha-1), bentonite clay (10 t ha-1), compost (4 t ha-1), clay-manure compost (10 t ha-1), rice husk biochar compost (10 t ha-1), and their combinations. All treatments were applied in 2011. Significant (p < 0.05) treatment effects in maize grain yields, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties were observed. At Veunkham, differences between the control and amended soils in yield ranged from 0.9 to 3.3 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.3 t ha-1 in 2012, whereas differences at Naphok varied between 0.2 and 2.2 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.7 t ha-1 in 2012. At both sites, in most of the treatments, yields in 2012 were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 2011; this was attributed to a late season drought. Differences between the control and amended soils in yield can be attributed to the improvements in total N and P uptake, soil pH, exchangeable Ca++ and Mg++, and cation-exchange capacity following the application of soil amendments. The results of this study confirm that the soil amendments under consideration can be effective in improving agricultural productivity, while improving key soil properties indicating that soil amendments could be an option for intensification of agricultural productivity.
14 Mekuria, Wolde; Langan, Simon; Noble, Andrew; Johnston, Robyn. 2014. Soil organic carbon and nutrient contents are not influenced by exclosures established in communal grazing land in Nile Basin, northern Ethiopia. In Rahman, A.; Ahmadi, R. (Eds.) International Institute of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering (IICBEE) International Conference on Advances in Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Sciences (AABES), Dubai, UAE, 15-16 October 2014. Punjab, India: International Institute of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering (IICBEE) pp.16-21. [doi: https://doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.C1014045]
Grazing lands ; Common lands ; Land degradation ; Soil properties ; Soil fertility ; Soil organic matter ; Carbon ; Ecosystem services ; Watersheds / Northern Ethiopia / Gomit Watershed / Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046769)
(0.73 MB) (748 KB)
Land degradation through extensification of agriculture and overgrazing is an increasing problem across large expanses of the Ethiopian highlands that give rise to a loss in a range of ecosystem services. Ecological restoration through exclosure establishment has become increasingly important approach to reversing degraded ecosystems in Ethiopia and particularly in the Amhara regional state, northern Ethiopia. The present study was conducted in Nile basin, northern Ethiopia to investigate the changes in soil properties and nutrient contents following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands. A space-for-time substitution approach to monitor changes in soil properties after conversion of communal grazing lands to exclosures with ages of establishment ranging from 1 to 7-years was used. In the 0- to 20- and 20- to 50-cm depths, significant (p < 0.05) differences in soil pH, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, soil moisture content, and bulk density were observed among exclosures and between exclosures and communal grazing land. Communal grazing land displayed significantly higher soil total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared to exclosures. However, differences between exclosures and grazing land in soil organic matter (SOM) content and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock were not significant (p > 0.05). The results demonstrated that exclosure age influenced SOM content and SOC stock. The lack of influence in soil nutrient and SOM contents as well as SOC stock after 7-year of exclosure establishment could be attributed to: (a) the favorable environment (e.g., better moisture content and soil pH) in exclosures, which results in increased SOM decomposition, and (b) better vegetation growth in exclosures, which consequently reduce soil nutrient content due to higher nutrient uptake by restored plants. Exclosures alone therefore cannot be regarded as a comprehensive short- or medium-term soil rehabilitation option.
15 Mekuria, Wolde; Langan, Simon; Johnston, Robyn; Belay, B.; Amare, D.; Gashaw, T.; Desta, G.; Noble, Andrew; Wale, A. 2015. Restoring aboveground carbon and biodiversity: a case study from the Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Forest Science and Technology, 11(2):86-96. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2014.966862]
Aerial parts ; Carbon sequestration ; Biomass ; Organic fertilizers ; Biodiversity ; Nile basin ; Ecosystem services ; Environmental degradation ; Plants ; Species ; Watersheds ; Vegetation ; Land degradation ; Land management ; Grazing lands ; Households ; Local communities ; Crop production ; Erosion ; Government agencies ; Non governmental organizations ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Nile Basin / Gomit Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046886)
(0.43 MB)
In Ethiopia, exclosures in landscapes have become increasingly important to improving ecosystem services and reversing biodiversity losses. The present study was conducted in Gomit watershed, northern Ethiopia, to: (i) investigate the changes in vegetation composition, diversity and aboveground biomass and carbon following the establishment of exclosures; and (ii) analyse the economic returns of aboveground carbon sequestration and assess the perception of local communities on land degradation and exclosures. A space-for-time substitution approach was used to detect the changes in aboveground carbon, species composition, and diversity. Exclosures of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 7-years-old and a communal grazing land were selected. Household surveys, key informant interviews, and a financial analysis were used to assess the perception of local communities and the value of exclosure impacts, respectively. Significant (P = 0.049) differences in species diversity and considerable increases in aboveground carbon (ranged from 0.6 to 4.2 t C ha-1), CO2 storage (varied between 2.1 and 15.3 t CO2 ha-1), woody species composition, and richness (ranged from five to 28) were observed following the establishment of exclosures. Exclosures generated temporary certified emission reductions (tCER) of 3.4, 2.1, 7.5, 12.6, 12.5, and 15.3 Mg CO2 ha-1 after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 years, respectively. The net present value (NPV) of the aboveground carbon sequestered in exclosures ranged from US$6.6 to US$37.0 per hectare and increased with exclosure duration. At a watershed level, 51.4 Mg C ha-1 can be sequestered, which represents 188.6 Mg CO2 ha-1, resulting in tCER of 139.4 Mg CO2 ha-1 and NPV of US$478.3 per hectare. This result would suggest that exclosures can potentially improve local communities’ livelihoods beyond rehabilitating degraded lands if carbon stored in exclosures is traded. Communities in the watershed demonstrated that exclosures are effective in restoring degraded lands and they are benefiting from increased fodder production and reduced impacts of soil erosion. However, the respondents are also concerned over the sustainability of exclosure land management, as further expansion of exclosures aggravates degradation of remaining communal grazing lands and causes fuel wood shortages. This suggests that the sustainability of exclosure land management can be attained only if these critical concerns are addressed by a joint effort among government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and communities.
16 Mekuria, Wolde; Noble, Andrew; McCartney, Matthew; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Langan, Simon. 2015. Soil management for raising crop water productivity in rainfed production systems in Lao PDR. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 62(1):53-68. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2015.1037297]
Soil management ; Soil amendments ; Soil organic matter ; Clay soils ; Crop production ; Water productivity ; Rainfed farming ; Climate change ; Evapotranspiration ; Land degradation ; Maize ; Biofuels ; Acidity / Lao People's Democratic Republic
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046994)
(0.26 MB)
This study investigated the impacts of organic- and clay-based soil amendments, and their combinations on crop water productivity (CWP) using maize as a test crop. On-station field trials were established over two consecutive years at the Naphok and Veunkham sites in Laos. At each site, 10 treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were control, rice husk biochar (10 t ha-1), bentonite clay (10 t ha-1), compost (4 t ha-1), clay-manure compost (10 t ha-1), rice husk biochar compost (10 t ha-1), bentonite clay + biochar, bentoniteclay + compost, biochar + compost, and bentonite clay + biochar + compost. All treatments were applied in 2011. Significant (p < 0.05) treatment effects in CWP and growing period evapotranspiration were determined. At Naphok, differences between the amended and control plots in CWP varied between 0.1 and 0.6 kg m-3 in 2011 and from 0.1 to 0.4 kg m-3 in 2012, whereas differences at Veunkham varied between 0.3 and 1.0 kg m-3 in 2011 and from 0.05 to 0.29 kg m-3 in 2012. At both sites, CWP in 2012 was significantly lower than 2011. Our results illustrate that organic- and claybased soil amendments improve CWP, indicating that soil-based interventions could be suitable options for improving agricultural productivity.
17 Tadesse, A.; Dagnew, D. C.; Belete, M. A.; Tilahun, S. A.; Mekuria, Wolde; Steenhuis, T. 2015. Impact of soil and water conservation practices on sediment losses and discharge in the headwaters of the Lake Tana Basin in the Ethiopian highlands [Abstract only] Paper presented at the 10th Alexander von Humboldt Conference 2015 on Water-Food-Energy River and Society in the Tropics. EGU Topical Conference Series, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 November 2015. 1p.
Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Sediment ; Water erosion ; Watersheds ; Discharges ; River basins ; Highlands ; Runoff / Ethiopia / Blue Nile Basin / Lake Tana Basin / Tikur-Wuha Watershed / Guali Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047342)
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/AvH10/AvH10-42-1.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047342.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047342.pdf
(0.04 MB) (37.63 KB)
Donor and governmental sponsored soil and water conservation measures has been carried out in the last half century in the Lake Tana basin, Ethiopia. However, sediment loads in to the lake has never been reduced suggesting that the effectiveness of integrated soil and water conservation measures reducing soil loss needs to be investigated. The present study was conducted in two watersheds (Tikur-Wuha covers 500 ha and Guali covers190 ha) located in the headwaters of Lake Tana to investigate the impacts of soil and water conservation practices on discharge and sediment loads. In both watersheds different soil and water conservation technologies have been implemented since 2010 by the Tana Belese integrated watershed management project: gully treatment, stone buds, soil bunds, stone faced soil bunds, water ways, cut- off drains, hill side terracing, micro basins and area closures. Daily rainfall, runoff and sediment concentration were collected from 2010 – 2012. The results showed that average runoff volume was reduced by 13% in Tikur-wuha and by 7% in Guali from 2010-2012. The sediment load in Tikur-wuha watershed was reduced by 48% in 2011 and 30% in 2012, while sediment load in Guali watershed was reduced by 1% and 35% in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The results support that the implemented integrated SWC measures through government sponsored with full participation of the community and through incorporating different SWC technology options were effective in reducing runoff and sediment load. We recommend fortifying the government led SWC campaign with full participation of the local community to reduce soil erosion and siltation of Lake Tana.
18 Dagnew, D.; Guzman, C.; Zegeye, A.; Tebebu, T.; Akal, A.; Mekuria, Wolde; Ayana, E.; Tilahun, S.; Steenhuis, T. 2015. Effectiveness and sustainability of large scale soil and water conservation interventions in the sub-humid Ethiopian highlands: evidence from Debre Mawi watershed [Abstract only] Paper presented at the 10th Alexander von Humboldt Conference 2015 on Water-Food-Energy River and Society in the Tropics. EGU Topical Conference Series, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 November 2015. 1p.
Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Humid climate ; Watersheds ; Highlands ; Sustainability ; Runoff ; Gully erosion ; Sediment / Ethiopia / Ethiopian Highlands / Debre Mawi Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047343)
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/AvH10/AvH10-18-2.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047343.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047343.pdf
(0.04 MB) (39.04 KB)
Using measured runoff and sediment monitoring, the effectiveness of large scale soil and water conservation (SWC) implementations are analyzed from a five year (2010-2014) study, in the 95 ha Debre Mawi watershed and four nested sub-watersheds. Under the large scale government led SWC program, terraces with infiltration furrows were installed in 2012. The results indicate that runoff, sediment loads and sediment yields decreased significantly after the implementation of SWC practices. Sediment loads were reduced mainly because of the reduced runoff. Though sediment concentration decreased in the sub-watersheds, it decreased only marginally for the main watershed because of the entrainment of loose soil from the collapse of unstable banks of gullies. Infiltration furrows were effective in collecting runoff and suspended sediment (from rills) on the hillsides where Nitisols dominate (very deep, well-drained, permeable soils where rain water could infiltrate easily). But, on the saturated flat bottom lands and fields dominated by vertisols (that form wide-deep cracks during the dry season and swell during the rainy season), infiltration was restricted and conservation practices became conduits for carrying excess rainfall. Our continuous observations and photo monitoring of bunds on Nitisols and saturated bottomlands indicate that installing soil bunds on these areas caused the collapse of soil bunds in to the furrows. The soil from the collapsed bund is then easily washed away in a concentrated runoff and further initiated gullies in the Debre Mawi watershed. Large scale soil and water conservation interventions have short term effectiveness of reducing runoff and sediment loads. However, long term benefits can only be sustained with continuous maintenance of uphill infiltration furrows, as most ditches are filled up with sediments within two-three years. In addition, large scale soil and water conservation interventions should give priority to gully treatments, should consider local soil types and saturation dynamics to install bunds in the sub-humid Ethiopian highlands.
19 Amare, D.; Mekuria, Wolde; Teklewold, T.; Belay, B.; Teshome, A.; Yitaferu, B.; Tessema, T.; Tegegn, B. 2016. Perception of local community and the willingness to pay to restore church forests: the case of Dera district, northwestern Ethiopia. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 25(3):173-186. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14728028.2015.1133330]
Local community ; Forest management ; Forest conservation ; Biodiversity ; Economic aspects ; Living standards ; Land ownership ; Households ; Environmental degradation ; Stakeholders / Ethiopia / Dera District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047538)
(1.18 MB)
In the Ethiopian highlands, church forests have a substantial contribution to landscape restoration, and conservation of endangered indigenous tree species and biodiversity. However, the environmental and economic benefits of church forests are declining due to a combination of economic, environmental, and cultural factors. This study was conducted in Dera district, Ethiopia, to assess the perception of local communities on church forests and investigate the willingness of local communities to pay to manage and protect church forests. We used household survey and focus group discussion to gather data. Contingent valuation method and the Heckman two-step economic model were used to analyze data. Considerable proportion of the respondents (35%) mentioned several types of benefits that can be derived from church forests including fodder, fuelwood, tree seeds and seedlings, conservation of biodiversity, and improvement of the amount and distribution of rainfall. Respondents are also aware that sustainable management of church forests is essential to maintain or enhance the ecosystem services that can be obtained from existing church forests. Protection, fencing, plantation, and expansion of church forests were among the different management options suggested by the respondents. The majority (70%) of the communities are willing to contribute cash. On average, the farmers are willing to contribute ETB 32 (i.e., US$ 1.66 [Based on the exchange rate on 12 February 2014.]). Age, education, access to extension services, and amount of benefits derived from church forests were positively and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the willingness to pay. Providing training on forest management, putting a strong informal institution such as bylaws, and designing ways of moving from conservation to economic benefit are essential to restore and sustain church forests.
20 Mekuria, Wolde; Langan, Simon; Noble, A.; Johnston, Robyn. 2017. Soil restoration after seven years of exclosure management in northwestern Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 28(4):1287-1297. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2527]
Soil fertility ; Soil properties ; Soil moisture ; Soil organic matter ; Soil sampling ; Soil management ; Ecology ; Ecosystem services ; Land degradation ; pH ; Grazing lands ; Carbon ; Environmental degradation ; Watershed management ; Vegetation / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047539)
(0.32 MB)
Ecological restoration through exclosure establishment has become an increasingly important approach to reversing degraded ecosystems in rangelands worldwide. The present study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia where policy programs are aiming to restore degraded lands. Changes in soil properties following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands were investigated. A space-for-time substitution approach was used to monitor changes in soil properties after conversion of communal grazing lands to exclosures with ages of establishment ranging from 1 to 7-years. Significant differences in soil pH, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, soil moisture content, and bulk density were observed within exclosures and between exclosures and communal grazing land. Communal grazing land displayed significantly higher soil total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared to exclosures. Exclosures did not display significantly higher soil organic matter content when compared to the communal grazing land. The results confirm that more than 7 years after the establishment of exclosures is required to detect significant improvements in most of the investigated soil properties. Prohibition of the practice of grass harvesting during the first 3 to 5 years following the establishment of exclosure, and decreasing the amount of grass harvest with exclosure age could support to increase easily decomposable organic inputs to the soil and improve soil properties in relatively short period of time.
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