Skip to main content
SLU:s publikationsdatabas (SLUpub)

Sammanfattning

Conversion of native forest ecosystem to cropland has considerably degraded the soil nutrient levels in the Bale Mountains, south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. This study investigated the effects of land use change through conversion of native forest to cropland and/or grazing land on soil pH (H2O), base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+), CEC and percentage base saturation (PBS) in three adjacent land-use types: cropland, grazing land and native forest. A total of 108 soil samples (3 replications x 3 land-use types x 4 profiles x 3 soil depth layers, 0-0.2, 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-1.0 m) were collected for laboratory analyses. Results showed that soil pH, Na+ and K+, CEC, and PBS varied significantly with respect to land use and soil depth while Ca2+ and Mg2+ varied with soil depth (rho < 0.05). Conversion of native forest ecosystem to cropland during a 15-year period significantly increased soil pH and PBS while reducing Na+ and K+. The CEC in the cropland was reduced by 37.7% (similar to 2.6% per annum) compared to the native forest, which could be attributed to the decline in organic matter concentrations. If such rapid declines in soil nutrient concentrations continue unabated, the soils will reach at the point of no return within a few decades. Although the effect of grazing on most of the properties was found to be minimal, adapting the number of stock to the carrying capacity of the land and thereby enhancing the natural regeneration, combined with proper cropland management practices could help restoring soil nutrients for sustainable agricultural production and ecosystem functions. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nyckelord

nutrient dynamics; deforestation; land conversion; nutrient loss; soil property changes; land degradation

Publicerad i

Forest Ecology and Management
2008, volym: 256, nummer: 6, sidor: 1298-1302
Utgivare: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU författare

  • Yimer, Fantaw

    • Institutionen för markvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    • Wondo Genet College of Forestry & Natural Resources

  • Ledin, Stig

    • Institutionen för markvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG2 Ingen hunger
SDG12 Hållbar konsumtion och produktion
SDG15 Ekosystem och biologisk mångfald

UKÄ forskningsämne

Skogsvetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.06.047

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/78006