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Research article2008Peer reviewed

Effects of different land use types on infiltration capacity in a catchment in the highlands of Ethiopia

Yimer, F.; Messing, I.; Ledin, S.; Abdelkadir, A.

Abstract

Infiltration capacity is an important variable for understanding and predicting a range of soil processes. This study investigated for different slope positions the effects of forest conversion to cultivation and grazing on soil infiltration capacity. Infiltration capacity was measured in the field in each land use type using a double-ring infiltrometer. A total of 108 soil samples (3 slope positions x 3 land use types x 4 soil profiles x 3 soil depths) were collected to determine the variables that affect infiltration capacity viz. particle size distribution, organic carbon content, dry bulk density and soil moisture content. The results showed that in the cultivated and grazed land compared with forest, infiltration capacity and soil moisture content were 70 and 45% smaller respectively, and dry bulk density was 13-20% larger. Changes in soil structure caused by surface soil compaction because of tillage and animal trampling coupled with a smaller soil organic carbon content, are likely to be the principal factors causing the decline in infiltration capacity and soil moisture content after conversion of forest to cultivation and grazing.

Keywords

Deforestation; infiltration capacity; land conversion; soil property changes; soil moisture

Published in

Soil Use and Management
2008, Volume: 24, number: 4, pages: 344-349
Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING

      SLU Authors

    • Yimer, Fantaw

      • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
      • Wondo Genet College of Forestry & Natural Resources

      • Messing, Ingmar

        • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • Ledin, Stig

          • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        Sustainable Development Goals

        Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Food Science
        Agricultural Science
        Fish and Aquacultural Science

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2008.00182.x

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/19382