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Home / Journals / Earth, Energy & Environment / Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science / Article
Effects of Integrated Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Regeneration in Southern Ethiopia
Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science
Volume 9, Issue 4, August 2020, Pages: 77-86
Received: Aug. 6, 2020; Accepted: Sep. 3, 2020; Published: Sep. 14, 2020
Volume 9, Issue 4, August 2020, Pages: 77-86
Received: Aug. 6, 2020; Accepted: Sep. 3, 2020; Published: Sep. 14, 2020
Views 248 Downloads 97
Authors
Dessale Wasie, Department of Soil and Water Resource Management, College of Agriculture, Woldia University, Mersa, Ethiopia
Fantaw Yimer, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemanne, Ethiopia
Abstract
Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is one of the most serious problems in the worldwide. Physical and biological soil and water conservation measures implemented by various land rehabilitation program is the best option to address this problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated soil and water conservation (SWC) practices on Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Regeneration in Southern Ethiopia. A total of 60 plots (3 land use*4 transect*5 quadrants), measuring 20 m*20 m each, were established along transect line laid for woody vegetation data collection. Woody species diversity in the study sites were determined using the Shannon (H’) and Simpson diversity index through the analysis of species richness and evenness of species. A total of 28 woody species, belonging to 15 families were identified. The diversity, richness, density and basal area of woody species were significantly higher in closure area with SWC (p<0.05) compared to the value in closure area without SWC and open grazing land. The inverted ’J’ shaped distribution of height and DBH exhibited in closure area with SWC, which has more potential to enhance vegetation regeneration. The findings generally confirmed that area closure with SWC practices was highly improved woody species diversity, structure and regeneration status. Accordingly, to improve the biophysical conditions of degraded hillside areas implementing of area closure with integrated SWC practices is a best option.
Keywords
Area Closure, Rehabilitation, Soil and Water Conservation, Soil Erosion, Species Diversity, Woody Vegetation
To cite this article
Dessale Wasie,
Fantaw Yimer,
Effects of Integrated Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Regeneration in Southern Ethiopia, Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science.
Vol. 9, No. 4,
2020, pp. 77-86.
doi: 10.11648/j.wros.20200904.12
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Authors retain the copyright of this article.
This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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