scholarly journals Impacts of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Crop Yield, Run-off, Soil Loss and Nutrient Loss in Ethiopia: Review and Synthesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zenebe Adimassu ◽  
Simon Langan ◽  
Robyn Johnston ◽  
Wolde Mekuria ◽  
Tilahun Amede
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Soil And Water

scholarly journals Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Runoff, Sediment and Nutrient Losses

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuguo Han ◽  
Gary Feng ◽  
Ying Ouyang
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Fish Scale ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Bare Land ◽  
Runoff Sediment ◽  
Soil And Water

Rainfall is a major dynamic source of soil erosion and nutrient loss on slopes. Soil and water conservation practices and agricultural activities can change the soil surface morphology and thus affect erosion and nutrient losses. This study focused on the effects of several typical soil and water conservation practices and agricultural land, for the purpose of: (1) determining how these practices prevent erosion and nutrient loss and identifying the hydrodynamic mechanisms; and (2) determining the application conditions for different practices. Runoff, sediment, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in fish-scale pits, agricultural land, narrow terraces, shrub cover and bare land, under rainfall events in rainy seasons (from May to November) during the 2010–2015 period, were monitored. Slope hydrodynamic mechanisms and application conditions of these practices were also investigated. The results showed that compared with bare land, fish-scale pits performed the best in preventing runoff, sediment, TN and TP, followed by 30% shrub coverage, narrow terraces and agricultural land, successively. Total runoff, sediment, TN and TP losses in fish-scale pits site were 19.70%, 2.03%, 10.10% and 35.97% of those in bare land of the same area, respectively. Soil and water conservation practices could change the hydraulic characteristics of slopes, decrease Re (Reynolds) and Fr (Froude) numbers, thereby decreasing runoff, sediment, TN and TP losses. Fish-scale pits were suitable for the areas with small single rainfall and good water permeability. When rainfall was greater than 60 mm, narrow terraces had highest efficiency in reducing sediment loss; therefore, they were suitable for the areas with relatively high rainfall intensity and soils similar to the sandy loams of the study area. As to the practice of covering land with plants, the effect was sustainable due to the plants’ long-term growth. Agricultural land was not recommended since the losses on it were relatively higher due to the impact of human activities. In reality, these practices may be applied in combination so as to effectively control water, soil and nutrient losses.

Economic benefits of soil and water conservation measures at the sub-catchment scale in the northern Highlands of Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailu Kendie Addis ◽  
Atikilt Abera ◽  
Legese Abebaw
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Discounted Cost ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Soil And Water

Soil and water conservation (SWC) interventions are needed to control rainfall-driven erosion, and profitability of SWC measures at the sub-catchment scale emerges as the principal reason for their adoption. This study carried out a cost–benefit analysis of SWC measures in mountainous agricultural catchments. Physical data were obtained through field measurements of discharge, sediment and nutrient loss at the sub-catchment scale with and without SWC measures. The major cost benefits of various measures implemented in the study area were quantified using net present value (NPV), and direct market prices were employed in valuing the cost of items required for crop production. The results revealed that sediment loss decreased by 8.78 Mg ha−1 y−1 (46.8%) due to SWC measures, and the cost of production inputs, such as fertilizer (urea) and lime, was reduced by $17.97 ha−1 y−1 and $3.63 ha−1 y−1, respectively. Furthermore, crop yield was enhanced by 13% for teff, 19.4% for sorghum and 19.42% for chickpeas, which is equivalent to economic returns of $102, $96.9 and $140.25 ha−1 y−1, respectively. The total discounted cost of SWC interventions was about $331.74. This includes establishment costs, maintenance costs, input costs and the costs resulting from lost productive land. In sum, the total discounted benefits of SWC measures were the enhancement of crop production, a reduction in lime requirement and a reduction in the loss of total nitrogen and sediment, estimated at about $809.42. Hence, it is possible to deduce that SWC measures reduced nutrient depletion and greatly improved crop yield with a NPV of $477.68 ha−1. The results strongly suggest that SWC measures in the study sub-catchment, as well as in nearby areas with a similar indigenous SWC adoption strategy, topographic conditions and agroclimatic characteristics, should be maintained.

scholarly journals EXTERNALITIES, PROFIT, AND LAND STEWARDSHIP: CONFLICTING MOTIVES FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ADOPTION AMONG ABSENTEE LANDOWNERS AND ON-FARM PRODUCERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENJAMIN H. TONG ◽  
TRACY A. BOYER ◽  
LARRY D. SANDERS
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Absentee Landowners ◽  
Conservation Adoption ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Soil And Water

AbstractThis research aimed to illicit nonfarming absentee landowners’ and producers’ preferences for the benefits and characteristics derived from conservation practices during adoption decisions using maximum difference scaling, also called the best-worst method. Both groups are found to rank and value the attributes and reasons for adoption of conservation practices differently at the 95% significance level. This difference between the two groups reinforced the importance of land tenure in decision making. This indicated the need for new extension educational efforts, research efforts, and economic incentives to reduce negative externalities that could be ameliorated from adoption of soil and water conservation practices.

scholarly journals Upaya Konservasi Tanah dan Air pada Daerah Pertanian Dataran Tinggi di Sub-Daerah Aliran Sungai Gandul

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-387
Author(s):  
Diah Auliyani
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Land System ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Land Cover Maps ◽  
Very High ◽  
Soil And Water ◽  
Erosion Prevention

Land susceptibility to degradation is characterized by the loss of topsoil due to erosion which is considered as a threat to agricultural productivity. Information about land sensitivity to erosion is crucial in determining the appropriate soil and water conservation techniques to avoid land degradation. This study, which was located in the Gandul Sub-Watershed, aims to analyze the level of land sensitivity to erosion in highland agricultural areas. Data analysis was carried out spatially using land system and land-cover maps. Soil and water conservation efforts were determined based on the land function and sensitivity. The land sensitivity to erosion in the Gandul Sub-watershed was categorized into 3 levels which were moderate (3.9%), high (95%), and very high (0.8%). There were various directions for Gandul Sub-Watershed management by considering the level of sensitivity of the land and the function of the area. Creating a ridge is one of the soils and water conservation practices that has been implemented for a long time by local communities as a soil erosion prevention.   Keywords: agriculture, erosion, Gandul, sensitivity

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