The Soils Of Ethiopia

This book addresses Ethiopia's extremely rich soil diversity and resources, which have developed under various climatic conditions. Featuring contributions by a group of respected experts on Ethiopian soils and agriculture, it provides comprehensive information on the management approaches needed for sustainable soil utilization and conservation under such conditions and the attendant challenges. It offers a valuable resource for anyone interested in soils and agriculture in Ethiopia, but also in other African countries with similar climatic conditions. The book contains 13 chapters which illustrate the long history of knowledge and soil research; climate; geology and geomorphology; soil forming factors, processes, and classification; major soil types, their properties, fertility status, and management; land evaluation and land use planning; soils and society/industry; and future/emerging soil issues.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2019 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental Studies, Haramaya University, course: Management of Arid and Salt Affected Soils, language: English, abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the nature and quantify selectively soil chemical properties of the study area, to characterize and categorize salinity soil based on their salt content of the study area and to give suggestion appropriated reclaim of salt affected agricultural land management practices. Soil salinity and alkalinity problems are commonly found in the arid and semi-arid regions of the earth due to insufficient annual rainfall to leach accumulated salts from the root zone. In other words, salt affected soils often occur in areas where soluble salts and sodium (Na) accumulate in soils through physical and chemical weathering of rocks or the pedogenic process of the soil development, atmospheric precipitation and fossil salts from marine or lacustrine environments. Moreover, heavy fertilizer application and use of poor-quality irrigation water and inadequate drainage have contributed to the development of salt affected soils and productivity deterioration of many soils in irrigated arid and semi-arid regions. Ethiopia is the first in Africa and the ninth country in the World having more than 11 million ha of salt affected soils which are mainly found in the Rift Valley, Wabi Shebele River Basin and various lowlands of the country. Following the establishment of large-scale irrigated farms, the problem become worse due to poor drainage system and inappropriate water management practices coupled with unsound reclamation procedures, To understand how improved soil fertility may assist in reaching these needs, it requires knowledge of salinity and sodicity related soil chemical properties the soils of the land’s agriculture. Such knowledge is believed to help the producers and production managers to understand about and make the necessary modifications in the soil-salt-water balance.

Ethiopia is facing environmental and poverty challenges, and urgently needs effective management of its environmental resources. Much of the Ethiopian landscape has been significantly altered and reshaped by centuries of human activities, and three-quarters of the rural population is living on degraded land. Over the past two decades the country has seen rapid economic and population growth and unparalleled land use change. This book explores the challenges of sustaining the resource base while fuelling the economy and providing for a growing population that is greatly dependent on natural resources for income and livelihoods. Adopting a political ecology perspective, this book comprehensively examines human impacts on the environment in Ethiopia, defining the environment both in terms of the quantity and quality of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. With high levels of economic production and consumption also come unintended side effects: waste discharges, emissions of pollutants, and industrial effluents. These pollutants can degrade the quality of water, air, land, and forests as well as harm the health of people, animals, and other living organisms if untreated or disposed of improperly. This book demonstrates how the relationship between society and environment is inherently and delicately interwoven, providing an account of Ethiopia’s current environment and natural resource base and future considerations for environmentally sustainable development.