Land degradation causes environmental problems

IPM

In Ethiopia, land and soil degradation causes major environmental problems, as well as problems in the agriculture. In order to limit and restore the damages, the authorities have, since 1991, implemented massive measures. However, as pr today, one knows little about the effects of these measures.

Girmay G. Abraha's thesis will have a great significance in Ethiopia, a country which faces great problems related to land and soil degradation and hence reduced soil quality. Photo: Even Bretberg

Girmay G. Abraha's thesis, which is entitled, ’Land Use Change Effects in Northern Ethiopia: Runoff, Soil and Nutrient Losses, Soil Quality and Sediments as Nutrient Sources' will provide more information on these measures. He will defend his thesis at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) on 19th of June.

Land use changes. The objective of Girmay G. Abraha's study were to describe the magnitude of land use/cover changes in an area of Ethiopia between 1964-2006, by interpretation and analysis of maps, aerial photographs and ground survey. Based on these data he has studied what effect these changes have had on runoff and soil quality. Additionally, he has measured soil, humus and nutrient losses and evaluated the potential use of reservoir sediment as nutrient source for oligotrophic soil.

Results. In conclusion, these investigations revealed that land use changes affects many aspects of soil properties, runoff and nutrient losses and hence soil quality. Area exclosures of degraded soils had a positive impact on the soil quality by increasing the soil organic stock, whereas Eucalyptus plantation had the opposite effect. Use of sediment and manure is an option for restoring the soil fertility of degraded soils and will also result in a significant increase in crop yield.

Girmay G. Abraha (36) is from Mekelle, Ethiopia. He graduated with M.Sc in Soil and Water from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, in 2002. He started his work here in 2005 with a quota fellowship and the research was funded by the Mekelle University, Ethiopia. After finishing his Ph.D, he will return to his position at the Mekelle University, Ethiopia, to implement his findings into practice. Main supervisor for the doctorate degree has been Professor Bal Ram Singh, UMB.

from Ethiopia Photo: Trygve Berg

Updated: 18.06.09
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Additional information

Girmay Gebresamuel Abraha – the PhD degree – Trial Lecture and Public Defence
19th june 2009

Title of the thesis:
Land use change effects in Northern Ethiopia: Runoff, soil and nutrient losses, soil quality, and sediment as nutrient sources

Prescribed subject of the trial lecture:
Soil degradation as a threat to food production in East Africa

Time and place for the trial lecture and the public defence:
Friday 19th juni, Auditorium J 106 in Soilbilding. 10:15

Supervisors:
Professor Bal Ram Singh (hovedveileder), UMB
Professor Trond Børresen, UMB
Professor Mitiku Haile, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Evaluation committee:
Professor Ólafur Arnalds, Agricultural University of Iceland
Senior Scientist Hugh Riley, Bioforsk
Professor Tore Krogstad, UMB

The doctoral thesis is available for public review at the UMB library