Soil Carbon Stock and soil physico-chemical properties under A.saligna
plantation in Northern Ethiopia
Abstract
Afforestation of degraded lands using both exotic and indigenous species
is used to reduce land degradation and to reforest degraded areas.
Acacia saligna is one of the common exotic plantation species planted in
Ethiopia. This study analyzed the existing carbon stock and some soil
physico-chemical properties of A. saligna plantation at two districts in
Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from 204 samples
at three soil depths from plantation site and adjacent grazing lands.
Paired t-test was used to analyze data. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock
was higher at lower depth (40-60cm) than middle and upper depths at
plantation sites while the second depth (20-40cm) was found higher SOC
at grazing lands. Furthermore, in Mai-Brazio, soil properties except
Total nitrogen(TN) and Available Phosphorus (Av,P), Cation Exchange
Capacity (CEC), Available Potassium (Av,K) and soil pH were
significantly (P<0.05) higher than adjacent grazing lands
While CEC and Av.K were non-significant in Barka-Adisbha site
(p>0.05). Area converted to plantation site showed lower
soil bulk density than the open grazing land. Further, CEC is negatively
correlated (P < 0.001) with soil pH, this may shows that CEC
is affected by the variation of soil pH.