Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Abstract Ethiopia faces severe challenges from soil degradation primarily caused by soil erosion. To address this issue, the Ethiopian government has implemented various interventions, including physical soil and water conservation (PSWC) measures. These measures play a crucial role in mitigating so...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01129-5 |
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| author | Siraj Mammo Alemayehu Debisa |
| author_facet | Siraj Mammo Alemayehu Debisa |
| author_sort | Siraj Mammo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ethiopia faces severe challenges from soil degradation primarily caused by soil erosion. To address this issue, the Ethiopian government has implemented various interventions, including physical soil and water conservation (PSWC) measures. These measures play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss, thereby safeguarding agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study assesses the technical suitability of PSWC structures implemented through mass community mobilization in the Ijara watershed, located in Nonno District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The evaluation employed a topographic transect walk method to examine existing PSWC structures across fields with varying slope gradients (upper, medium, and lower slopes). Measurements of key parameters, including stone bund length, height, top width, bottom width, and spacing, were carefully conducted in three fields. The recorded dimensions of the stone bunds were compared against the recommended standards outlined in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Soil and Water Conservation Guidelines. The findings revealed that the majority of the implemented stone bunds exceeded the recommended specifications value for dimensions such as length, spacing, and height. However, deviations were observed in certain areas, such as the top width on the upper slope, which measured 0.48 m compared to the standard of 0.5 m. On the lower slope, the bund spacing (20 m) adhered to the prescribed standards. The study attributes these deviations to gaps in the knowledge and skills of farmers, which hinder the consistent achievement of technical standards in the study area. To address these shortcomings, greater emphasis should be placed on the quality and design of SWC structures rather than their spatial coverage. More consideration should be given to the technical quality and layout of SWC structures rather than the coverage area to reduce the observed technical errors on the established stone bund and continued technical support, regular follow-ups, and targeted training programs are essential to ensure the effective and sustainable use of these conservation structures in the study area. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f051e1cfff54366b0a0bd6c832458fd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
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| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f051e1cfff54366b0a0bd6c832458fd2025-08-20T03:18:53ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-04-016111010.1007/s43621-025-01129-5Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, EthiopiaSiraj Mammo0Alemayehu Debisa1College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Department of Biology, Ambo UniversityCollege of Natural and Computational Sciences, Department of Biology, Ambo UniversityAbstract Ethiopia faces severe challenges from soil degradation primarily caused by soil erosion. To address this issue, the Ethiopian government has implemented various interventions, including physical soil and water conservation (PSWC) measures. These measures play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss, thereby safeguarding agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study assesses the technical suitability of PSWC structures implemented through mass community mobilization in the Ijara watershed, located in Nonno District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The evaluation employed a topographic transect walk method to examine existing PSWC structures across fields with varying slope gradients (upper, medium, and lower slopes). Measurements of key parameters, including stone bund length, height, top width, bottom width, and spacing, were carefully conducted in three fields. The recorded dimensions of the stone bunds were compared against the recommended standards outlined in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Soil and Water Conservation Guidelines. The findings revealed that the majority of the implemented stone bunds exceeded the recommended specifications value for dimensions such as length, spacing, and height. However, deviations were observed in certain areas, such as the top width on the upper slope, which measured 0.48 m compared to the standard of 0.5 m. On the lower slope, the bund spacing (20 m) adhered to the prescribed standards. The study attributes these deviations to gaps in the knowledge and skills of farmers, which hinder the consistent achievement of technical standards in the study area. To address these shortcomings, greater emphasis should be placed on the quality and design of SWC structures rather than their spatial coverage. More consideration should be given to the technical quality and layout of SWC structures rather than the coverage area to reduce the observed technical errors on the established stone bund and continued technical support, regular follow-ups, and targeted training programs are essential to ensure the effective and sustainable use of these conservation structures in the study area.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01129-5Physical structuresSoil erosionSoil structure fitnessSoil and water conservationStone bund |
| spellingShingle | Siraj Mammo Alemayehu Debisa Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia Discover Sustainability Physical structures Soil erosion Soil structure fitness Soil and water conservation Stone bund |
| title | Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia |
| title_full | Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia |
| title_short | Evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in Ijara watershed, Nonno district, west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia |
| title_sort | evaluation of technical feasibility of physical soil and water conservation structures in ijara watershed nonno district west shewa zone oromia ethiopia |
| topic | Physical structures Soil erosion Soil structure fitness Soil and water conservation Stone bund |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01129-5 |
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