Encyclopedia
Please note this is an old version of this entry, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
The soils of the Atsbi Wenberta woreda (district) in Tigray (Ethiopia) reflect its longstanding agricultural history, highly seasonal rainfall regime and relatively low temperatures. The northern part of the district is on the high uplifted Atsbi Horst (with metamorphic rock and consolidated Palaeozoic fluvio-glacial deposits) , whereas the southern part is dominated by the Des’a forest on Antalo Limestone. In between there is the fluvial landscape of Hayqi Meshal. Particularities in the southern part of the district are soil catenas on intervening plains behind tufa dams and in a polje.
- seasonal rainfall
- soil
- fluvial landscape
1. Factors Contributing to Soil Diversity
1.1. Climate
Annual rainfall depth is very variable with an average of around 800 mm.[1] Most rains fall during the main rainy season, which typically extends from June to September. Mean temperature in woreda town Atsbi is 17 °C, oscillating between average daily minimum of 9.4 °C and maximum of 24.3 °C. The contrasts between day and night air temperatures are much larger than seasonal contrasts.[2]
1.2. Geology
The following geological formations are present in the southern part:[3]
On the northern Atsbi Horst:
- Enticho Sandstone, forming mesas and table mountains
- Edaga Arbi Glacials, forming the somewhat lower, undulating plateau
1.3. Topography
As part of the Ethiopian highlands the land has undergone a rapid tectonic uplift, leading the occurrence of plateaus, valleys and gorges.
1.4. Land use
Generally speaking the level lands and intermediate slopes are occupied by cropland, while there is rangeland and shrubs on the steeper slopes. Remnant forests occur around Orthodox Christian churches, in a few inaccessible places and especially in the Des’a forest. A recent trend is the widespread planting of eucalyptus trees.
1.5. Environmental changes
Soil degradation in this district became important when humans started deforestation almost 5000 years ago.[6][7] Depending on land use history, locations have been exposed in varying degrees to such land degradation.
2. Geomorphic Regions and Soil Units
Given the complex geology and topography of the district, it has been organised into land systems - areas with specific and unique geomorphic and geological characteristics, characterised by a particular soil distribution along the soil catena.[8][9][10] Soil types are classified in line with World Reference Base for Soil Resources and reference made to main characteristics that can be observed in the field.
2.1. Enticho Sandstone plateau
- Dominant soil type: shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- Associated soil type: complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- Inclusions
- Shallow, dark loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Rendzic and Leptic Phaeozem (6)
- shallow, stony loam soils (Eutric Regosol and Cambisol) (21)
2.2. Mesas in Enticho Sandstone
- Associated soil types
- complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- Inclusions
- Shallow, dark loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Rendzic and Leptic Phaeozem (6)
- shallow, stony loam soils (Eutric Regosol and Cambisol) (21)
2.3. Colluvial slopes at the edge Enticho Sandstone plateaus
- Dominant soil type: sandy clay loams to sands developed on sandy colluvium (Eutric Arenosol, Regosol, Cambisol) (24)
- Associated soil type: shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- Inclusion: brown, silty loams to loamy sands developed on alluvium, with good natural fertility ((Mollic) Fluvisol, Fluvic Cambisol (29)
2.4. Undulating plain (Atsbi horst)
Haplic Fluvisol profile. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359121
Haplic Fluvisol on Precambrian rock. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359123
Haplic Cambisol profile. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359124
Haplic Cambisol. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359125
- Associated soil types
- complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- shallow to moderately deep silt loamy to loamy soils (Haplic Cambisol) (19)
- Inclusions
- brown, silty loams to loamy sands developed on alluvium, with good natural fertility ((Mollic) Fluvisol, Fluvic Cambisol (29)
- clays of floodplains with very high watertable with moderate to good natural fertility (Eutric Gleysol, Gleyic Cambisol) (33)
2.5. Gently rolling topography on Precambrian rock (Atsbi Horst)
Leptic Luvisol on the Atsbi horst. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83498916
- Associated soil types
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- shallow to moderately deep, well drained, brown-yellow loamy soils (Leptic Luvisol) (7)
- Inclusions
- moderately deep dark stony clays with good natural fertility (Vertic Cambisol) (10)
- moderately to deep, dark brown to dark greyish soils with strong structure and good natural fertility, but with frequent waterlogging (Gleyic Vertisol) (31)
- clays of floodplains with very high watertable with moderate to good natural fertility (Eutric Gleysol, Gleyic Cambisol) (33)
2.7. Rolling landscape on Precambrian rocks (Atsbi horst)
- Dominant soil type: complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- Associated soil types
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- clays of floodplains with very high watertable with moderate to good natural fertility (Eutric Gleysol, Gleyic Cambisol) (33)
- Inclusion: moderately deep, red-brownish, loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Chromic Luvisol) (20)
2.8. Severely incised Precambrian rock
Typical catena on severely incised Precambrian rock (Atsbi Horst). By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83502188
- Dominant soil type: rock outcrops and very shallow soils (Lithic Leptosol) (1)
- Associated soil type: shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- Inclusion: clays of floodplains with very high watertable with moderate to good natural fertility (Eutric Gleysol, Gleyic Cambisol) (33)
2.9. Fluvial landscape of Hayqi Mesal
Typical catena in the fluvial landscape of Hayqi Mesal. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83460304
- Associated soil types
- complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- shallow, stony loam soils with moderate fertility (Eutric Regosol and Cambisol) (21)
- Brown to dark, silty clay loams to loamy sands developed on alluvium, with good natural fertility (Fluvisol) (30)
- Inclusions
- sandy clay loams to sands developed on sandy colluvium (Eutric Arenosol, Regosol, Cambisol) (24)
- sandy clay loams to sands developed on sandy colluvium (Eutric Arenosol, Regosol, Cambisol) (24)
2.10. Des’a forest
Rendzic Leptosol in Desa Forest Ethiopia profile. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359102
Rendzic Leptosol in Desa Forest Ethiopia. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359108
- Associated soil types
- shallow, stony, dark, loamy soils on calcaric material (Rendzic Leptosol) (3)
- deep, dark cracking clays on calcaric material (Calcaric Vertisol, Calcic Vertisol) (11)
- dark soils with good developed structure and a very good natural fertility on calcaric material (Vertic Calcaric Phaeozem) (16)
- shallow, dark, stony, loamy soils on calcaric material, rich on organic matter (Calcaric Mollic Cambisol) (23)
- Inclusions
- Rock outcrops and very shallow soils on limestone (Calcaric Leptosol) (2)
- Shallow very stony loamy soil on limestone (Skeletic Calcaric Cambisol) (5)
- Shallow, dark loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Rendzic and Leptic Phaeozem (6)
- Moderately deep, stony, dark cracking clays on calcaric material (Calcaric Vertic Cambisol) (17)
2.11. Gallery: soils in Des’a forest
-
Mollic Calcaric Cambisol. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359109
Mollic Calcaric Cambisol. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359109
Vertic Calcaric Phaeozem. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359110
Vertic Calcaric Phaeozem. By Jan Nyssen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83359111
2.12. Des’a hills
Typical catena in the Des’a hills. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83460311
- Associated soil types
- complex of rock outcrops, very stony and very shallow soils ((Lithic) Leptosol) (1)
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- shallow, stony loam soils with moderate fertility (Eutric Regosol and Cambisol) (21)
- Inclusions
- moderately deep dark stony clays with good natural fertility (Vertic Cambisol) (10)
- deep dark cracking clays with very good natural fertility, waterlogged during the wet season (Chromic Vertisol, Pellic Vertisol) (12)
2.13. Alluvial plains induced by tufa dams
Typical catena on Tufa dam backfill. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83460319
- Dominant soil type: deep dark cracking clays with very good natural fertility, waterlogged during the wet season (Chromic Vertisol, Pellic Vertisol) (12)
- Associated soil type: stony, dark cracking clays with good natural fertility (Vertic Cambisol) (10)
- Inclusions
- shallow, stony, dark, loamy soils on calcaric material (Rendzic Leptosol) (3)
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
2.14. Polje
Typical catena in the Lugdo polje. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83460321
- Associated soil types
- Rock outcrops and very shallow soils on limestone (Calcaric Leptosol) (2)
- Shallow very stony loamy soil on limestone (Skeletic Calcaric Cambisol) (5)
- Shallow, dark loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Rendzic and Leptic Phaeozem (6)
- deep, dark cracking clays on calcaric material (Calcaric Vertisol, Calcic Vertisol) (11)
- Inclusions
- Dark, loamy soils with good developed structure and a very good natural fertility (Vertic Phaeozem) (14)
- moderately deep, red-brownish, loamy soils with a good natural fertility (Chromic Luvisol) (20)
- moderately to deep, dark brown to dark greyish soils with strong structure and good natural fertility, but with frequent waterlogging (Gleyic Vertisol) (31)
- alluvial clays of flood plains and basins with ponded drainage on calcaric material (Calcaric Gleysol) (32)
2.15. Very gently undulating Agula shale
Typical catena in the very gently undulating Agula shale. By Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, Jozef Deckers - Article: Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia’s tropical mountains (supplement) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224041, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83460320
- Associated soil types
- shallow, very stony, silt loamy to loamy soils (Skeletic Cambisol, Leptic Cambisol, Skeletic Regosol) (4)
- moderately deep dark stony clays with good natural fertility (Vertic Cambisol) (10)
- deep, dark cracking clays on calcaric material (Calcaric Vertisol, Calcic Vertisol) (11)
- Inclusion: deep dark cracking clays with very good natural fertility, waterlogged during the wet season (Chromic Vertisol, Pellic Vertisol) (12)
3. Soil Erosion and Conservation
The reduced soil protection by vegetation cover, combined with steep slopes and erosive rainfall has led to excessive soil erosion.[6][11][12] Nutrients and organic matter were lost and soil depth was reduced. Hence, soil erosion is an important problem, which results in low crop yields and biomass production.[13] As a response to the strong degradation and thanks to the hard labour of many people in the villages, soil conservation has been carried out on a large scale since the 1980s and especially 1980s; this has curbed rates of soil loss.[14][15] Measures include the construction of infiltration trenches, stone bunds,[16] check dams,[17] small reservoirs such as Addi Shihu and Era as well as a major biological measure: exclosures in order to allow forest regeneration.[18] On the other hand, it remains difficult to convince farmers to carry out measures within the farmland (in situ soil management), such as bed and furrows or zero grazing, as there is a fear for loss of income from the land. Such techniques are however very effective.[19]
The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Earth:Soil_in_Atsbi_Wenberta
References
- Jacob, M. and colleagues (2013). "Assessing spatio-temporal rainfall variability in a tropical mountain area (Ethiopia) using NOAAs Rainfall Estimates.". International Journal of Remote Sensing 34 (23): 8305–8321. doi:10.1080/01431161.2013.837230. Bibcode: 2013IJRS...34.8319J. https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/4252226.
- Jacob, M. and colleagues (2019). Dogu'a Tembien's Tropical Mountain Climate. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains — The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-04955-3_3. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-030-04955-3_3
- Sembroni, A.; Molin, P.; Dramis, F. (2019). Regional geology of the Dogu'a Tembien massif. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains — The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030049546.
- Bosellini, A.; Russo, A.; Fantozzi, P.; Assefa, G.; Tadesse, S. (1997). "The Mesozoic succession of the Mekelle Outlier (Tigrai Province, Ethiopia).". Mem. Sci. Geol. 49: 95–116.
- Moeyersons, J. and colleagues (2006). "Age and backfill/overfill stratigraphy of two tufa dams, Tigray Highlands, Ethiopia: Evidence for Late Pleistocene and Holocene wet conditions.". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 230 (1–2): 162–178. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.07.013. Bibcode: 2006PPP...230..165M. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.palaeo.2005.07.013
- "Human impact on the environment in the Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands - a state of the art.". Earth-Science Reviews 64 (3–4): 273–320. 2004. doi:10.1016/S0012-8252(03)00078-3. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2FS0012-8252%2803%2900078-3
- Blond, N. and colleagues (2018). "Terrasses alluviales et terrasses agricoles. Première approche des comblements sédimentaires et de leurs aménagements agricoles depuis 5000 av. n. è. à Wakarida (Éthiopie).". Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement 24 (3): 277–300. doi:10.4000/geomorphologie.12258. https://dx.doi.org/10.4000%2Fgeomorphologie.12258
- Bui, E.N. (2004). "Soil survey as a knowledge system.". Geoderma. 120 (1–2): 17–26. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2003.07.006. Bibcode: 2004Geode.120...17B. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.geoderma.2003.07.006
- "Principes de la cartographie des pédopaysages dans les Alpes". Écologie 29 (1–2): 49. 1998. ProQuest 223074690. https://search.proquest.com/docview/223074690
- Tielens, Sander (2012). Towards a soil map of the Geba catchment using benchmark soils. MSc thesis.. Leuven, Belgium: K.U.Leuven.
- Demel Teketay (2001). "Deforestation, wood famine, and environmental degradation in Ethiopia's highland ecosystems: urgent need for action.". Northeast African Studies 8 (1): 53–76. doi:10.1353/nas.2005.0020. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353%2Fnas.2005.0020
- Nyssen, Jan; Frankl, Amaury; Zenebe, Amanuel; Deckers, Jozef; Poesen, Jean (2015). "Land management in the northern Ethiopian highlands: local and global perspectives; past, present and future.". Land Degradation & Development 26 (7): 759–794. doi:10.1002/ldr.2336. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2Fldr.2336
- Fikir Alemayehu, and colleagues (2009). "The impacts of watershed management on land use and land cover dynamics in Eastern Tigray (Ethiopia).". Resources, Conservation and Recycling 53 (4): 192–198. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.11.007. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.resconrec.2008.11.007
- K. Tadele. Comparative Analysis of Farmers' Participation in Indigenous and Modern Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Raya-Alamata and Atsbi-Womberta Woredas, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation).. Addis Ababa (Ethiopia): Addis Ababa University.
- Shimbahri Mesfin, and colleagues (2018). "Short-term effects of bench terraces on selected soil physical and chemical properties: landscape improvement for hillside farming in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia.". Environmental Earth Sciences 77 (11): 399 ff. doi:10.1007/s12665-018-7528-x. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12665-018-7528-x
- Nyssen, Jan; Poesen, Jean; Gebremichael, Desta; Vancampenhout, Karen; d'Aes, Margo; Yihdego, Gebremedhin; Govers, Gerard; Leirs, Herwig et al. (2007). "Interdisciplinary on-site evaluation of stone bunds to control soil erosion on cropland in Northern Ethiopia.". Soil and Tillage Research 94 (1): 151–163. doi:10.1016/j.still.2006.07.011. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.still.2006.07.011
- Nyssen, J.; Veyret-Picot, M.; Poesen, J.; Moeyersons, J.; Haile, Mitiku; Deckers, J.; Govers, G. (2004). "The effectiveness of loose rock check dams for gully control in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.". Soil Use and Management 20: 55–64. doi:10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00337.x. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1475-2743.2004.tb00337.x
- Descheemaeker, K. and colleagues (2006). "Sediment deposition and pedogenesis in exclosures in the Tigray Highlands, Ethiopia.". Geoderma 132 (3–4): 291–314. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2005.04.027. Bibcode: 2006Geode.132..291D. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.geoderma.2005.04.027
- Tewodros Gebreegziabher, and colleagues (2009). "Contour furrows for in situ soil and water conservation, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.". Soil and Tillage Research 103 (2): 257–264. doi:10.1016/j.still.2008.05.021. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.still.2008.05.021
This entry is offline, you can click here to edit this entry!
