Effects of Land-Use Dynamics on Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock, Western Ethiopia

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stock are key indicators of soil quality in tropical regions; however, their status is often degraded, especially due to massive deforestation natural forest areas associated with extensive agricultural land use. The aim this study was investigate the dynamics SOC TN different land-use systems Abobo woreda, Western Ethiopia. To analyze status, 80 disturbed (composite) 45 undisturbed samples were collected from top 20 cm five major types: forestlands, grasslands, recently developed commercial farmlands, old small-scale cultivated lands. results showed that varied significantly across types, mean ranging 32.23 Mg·ha−1 farmlands 54.54 forestlands. ranged 2.54 4.63 With forestlands as a baseline duration age 15 years since conversion, annual absolute rates change loss 0.49, 1.49, 0.39, 0.45 Mg·ha−1·yr−1 0.05, 0.14, 0.03, 0.04 for lands, respectively. revealed disturbance during forestland conversion tillage enhanced decomposition rate matter farmlands. Nevertheless, after abandonment vegetation restoration, capacities enriched It is, therefore, important effectively restore implement sustainable management practices.