Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Gully erosion and its impacts on soil loss and crop yield in three decades, northwest Ethiopia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper investigated the rate of gully formation and development, and its impacts on land competition and crop yield reduction in Genbo Wonze watershed, northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Geometrical gully dimension measurements, field observations and satellite imagery assessment have been performed selecting 22 gullies. The result shows that road construction and design problem of soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) were found as important causes of gully formation and development. The total volume of soil lost from 22 gullies in three decades was ~ 340,957 t and ~ 10 ha productive agricultural land was changed to unproductive land. The annual rate of gully erosion was found to be 62 t ha−1 with an average gully density of 16.4 m ha−1. Gully erosion also results a loss of 24 t year−1 Teff grain yield (Eragrostis teff, E. abyssinica) and 14 t year−1 animals forage. In general, gully erosion is found to be a serious problem causing soil loss and crop yield reduction, and in shrinking the size of agricultural land. To arrest the problem, proper design of SWCPs within farmlands, proper runoff discharge mechanisms along roads, and controlled grazing systems within the grazing lands ought to be executed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The dataset supporting the conclusions of this article is included within the article.

References

  • Aga AO, Moges A (2014) Extent of gully erosion and farmer’s perception of soil erosion in Alalicha Watershed, Southern Ethiopia. J Environ Earth Sci 7:74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Avni Y (2005) Gully incision as a key factor in desertification in an arid environment, the Negev highlands, Israel. CATENA 63:185–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belay M, Bewket W (2012) Assessment of gully erosion and practices for its control in northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Int J Environ Stud 69:714–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belay M, Bewket W (2013) Farmers’ livelihood assets and adoption of sustainable land management practices in northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Int J Environ Stud 70:284–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bewket W, Teferi E (2009) Assessment of soil erosion hazard and prioritization for treatment at the watershed level. A case study in the Chemoga watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 20:609–622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brhane G, Mekonen K (2009) Estimating soil loss using universal soil loss equation (USLE) for soil conservation planning at Medego Watershed, Northern Ethiopia. Am J Sci 5:58–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey B (2006) Gully Erosion, Fact Sheet-L81, Natural Resources Sciences. Department of Natural Resources and Water, The State of Queensland, No. QNRMO5374

  • Daba S, Rieger W, Strauss P (2003) Assessment of gully erosion in eastern Ethiopia using photogrammetric techniques. CATENA 50:273–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desta L (2012) Field guide on gully prevention and control, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp 18–30

  • EMA (Ethiopian Mapping Agency) (1987) Field survey by Ethiopian Mapping Agency. Air photography 1:50 000 scale by Swedsurvey. Addia Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Frankl A, Poesen J, Deckers J, Haile M, Nyssen J (2012) Gully head retreat rates in the semi-arid highlands of Northern Ethiopia. Geomorphology 173–174:185–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebreslasie H, Dessie G, Moges A (2014) Rate of gully expansion on major land use, the case of Huluka Watershed, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. J Biol Agric Healthc 4:65–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Girum W (2007) Assessment of soil quality and erosion rate in Kilie catchment, Lume Woreda, East Shoa, Ethiopia. MSc Thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Haile GW, Fetene MM (2012) Assessment of soil erosion hazard in Kilie catchment, East Shoa, Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 23:293–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurni H (2010) Land degredation, famine, and land resource scenarios in Ethiopia. In: Pimentel D (ed) World soil erosion and conservation. Cambridge Studies in Applied Ecology and Resource Management. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp 27–61

  • Mekonnen M (2020) Impacts of soil and water conservation practices after half of a generation age, northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Soil Tillage Res 205:104755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104755

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mekonnen M, Melesse AM (2011) Soil erosion mapping and hotspot area identification using GIS and remote sensing in northwest Ethiopian highlands, near Lake Tana. In: Melesse AM (ed) Nile River Basin hydrology climate & water use. Springer, Berlin, pp 207–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Mekonnen M, Keesstra SD, Baartman EM, Ritsema CJ, Melesse AM (2015) Evaluating sediment storage dams: structural off-site sediment trapping measures in northwest Ethiopia. CIG 41:7–22. https://doi.org/10.18172/cig.2643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mekonnen M, Keesstra SD, Baartman JEM, Stroosnijder L, Maroulis J (2016) Reducing sediment connectivity through man-made and natural sediment sinks in the Minizr catchment, Northwest Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 28:708–717. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MNREP (2012) Ministry of Natural Resource and Environmental protection, water Resource Development Authority. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Moges A, Holden NM (2007) Farmers’ perceptions of soil erosion and soil fertility loss in southern Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 18:543–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moges A, Holden NM (2008) Estimating the rate and consequences of gully development, a case study of umbulo catchment in southern Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 19:574–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery DR (2004) Road surface drainage, channel initiation and slope instability. Water Resour Res 30:1925–1932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyerson J (2010) Desertification and man in Africa. Bull R Acad Overseas Sci 46:151–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukai S (2016) Gully erosion rates and analysis of determining factors: a case study from the semi-arid main Ethiopian Rift Valley. Land Degrad Dev. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J, Veyret-Picot M, Poesen J, Moeyersons J, Haile M, Deckers J, Govers G (2004) The effectiveness of loose rock check dams for gully control in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Soil Use Manag 20:55–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J, Poesen J, Veyret-Picot M, Moeyersons J, Haile M, Deckers J, Dewit J, Naudts J, Teka K, Govers G (2006) Assessment of gully erosion rates through interviews and measurements: a case study from northern Ethiopia. Earth Surf Process Landf 31:167–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak P, Wani SP, Sudi R (2005) Gully control in SAT watersheds. Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 15. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India, 28 p

  • Poesen J, Nachtergaele J, Verstraeten G, Valentin C (2003) Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs. CATENA 50:91–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Razmjoo A, Khalili N, Nezhad MM, Mokhtari N, Davarpanah A (2020) The main role of energy sustainability indicators on the water management. Model Earth Syst Environ 6:1419–1426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-00758-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rijkee P, Sasskia SD, Mekonnen M (2015) Low-land gully formation in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Geophysical Research Abstracts, EGU General Assembly

  • Sargeant IJ (1984) Gully erosion in Vectoria. In: Proceeding of the natural soils conference, Brisbane, Australia, 13–18 May

  • Tibebu TY, Abiy AZ, Zegeye AD, Dahlke HE, Easton ZM, Tilahun SA, Collick AS, Kidanum S, Moges S, Dadgeri F, Steenhuis TS (2010) Surface and sub-surface flow effect on permanent gully formation and upland erosion near Lake Tana in the northern highlands of Ethiopia. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 14:2207–2217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valentin C, Poesen J, Li Y (2005) Gully erosion: impacts, factors and control. CATENA 63:132–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wemple BC, Jones JA, Grant GE (2006) Channel network extension by logging roads in two basins, Western Cascades. Water Resour Bull 32:1195–1207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wubie MA, Assen M (2019) Effects of land cover changes and slope gradient on soil quality in the Gumara watershed, Lake Tana basin of northwest Ethiopia. Model Earth Syst Environ 6:85–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00660-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • YDARDO (2017) Yilmana Densa District Agriculture and Rural Development Office field survey, Adet, Ethiopia

  • Yitbarek TW, Bellie S, Stringer LC (2010) The onsite cost of gully erosion and cost benefit of gully rehabilitation, a case study in Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1065/pd

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zegeye AD, Amare SD, Tilahun SA, Langendoen EJ, Dagnew DC, Guzman CD, Tebebu TY, Steenhuis TS (2014) Gully development processes in the Ethiopian highlands. In: Proceedings of the second international conference on the advancements in science and technology (ICAST), Bahir Dar University, pp 220–229

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the farmers and development agents of the study watershed for their assistance during the field work. We would also extend our thanks to Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the Geospatial Data and Technology Center (GDTC) for facilitating the research. The comments of the chief editor and the anonymous reviewers were greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bureau of Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Adet, Ethiopia

    Tsegaye Yazie

  2. College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Geospatial Data and Training Center (GDTC), Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Mulatie Mekonnen

  3. Adet Agricultural Research Center, Natural Resources Management Research, Adet, Ethiopia

    Assefa Derebe

Authors
  1. Tsegaye Yazie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mulatie Mekonnen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Assefa Derebe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mulatie Mekonnen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Ethical approval

The authors hereby declare that this manuscript is not published or considered for publication elsewhere.

Consent for publication

All authors read the manuscript and agree to publication.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yazie, T., Mekonnen, M. & Derebe, A. Gully erosion and its impacts on soil loss and crop yield in three decades, northwest Ethiopia. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 7, 2491–2500 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-01018-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-01018-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation