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Effect of Environmental Gradient on Organic Carbon Stock of Wacho Forest Soil, South Western Ethiopia

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Abstract

We present the study of environmental gradients such as altitudinal gradient, slope class, and aspect on the organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil in south western Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to collect the soil samples. The soil organic carbon stock was determined by a standardized mathematical equation. A one-way analysis of variance was used to test the effect of environmental gradients such as altitudinal gradient, slope class, and aspect on organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil. The organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil varied from 94.58 ± 9.6 t/ha (15.1–20% slope class) to 130 ± 14 t/ha (5–10% slope class). The organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil ranged from 92 to 140 t/ha in the west and east, respectively. Both slope class and aspect had a statistically significant effect on organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil.

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Acknowledgements

The research was financially sponsored by Dambi Dollo University, Ethiopia. The authors are thankful to data collectors such as Nasir Jibril, Addisu Desalegn and Gizaw Hailu.

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Dambi Dollo University, 20, Gezahegn Gashu, 000 ETB, Gezahegn Gashu.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

    Gezahegn Gashu

  2. Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Dambi Dollo University, Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia

    Halid Awoke

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  1. Gezahegn Gashu
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  2. Halid Awoke
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Correspondence to Gezahegn Gashu.

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Significance Statement This work provides scientific and logical quantitative data on the effect of environmental gradient (altitude, slope and aspect) on organic carbon stock of Wacho forest soil. Moreover, it helps to identify the potential factors that affect carbon stock potential of forest soil in general and Wacho forest soil in particular.

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Gashu, G., Awoke, H. Effect of Environmental Gradient on Organic Carbon Stock of Wacho Forest Soil, South Western Ethiopia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. A Phys. Sci. 94, 11–15 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-023-00859-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-023-00859-3

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