Effects of Land Management on Soil Carbon Stock: The Case of Abagerima Micro-Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia

In response to the prevailing low soil fertility and associated problems in highlands Ethiopia, conversions of natural forests and land use into cultivated land and management system have a varied impact on soil carbon stock and plant nutrient availability. The study was conducted to compare soil chemical and physical properties in two adjacent watersheds (with land management and without as a control) under three land use (bushland, cultivated land, and grazing land) and landscape positions (higher-slope, middle slope, and lower slope). Results showed that estimated mean carbon stocks indicators were higher undertreated watershed (Kecha)as compared to the untreated watershed (Laguna). In the Kecha watershed, the mean soil stock grazing land was (0.224±0.017 Ton ha-1), which is significantly highest than grazing land (0.143±0.06 Ton ha-1) Laguna watershed in middle slope. However, no statistical variation (0.125±0.02 Ton ha-1 and 0.125±0.01 Ton ha-1) was observed between the mean soils carbon stocks of cultivated land and bushland respectively. Therefore, our results suggest that a treated watershed could be considered as having the capacity to store soil carbon and enhance soil fertility and climate resilience.