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Gully erosion often indicates extreme land degradation. In the highlands of Ethiopia, wide and deep gullies are common features, significantly affecting land used for agriculture. However, little action is being taken to address the problem. Where rehabilitation actions in Ethiopia are taking place, they are rarely studied by financially quantifying their costs and benefits. Therefore, this study developed methods of quantifying gully erosion costs and rehabilitation costs and benefits by considering the soil components of four model rehabilitated gullies in Ethiopia. Data were obtained from a physical survey supported by secondary information from relevant agricultural offices. Quantification was achieved by monetizing gully erosion cost through yield loss and gully rehabilitation calculations according to expenditure, while rehabilitation benefits were obtained by monetizing estimated deposited soil nutrients using fertilizer prices. Cost‐benefit values show that investment in gully rehabilitation can be an economically viable proposition in some instances. Stakeholders involved in gully rehabilitation should continue to invest in appropriate techniques of gully rehabilitation and management to ensure continued benefits from rehabilitated gullies and use of surrounding farmlands. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Knowledge of the kinds and properties of soils is critical for making decisions with respect to crop production and other land use types. A field survey and soil morphological description and laboratory analysis were carried out to describe, characterize, and classify the soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Seven representative pedons (A-1 to A-7) were opened and described across the study area. The results revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. The soils are clay loam to clayey in texture with bulk density values ranging from 1.12 to 1.32 g cm−3 and basic infiltration rate varying from slow to moderate (0.4 to 3.3 cm hr−1). They were moderately acidic to neutral in pH (5.5 to 7.1) and had very low to medium organic carbon (OC) (0.27 to 2.98%). Four soil types, Haplic Cambisols, Vertic Luvisols, Mollic Leptosols, and Mollic Vertisols, were identified in the area based on World Reference Base. Generally, the properties of the soils differed along the transect indicating their variation in productive potential and management requirements for specific agricultural use.

The main purpose of this study was to characterize and classify soils of Wolkite University research sites, Gurage zone, Ethiopia. In each five research sites, Wabe (RS1), Geche (RS2), Yefereze (RS3), Kotergedra (RS4) and Keratemo (RS5), representative pedons were opened and described. Almost all the pedons were deep (>150 cm) with argillic B horizons and had clay textural class. The pH of the surface soils ranged from strongly acidic (4.5) to moderately acidic (5.6). The soils had medium (2.60%) to high (3.84%) organic carbon content and very low (1.46 mg kg-1) to low (10.34 mg kg-1) available phosphorus. The status of cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation were ranged from medium (23.15) to very high (66.32 cmolc kg-1) and low (33%) to high (99%), respectively. According to WRB classification, pedon RS1 was classified as Haplic Vertisols (Hypereutric) with USD equivalent of Typic Haplusterts. Pedons RS2 and RS3 were classified as Vertic Alisols (Hyperdysric), which is correlated with Ultisols (Typic Haplustults) in USDA classification. Pedon RS4 and RS5 classified as Vertic Luvisols (Hypereutric), which is correlated with Alfisols (Vertic Haplustalfs) in USDA classification. Generally, the soils of the research sites were acidic with low status of available phosphorus, which need amelioration of soil acidity and nutrient management.

Land suitability assessment plays an important role in identifying biophysical constraints and evaluating potential capacity of land and its sustainable use. Physical land suitability evaluation for irrigation was carried out in the lower Alwero river area of Abobo, western Ethiopia, following FAO methodology for general irrigation farming. The irrigation suitability of five land mapping units (LMUs): 1Ac, 1Bc, 1Ecl, 2Cc and 3Ccl were assessed by considering slope, drainage, top soil texture, sub soil texture, surface stoniness, surface coarse fragments, subsurface coarse fragment, rockiness, depth to solid rock or hardpan, lime, gypsum, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). The result revealed that LMU 1Ac, 1Bc and 2Cc, with total area of 22,367.9 ha (83.7%), were moderately suitable (S2). The moderate limiting factors were drainage, top soil texture and subsoil texture. On the other hand, LMU 1Ec1, covering an area of 3,677.6 ha (13.8%) was not suitable (N) for irrigation due to subsurface coarse fragments and depth to solid rock or hardpan. For all LMUs, parameters like lime, gypsum, EC and ESP were not considered as limiting factors.

In addressing land degradation, a number of watershed rehabilitation programs have been carried out in Ethiopia. This study aims to financially quantify watershed rehabilitation in a way that incorporates major costs and returns. We also construct scenarios to portray cost-benefit information about the future. The data were obtained from a physical survey and supplemented with secondary sources. Total cost and return values for the watersheds were compared monetarily through cost-benefit analysis and these values were extrapolated to the future. The results indicate that the benefit was , while the costs remain the same. The results clearly indicate that investment in watershed rehabilitation may be an economically viable short-term and long-term proposition. Hence there is a strong case for sustainable management of rehabilitated watersheds in view of the very high economic benefits from the rehabilitation.

The study was conducted at Anzecha watershed in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia, to characterize and classify the soils and to evaluate the physical land suitability of the area for the production of major crops (maize, teff, and wheat). The soils were classified based on World Reference Base for soil resource. The physical land suitability was made following FAO guideline using maximum limitation method. Four profiles were opened along toposequence and designate as upper, middle, lower, and toe slope positions (pedons 1, 2, 3, and 4), respectively. Soils of the watershed had low level of available phosphorous, low electrical conductivity, no coarse fragments, low acidity, and great depth. The soils were classified as Acrisols, Nitisols, and Vertisols. The land suitability evaluation for production of major crops showed that upper slope position (20.8%) was currently not suitable (N1) for maize, teff, and wheat. Middle slope position (27.3%) was marginally suitable (S3) for maize, teff, and wheat. Lower slope position (32.5%) was moderately suitable (S2) for maize and marginally suitable (S3) for teff and wheat. Toe slope position (19.4%) was moderately suitable (S2) for maize and teff and marginally suitable (S3) for wheat. There is no topographic position that was classified as highly suitable (S1). Hence, farmers of the area should implement major land improvement practice to create optimum condition for production of major crops or should change a land utilization type. Moreover, the soils of the study area were acidic and, therefore, there has to be acid soils management strategy in the area.

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