Scattered trees as modifiers of agricultural landscapes: the role of waddeessa (Cordia africana Lam.) trees in Bako area, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Scattered trees in general and scattered waddeessa (Cordia africana Lam.) trees in particular are very common across the agricultural landscapes in Oromia, Ethiopia. A study on this scattered waddeessa trees commonly growing on farmers’ agricultural fields was conducted at Bako in western Oromia, Ethiopia with the objective of assessing their role in modifying the soil properties in the agricultural landscape. Soil samples from surface layers (0–10 cm) were taken at three concentric transects (0.5, 2 and 4 m) around the tree and compared with soil samples from the adjacent open areas (15 m distance from the tree), and then analysed following the standard procedures. Results showed that scattered waddeessa trees significantly modified the overall properties of the soil in the agricultural landscape of Bako area. But soil texture was not affected, indicating that it is more related to parent material than the tree influence. Hence, the soil patches observed under these waddeessa trees can be important local nutrient reserves that may influence the rural agricultural landscape. They also play an important role in generating local household income from the sale of products and conserving biodiversity by providing habitats and resources that are otherwise absent or scarce in agricultural landscape.

Effects of Ziziphus Spina-Christi (L.) on Selected Soil Properties and Sorghum Yield in Habru District, North Wollo, Ethiopia

“…This study agrees with substantial amount of available phosphorus found under the tree canopy by different scholars (Tadesse Hailu et al,2000) who observed higher available soil phosphorus status in the surface soils than in the subsurface and under the canopy of Millettia ferruginea trees than in the open field. Similar trends were also reported under Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana on farm lands in Ethiopia (Kamara and Haque, 1992;Abebe Yadessa et al, 2009). In contrast to the present investigation, (Enideg Diress, 2008) reported no change in available phosphorus status between soils under canopy of Ficus thonningiiand open area in Gonder zuria, Ethiopia.…”

Woody Plants Diversity and Possession, and Their Future Prospects in Small-Scale Tree and Shrub Growing in Agricultural Landscapes in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

“…growing trees and shrubs by farmers on available land in any pattern for the purpose of providing forest products (construction wood, animal feed, fuelwood, small construction materials) (Shastri et al 2002;Holden et al 2003;Kidanu et al 2004;Rahman et al 2005) and services (e.g. soil amelioration (Gindaba et al 2005;Manning et al 2006;Yadessa et al 2009), soil erosion control, shade for domestic animals, property demarcation, microclimate amelioration for the farm households) receives increasing attention among farmers these days. For them, it is a means of coping with the scarcity of forest products caused by the depletion of forests.…”

The role of soil nutrient ratios in coffee quality: Their influence on bean size and cup quality in the natural coffee forest ecosystems of Ethiopia

“…Soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected from each plot. Five samples were collected per plot and then bulked to obtain a composite sample, and finally one representative sample was taken from the bulk per plot as described in Yadessa et al (2001Yadessa et al ( , 2009. Soil samples were analyzed for chemical and physical properties following the standard procedures.…”