Synergy between farmers’ knowledge of soil quality change and scientifically measured soil quality indicators in Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia

This study was aimed at assessing farmers’ perception and knowledge of soil quality (SQ) change, in light of scientifically measured SQ indicators in the Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Household survey, participatory SQ status assessment, key informant interview and laboratory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment, development and sustainability development and sustainability, 2021-02, Vol.23 (2), p.1316-1334
Main Authors: Abera, Wondwosen, Assen, Mohammed, Satyal, Poshendra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural equipment
Agricultural land
Agricultural production
Agriculture
Altitude
Bulk density
Data collection
Density
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Economic Geology
Economic Growth
Environment
Environmental Economics
Environmental Management
Environmental studies
Farmers
Farms
Highlands
Indicators
Knowledge
Land management
Land use planning
Nutrients
Perceptions
Phosphorus
Plant species
Plows
Quality control
Quality management
Soil nutrients
Soil quality
Soils
Sustainability management
Sustainable Development
Synergy
Topsoil
Watersheds
Workability
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Summary:This study was aimed at assessing farmers’ perception and knowledge of soil quality (SQ) change, in light of scientifically measured SQ indicators in the Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Household survey, participatory SQ status assessment, key informant interview and laboratory analysis of selected SQ indicators were used as data collection tools. Independent samples t test (two-tailed) was used to compare the mean difference of SQ indicators between perceived good and poor SQ status. Farmers recognized that there has been SQ decline in their farm lands over the years. Based on perceived SQ status, farmers categorized their farm plots into good, average and poor classes locally called wofram meret , boda and sis / chincha meret, respectively. The identified principal SQ status indicators used by farmers were yield, plow depth, appearance of undesired weedy plant species, fertilizer requirement of soil, topsoil color and soil workability. These farmers’ assessment of SQ has well-coincided with major scientific quantitative indicators. Accordingly, plots identified by farmers as good SQ status exhibited better soil nutrients than the perceived poor SQ. Available phosphorus ( p  
ISSN:1387-585X
1573-2975
DOI:10.1007/s10668-020-00622-3