The Impact of Different Land Use Types on selected soil Physicochemical parameters in Dandi District, West Shewa zone, Ethiopia

The Impact of Different Land Use Types on selected soil Physicochemical parameters in Dandi District, West Shewa zone, Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article The Impact of Different Land Use Types on selected soil Physicochemical parameters in Dandi District, West Shewa zone, Ethiopia Dereje Tesema, Kumasa Fituma, Siraj Mammo This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 18 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study examines the impact of various land-use types on soil physicochemical properties in the Dandi District, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Using a systematic randomized complete block design, soil samples were collected from three representative land-use types: forest, cultivated, and grazing lands. The samples were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures to assess the impact of land use on specific soil physicochemical parameters. A total of 27 composite soil samples were collected for analysis, along with 9 undisturbed samples for bulk density measurement at a depth of 0–30 cm. One-way ANOVA, conducted using SAS software, was used to evaluate differences in soil properties. The results showed significant variations in most soil parameters, except for silt, sand, magnesium, and calcium content. The dominant soil textures identified were sandy clay, clay, and loam, indicating substantial removal of clay particles across land-use types. Higher bulk densities in cultivated land (0.886) were attributed to livestock-induced compaction and nutrient depletion. Soils in the forest exhibited higher values of pH 6.29, electrical conductivity (EC) 0.28, total nitrogen (TN) 0.31, organic carbon (OC) 5.57, organic matter (OM) 9.59, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) 25.86 compared to grazing and cultivated lands. These findings suggest that land use has a significant influence on soil physicochemical properties, particularly in cultivated and grazing areas. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt sustainable soil management practices, including soil and water conservation measures, sustainable land management, and control of overgrazing to reduce the negative impacts of land use on soil properties and to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Biological sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Cultivated land Forest land Land use types Soil Depth soil properties Figures Figure 1 1. Introduction Human activities have profoundly transformed the Earth's surface, leading to significant changes in soil fertility, physicochemical characteristics, erosion susceptibility, and moisture retention (Abad et al. , 2014). Research has shown that land use changes such as converting forests, agricultural fields, grasslands, and grazing areas directly impact the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, often reducing its overall health and sustainability (Kumari et al. , 2022). In particular, deforestation and the subsequent cultivation of cleared land can accelerate soil degradation, depleting essential nutrients and diminishing long-term agricultural productivity (Johnson et al., 2023 ). The brief, intense growth of agriculture and grazing regions has been fueled by rising human and animal populations, which have altered the characteristics of the soil. Repurposing existing forest areas for cultivation and grazing is a common practice associated with this growth (Teklu et al ., 2022). Numerous studies have examined the physical and chemical characteristics of Ethiopian soil to evaluate the effects of various land-use types. For example, Abegaz et al . (2022) found that afforestation of farms with different tree species increased total nitrogen (N), exchangeable potassium (K), and exchangeable calcium (Ca) in the top soil layer as contrasted to the deeper layer. Tesfaye et al. (2023) looked at pastures, forests, and croplands and came to similar conclusions. They found that croplands had lower soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) than forest regions, with OC concentrations being higher in the topsoil layer than in the lower strata. Long-term deforestation, the replacement of natural forests with agroecosystems, uncontrolled overgrazing, and other causes are key contributors to soil erosion, which has a detrimental impact on soil productivity and quality (Wang et al. , 2023). Land use changes, particularly the clearing of forests for agriculture, degrade soil quality, reduce organic matter, and increase the risk of erosion. The need for sustainable land management strategies is thus highlighted by these findings (Abegaz et al ., 2022; Tesfaye et al ., 2023). Additionally, unsustainable land utilization is one of the primary causes of soil degradation (Liu et al. , 2022). Ethiopia is experiencing rapid population growth coupled with environmental issues that cause natural grasslands and forests to be converted into farmed cropland. Such land use changes have contributed to soil degradation and soil loss by deteriorating the soil's physical and chemical properties (Muluneh & Arnalds, 2021). Soil compaction, the loss of soil structure, soil organic matter (SOM) degradation, undulating terrain, highly erosive rainfall, and inappropriate farming practices make soil highly vulnerable to erosion. Soil erosion from cropland (42 Mt ha -1 average annual rate) is higher compared with 5 Mt ha -1 from grazing land (Getahun et al. , 2020). Soil degradation causes the loss of fertile topsoil and reduces the productivity of the land. The country loses an estimated 1 billion USD per year from both on-site and off-site changes (Woldearegay et al. , 2018). The prevalence of traditional agricultural land use and the absence of appropriate soil conservation practices often result in the degradation of natural soil fertility. This has important implications for soil productivity, household food security, and poverty in different areas of our country, Ethiopia (Taddese, 2022). The average annual rate of soil loss in the country is estimated to be 42 tons/hectare/year, which results in 1 to 2% of crop loss (Hurni et al. , 2020). Severe decline in soil quality may lead to a permanent degradation of land productivity and soil properties under different land use types (Bekele et al. , 2019). Currently, the Dandi District of West Shewa in the Oromia Regional State is one of the areas in the central highlands where forest land has been substantially degraded due to human activities such as firewood exploitation, intensive and persistent cultivation, and overgrazing. As a result, the macro and micronutrients in the soil have been depleted, and as a result, these operations have an impact on the local community's livelihood and well-being as well as crop productivity. In addition, a large portion of the region's grassland has been turned into grazing land as a result of an increase in cattle and open grazing methods. This has resulted in soil compaction and vegetation removal, further exposing the surface soil to erosion. Severe deterioration in soil quality can lead to the permanent degradation of land productivity and soil properties under different land use types (Mengistu et al ., 2017). Therefore, to provide scientifically proven recommendations for the sustainable utilization of soil resources and to improve crop productivity, it is essential to have information about the effects of different land use types on soil physicochemical properties. However, only a few studies have examined how land use affects soil characteristics in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how various land-use types impacted selected soil physicochemical properties for a proper soil management system and the improvement of yield production in future Boda Basaka kebele , Dandi District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Description of the Study Area Dandi District, in West Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, lies 78 km from Addis Ababa and 36 km from Ambo. The study was conducted in Boda Basaka kebele, 99 km from Addis Ababa and 57 km from the zone capital ( Fig. 1 ). Geographically, the district covers 8º43'N–9º17'N latitude and 37º47'E–38º20'E longitude. Its soils are mainly loam (50%) and clay (15%), with black soils in valley bottoms and red, grainy soils upslope (Dandi District Agricultural Office, 2014). The district covers 109,729 ha, where natural vegetation is under pressure from population growth. It has a tropical climate influenced by altitude (2,000–3,288 m), with 29% highland (Dega) and 71% mid-altitude (Weyna Dega). The study site (2,200–3,090 m) falls in the Dega zone, with some Wurch areas. Rainfall (900–1400 mm) is bi-modal but erratic, reducing farm productivity. Temperatures range from 9.6°C to 23.3°C ( Table 1 ). According to the 2007 census, the population was 209,554, with 20,215 households (mostly male-headed). About 85% depend on mixed farming, mainly rain-fed, with some small-scale irrigation for cash crops like potatoes. Key crops include teff, wheat, sorghum, and barley. Livestock is also vital, with over 800,000 sheep, 160,000 cattle, and large numbers of goats, equines, poultry, and donkeys providing major income sources (Deressa, 2014). Table 1 District land use classification S/n Land use A Area in ha. In % 1 Agricultural land 73360 57 2 Grazing land 18745 17 3 Settlement 10536 9.6 4 Natural forest and shrubland 9506 8.5 5 Degraded land 5583 5.1 6 Swamp and marshy land 1094 1 7 Urban land 821 0.75 8 The land occupied by a lake 820 0.75 9 Total 109729 100 ( Source: ARDO of Dandi District, 2013 ) 2.2. Soil Sampling Design This study employed a randomized complete block design to collect soil samples from three representative land use types: Forest Land(FL), Cultivated Land(CL), and Grazing Land(GL) because these land uses are the dominant land cover in the study area. From each land use category, 1 kg of soil was collected to analyze selected physical and chemical properties. The study area was divided into topographic classes: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. Soil samples were taken from each land use type at three different elevations, with three replications, resulting in twenty-seven samples. Sampling points were selected to ensure representativeness. Soil samples were collected using a zigzag plot design at a depth of 30 cm within a 20 m × 20 m area. Four 1 m × 1 m sub-samples were taken in a 'Z' pattern to the same depth and then composited by mixing soils from the four corners and the center of each plot, resulting in a representative sample for each plot. 2.3. Soil Laboratory Analysis For this study, soil samples were collected from different land use types, prepared in labeled sampling bags, and transported to the Chemistry Laboratory at Ambo University. Physical properties, such as soil texture and bulk density, were analyzed using the hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, 1962) and the core method, respectively. Samples were dried at 105°C for a full day to measure the moisture content (MC) for physical attributes (Sertsu and Bekele, 2000). According to Baruah & Bathakur (1997) and Jackson (1973), using an EC meter and a pH meter, the chemical characteristics of the soil-water suspension were measured in a 1:5 suspension. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was assessed by the Walkley-Black wet digestion method, and Available phosphorus (AvP) was determined by the Olsen method. Whereas SOM is calculated as SOC multiplied by 1.724 (Nelson and Sommers, 1982). Flame photometry and the sodium acetate method were used to determine Cation exchange capacity (CEC), as well as the Kjeldahl digestion method (Bremner, 1996) was used to determine total nitrogen (N). The relation between the three land use types (FL, CL and GL) in the study area was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between all soil physical and chemical parameters were found using GenStat software and a straightforward linear correlation study. 3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Effects of Land Use Types on Selected Soil Physical Properties 3.1.1. Soil texture The research's ANOVA results indicated that while bulk density, moisture content, and clay particles were statistically significantly impacted, sand and silt particle differences among land use types were statistically not significant. Unless it was in a forest, the size of the sand particles increased down the slope. Bulk density varied significantly by land use, with 1.068 g/cm³ in forest land, 1.057 g/cm³ in cultivated land, and the lowest (0.65 g/cm³) in forest areas(Table 2 ). The average lower bulk density in forest land is due to higher clay content, less disturbance, and more organic matter, similar to findings by Getahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi (2015). Higher bulk density in cultivated land may result from livestock compaction and nutrient loss from plowing, consistent with Abad et al . (2014). 3.1.2.Moisture contents The study's ANOVA analysis showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil moisture content between the various land use classifications, with forest land having the highest moisture content (Table 2 ). This is in line with earlier studies that demonstrate how agriculture reduces soil structure aggregation and, consequently, the soil's ability to hold water. Reduced moisture retention and deteriorating soil structure are the results of continued farming in Ethiopia paired with insufficient soil management approaches (Teshome et al. , 2023). In a similar vein, forest lands retain more soil moisture than agricultural fields due to their higher organic matter content and lower disturbance levels (Teklu et al., 2022). According to this research, agricultural practices that increase soil moisture retention must be sustainable because land use has a substantial impact on soil properties. Table 2 Interaction effects of Land use types on Soil physical properties and textural class at Boda Kebele Land use type and slope Soil Physical Properties %Sand %Silt %Clay Textural Bulk Density g/cm 3 Moisture % Upper cultivated land(UCL) 27.28 24 48.72 Clay 1.057 g/cm 3 3.20 Middle cultivated lan(MCL) 29.28 6 64.72 Clay 0.899g/cm 3 4.10 Lower cultivated land(LCL) 47.28 24 28.72 Sandy clay 0.704g/cm 3 3.46 Upper grazing land(UGL) 59.28 22 18.72 Sandy clay 0.822g/cm 3 3.68 Middle grazing land(MGL) 55.28 20 24.72 Sandy clay 0.65 g /cm 3 4.01 Lower grazing land(LGL) 49.28 20 30.72 Sandy clay 0.736 g/cm 3 3.84 Upper forest land(UFL) 49.28 30 20.72 Loam 1.068g/cm 3 2.01 Middle forest land(MFL) 65.28 20 14.72 Sandy Loam 0.63g/cm 3 3.76 Lower forest land(LFL) 41.28 36 22.72 Loam 0.849 g/cm 3 2.95 Standard error(SE) 4.24846 2.72392 5.3794 0.054024 0.218048 p-value .778 a 2.333 b .000 c .000 c .000 c 3.2. Effects of Land Use on Selected Soil Chemical Properties 3.2.1. Soil pH According to the result of this finding, the ANOVA results showed that soil pH was significantly influenced by land use types along the slope gradient (p < 0.05). The mean pH values for forest land (6.29 ± 0.03) and grazing land (6.16 ± 0.02) were slightly acidic (Table 3 ). Whereas cultivated land (5.92) was rated as moderately acidic(McFarland et al ., 2024), primarily due to frequent tillage, high inorganic fertilizer use, and low organic matter. Higher slopes had lower pH values, likely due to solute and cation washout from erosion and excessive precipitation. Low pH can inactivate soil CEC, reducing nutrient availability, while higher pH in forest land is due to more organic matter and total exchangeable bases. This is supported by Getahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi (2015) but contradicts Gasha Alene (2019), who found significant effects of land use types on soil pH (p < 0.01). 3.2..2.Electrical conductivity The electrical conductivity (EC) values of soils were significantly affected by land use types (P < 0.05). Mean EC values were 0.64, 0.01, and 0.09 dS/m for forest, grazing, and cultivated lands, respectively (Table 3 ). Grazing land had the lowest EC, likely due to the loss of base-forming cations from excessive water percolation, correlating with its low bulk density. This aligns with Sintayehu Mesele (2006), who found lower EC in grazing land at 0–30 cm depths compared to croplands. 3.2.3. Total Nitrogen Land use types and slope classes significantly impacted the total nitrogen (N) content of soils (P < 0.05). Total N was 0.27 ± 0.01, 0.38 ± 0.02, and 0.29 ± 0.01 in forests, 0.21 ± 0.01, 0.19 ± 0.01, and 0.21 ± 0.01 on grazing land, and 0.17 ± 0.01, 0.15 ± 0.01, and 0.14 ± 0.01 across slope gradients (Table 2 ). This contradicts Ufot et al. (2016) and Mengistu et al. (2017), who found higher total N in forest land at various soil depths. Tekalign (1991) rated total N as low in grazing and cultivated lands, but high in grass and forest areas. Studies by Gasha Alene (2019), Getahun Bore, and Bobe Bedadi (2015) also reported higher total N in forest soils due to plant residue addition and slower decomposition. The low total N in grazing land may be due to the use of animal excrement as fuel and vegetation removal by grazing. In cultivated land, low total N may result from minimal inorganic fertilizer use and rapid mineralization of soil organic matter due to soil disruption (Solomon, 2002). Reduced plant residue input in cereal-based farming also contributes to the depletion of soil organic matter and nitrogen (Mengistu et al., 2017). 3.2.4. Available Phosphorus ANOVA analysis showed significant differences in available phosphorus among different land use types and slope classes (p < 0.05) (Table 3 ). Forest land had the highest mean available phosphorus (3.96 ± 0.09 mg kg − 1 ), followed by grazing land (9.89 ± 0.09 mg kg − 1 ), and cultivated land (6.76 ± 0.09 mg kg − 1 ). The higher phosphorus content in cultivated land was attributed to organic matter, which releases phosphorus during mineralization. This finding is consistent with previous studies (Aytenew and Kibret, 2016; Mengistu et al., 2017), indicating higher phosphorus levels in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated land. The lower phosphorus content in cultivated land may be due to high soil organic matter, which binds phosphorus, making it less available for plants. Overall, the study suggests that land use types and soil disturbance affect phosphorus availability in soils. 3.2.5. Organic carbon The study found significant variations in organic carbon (OC) influenced by land use types (p < 0.05) and elevation. OC levels ranged from 4.95 ± 0.04 to 3.22 ± 0.08 among different land use types (Table 3 ). Agricultural land management practices, such as those observed by Yerima et al. (2005), might have contributed to the relatively low OC levels. Deforestation and subsequent cultivation were associated with a 48.8% decrease in organic matter (Evrendilek et al. , 2004), highlighting the impact of land cover change on OC. Conversion of forest to cropland decreases OC and deteriorates soil physical properties, increasing erosion risk (Çelik, 2005). 3.2.6. Soil Organic Matter The ANOVA results demonstrated a significant effect of land use types on soil organic matter (OM) contents. The highest OM content (11.13 ± 0.07%) was observed in the middle forest land, while grazing land exhibited lower OM levels (ranging from 8.53 ± 0.07% to 5.56 ± 0.14%) compared to forest land (Table 3 ). The abundance of plant residues and biomass in forest land contributed to its high OM content. Forest ecosystems promote OM accumulation through factors such as litter cover, root growth, and lower decomposition rates (Khresat et al ., 2008; Price et al ., 2010; Saikeh et al ., 1998). In contrast, cultivated land showed a more rapid decrease in SOM due to accelerated erosion and decomposition rates, driven by intensive land use practices (Abegaz et al ., 2016). Overgrazing and soil compaction from livestock activities contributed to the decline in OM content in grazing land. Land management practices, such as poorly designed terracing and drainage, facilitated water and soil runoff from cultivated land to forest land, affecting OM distribution. The relatively higher OM content in cultivated land compared to grazing land (4.79%) may be attributed to the root systems of crops, which promote soil microbial activity and function (Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen, 2015). However, it contrasts with a study by Gasha Alene (2019), which suggested higher OM content in grazing land due to lower disturbance levels. Overall, soil OM content responds strongly to land use, land use change, and land degradation, with forest land being a crucial reservoir for essential plant nutrients (Vågen and Winowiecki et al ., 2013). Table 3 Effects of Land-Use types on soil Chemical properties at Boda kebele Land use type across and Slope gradient Some Selected Soil Parameters at 0–30 cm depth pH (X̄±SD) EC(dS/m) %TN %OC %OM P mg/kg UFL 5.97 ± 0.03 0.64 ± 0.00 0.27 ± 0.01 4.95 ± 0.04 8.53 ± 0.07 3.96 ± 0.09 MFL 6.35 ± 0.02 0.10 ± 0.00 0.38 ± 0.02 6.46 ± 0.04 11.13 ± 0.07 9.89 ± 0.09 LFL 6.54 ± 0.07 0.09 ± 0.00 0.29 ± 0.01 5.29 ± 0.08 9.11 ± 0.14 6.76 ± 0.09 UGL 6.12 ± 0.01 0.06 ± 0.00 0.21 ± 0.01 3.99 ± 0.06 6.88 ± 0.1 8.95 ± 0.05 MGL 6.08 ± 0.03 0.12 ± 0.00 0.19 ± 0.01 3.73 ± 0.08 6.43 ± 0.14 8.79 ± 0.05 LGL 6.29 ± 0.02 0.10 ± 0.00 0.17 ± 0.01 3.67 ± 0.08 5.56 ± 0.14 4.35 ± 0.09 UCL 5.82 ± 0.02 0.16 ± 0.00 0.15 ± 0.01 3.22 ± 0.08 3.09 ± 0.11 6.94 ± 0.09 MCL 5.92 ± 0.02 0.05 ± 0.00 0.14 ± 0.01 1.79 ± 0.06 3.60 ± 0.18 6.81 ± 0.05 LCL 6.02 ± 0.02 0.10 ± 0.00 0.16 ± 0.01 2.09 ± 0.11 2.09 ± 0.11 7.00 ± 0.09 P-Value 0.00 b 0.010 a 0.0002 e 0.003 f 0.005 g 0.0001 c In examining the interplay between land use types and soil depth, notable differences emerged in sand and clay content. Cultivated land displayed the highest sand content (34.3%) in the surface soil layer (0–20 cm), while forest land exhibited the lowest (21.3%) in the same layer. Conversely, the subsurface soil layer (20–40 cm) of cultivated land showed the highest clay content (51.0%), contrasting with the lowest (36.7%) in forest land. Across soil depths, sand content tended to be higher in the surface layer, while silt and clay content predominated in the subsurface layer. This trend suggests a phenomenon of clay migration from the surface to the subsurface layer over time, as observed in previous studies (Mengistu et al ., 2017; Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen, (2015). Cultivation practices, particularly over prolonged periods, can lead to this shift, facilitated by erosion processes that selectively remove clay particles from the surface layer. The absence of protective vegetation cover accentuates the vulnerability of cultivated and grazing lands to erosion agents. This increases erosion risk and contributes to the removal of finer particles, disrupting soil structure and accelerating soil loss processes. These findings underscore the importance of sustainable land management practices to mitigate erosion and soil degradation, particularly in areas lacking protective vegetation cover. 3.2.7. Basic Exchangeable Cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , and Na + ) The analysis of variance revealed that exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were not significantly affected by land use types, suggesting the influence of various management practices, land use patterns, and imbalances relative to soil texture and organic matter (OM). Mean exchangeable Ca values were 9.98 ± 0.60, 12.15 ± 0.60, and 10.69 ± 0.60 cmol/kg in forest, grazing, and cultivated lands, respectively, while exchangeable Mg values ranged from 1.38 ± 0.60 to 4.49 ± 1.58 cmol/kg across land use types (Table 4 ). These results align with Gasha Alene's (2019) studies, indicating non-significant exchangeable Ca and Mg variations between land use types. Similarly, exchangeable K content varied significantly (P < 0.05) among land use types, with lower values observed across all land use types, possibly due to continuous losses during plant harvesting. As noted in previous research (Amanuel Tadesse and Worku Hailu, 2024), acid-forming fertilizers and other factors contribute to potassium depletion in tropical soils. Exchangeable sodium (Na) concentrations differed significantly (P < 0.05) among land use types, with soils under forest land exhibiting the highest mean Na concentrations compared to grazing and cultivated lands. This contradicts findings by Lalisa Alemayehu (2010) and suggests potential influences of urine deposition in grazing lands. Low soil pH in croplands may lead to decreased soil base saturation and depletion of exchangeable bases over time, as observed in this study and corroborated by Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen (2015). Overall, these findings underscore the complex interactions between land use types, soil properties, and management practices, highlighting the need for sustainable soil management strategies to address nutrient depletion and maintain soil fertility across different land use systems. 3.2.8. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) The analysis of variance results indicated a significant (P < 0.05) impact of land use types on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils in the study area (Table 4 ). Mean CEC values varied across land use types, with forest land exhibiting the highest CEC (21.95 ± 0.32 cmol/kg), followed by grazing land (29.57 ± 0.75 cmol/kg) and cultivated land (26.07 ± 0.41 cmol/kg). This trend was consistent across different slope classes. The higher CEC values observed in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated lands can be attributed to organic matter, which plays a crucial role in soil exchange processes by providing more negatively charged surfaces than clay particles. The decline in CEC values in cultivated land is primarily attributed to reduced organic matter content due to agricultural practices. These findings align with research by Ahukaemere et al . (2012), which also reported higher CEC values in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated lands. In summary, the presence or absence of organic matter significantly influences soil CEC, with forest land generally exhibiting higher values due to the abundance of organic material, while cultivated and grazing lands tend to have lower CEC values due to reduced organic matter content. Table 4 Effects of Land-Use Types and Slopes on Cation Exchange Capacity at Boda kebele Slope of Land used Mg (cmol/kg) Na (cmol/ kg CEC(cmol/kg) Ca (cmol/kg) K (cmol/ kg UFL 1.38 ± 0.60 0.13 ± 0.01 21.95 ± 0.32 9.98 ± 0.60 1.08 ± 0.01 MFL 3.47 ± 1.20 0.14 ± 0.00 29.57 ± 0.75 12.15 ± 0.60 1.27 ± 0.01 LFL 2.76 ± 0.60 0.11 ± 0.00 26.07 ± 0.41 10.69 ± 0.60 0.96 ± 0.01 UGL 4.49 ± 1.58 0.11 ± 0.01 17.56 ± 0.67 5.18 ± 1.04 0.82 ± 0.01 MGL 1.39 ± 0.60 0.13 ± 0.01 13.66 ± 0.52 5.89 ± 0.60 0.90 ± 0.01 LGL 2.08 ± 1.04 0.12 ± 0.03 16.89 ± 1.05 7.96 ± 0.60 1.07 ± 0.01 UCL 2.04 ± 0.00 0.07 ± 0.00 18.09 ± 0.62 8.16 ± 1.02 0.95 ± 0.01 MCL 1.73 ± 0.60 0.08 ± 0.01 16.39 ± 1.90 7.95 ± 2.16 0.80 ± 0.00 LCL 3.09 ± 1.78 0.06 ± 0.01 17.43 ± 4.22 7.55 ± 0.59 0.79 ± 0.01 P-Value 0.231 0.001 0.0051 0.423 0.045 4. Conclusion and Recommendation The findings of the study revealed that initially, all soil physicochemical parameters were influenced by land use types. Soils sampled from various land-use types exhibited significant differences in their physicochemical characteristics, indicating the impact of land-use conversion on soil properties. Generally, cultivated and grazing lands exhibited lower soil properties compared to adjacent forest lands, highlighting the severity of soil erosion and fertility decline in these areas. The study area showed low levels of available phosphorus (P), but high levels of pH, clay content, exchangeable basic cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Across land use types, cultivated and grazing lands had medium sand content, while forest lands had higher sand content. The medium range of soil organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (N) levels may have a negative impact on soil microbial activity. The higher mean values of CEC suggest the presence of high exchangeable basic cations and soil with a high capacity for nutrient retention. Consequently, the study emphasizes the necessity for interventions to sustain and optimize soil quality in the study area. These interventions could include soil conservation measures, controlling overgrazing, sustainable land management practices, and targeted fertilizer application strategies to enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Finally, future research should consider incorporating depth variability in soil studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of soil dynamics, guiding sustainable land use planning and management. By following these recommendations, stakeholders can work towards preserving and enhancing soil fertility, thus promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in the study area and beyond. Declarations Availability of data and materials The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Consent for publication The authors have agreed to submit and have approved the manuscript for submission. Competing interests The author confirms that all data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article. Funding declaration This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Authors Contribution D.T. collected data, K.F. wrote the 1 st draft Manuscript, and S.M. supervised the data collection and edited the manuscript . Acknowledgement We would like to acknowledge all individuals or organizations who provided assistance or support during the research work. Ethics approval and consent to participate Permission to collect data was obtained from Ambo University Institutional Research Ethical Committee (AUIREC) through a written letter with reference number AUIREC /0011/12/2020. Informants had agreed and signed the informed consent before starting the survey and the interview. References Abad, M., Nakhli, S. A. & Masoudi, S. Effects of land use changes on soil properties and organic carbon content in different soil depths in northern Iran. Catena 121 , 407–414 (2014). Abegaz, A., Molla, A. & Yilma, Z. Impact of land use changes on soil properties in Ethiopia: A review. J. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage. 13 (2), 45–59 (2022). Abegaz, A., Taddese, G. & Birhanu, D. Land use effect on selected soil properties of Hula, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. J. Nat. Sci. Res. 6 (15), 96–105 (2016). Ahukaemere, C. M., Eze, E. A. & Okpara, D. A. Effect of land use types on some soil physico-chemical properties in a tropical rain forest ecosystem. Int. J. Res. Chem. Environ. 2 (3), 225–232 (2012). Aytenew, M. & Kibret, K. Land use effects on selected soil physico-chemical properties in three different topographic positions in the Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia. Cogent Environ. Sci. 2 (1), 1209294 (2016). Baruah, T. C. & Bathakur, N. Studies on the chemical properties of soils of Bhagajang Reserve Forest in Assam, India. Indian Forester . 123 (3), 261–267 (1997). Bekele, A., Alemu, G. & Mekonnen, H. Long-term effects of land use on soil quality and productivity in Ethiopia. Soil. Tillage Res. 193 , 78–85 (2019). Bouyoucos, G. J. The hydrometer method has been improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agron. J. 54 (5), 464–465 (1962). Bremner, J. M. Nitrogen–total. In (ed Sparks, D. L.) Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 3-Chemical Methods (1085–1121). American Society of Agronomy. (1996). Çelik, A. Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. Soil Tillage. Res. 83 (2), 270–277 (2005). Dandi District Agricultural Office. Annual Report . (2014). Deressa, A. Land-use/land-cover dynamics and their implications on the environment in south-eastern Ethiopia: The case of Derashe Woreda. East. Afr. J. Sci. 8 (2), 152–164 (2014). Evrendilek, F., Berberoglu, S., Bolat, I. & Celik, I. Variation in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen with forest conversion to crop and rangelands in North Turkey. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 103 (2), 481–493 (2004). Gasha Alene. Soil fertility status is affected by different land uses in Horo District, Western Ethiopia. Sky J. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage. 8 (6), 68–78 (2019). Getahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi. Effect of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. J. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage. 6 (5), 90–96 (2015). Getahun, A., Demeke, A. & Berhanu, K. Soil erosion rates under different land use types in Ethiopia. Ethiop. J. Environ. Stud. Manage. 13 (2), 45–59 (2020). Hurni, H., Tato, K. & Zeleke, G. The impact of soil erosion on crop yield and land productivity in Ethiopia. Land. Degrad. Dev. 31 (5), 579–593 (2020). Jackson, M. L. Soil Chemical Analysis-Advanced Course (University of Wisconsin, 1973). Johnson, J. A., Jayaprakash, A. R., Divya, P., Madhu, M. & Alka, G. Effect of deforestation on soil properties and productivity in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, India. Int. J. Agricultural Sci. 15 (1), 275–280 (2023). Khresat, S. A., Shatanawi, M. R. & Fayyad, M. The effects of land use change on soil quality attributes in Northern Jordan. Land. Degrad. Dev. 19 (5), 489–499 (2008). Kumari, R., Teklu, M. & Berhane, M. Influence of land use change on soil properties in Ethiopia. Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 16 (1), 112–125 (2022). Lalisa Alemayehu. Effects of land use and land cover change on soil quality in the humid agroecological zone of Ethiopia. PhD Dissertation, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia . (2010). Liu, Y., Wu, K. & Cao, H. Land-use change and its driving factors in Henan province from 1995 to 2015. Arab. J. Geosci. 15 , 247 (2022). McFarland, M. L., Haby, V. A., Redmon, L. A. & Bade, D. H. (2024). Managing soil acidity. Mengistu, C., Kibebew, K. & Tarekegn, F. Influence of Different Land Use Types and Soil Depths on Selected Soil Properties Related to Soil Fertility in Warandhab Area , Horo GuduruWallaga Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia. International J. Environ. Sci. Nat. Resources , 4 (2). (2017). Muluneh, A. & Arnalds, O. Land use and soil degradation in Ethiopia: An overview. J. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage. 12 (4), 123–135 (2021). Nelson, D. W. & Sommers, L. E. Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties (539–579). Soil Science Society of America. (1982). Price, J. S. et al. Soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization kinetics in relation to soil texture and land use. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 74 (1), 271–276 (2010). Saikeh, J., Kolb, H., Nacorda, D., Van Noordwijk, M. & Cadisch, G. Decomposition of leaf litter from natural and improved fallows in the humid lowlands of Sumatra. Biol. Fertil. Soils . 27 (3), 264–269 (1998). Sertsu, T. & Bekele, T. Organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels of some Ethiopian soils as related to altitude and land use. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 31 (3–4), 479–495 (2000). Sintayehu Mesele. Effects of Land Use Change on Soil Properties and Soil Erosion Hazard in the Dano Watershed, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Unpublished Master's Thesis, Bahir Dar University. (2006). Solomon, D. Soil organic matter dynamics under various land use systems. Proceedings of the 16th Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Soil Science , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (2002). Taddese, G. Traditional agricultural practices and soil fertility in Ethiopia. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 17 (3), 157–169 (2022). Tadesse, A. & Hailu, W. Causes and consequences of land degradation in Ethiopia: A review. Int. J. Sci. Qualitative Anal. 10 (1), 10–21 (2024). Tekalign, M. Soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure, and compost analysis. Working Document No. 13. International Livestock Center for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (1991). Teklu, T., Mekonnen, B. & Alemayehu, A. Effects of land use changes on soil properties in the Ethiopian highlands. Land. Degrad. Dev. 33 (4), 678–690 (2022). Tesfaye, M., Woldearegay, K. & Taye, G. Assessment of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion risk in Ethiopia. J. Geogr. Reg. Plann. 16 (1), 15–25 (2023). Teshome, H., Molla, E. & Feyisa, T. Identification of yield-limiting nutrients for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) yield, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency on vertisols of Raya Kobo district, Northeastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Agronomy, 2023, 5394806. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5394806 Tsehaye Gebrelibanos, B. & Mohammed Assen, M. Land use/land cover dynamics and their driving forces in the Hirmi watershed and its adjacent agro-ecosystem, highlands of Northern Ethiopia. J. Land. Use Sci. 10 (1), 81–94 (2015). Ufot, U. U., Ekemini, J. U. & Obot, E. Impact of land use types on selected soil properties in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Int. J. Phys. Sci. 11 (2), 15–25 (2016). Vågen, T. G. & Winowiecki, L. A. Land use/cover changes in the Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia: impact of climate change or human pressure? Reg. Envriron. Chang. 13 (2), 385–395 (2013). Wang, J. & Liu, Y. The impact of deforestation on soil properties and productivity in agroecosystems. Environ. Manage. 92 (4), 994–1003 (2023). Woldearegay, K., Asfaw, Z. & Tadesse, M. Economic impacts of soil erosion in Ethiopia: A case study of on-site and off-site effects. Ethiop. J. Econ. 27 (1), 89–105 (2018). Yerima, B. P. K. & Van Ranst, E. Introduction to soil science: Soils of the tropics (Trafford Publishing, 2005). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 15 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 14 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 12 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 11 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 01 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 28 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Nov, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 24 Nov, 2025 Editor invited by journal 18 Nov, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 10 Oct, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 09 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7820540","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":551470444,"identity":"19ede729-000c-48c8-98c6-d8c2ea679cec","order_by":0,"name":"Dereje Tesema","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ambo University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dereje","middleName":"","lastName":"Tesema","suffix":""},{"id":551470445,"identity":"aa6db45d-7b4a-41ea-8dfa-8b782508a7d8","order_by":1,"name":"Kumasa Fituma","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ambo University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kumasa","middleName":"","lastName":"Fituma","suffix":""},{"id":551470446,"identity":"bedc5c8f-e4b6-4b86-9452-9f0ee4841699","order_by":2,"name":"Siraj Mammo","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA3klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZiCWgLAOgJgypGhhSwAxeUixj8cATBJUJ9/O+/CDZY5dtG57z+dXN2oseBjYDx/dgE+LwWF2YwnJbcm5286c3WadcwzoMJ60tBt4tTCzMQC1MOduu5G7zTiHDahFgscMrxb5ZjbmH5Lb6oFacp4Z5/wjQgvDYTY2oC2HQVqYH+e2EaHFAKjFQnLbcaBfjpkx5/ZJ8LAR8ot8/zHm25LbqnO3HW9+/DnnW50cP/vhY/gdBgTMkKhkYAPTbISUgwDjB6jWD8SoHgWjYBSMgpEHAOoHRGPSGWrcAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Ambo University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Siraj","middleName":"","lastName":"Mammo","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-10-09 19:23:15","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41618-9","type":"published","date":"2026-03-12T15:59:51+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":96982323,"identity":"87cace60-8590-477f-9292-9086e8cb4593","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:56","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":204708,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"9102025DTManuscript.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/bcd34ccbcd5799b0644efa85.docx"},{"id":96982327,"identity":"6636fdcc-8829-4f49-99d8-296f665dce71","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:57","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":5264,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"c45224cb5274419591f6a5a3f86a634e.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/93fa145ad419170b16cd948b.json"},{"id":97137009,"identity":"57ca38e1-27ca-48b7-bcae-3e10d34c80d4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-01 09:57:16","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":110157,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"c45224cb5274419591f6a5a3f86a634e1enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/2d525a954394a8245cb12bf6.xml"},{"id":96982322,"identity":"a7c95f08-22fd-4488-8a66-fe246f7f1c95","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:56","extension":"jpeg","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":447384,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/481c3325a2ccd72e87c2a36f.jpeg"},{"id":96982328,"identity":"f0e394b7-46c5-41fd-80fe-300aaf09d03e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:57","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":116864,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/fe49a60cbb2f08f2f7e959bd.png"},{"id":96982325,"identity":"eaa9b17b-2704-4b5d-a1f0-12cbb904f691","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:56","extension":"xml","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":112099,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"c45224cb5274419591f6a5a3f86a634e1structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/48049e213b9d0958bf3a2a07.xml"},{"id":96982326,"identity":"2f84e32b-a4e8-4b4d-a4ac-f5a8520a4991","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:56","extension":"html","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":120188,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/b60a48692600a8f9fc51c2bd.html"},{"id":96982321,"identity":"9df443fd-6bd2-4151-bc71-47d045c90d32","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 09:28:56","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":302445,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLocation map of the study area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/2229465b2afc2c89151f47f9.png"},{"id":104740075,"identity":"398c2dda-5c0e-45cb-a695-9599201623d6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-16 16:15:04","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1319726,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7820540/v1/28dc4d33-31dd-4a34-867e-477e3169d1d8.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Impact of Different Land Use Types on selected soil Physicochemical parameters in Dandi District, West Shewa zone, Ethiopia","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eHuman activities have profoundly transformed the Earth's surface, leading to significant changes in soil fertility, physicochemical characteristics, erosion susceptibility, and moisture retention (Abad \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2014). Research has shown that land use changes such as converting forests, agricultural fields, grasslands, and grazing areas directly impact the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, often reducing its overall health and sustainability (Kumari \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2022). In particular, deforestation and the subsequent cultivation of cleared land can accelerate soil degradation, depleting essential nutrients and diminishing long-term agricultural productivity (Johnson \u003cem\u003eet al., 2023\u003c/em\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe brief, intense growth of agriculture and grazing regions has been fueled by rising human and animal populations, which have altered the characteristics of the soil. Repurposing existing forest areas for cultivation and grazing is a common practice associated with this growth (Teklu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2022). Numerous studies have examined the physical and chemical characteristics of Ethiopian soil to evaluate the effects of various land-use types. For example, Abegaz \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2022) found that afforestation of farms with different tree species increased total nitrogen (N), exchangeable potassium (K), and exchangeable calcium (Ca) in the top soil layer as contrasted to the deeper layer. Tesfaye \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2023) looked at pastures, forests, and croplands and came to similar conclusions. They found that croplands had lower soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) than forest regions, with OC concentrations being higher in the topsoil layer than in the lower strata. Long-term deforestation, the replacement of natural forests with agroecosystems, uncontrolled overgrazing, and other causes are key contributors to soil erosion, which has a detrimental impact on soil productivity and quality (Wang \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2023).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand use changes, particularly the clearing of forests for agriculture, degrade soil quality, reduce organic matter, and increase the risk of erosion. The need for sustainable land management strategies is thus highlighted by these findings (Abegaz \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2022; Tesfaye \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2023). Additionally, unsustainable land utilization is one of the primary causes of soil degradation (Liu \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2022).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthiopia is experiencing rapid population growth coupled with environmental issues that cause natural grasslands and forests to be converted into farmed cropland. Such land use changes have contributed to soil degradation and soil loss by deteriorating the soil's physical and chemical properties (Muluneh \u0026amp; Arnalds, 2021). Soil compaction, the loss of soil structure, soil organic matter (SOM) degradation, undulating terrain, highly erosive rainfall, and inappropriate farming practices make soil highly vulnerable to erosion. Soil erosion from cropland (42 Mt ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e average annual rate) is higher compared with 5 Mt ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e from grazing land (Getahun \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoil degradation causes the loss of fertile topsoil and reduces the productivity of the land. The country loses an estimated 1\u0026nbsp;billion USD per year from both on-site and off-site changes (Woldearegay \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2018). The prevalence of traditional agricultural land use and the absence of appropriate soil conservation practices often result in the degradation of natural soil fertility. This has important implications for soil productivity, household food security, and poverty in different areas of our country, Ethiopia (Taddese, 2022). The average annual rate of soil loss in the country is estimated to be 42 tons/hectare/year, which results in 1 to 2% of crop loss (Hurni \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2020). Severe decline in soil quality may lead to a permanent degradation of land productivity and soil properties under different land use types (Bekele \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2019).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCurrently, the Dandi District of West Shewa in the Oromia Regional State is one of the areas in the central highlands where forest land has been substantially degraded due to human activities such as firewood exploitation, intensive and persistent cultivation, and overgrazing. As a result, the macro and micronutrients in the soil have been depleted, and as a result, these operations have an impact on the local community's livelihood and well-being as well as crop productivity. In addition, a large portion of the region's grassland has been turned into grazing land as a result of an increase in cattle and open grazing methods. This has resulted in soil compaction and vegetation removal, further exposing the surface soil to erosion. Severe deterioration in soil quality can lead to the permanent degradation of land productivity and soil properties under different land use types (Mengistu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore, to provide scientifically proven recommendations for the sustainable utilization of soil resources and to improve crop productivity, it is essential to have information about the effects of different land use types on soil physicochemical properties.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, only a few studies have examined how land use affects soil characteristics in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how various land-use types impacted selected soil physicochemical properties for a proper soil management system and the improvement of yield production in future Boda Basaka \u003cem\u003ekebele\u003c/em\u003e, Dandi District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.1. Description of the Study Area\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDandi District, in West Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, lies 78 km from Addis Ababa and 36 km from Ambo. The study was conducted in Boda Basaka kebele, 99 km from Addis Ababa and 57 km from the zone capital ( Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Geographically, the district covers 8\u0026ordm;43'N\u0026ndash;9\u0026ordm;17'N latitude and 37\u0026ordm;47'E\u0026ndash;38\u0026ordm;20'E longitude. Its soils are mainly loam (50%) and clay (15%), with black soils in valley bottoms and red, grainy soils upslope (Dandi District Agricultural Office, 2014).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe district covers 109,729 ha, where natural vegetation is under pressure from population growth. It has a tropical climate influenced by altitude (2,000\u0026ndash;3,288 m), with 29% highland (Dega) and 71% mid-altitude (Weyna Dega). The study site (2,200\u0026ndash;3,090 m) falls in the Dega zone, with some Wurch areas. Rainfall (900\u0026ndash;1400 mm) is bi-modal but erratic, reducing farm productivity. Temperatures range from 9.6\u0026deg;C to 23.3\u0026deg;C ( Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the 2007 census, the population was 209,554, with 20,215 households (mostly male-headed). About 85% depend on mixed farming, mainly rain-fed, with some small-scale irrigation for cash crops like potatoes. Key crops include teff, wheat, sorghum, and barley. Livestock is also vital, with over 800,000 sheep, 160,000 cattle, and large numbers of goats, equines, poultry, and donkeys providing major income sources (Deressa, 2014).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistrict land use classification\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS/n\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand use A\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea in ha.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgricultural land\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73360\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrazing land\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18745\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSettlement\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10536\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNatural forest and shrubland\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9506\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDegraded land\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5583\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSwamp and marshy land\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1094\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrban land\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e821\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe land occupied by a lake\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e820\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e109729\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(\u003cem\u003eSource: ARDO of Dandi District, 2013\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.2. Soil Sampling Design\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study employed a randomized complete block design to collect soil samples from three representative land use types: Forest Land(FL), Cultivated Land(CL), and Grazing Land(GL) because these land uses are the dominant land cover in the study area. From each land use category, 1 kg of soil was collected to analyze selected physical and chemical properties. The study area was divided into topographic classes: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. Soil samples were taken from each land use type at three different elevations, with three replications, resulting in twenty-seven samples.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSampling points were selected to ensure representativeness. Soil samples were collected using a zigzag plot design at a depth of 30 cm within a 20 m \u0026times; 20 m area. Four 1 m \u0026times; 1 m sub-samples were taken in a 'Z' pattern to the same depth and then composited by mixing soils from the four corners and the center of each plot, resulting in a representative sample for each plot.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.3. Soil Laboratory Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor this study, soil samples were collected from different land use types, prepared in labeled sampling bags, and transported to the Chemistry Laboratory at Ambo University. Physical properties, such as soil texture and bulk density, were analyzed using the hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, 1962) and the core method, respectively. Samples were dried at 105\u0026deg;C for a full day to measure the moisture content (MC) for physical attributes (Sertsu and Bekele, 2000). According to Baruah \u0026amp; Bathakur (1997) and Jackson (1973), using an EC meter and a pH meter, the chemical characteristics of the soil-water suspension were measured in a 1:5 suspension. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was assessed by the Walkley-Black wet digestion method, and Available phosphorus (AvP) was determined by the Olsen method. Whereas SOM is calculated as SOC multiplied by 1.724 (Nelson and Sommers, 1982). Flame photometry and the sodium acetate method were used to determine Cation exchange capacity (CEC), as well as the Kjeldahl digestion method (Bremner, 1996) was used to determine total nitrogen (N).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe relation between the three land use types (FL, CL and GL) in the study area was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between all soil physical and chemical parameters were found using GenStat software and a straightforward linear correlation study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1. Effects of Land Use Types on Selected Soil Physical Properties\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.1. Soil texture\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe research's ANOVA results indicated that while bulk density, moisture content, and clay particles were statistically significantly impacted, sand and silt particle differences among land use types were statistically not significant. Unless it was in a forest, the size of the sand particles increased down the slope. Bulk density varied significantly by land use, with 1.068 g/cm\u0026sup3; in forest land, 1.057 g/cm\u0026sup3; in cultivated land, and the lowest (0.65 g/cm\u0026sup3;) in forest areas(Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe average lower bulk density in forest land is due to higher clay content, less disturbance, and more organic matter, similar to findings by Getahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi (2015). Higher bulk density in cultivated land may result from livestock compaction and nutrient loss from plowing, consistent with Abad \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2014).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.2.Moisture contents\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study's ANOVA analysis showed that there were significant differences (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) in soil moisture content between the various land use classifications, with forest land having the highest moisture content (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). This is in line with earlier studies that demonstrate how agriculture reduces soil structure aggregation and, consequently, the soil's ability to hold water. Reduced moisture retention and deteriorating soil structure are the results of continued farming in Ethiopia paired with insufficient soil management approaches (Teshome \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2023). In a similar vein, forest lands retain more soil moisture than agricultural fields due to their higher organic matter content and lower disturbance levels (Teklu et al., 2022). According to this research, agricultural practices that increase soil moisture retention must be sustainable because land use has a substantial impact on soil properties.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInteraction effects of Land use types on Soil physical properties and textural class at Boda \u003cem\u003eKebele\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand use type and slope\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoil Physical Properties\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%Sand\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%Silt\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%Clay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTextural\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBulk Density g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoisture %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper\u0026nbsp;cultivated\u0026nbsp;land(UCL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.057 g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiddle\u0026nbsp;cultivated\u0026nbsp;lan(MCL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.899g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower\u0026nbsp;cultivated\u0026nbsp;land(LCL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.704g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper\u0026nbsp;grazing\u0026nbsp;land(UGL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.822g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiddle\u0026nbsp;grazing\u0026nbsp;land(MGL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.65 g /cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower\u0026nbsp;grazing land(LGL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.736 g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper forest land(UFL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLoam\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.068g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiddle forest land(MFL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy Loam\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower forest land(LFL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLoam\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.849 g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStandard error(SE)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.24846\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.72392\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.3794\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.054024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.218048\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.778\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.333\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.000\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.000\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.000\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2. Effects of Land Use on Selected Soil Chemical Properties\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.1. Soil pH\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the result of this finding, the ANOVA results showed that soil pH was significantly influenced by land use types along the slope gradient (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). The mean pH values for forest land (6.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03) and grazing land (6.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02) were slightly acidic (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Whereas cultivated land (5.92) was rated as moderately acidic(McFarland \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2024), primarily due to frequent tillage, high inorganic fertilizer use, and low organic matter. Higher slopes had lower pH values, likely due to solute and cation washout from erosion and excessive precipitation. Low pH can inactivate soil CEC, reducing nutrient availability, while higher pH in forest land is due to more organic matter and total exchangeable bases. This is supported by Getahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi (2015) but contradicts Gasha Alene (2019), who found significant effects of land use types on soil pH (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2..2.Electrical conductivity\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe electrical conductivity (EC) values of soils were significantly affected by land use types (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Mean EC values were 0.64, 0.01, and 0.09 dS/m for forest, grazing, and cultivated lands, respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Grazing land had the lowest EC, likely due to the loss of base-forming cations from excessive water percolation, correlating with its low bulk density. This aligns with Sintayehu Mesele (2006), who found lower EC in grazing land at 0\u0026ndash;30 cm depths compared to croplands.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.3. Total Nitrogen\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand use types and slope classes significantly impacted the total nitrogen (N) content of soils (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Total N was 0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, 0.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02, and 0.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01 in forests, 0.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, 0.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, and 0.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01 on grazing land, and 0.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, 0.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, and 0.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01 across slope gradients (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). This contradicts Ufot \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2016) and Mengistu \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2017), who found higher total N in forest land at various soil depths. Tekalign (1991) rated total N as low in grazing and cultivated lands, but high in grass and forest areas. Studies by Gasha Alene (2019), Getahun Bore, and Bobe Bedadi (2015) also reported higher total N in forest soils due to plant residue addition and slower decomposition. The low total N in grazing land may be due to the use of animal excrement as fuel and vegetation removal by grazing. In cultivated land, low total N may result from minimal inorganic fertilizer use and rapid mineralization of soil organic matter due to soil disruption (Solomon, 2002). Reduced plant residue input in cereal-based farming also contributes to the depletion of soil organic matter and nitrogen (Mengistu et al., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.4. Available Phosphorus\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eANOVA analysis showed significant differences in available phosphorus among different land use types and slope classes (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Forest land had the highest mean available phosphorus (3.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), followed by grazing land (9.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), and cultivated land (6.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe higher phosphorus content in cultivated land was attributed to organic matter, which releases phosphorus during mineralization. This finding is consistent with previous studies (Aytenew and Kibret, 2016; Mengistu et al., 2017), indicating higher phosphorus levels in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated land. The lower phosphorus content in cultivated land may be due to high soil organic matter, which binds phosphorus, making it less available for plants. Overall, the study suggests that land use types and soil disturbance affect phosphorus availability in soils.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.5. Organic carbon\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study found significant variations in organic carbon (OC) influenced by land use types (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) and elevation. OC levels ranged from 4.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04 to 3.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08 among different land use types (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Agricultural land management practices, such as those observed by Yerima \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2005), might have contributed to the relatively low OC levels. Deforestation and subsequent cultivation were associated with a 48.8% decrease in organic matter (Evrendilek \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2004), highlighting the impact of land cover change on OC. Conversion of forest to cropland decreases OC and deteriorates soil physical properties, increasing erosion risk (\u0026Ccedil;elik, 2005).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.6. Soil Organic Matter\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ANOVA results demonstrated a significant effect of land use types on soil organic matter (OM) contents. The highest OM content (11.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07%) was observed in the middle forest land, while grazing land exhibited lower OM levels (ranging from 8.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07% to 5.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14%) compared to forest land (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The abundance of plant residues and biomass in forest land contributed to its high OM content. Forest ecosystems promote OM accumulation through factors such as litter cover, root growth, and lower decomposition rates (Khresat \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2008; Price \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010; Saikeh \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1998). In contrast, cultivated land showed a more rapid decrease in SOM due to accelerated erosion and decomposition rates, driven by intensive land use practices (Abegaz \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2016). Overgrazing and soil compaction from livestock activities contributed to the decline in OM content in grazing land.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand management practices, such as poorly designed terracing and drainage, facilitated water and soil runoff from cultivated land to forest land, affecting OM distribution. The relatively higher OM content in cultivated land compared to grazing land (4.79%) may be attributed to the root systems of crops, which promote soil microbial activity and function (Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen, 2015). However, it contrasts with a study by Gasha Alene (2019), which suggested higher OM content in grazing land due to lower disturbance levels. Overall, soil OM content responds strongly to land use, land use change, and land degradation, with forest land being a crucial reservoir for essential plant nutrients (V\u0026aring;gen and Winowiecki \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2013).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffects of Land-Use types on soil Chemical properties at Boda \u003cem\u003ekebele\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand use type across\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eand Slope gradient\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome Selected Soil Parameters at 0\u0026ndash;30 cm depth\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003epH (X̄\u0026plusmn;SD)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEC(dS/m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%TN\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%OC\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%OM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP mg/kg\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.010\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0002\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.003\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.005\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0001\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn examining the interplay between land use types and soil depth, notable differences emerged in sand and clay content. Cultivated land displayed the highest sand content (34.3%) in the surface soil layer (0\u0026ndash;20 cm), while forest land exhibited the lowest (21.3%) in the same layer. Conversely, the subsurface soil layer (20\u0026ndash;40 cm) of cultivated land showed the highest clay content (51.0%), contrasting with the lowest (36.7%) in forest land.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcross soil depths, sand content tended to be higher in the surface layer, while silt and clay content predominated in the subsurface layer. This trend suggests a phenomenon of clay migration from the surface to the subsurface layer over time, as observed in previous studies (Mengistu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017; Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen, (2015). Cultivation practices, particularly over prolonged periods, can lead to this shift, facilitated by erosion processes that selectively remove clay particles from the surface layer.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe absence of protective vegetation cover accentuates the vulnerability of cultivated and grazing lands to erosion agents. This increases erosion risk and contributes to the removal of finer particles, disrupting soil structure and accelerating soil loss processes. These findings underscore the importance of sustainable land management practices to mitigate erosion and soil degradation, particularly in areas lacking protective vegetation cover.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.7. Basic Exchangeable Cations (Ca\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e, Mg\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e, K\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e, and Na\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of variance revealed that exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were not significantly affected by land use types, suggesting the influence of various management practices, land use patterns, and imbalances relative to soil texture and organic matter (OM). Mean exchangeable Ca values were 9.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60, 12.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60, and 10.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60 cmol/kg in forest, grazing, and cultivated lands, respectively, while exchangeable Mg values ranged from 1.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60 to 4.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.58 cmol/kg across land use types (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). These results align with Gasha Alene's (2019) studies, indicating non-significant exchangeable Ca and Mg variations between land use types.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly, exchangeable K content varied significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) among land use types, with lower values observed across all land use types, possibly due to continuous losses during plant harvesting. As noted in previous research (Amanuel Tadesse and Worku Hailu, 2024), acid-forming fertilizers and other factors contribute to potassium depletion in tropical soils.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExchangeable sodium (Na) concentrations differed significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) among land use types, with soils under forest land exhibiting the highest mean Na concentrations compared to grazing and cultivated lands. This contradicts findings by Lalisa Alemayehu (2010) and suggests potential influences of urine deposition in grazing lands. Low soil pH in croplands may lead to decreased soil base saturation and depletion of exchangeable bases over time, as observed in this study and corroborated by Tsehaye Gebrelibanos and Mohammed Assen (2015).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverall, these findings underscore the complex interactions between land use types, soil properties, and management practices, highlighting the need for sustainable soil management strategies to address nutrient depletion and maintain soil fertility across different land use systems.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2.8. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of variance results indicated a significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) impact of land use types on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils in the study area (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Mean CEC values varied across land use types, with forest land exhibiting the highest CEC (21.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32 cmol/kg), followed by grazing land (29.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75 cmol/kg) and cultivated land (26.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41 cmol/kg). This trend was consistent across different slope classes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe higher CEC values observed in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated lands can be attributed to organic matter, which plays a crucial role in soil exchange processes by providing more negatively charged surfaces than clay particles. The decline in CEC values in cultivated land is primarily attributed to reduced organic matter content due to agricultural practices. These findings align with research by Ahukaemere \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2012), which also reported higher CEC values in forest land compared to grazing and cultivated lands.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn summary, the presence or absence of organic matter significantly influences soil CEC, with forest land generally exhibiting higher values due to the abundance of organic material, while cultivated and grazing lands tend to have lower CEC values due to reduced organic matter content.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffects of Land-Use Types and Slopes on Cation Exchange Capacity at Boda \u003cem\u003ekebele\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlope of Land used\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMg (cmol/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNa (cmol/ kg\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCEC(cmol/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCa (cmol/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eK (cmol/ kg\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLFL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLGL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLCL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.231\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0051\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.423\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Conclusion and Recommendation","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings of the study revealed that initially, all soil physicochemical parameters were influenced by land use types. Soils sampled from various land-use types exhibited significant differences in their physicochemical characteristics, indicating the impact of land-use conversion on soil properties. Generally, cultivated and grazing lands exhibited lower soil properties compared to adjacent forest lands, highlighting the severity of soil erosion and fertility decline in these areas.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study area showed low levels of available phosphorus (P), but high levels of pH, clay content, exchangeable basic cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Across land use types, cultivated and grazing lands had medium sand content, while forest lands had higher sand content. The medium range of soil organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (N) levels may have a negative impact on soil microbial activity.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe higher mean values of CEC suggest the presence of high exchangeable basic cations and soil with a high capacity for nutrient retention. Consequently, the study emphasizes the necessity for interventions to sustain and optimize soil quality in the study area. These interventions could include soil conservation measures, controlling overgrazing, sustainable land management practices, and targeted fertilizer application strategies to enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Finally, future research should consider incorporating depth variability in soil studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of soil dynamics, guiding sustainable land use planning and management. By following these recommendations, stakeholders can work towards preserving and enhancing soil fertility, thus promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in the study area and beyond.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have agreed to submit and have approved the manuscript for submission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author confirms that all data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors Contribution\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eD.T.\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003ecollected data,\u0026nbsp;K.F.\u0026nbsp;wrote the 1\u003csup\u003est\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003edraft Manuscript, and S.M. \u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003esupervised the data collection and edited the manuscript\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would like to acknowledge all individuals or organizations who provided assistance or support during the research work.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePermission to collect data was obtained from Ambo University Institutional Research Ethical Committee (AUIREC) through a written letter with reference number AUIREC /0011/12/2020. Informants had agreed and signed the informed consent before starting the survey and the interview.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbad, M., Nakhli, S. A. \u0026amp; Masoudi, S. Effects of land use changes on soil properties and organic carbon content in different soil depths in northern Iran. \u003cem\u003eCatena\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e121\u003c/b\u003e, 407\u0026ndash;414 (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbegaz, A., Molla, A. \u0026amp; Yilma, Z. Impact of land use changes on soil properties in Ethiopia: A review. \u003cem\u003eJ. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e13\u003c/b\u003e (2), 45\u0026ndash;59 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbegaz, A., Taddese, G. \u0026amp; Birhanu, D. Land use effect on selected soil properties of Hula, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJ. Nat. Sci. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e (15), 96\u0026ndash;105 (2016).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhukaemere, C. M., Eze, E. A. \u0026amp; Okpara, D. A. Effect of land use types on some soil physico-chemical properties in a tropical rain forest ecosystem. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Res. Chem. Environ.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e2\u003c/b\u003e (3), 225\u0026ndash;232 (2012).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAytenew, M. \u0026amp; Kibret, K. Land use effects on selected soil physico-chemical properties in three different topographic positions in the Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eCogent Environ. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e2\u003c/b\u003e (1), 1209294 (2016).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBaruah, T. C. \u0026amp; Bathakur, N. Studies on the chemical properties of soils of Bhagajang Reserve Forest in Assam, India. \u003cem\u003eIndian Forester\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cb\u003e123\u003c/b\u003e (3), 261\u0026ndash;267 (1997).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBekele, A., Alemu, G. \u0026amp; Mekonnen, H. Long-term effects of land use on soil quality and productivity in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eSoil. Tillage Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e193\u003c/b\u003e, 78\u0026ndash;85 (2019).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBouyoucos, G. J. The hydrometer method has been improved for making particle size analyses of soils. \u003cem\u003eAgron. J.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e54\u003c/b\u003e (5), 464\u0026ndash;465 (1962).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBremner, J. M. Nitrogen\u0026ndash;total. In (ed Sparks, D. L.) Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 3-Chemical Methods (1085\u0026ndash;1121). American Society of Agronomy. (1996).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026Ccedil;elik, A. Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. \u003cem\u003eSoil Tillage. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e83\u003c/b\u003e (2), 270\u0026ndash;277 (2005).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDandi District Agricultural Office. \u003cem\u003eAnnual Report\u003c/em\u003e. (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeressa, A. Land-use/land-cover dynamics and their implications on the environment in south-eastern Ethiopia: The case of Derashe Woreda. \u003cem\u003eEast. Afr. J. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e8\u003c/b\u003e (2), 152\u0026ndash;164 (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvrendilek, F., Berberoglu, S., Bolat, I. \u0026amp; Celik, I. Variation in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen with forest conversion to crop and rangelands in North Turkey. \u003cem\u003eAgric. Ecosyst. Environ.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e103\u003c/b\u003e (2), 481\u0026ndash;493 (2004).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGasha Alene. Soil fertility status is affected by different land uses in Horo District, Western Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eSky J. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e8\u003c/b\u003e (6), 68\u0026ndash;78 (2019).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGetahun Bore and Bobe Bedadi. Effect of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJ. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e (5), 90\u0026ndash;96 (2015).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGetahun, A., Demeke, A. \u0026amp; Berhanu, K. Soil erosion rates under different land use types in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eEthiop. J. Environ. Stud. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e13\u003c/b\u003e (2), 45\u0026ndash;59 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHurni, H., Tato, K. \u0026amp; Zeleke, G. The impact of soil erosion on crop yield and land productivity in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eLand. Degrad. Dev.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e31\u003c/b\u003e (5), 579\u0026ndash;593 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJackson, M. L. \u003cem\u003eSoil Chemical Analysis-Advanced Course\u003c/em\u003e (University of Wisconsin, 1973).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohnson, J. A., Jayaprakash, A. R., Divya, P., Madhu, M. \u0026amp; Alka, G. Effect of deforestation on soil properties and productivity in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, India. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Agricultural Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e15\u003c/b\u003e (1), 275\u0026ndash;280 (2023).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKhresat, S. A., Shatanawi, M. R. \u0026amp; Fayyad, M. The effects of land use change on soil quality attributes in Northern Jordan. \u003cem\u003eLand. Degrad. Dev.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e19\u003c/b\u003e (5), 489\u0026ndash;499 (2008).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKumari, R., Teklu, M. \u0026amp; Berhane, M. Influence of land use change on soil properties in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eAfr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e16\u003c/b\u003e (1), 112\u0026ndash;125 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLalisa Alemayehu. Effects of land use and land cover change on soil quality in the humid agroecological zone of Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003ePhD Dissertation, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia\u003c/em\u003e. (2010).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiu, Y., Wu, K. \u0026amp; Cao, H. Land-use change and its driving factors in Henan province from 1995 to 2015. \u003cem\u003eArab. J. Geosci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e15\u003c/b\u003e, 247 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMcFarland, M. L., Haby, V. A., Redmon, L. A. \u0026amp; Bade, D. H. (2024). Managing soil acidity.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMengistu, C., Kibebew, K. \u0026amp; Tarekegn, F. Influence of Different Land Use Types and Soil Depths on Selected Soil Properties Related to Soil Fertility in \u003cem\u003eWarandhab Area\u003c/em\u003e, Horo GuduruWallaga Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eInternational J. Environ. Sci. Nat. Resources\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cb\u003e4\u003c/b\u003e(2). (2017).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMuluneh, A. \u0026amp; Arnalds, O. Land use and soil degradation in Ethiopia: An overview. \u003cem\u003eJ. Soil. Sci. Environ. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e12\u003c/b\u003e (4), 123\u0026ndash;135 (2021).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNelson, D. W. \u0026amp; Sommers, L. E. Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties (539\u0026ndash;579). Soil Science Society of America. (1982).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrice, J. S. et al. Soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization kinetics in relation to soil texture and land use. \u003cem\u003eSoil Sci. Soc. Am. J.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e74\u003c/b\u003e (1), 271\u0026ndash;276 (2010).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaikeh, J., Kolb, H., Nacorda, D., Van Noordwijk, M. \u0026amp; Cadisch, G. Decomposition of leaf litter from natural and improved fallows in the humid lowlands of Sumatra. \u003cem\u003eBiol. Fertil. Soils\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cb\u003e27\u003c/b\u003e (3), 264\u0026ndash;269 (1998).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSertsu, T. \u0026amp; Bekele, T. Organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels of some Ethiopian soils as related to altitude and land use. \u003cem\u003eCommun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e31\u003c/b\u003e (3\u0026ndash;4), 479\u0026ndash;495 (2000).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSintayehu Mesele. \u003cem\u003eEffects of Land Use Change on Soil Properties and Soil Erosion Hazard in the Dano Watershed, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.\u003c/em\u003e Unpublished Master's Thesis, Bahir Dar University. (2006).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSolomon, D. Soil organic matter dynamics under various land use systems. \u003cem\u003eProceedings of the 16th Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Soil Science\u003c/em\u003e, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (2002).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaddese, G. Traditional agricultural practices and soil fertility in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eAfr. J. Agric. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e17\u003c/b\u003e (3), 157\u0026ndash;169 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTadesse, A. \u0026amp; Hailu, W. Causes and consequences of land degradation in Ethiopia: A review. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Sci. Qualitative Anal.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e10\u003c/b\u003e (1), 10\u0026ndash;21 (2024).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTekalign, M. Soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure, and compost analysis. \u003cem\u003eWorking Document No. 13.\u003c/em\u003e International Livestock Center for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (1991).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeklu, T., Mekonnen, B. \u0026amp; Alemayehu, A. Effects of land use changes on soil properties in the Ethiopian highlands. \u003cem\u003eLand. Degrad. Dev.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e33\u003c/b\u003e (4), 678\u0026ndash;690 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTesfaye, M., Woldearegay, K. \u0026amp; Taye, G. Assessment of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion risk in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJ. Geogr. Reg. Plann.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e16\u003c/b\u003e (1), 15\u0026ndash;25 (2023).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeshome, H., Molla, E. \u0026amp; Feyisa, T. Identification of yield-limiting nutrients for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) yield, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency on vertisols of Raya Kobo district, Northeastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Agronomy, 2023, 5394806. (2023). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5394806\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1155/2023/5394806\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTsehaye Gebrelibanos, B. \u0026amp; Mohammed Assen, M. Land use/land cover dynamics and their driving forces in the Hirmi watershed and its adjacent agro-ecosystem, highlands of Northern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJ. Land. Use Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e10\u003c/b\u003e (1), 81\u0026ndash;94 (2015).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUfot, U. U., Ekemini, J. U. \u0026amp; Obot, E. Impact of land use types on selected soil properties in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Phys. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e11\u003c/b\u003e (2), 15\u0026ndash;25 (2016).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eV\u0026aring;gen, T. G. \u0026amp; Winowiecki, L. A. Land use/cover changes in the Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia: impact of climate change or human pressure? \u003cem\u003eReg. Envriron. Chang.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e13\u003c/b\u003e (2), 385\u0026ndash;395 (2013).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWang, J. \u0026amp; Liu, Y. The impact of deforestation on soil properties and productivity in agroecosystems. \u003cem\u003eEnviron. Manage.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e92\u003c/b\u003e (4), 994\u0026ndash;1003 (2023).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWoldearegay, K., Asfaw, Z. \u0026amp; Tadesse, M. Economic impacts of soil erosion in Ethiopia: A case study of on-site and off-site effects. \u003cem\u003eEthiop. J. Econ.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e27\u003c/b\u003e (1), 89\u0026ndash;105 (2018).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYerima, B. P. K. \u0026amp; Van Ranst, E. \u003cem\u003eIntroduction to soil science: Soils of the tropics\u003c/em\u003e (Trafford Publishing, 2005).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Cultivated land, Forest land, Land use types, Soil Depth, soil properties","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examines the impact of various land-use types on soil physicochemical properties in the Dandi District, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Using a systematic randomized complete block design, soil samples were collected from three representative land-use types: forest, cultivated, and grazing lands. The samples were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures to assess the impact of land use on specific soil physicochemical parameters. A total of 27 composite soil samples were collected for analysis, along with 9 undisturbed samples for bulk density measurement at a depth of 0\u0026ndash;30 cm. One-way ANOVA, conducted using SAS software, was used to evaluate differences in soil properties. The results showed significant variations in most soil parameters, except for silt, sand, magnesium, and calcium content. The dominant soil textures identified were sandy clay, clay, and loam, indicating substantial removal of clay particles across land-use types. Higher bulk densities in cultivated land (0.886) were attributed to livestock-induced compaction and nutrient depletion. Soils in the forest exhibited higher values of pH 6.29, electrical conductivity (EC) 0.28, total nitrogen (TN) 0.31, organic carbon (OC) 5.57, organic matter (OM) 9.59, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) 25.86 compared to grazing and cultivated lands. These findings suggest that land use has a significant influence on soil physicochemical properties, particularly in cultivated and grazing areas. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt sustainable soil management practices, including soil and water conservation measures, sustainable land management, and control of overgrazing to reduce the negative impacts of land use on soil properties and to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Impact of Different Land Use Types on selected soil Physicochemical parameters in Dandi District, West Shewa zone, Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-28 09:28:52","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7820540/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-12-15T12:15:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-12-14T20:43:12+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"121367504107465185687129005242030454082","date":"2025-12-14T11:41:41+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-12-12T15:20:30+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"319877461447540992344183940740487814763","date":"2025-12-12T15:08:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-12-12T04:12:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"63633855792020119817093851191889389522","date":"2025-12-12T04:01:01+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"96298824873228509493051699331897694532","date":"2025-12-12T01:21:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-12-01T06:51:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-11-28T13:22:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"190528397246880418788958777381668494517","date":"2025-11-26T14:18:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"116984055884261758327801600474807075415","date":"2025-11-25T06:56:08+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"37068305514036707076337031184316182436","date":"2025-11-25T05:50:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-11-24T12:12:36+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-11-18T08:23:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-10-10T11:42:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-10-10T11:41:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-10-09T19:11:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"422b31f5-d739-4fd9-8f4e-24930c1cb733","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 28th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":58682365,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology"},{"id":58682366,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology"},{"id":58682367,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-16T16:10:04+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7820540","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41618-9","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-12 15:59:51","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 12th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-28 09:28:52","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-026-41618-9","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41618-9","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7820540","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7820540","identity":"rs-7820540","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}