Effect of area exclosure on soil quality and community perception in Central Ethiopia

Area exclosure is a commonly practiced technique to enhance soil quality in areas that have suffered from degradation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of area exclosure on soil quality improvement and assess the perception of the local community toward this practice at the central part of Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from 60 plots, with 30 plots representing each land management area. Statistical analysis of the soil data was performed using Analysis of Variance in SPSS software to compare variations between land management areas. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to assess respondents’ perceptions regarding area exclosure’s impact on soil quality improvement and socioeconomic development. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that soil characteristics such as moisture content, bulk density, levels of exchangeable cations (calcium, magnesium, and potassium), cation exchange capacity, and organic matter were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the area exclosure compared to open grazing land. Furthermore, a large majority of participants (90%) reported deriving benefits from the area exclosure, including aesthetic and recreational value, employment opportunities, and availability of wood products. The exclosure area exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of soil nutrients than grazing land. Furthermore, exclosure areas displayed enhanced cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen content, availability of phosphorus, soil organic matter, and organic carbon compared to the open grazing site. To enhance soil quality in exclosures, efforts must be made to reduce human-induced disturbances. It is crucial to restrict livestock access and promote the growth of appropriate vegetation to facilitate the regeneration of woody plant species in exclosure areas.