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Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Geology, Mineralogy, Soil Science, grade: 17, Hawassa University (University), course: Soil science, language: English, abstract: The main objective of this review is to discuss the effect of physical soil and water conservation practices on physicochemical properties and fertility status of soil.
Soil degradation is deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or economic properties of soil (Maitima and Olson, 2001). It has a negative impact on agricultural economy and the natural environment (Taddese, 2001, (Keno and Suryabhagavan, 2014). Human activity, such as conversion of forests to agricultural land, increased cultivation of marginal land, overgrazing, and subsistence agriculture practiced on marginal lands with steep gradients; accelerate soil erosion (Lal, R., 1996). Increasing population pressure has lead people to use marginal lands for cultivation and grazing and severely overexploit the natural resource base of the region (Hurni, 1993; Shiferaw and Holden, 1998). The exploitation of these natural resources is inextricably linked to securing food and livelihoods (Dubale, 2001; Adimassu et al., 2012). This has resulted in accelerated soil erosion, deforestation, water resource depletion and environmental degradation (Desta, 2000; Berry, 2003; Mitiku et al., 2006; Nyssen et al., 2008; Change, 2014).
