Teshome SoromessaEyasu EliasFikru Assefa2025-08-312025-08-312024-06https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/7248Alterations in land-use management strategies like the cultivation of steep slopes, overgrazing, or limited fallow periods, and slope position affect the physiochemical properties of soils. Transitioning land from forest cover to cultivated areas could diminish organic residue inputs, potentially resulting in decreased soil fertility, increased rates of soil erosion, loss of soil organic carbon and nutrients, and an accelerated rate of soil degradation. In this study, we assessed the impacts of land-use management on selected soil physiochemical properties under various terrain slopes and with & without soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in a disturbed landscape in the Kabe Watershed of the northern part of Ethiopia by using composite and core soil samples for laboratory analysis. Also, we explore farmers’ decision to adopt soil and water conservation (SWC) practices by structured questionnaire survey and focus group discussion methods applied to collect the necessary information from farm plots and households. Hundred households with 282 sampled plots were interviewed and several fields were visited during transect walks. The Tobit regression model in SPSS was used for analysis. In addition, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. On the other hand, we estimate soil loss in different land-use systems and slope categories using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model with the help of the ArcGIS process applied for this study. It was analyzed in Ethiopian conditions by using data of erosivity (R) based on interpolation of rainfall data, soil erodibility (K), vegetation cover (C) and satellite images, topography slope and steepness (LS), and conservation practices (P). Ultimately, we analyze and forecast the patterns of land use land cover alterations from 1986 to 2019 within the research region through the utilization of qualitative and quantitative data gathered via Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) methods. Field observations and consultations with local elders were additionally utilized to confirm the findings obtained from remotely collected data. According to the findings, for all slope positions with and without soil and water conservation (SWC), SM content, TP, silt, and clay proportions of soil were lower in the cultivated land compared with grazing and forest land use types. Relatively, soil BD and sand fraction were higher in the cultivated land than in grazing and forest land use types. The terrain slope position influenced the sand content of forest, grazing, and cultivated land types, with an increase observed from lower to upper slope positions. In contrast, the silt and clay fractions generally decreased from lower to upper slope positions. Available phosphorus (P) and organic carbon (OC) levels were consistently below the standard across all land use types (LUTs). In addition, the mean soil loss was relatively highest (20.01 t ha-1yr-1) under cultivated land followed by grassland (0.69t ha-1yr-1) and it was lowest (0.17 t ha-1yr-1) under forestland given that the average soil erosion across the entire watershed was 6.95t ha-1yr-1. In addition to this, 90% of local farmers believed that soil erosion was controlled by different rehabilitation techniques. According to the analysis of geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) data, the expansion of cultivated land, forest lands, and grazing lands exhibited a consistent and gradual increase throughout the period between 1986 to2019, primarily at the cost of shrubs and wetlands. In summary, to conserve both soil & water resources and rehabilitate the watershed, policymakers need to implement appropriate land conservation strategies based on land-use structure & slope difference. Lastly, this study recommended an involvement of the concerned body to end the fast deprivation of shrubs and wetlands in the watershed.en-USEthiopiaKabe WatershedLand Use and Cover TypesSoil Erosion LossSelected Soil Physicochemical PropertiesThesis