Abstract:
Land use change is a fundamental variable that impacts and links many parts of the human
and physical environments. The study was conducted to analyze the effect of land use change
and soil depth on soil properties in Asabla watershed Northwest Ethiopia during 2020/22.
Four-land use types namely natural forest, plantation forest, cultivated and grazing lands
those having the same physiographic conditions, were selected to determine the effect of land
use type and soil depth on selected soil properties. Twenty four composite soil sample about
2kg of each composite sample units were taken from selected land use type and two depths in
three replications. Then the soil samples were analyzed with a standard laboratory. Based on
the evident of the analyzed result showed a significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) difference among
land use types and soil depth. The highest value of clay, pH, (OC), (TN), (AvP), exchangeable
bases and CEC were recorded in the natural forest. In the main effect of soil depths, the sand,
silt, TN, OC, AvP and CEC decreased across soil depth whereas pH, clay, BD and
exchangeable bases increased. From these result, it can be understood that land use type and
soil depths could be significantly (P<0.01) affect soil physico-chemical properties So, the
study area needs immediate implementation with the soil amendment of the soil properties for
a sustainable crop and forage production to ensure the livelihood of expanding population in
the watershed.