Abstract:
Due to several factors, most PSWC works have not fully achieved the intended objectives. The
disparity between dimensions of the implemented PSWC work and the standard is the main
factor. Water-induced soil erosion is the most prevailing form of land resource deterioration in
the highlands of Ethiopia, where huge amounts of fertile soil are being lost annually. Most of the
Debirwonz watershed was characterized by very severe to severe soil erosion rates, which are
associated with the gentle slope. Data were generated through field observation, field
measurements, and questionnaires. Measurements were taken from these soil bunds, trenches,
waterways, cut-off drains, and check dams from three separate slope classes (lower, middle, and
upper slope). The recommended value was analyzed using t-test statistics (p<0.05). The
household survey data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using the basic Statistical Package
for Social Science (SPSS-23), and the RUSLE model was used to estimate annual soil loss.
Results showed that the measured mean dimensions of graded soil bunds, such as bund spacing,
bund width, bottom embankment width,berm width, and height of embankment, were
significantly different at 0.05 from the recommended dimensions at a 95% confidence interval
(t<1.740) in the watershed. According to the result, 77.7% of the physical design of the
implemented PSWC structures of spacing or horizontal distance constructed in the study area
were meaningfully wider than the recommended standards and unfit to the standard, and 88.9%
of the vertical intervals between soil bunds in the Debir-Wonz watershed were greater than the
minimum technical standards. In addition, about 49.8% and 64% of the embankment bottom
width of the soil bund and the length of the bund were without the standard. The mean annual
soil loss rate in the watershed was estimated to be 0 to 815.99 t ha⁻ ¹yr⁻ ¹ with the average
annual soil loss of 52.25 t/ha/yr. Major constraints such as 37.5% lack of labor and 22%
technically difficult to implement 18.8% physical factor, 22.3% lack of technical skills, 19.6%
lack of awareness, and 1.8% institutional factor are the major constraints in the study area.
Through farmers come into view to face such problems. So, the study suggests that wellorganized
training
should
be
given
for
experts
at
different
levels
to
fill
the
technical
gap
in
their
skills,
and extension services like demonstrations should be held for all stakeholders before
implementing the PSWC practice, and most PSWC practices lack the standard supportive
activities, such as the cut of drain, check dam, biological work, frequent maintenance, and other
dimensions. Hence, a well-appropriate design of physical soil and water conservation (PSWC)
measures should be prioritized based on soil erosion severity levels.
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