BackgroundSoil erosion is one of the major causes for food insecurity, and environmental degradation in Ethiopia. To reduce erosion effects, soil and water conservation practices have been promoted at farm level and watershed scale-executed via mass-community mobilization program. In Lemo district, little information is available on suitability of soil conservation practices implemented through this program. The aim of this study was to assess technical fitness of physical soil conservation structures implemented via mass-community mobilization, its effect on soil properties, and extent of farmers participation in soil conservation practices. Field observation and physical structure component measurments were used to assess the technical fitness. Whereas, composite soil samples were collected from steep, moderate and gentle slope classes to evaluate the effects of conservation practices on soil properties. Structured questionnaire was used to assess the farmers participation in soil conservation.ResultsAs compared to nationally established specification of graded soil bund for areas similar with Lemo district, technical errors were found in bund spacing and vertical interval. The studied soil properties were not significantly (P > .05) influenced with sample distance from soil bund. But, soil moisture content, bulk density, clay, reaction, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity were significantly (P < .05) affected with slope gradient. These properties become better as the slope gradient decrease. Among the study household heads, only 59.69% were participated in soil conservation activities. Land holding size, cropland slope, contacts with extension agents and training opportunity were significantly (P < .05) contributes for farmers’ participation in soil conservation activities.ConclusionsTo ensure the sustainability of watershed management practices and minimize observed technical faults on conservation structures continued technical supports, trainings, and follow-ups are required in the study area.

中文翻译：

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基于社区的流域管理实践评估：强调物理结构的技术适应性及其对埃塞俄比亚南部莱莫区土壤特性的影响

背景土壤侵蚀是埃塞俄比亚粮食不安全和环境退化的主要原因之一。为减少侵蚀影响，水土保持措施已在农场一级和流域范围内通过群众动员计划进行推广。在 Lemo 区，关于通过该计划实施的土壤保持实践的适用性的信息很少。本研究的目的是评估通过群众动员实施的物理土壤保持结构的技术适应性、其对土壤特性的影响以及农民参与土壤保持实践的程度。现场观察和物理结构组件测量用于评估技术适合度。然而，复合土壤样品是从陡峭的、中等和缓坡等级，以评估保护措施对土壤特性的影响。采用结构化问卷对农户参与水土保持的情况进行评估。结果与国家制定的与莱莫区相似地区的分级土堤规范相比，在土堤间距和垂直间距方面存在技术误差。所研究的土壤性质不受样品距土堤的影响（P > .05）。但是，土壤含水量、容重、粘土、反应、电导率、有机碳、全氮和阳离子交换能力受坡度影响显着（P < .05）。随着坡度梯度的减小，这些特性变得更好。参与调查的户主中，只有59.69%的户主参加过水土保持活动。