Report Dizi

Soil Conservation Research Programme (SCRP)
Area of Dizi,
Illubabor, Ethiopia:
Long-term Monitoring of
the Agricultural Environment
1988 - 1994
Soil Erosion and Conservation Database

2000
Centre for Development and Environment,

University of Berne, Switzerland, in Association with
The Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia
The Soil Conservation Research Programme was funded by the Swiss

Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of
Ethiopia. The implementing agency was the Ethiopian Ministry of
Agriculture. The executing agency was the Centre for Development and
Environment, Institute of Geography, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Cover
View of the Dizi catchment, looking

towards the east-northeast, based on an
orthophoto (1967) and a digital terrain
model derived from successive airphoto.
View Properties
Observers position (UTM 37):
E: 783,870; N: 928,120
Observers altitude: 3100 m asl
Azimuth: 82
Copyright 2000
Soil Conservation
Research Programme,
Centre for Development and
Environment
Addresses
of the programme
Soil Conservation Research

Programme
Ministry of Agriculture
P.O. Box 2597
ADDIS ABEBA
Ethiopia
of the executing agency
Centre for Development and

Environment
Institute of Geography
University of Berne
Hallerstrasse 12
3012 BERNE
Switzerland
E-Mail: cde@giub.unibe.ch
http://www.cde.unibe.ch
Language editing
Anne B. Zimmermann
Layout
Ulla Schpbach, Brigitta Stillhardt
Printed by
Lang Druck AG, Liebefeld (Switzerland)
II
Preface
Increasingly alarmed by the seriousness of land degradation in Ethiopia and
encouraged by efforts undertaken by Ethiopian governments to conserve soils
and water for agricultural purposes, scientists and development specialists
created the Soil Conservation Research Programme (SCRP) in 1981. Their aim
was to contribute to the technical, ecological, economic and social improvement
of governmental efforts. The SCRP was carried out with the support of the Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in a series of programme
phases that lasted from 1981 to 1998. Since 1998, regional SCRP offices have
continued their own research at the original SCRP sites.
The present document presents the main data collected at one of the SCRP
research sites: Dizi Research Station, situated in Illubabor, Ethiopia. It is
limited to data obtained by the core SCRP programme. In addition, a number
of supplementary studies were carried out at most research sites by MSc and
PhD students, as well as by consultants and experts. The results of their
studies have been published elsewhere. The present document is thus not the
sole output of SCRP research in Dizi. But it can constitute an extremely useful
source of information for further analysis, synthesis, and interpretation in view
of development recommendations and technical proposals; it may also
stimulate further research.
Dizi Research Station was established in April 1988 as the sixth SCRP
research site in Ethiopia. Situated in the Illubabor Highlands in Western
Ethiopia, the catchment lies at a favourable altitude for agricultural purposes,
though the elevation is rather low and the climate hot and moist. Much of the
catchment is still covered by forests, although massive resettlement of
communities from Tigray and Wello in 1985 led to the creation of several
new villages in the catchment. These had been established at the beginning of
the research programme but were abandoned again to a large extent before
the end of the programme. Soil conservation was not introduced in the
catchment. The local communities traditionally use an alternating system of
fallow and cultivation, with maize as a basic crop producing good ground
cover and thus reducing the risk of erosion. Problems of soil fertility exist in
Dizi because of soil genesis and soil degradation.
Methodologically, the present database report is the result of a long chain of
activities. These activities started when the agricultural site was selected by
the SCRP to be a research catchment, and after a permanent station was
established and resident staff appointed. A modest infrastructure was set up
for data collection, e.g. field plots for various purposes such as runoff and
erosion monitoring, soil conservation experimentation, monitoring of land use
III
and production, soil surveys, and appraisals of land degradation. Furthermore,

staff were employed for data collection, i.e. research assistants who collected
such data as river sediment samples every 10 minutes during all rainfall
events, day and night, season after season and year after year. Data were then
submitted to further processing, either at the station (e.g. land use and
harvest monitoring data), or after the samples had been transported to SCRP
headquarters in Addis Abeba (e.g. sediment samples). There, laboratory
analyses were conducted, data were compiled and encoded, maps were
digitised. Then the data were analysed and included in a detailed database.
The present summary report is one of many possible products drawn from
this database in a final joint effort involving SCRP staff in Addis Abeba and at
CDE in Berne.
Most important, however, is the interpretation of these data. Initial work in
this regard was done by specialists from SCRP; the results were presented to
external specialists such as soil conservation experts, agricultural staff and
extensionists, and further stakeholders such as policy-makers, school
teachers, or school children. International consultants, donors, evaluation
teams, and researchers working in similar problem settings and environments
were also informed.
As mentioned above, SCRP has produced a number of additional outputs
apart from the database. Over 45 Research Reports, regular Progress Reports
for the first 8 years, immediate recommendations at least once every year, as
well as training manuals, training courses, school books, maps and GIS
analyses, and extrapolations of the results to wider areas have been issued.
These outputs are listed in the present document. They can be obtained from
the Natural Resources Development and Regulatory Department in Addis
Abeba or from the Bureaux of Agriculture in the Oromia, Amhara, and
Southern Peoples Region, as well as from CDE at the University of Berne.
I would like to thank every individual who contributed to the huge task of building
up a national research network in soil and water conservation either directly or
indirectly, over a short or long period, at the field stations or the regional offices,
in Addis Abeba or outside Ethiopia. Principal SCRP staff are listed in Annex 1.
Personally, as the initiator and first director of the SCRP from 1981 to 1987 and
the person responsible for the programme at CDE thereafter, I am deeply
indebted to all those who enthusiastically worked for SCRP, dedicated a major
part of their professional lives to the programme, and thus provided considerable
support towards Ethiopia's national effort to combat land degradation. If a name
is not listed in Annex 1, this does not mean that an individuals input has been
neglected; I apologise for any omissions which may have occurred.
Berne, June 2000

IV
Hans Hurni
Table of Contents
Illustrations .............................................................................................................VI
Tables .....................................................................................................................VII
Abbreviations........................................................................................................ VIII
Station Overview .................................................................................................... 1
Soils........................................................................................................................... 3
Soil Classification.................................................................................................... 3
Climate ..................................................................................................................... 7
Rainfall ................................................................................................................... 8
Temperature ....................................................................................................... 13
Wind.................................................................................................................... 16
Evaporation ......................................................................................................... 19
Land Use and Crop Production ........................................................................... 21
Land Use Patterns in the Catchment ................................................................... 21
Crop Cover ......................................................................................................... 23
Crop Yield and Biomass Production .................................................................... 23
Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation.................................................. 27
Test Plot Results .................................................................................................. 28
Micro-plot Results................................................................................................ 33
Soil Conservation Experiments on Experimental Plots and Farmers Fields ......... 35
Results of Hydrometric Measurements on the Catchment .................................. 41
Social and Economic Characteristics .................................................................. 45
Collection of Social and Economic Data............................................................... 46
Demographic Features ........................................................................................ 47
Livestock Holdings............................................................................................... 50
Landholdings........................................................................................................ 52
Bibliography........................................................................................................... 55
Progress Reports ................................................................................................. 55
Research Reports................................................................................................. 55
African Studies Series........................................................................................... 59
Manuals................................................................................................................ 59
Other Publications and Papers............................................................................. 59
Thesis .................................................................................................................. 62
Maps .................................................................................................................... 65
Annex 1 .................................................................................................................. 67
Annex 2 .................................................................................................................. 69
Illustrations
Figure 1:
Climate diagram for Dizi.........................................................................................8
Figure 2:
Mean monthly rainfall and air temperature ............................................................9
Figure 3:
Relation between intensity and duration of rainfall...............................................10
Figure 4:
Mean monthly erosivity and rainfall .........................................................................10
Figure 5:
Direction of rainfall ...............................................................................................11
Figure 6:
Mean daily air temperatures .................................................................................13
Figure 7:
Mean daily soil surface temperatures ...................................................................15
Figure 8:
Wind direction and frequency at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m...........................................16
Figure 9:
Evaporation measured by Piche tube evaporimeter.............................................19
Figure 10:
Land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995.....................................22
Figure 11:
Soil cover curves for selected crops .....................................................................23
Figure 12:
Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots...................................29
Figure 13:
Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots.......................31
Figure 14:
Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots ..................34
Figure 15:
Absolute and relative annual runoff and soil loss on experimental plots...............37
Figure 16:
Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production

on experimental plots...........................................................................................38
Figure 17:
Annual rainfall, catchment discharge, and suspended sediment yield ...................42
Figure 18:
Mean monthly catchment discharge and suspended sediment yield.....................42
Figure 19:
Size of families in the research area in Dizi and Gey.............................................47
Figure 20:
Age and gender structure of the sample population in Dizi and Gey ........................49
Figure 21:
Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area) according to

language and religion.............................................................................................49
Figure 22:
Data on livestock structure for selected households in the research area ..........50
Figure 23:
Data on oxen holdings for selected households in the research area...................51
Figure 24:
Data on landholdings for selected households in the research area ....................53
VI
Tables
Table 1:
Erodibility classes ....................................................................................................4
Table 2:
Erosion status and history of soil development.......................................................5
Table 3:
Soil productivity and soil fertility .............................................................................5
Table 4:
Climate: type of data collected, duration of collection,

and technique of measurement...............................................................................7
Table 5:
Monthly and annual frequency of rainfall events according to the

direction of rainfall ................................................................................................11
Table 6:
Monthly and annual air temperatures ...................................................................14
Table 7:
Monthly and annual soil surface temperatures......................................................15
Table 8:
Monthly and annual frequency of winds according to wind direction at 8 a.m. ....17
Table 9:
Monthly and annual frequency of winds according to wind direction at 6 p.m.....18
Table 10:
Mean daily evaporation per month .......................................................................20
Table 11:
Land use and crop production: type of data collected, duration of collection,
and technique of measurement.............................................................................21
Table 12:
Land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995 .....................................22
Table 13:
Mean annual net yield per crop.............................................................................24
Table 14:
Soil erosion and conservation: type of data collected, duration of collection,

and technique of measurement.............................................................................28
Table 15:
Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots...................................30
Table 16:
Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots .......................32
Table 17:
Mean annual runoff and soil loss on test plots and comparable micro-plots.........33
Table 18:
Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots ..............................33
Table 19:
Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots ...................35
Table 20:
Absolute and relative annual runoff and soil loss on experimental plots ...............36
Table 21:
Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production

on experimental plots ...........................................................................................39
Table 22:
Monthly and annual catchment discharge .............................................................41
Table 23:
Monthly and annual suspended sediment yield .....................................................43
Table 24:
Size of families per household...............................................................................47
Table 25:
Age and gender structure of the sample population in Dizi and Gey....................49
Table 26:
Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area)

according to language and religion ........................................................................49
Table 27:
Data on livestock structure...................................................................................51
Table 28:
Data on oxen holdings ..........................................................................................52
Table 29:
Data on landholdings.............................................................................................53
VII
Abbreviations
Crops:
co = coffee
fl = fallow
gr = grass
mz = maize
sg = sorghum
te = tef
Cs:
Sediment concentration [g/l]
CV %:
CV x 100
CV:
Coefficient of variation
EP:
Experimental plot; 6 x 30 m
Eros:
Erosivity [J/mh]
HH:
Household
Max:
Maximum
Mean Dev:
Mean Deviation
SD
Mean
xi x
n
i=1
x
i =1
Mean:
Arithmetic mean
Min:
Minimum
MOA:
Ministry of Agriculture
MP:
Micro plot; 1 x 3 m
N:
Number of samples
No sel. HH:
Number of selected households
PA:
Peasant association
Prec:
Precipitation [mm]
Q:
Discharge [l/s]
Qs:
Sediment rate [t]
Qv:
Discharge volume [m3]
Rel Dev:
Relative Deviation
VIII
MeanDev
Mean
Ruof:
Runoff [mm]
SCRP:
Soil Conservation Research Programme

n
(x
SD:
Standard Deviation
Solo:
Soil loss [t/ha]
TP:
Test plot; 2 x 15 m
xx:
Abbreviation of station name

Aj = Anjeni
At = Andit Tid
Di = Dizi
Gu = Gununo
Hu = Hunde Lafto
Ma = Maybar
yy:
Abbreviation of year
x)2
i=1
IX
View of a landscape sequence near test plot 1 in Dizi, with swampy area in the
foreground, followed by grassland and cultivation, banana, and natural trees on the hilltop.
Source: H. Hurni, 12. July 1988
Station Overview
Station Overview
Location:
3536E / 822N. Region: Illubabor;

5 km north of Metu
Altitudinal range:
1565 - 1789 m asl
Catchment size:
Hydrological catchment: 672.7 ha;

Topographical catchment: 669.3 ha
Climate:
According to Thornthwaite: humid

Mean annual temperature: 21 C
Mean annual rainfall: 1512 mm
Length of growing period: 245 days
Geology:
Precambrian Gneiss
Soils:
Mainly Lixisols, few Fluvisols and

Cambisols
Soil degradation status:
Low to medium degradation. Soil

fertility restricted by phosphorus
deficiency
Agro-ecological classification:
Wet Weyna Dega
Farming system:
Rainfed, subsistence-oriented farming

system with ox-ploughing. Coffee as
cash crop. Uncontrolled grazing
practice
Main crops:
Maize, tef, sorghum. Coffee as cash

crop
Climax vegetation:
Broadleaf Baphia forest. Evergreen rain

forest
Population density (PA):
80 inhabitants per km2 in 1990
Mean size of landholdings (PA): 1990: 2.6 ha per household

Livestock holdings (PA):
1991: Mean total herd size per family:

5.6 animals, thereof 1.4 oxen
Station established in:
May 1988
The Agricultural Environment of Dizi, Illubabor, Ethiopia
Soils
Soils
Some of the particularities of large relevant stretches of soil in Dizi
cannot be classified according to the soil units listed in the FAOUNESCO, Revised Legend of the Soil Map of the World (1974/1988).
Therefore soils in Dizi are classified according to the unit which
corresponds best to most of the observed and analysed pedological
features - in the present case as Lixisols. Four major Lixisol soil units
can be distinguished in the Dizi catchment.
Soil Classification
The basis for soil classification is the FAO-Unesco, Revised Legend of
the Soil Map of the World (1974/1988).
There is a predominance of haplic Lixisols developed in situ on a
weathered Regolith layer. These soils are characterised by a dense
layer of gravel under the organic topsoil. Such stone lines act as a
barrier for rootability. The soils are very deep, medium-textured and
well drained. The layer of gravel occurs at variable depth and may thus
limit favourable physical conditions. Further limitations for crop
production are a very low content in available phosphorus and often
also in nitrogen. Moreover, organic matter contents decrease rapidly
under cultivation being as high as 15% in newly deforested land and
below 2% after 10-15 years of cultivation. In relation to the effective
cation exchange capacity, these soils have a high base saturation. As
most nutrients and the organic matter are concentrated in the topsoil,
and the rooting volume is restricted, soil erosion severely threatens the
fertility of these soils.
Besides haplic Lixisols, albic and gleyic Lixisols occur in the same soil
unit, but only in small areas of the catchment. Their major
morphological features, chemical properties, and limitations resemble
those of the above-mentioned haplic Lixisols.
The second type of soil unit consists of fluvi-haplic Lixisols. These soils
developed on colluvial deposits along the margins of valley floors: their
profiles are very deep. The soils have favourable physical properties
3
and offer no limitations to rooting. Their chemical conditions are

similar to those of the haplic Lixisols. Nutrients and organic matter,
however, are more homogeneously distributed throughout the profile.
The major constraints for crop production are the very low
phosphorus contents as well as available nitrogen contents that are
often low. As the soils are often rejuvenated by deposit material, other
nutrients are provided in satisfactory quantities.
The flat valley floors are covered by gleyic-umbric Fluvisols. Seasonal
flooding lasting about 6 months per year reduces the growing period to
about 5 months per year. Alluvial deposits rejuvenate these mediumtextured, poorly drained soils every year. Thus, with regard to
chemical conditions, they are rather fertile. Only the availability of
nitrogen is low, owing to reduced biological activity.
The fourth soil unit consists of lepti-umbric Cambisols. Their extent is
limited in the catchment area and they are of minor importance for
farming activities. These soils developed on bedrock and are shallow to
moderately deep, with continuous hard rock at the bottom; their
topsoil has a high organic matter content.
Table 1:
Erodibility classes, Dizi
Soil type
Erodibility classes
Haplic Lixisols
Fluvi-haplic Lixisols
Gleyic-umbric Fluvisols
Lepti-umbric Cambisols
Table 1 lists the soil units, associated with erodibility classes, according
to FAO classification. 1 is equivalent to very low erosivity, 6 to very
high erosivity. No measurements were made in Dizi; the values are
estimates from known values for the same soil types in other Ethiopian
highland areas.
Soils
Table 2:
Erosion status and history of soil development in Dizi
Soil type
Erosion status
Haplic Lixisols
Severely affected by soil erosion
Moderately affected by soil erosion; partly accumulation

resulting from seasonal flooding
Mostly accumulation due to flooding lasting about 6 months
Moderately affected by soil erosion
Table 3:
Soil productivity and soil fertility in Dizi
Soil type
Productivity / Fertility
Haplic Lixisols
Soil fertility concentrated in top layer; restricted by very low

available phosphorus and nitrogen contents
Soil fertility restricted by very low available phosphorus and

nitrogen contents
Rather fertile soils, productivity restricted by seasonal

flooding
Soil fertility restricted by shallowness; nutrients

concentrated in topsoil layer
Note: The precondition for the above classification is sufficient soil depth
Further reading
Research Reports
Hagmann, J. 1991 / Kefeni Kejela. 1996
African Studies Series
Solomon Abate. 1994
Other Publications and Papers
Hurni, H. 1983a, 1983b, 1988a, 1990
Maps
Hagmann, J. 1991
Climate
Climate
Table 4 shows the climatic data collected in Dizi in relation to
monitoring of soil erosion and conservation process:
Table 4:
Climate in Dizi: type of data collected, duration of collection, and technique of

measurement
Parameter
Device / method
Availability
in
database*
Data source file

(primary
database)**
Resolution and
frequency of data
collection
Amount and
intensity of
rainfall
Pluviometer/Pluviograph (monthly
chartrolls)
01/06/1988 31/12/1994
diyyplre.dbf***
Segments of similar
rainfall intensities
Erosivity
Calculation on the
basis of rainfall
intensitiy and
duration
01/06/1988 31/12/1993
diyy_a03.dbf
(secondary
database)
Per storm
Direction of
rainfall and
inclination
Inclinometer****
01/08/1988 31/12/1993
diyyinri.dbf
Daily
Air temperature
(min. and max.)
Thermometer, 1.5 m 03/08/1988 above ground

31/12/1994
diyycscd.dbf
At 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Soil surface
temperature
(min. and max.)
Thermometer, 0.1 m 03/08/1988 above soil surface

31/12/1994
diyycscd.dbf
Evaporation
Piche tube
evaporimeter
03/08/1988 31/12/1994
diyycscd.dbf
Evaporation
Class-A-Pan
02/03/1993 31/12/1994
diyycscd.dbf
Wind direction
and strength
Observation
03/08/1988 31/12/1994
diyycscd.dbf
Notes: *Due to political and institutional problems, not all data collected are available in a
digital format.
**In the file names, the letters di stand for the station name (Dizi), yy for the year,
and the other four letters identify the content of the respective file (e.g. filename
di87cscd.dbf = Dizi / 1987 / climatic station climatic data)
***This file contains records of the amount for each interval of constant intensity within
the same rainfall event. For further analysis these amounts are summarised as storm
values. Definition of a storm: the minimum amount of rainfall must be 12.5 mm, and
one event must be separated from the next or previous one by at least 6 hours.
****Developed by H. Hurni (1981), published 1989b.
Dizi is located in the Wet Weyna Dega agro-climatic zone. Figure 1

shows the standardised climatic pattern for Dizi (according to Walter,
1964): a unimodal rainfall regime with 7 months of rainfall exceeding
100 mm. Conditions during the months from November to February
are arid; the de Martonne and Lauer index of aridity (1952; see SCRP:
7
Concept and Methodology) for these four months is below 20. In the
Walter diagram, the rainfall graph drops below the temperature graph.
Figure 1:
Climate diagram for Dizi
Rainfall
Amount of Rainfall
The general rainfall pattern is shown in Figure 2. Daily qualitative and
quantitative measurements for the period from 1988 to 1994 are
grouped by months and averaged out.
mean rainfall events per year: on 176 days

minimum rainfall events per year: on 162 days
maximum rainfall events per year: on 193 days
mean storm events per year: on 42 days (for the definition of a
storm, see notes, Table 4)
minimum storm events per year: on 36 days
maximum storm events per year: on 51 days
mean rainfall amount per year: 1512 mm
minimum rainfall amount per year: 1302 mm
maximum rainfall amount per year: 1665 mm
mean minimum rainfall amount per month: 14 mm (January)
mean maximum rainfall amount per month: 311 mm (August)
maximum rainfall amount in a single event: 81.9 mm (in 1988, the
amount equalled 23 % of the monthly total of 361.7 mm)
Climate
35
450
400
30
350
300
20
250
200
15
Rainfall [mm]
Temperature [C]
25
150
10
100
5
50
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
14
19
62
108
184
197
239
311
249
139
24
29
Average monthly minimum air temperature
10.1
10.9
12.7
14.0
14.6
14.6
14.6
14.6
14.2
12.9
11.3
10.4
Average monthly maximum air temperature
30.4
31.6
32.4
30.8
29.0
27.4
25.9
26.0
27.4
28.1
29.1
29.8
Average monthly air temperature
20.2
21.2
22.5
22.4
21.8
21.0
20.3
20.3
20.8
20.5
20.2
20.1
Rainfall [mm]
Figure 2:
Mean monthly rainfall (June 1988 - 1994) and air temperature (1989 - 1994)
in Dizi
Intensity and Erosivity of Rainfall

Both the duration and the amount of rainfall provide information about
the intensity of the event (mm/h). Figure 3 shows the relation between
rainfall intensity and duration of the rainfall event. The maximum
duration in the graph is limited to 300 minutes (5 hours). Rainfall had
greatest intensity during storms of short rainfall duration, while rainfall
events with lowest intensity were usually of long duration.
Rainfall erosivity (J/mh) is calculated on the basis of Wischmeier and
Smith (1965). One intense single rainfall event can cause up to 33 % of
monthly soil loss, as was the case on 19th August 1991, with 49.2 mm
of rainfall and an erosivity of 105.14 J/mh.
Figure 3:
(August 1988 1994, Dizi)
Relation between intensity and duration of rainfall
Figure 4 represents the mean monthly erosivity and rainfall in the years
1988 - 1994. In Dizi, erosivity is bimodal, the rainfall regime unimodal.
A first peak of erosivity usually occurs during May, the second peak in
August and September.
300
450
400
250
350
Erosivity [J/mh]
250
150
200
100
150
100
50
50
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rainfall [mm]
Mean monthly erosivity
14
19
62
108
184
197
239
311
249
139
24
29
19
51
82
67
102
166
132
61
14
Mean plus one standard deviation
20
46
94
162
107
122
274
200
87
44
Mean minus one standard deviation
-7
-9
27
82
57
63
35
-16
Figure 4:
Mean monthly erosivity (June 1988 - 1993) and rainfall (June 1988 - 1994), Dizi
Direction of Rainfall
The direction of rainfall is recorded for the period from 1988 to 1993.
Figure 5 and Table 5 show the results of the measurements. The
dominant direction of rainfall is the same as the wind direction in the
morning: north-east to east. The statistics show that there are about
the same number of rainfall events in the mornings as there are in the
afternoons (50.5 % versus 49.5 %).
Figure 5:
10
Direction of rainfall in Dizi (1988 - 1993). The frequency of rainfall events

used in the analysis is indicated on the vertical axis
Rainfall [mm]
200
300
Climate
1
3
2
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
2
1
6
14
9
21
21
27
26
27
13
5
10
15 1 19 16 22 25 11 6 19 4
NW
WNW
WSW
SW
SSE
SE
ESE
E
1
2
4
5
4
1
2
Total
1
1
1
2
3
1
2
5
1
2
3
3
3
3
6
1
1
NNW
1
5
1
2
5
ENE
NE
NNE
1
1
2
4 11 3
WSW
1989 Total
1
2
2
3
2
3
1
1
2
SW
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
SSW
1989
Monthly and annual frequency of rainfall events according to the direction of

rainfall (1989 1993, Dizi)
Month
Year
Table 5:
9 11 179
1990
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2
1
1
1
1
6
1991
1
1
1
1991 Total
1992
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
4
1
2
4
4
1
2
3
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
6
7
10
8
1
1
2
3 14 14 17 10 10 8 40 7
1
1
1
3
3
3
2
2
2
4
3
3
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
5
4
2
3
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
4
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
7
2
4
5
8
7
3
1
1
4
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
4
2
1
2
1 151
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
2
3
1
2
3
4
5
4
15
14
17
18
22
21
17
12
4
2
1
3
3
3
3
6
16
27
21
26
29
11
6
3
2 154
1
1
1
1
Total
NNW
NW
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
6 14 22 26 10 10 8 16 7
3
WNW
2
2
1
1
SSW
SSE
SE
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
5
2
ESE
ENE
NE
1990 Total
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
NNE
Month
Year
Table 5 (cont.)
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
5
2
7
13
19
21
22
21
11
September
October
November
December
1
3
1
1992 Total
1993
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1993 Total
2
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
3
5
1
1
8 17 38 20 3
2
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
3
1
2
9
5
2
1
2
1
5
4
5
7
8
5
2
1
1
1
14 11 28 38 15 2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
2
1
1
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
7 13 9
1
1
4 10 3 13 9 16 7
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
4
1
3
1
1
5 165
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
6
1
24
17
10
4
2
6
9
12
18
21
24
23
28
24
6
5 10 5 173
Temperature
Air Temperature
Air temperature was measured 1.5 m above ground on a daily basis for
the period from August 1988 to December 1994. Figure 6 shows
average data for a one-year timeline: mean, minimum and maximum
daily air temperature (n = 2191). Extreme measurements during the
recorded period were:
range of daily minimum air temperature: 2 C (measured twice) to

25 C (measured once)
range of daily maximum air temperature: 9 C (measured once); to
37 C (measured twice)
mean daily minimum air temperature: 12.9 C
mean daily maximum air temperature: 29.0 C
Figure 6:
12
Mean daily air temperatures, and mean daily minimum and maximum air
temperatures (August 1988 1994, Dizi)
Climate
Table 6 lists the monthly and annual air temperatures. The monthly
temperatures ranged from 20.1 C in December to 22.5 C in March.
The difference between the coldest and the hottest month was 2.4 C.
In 99 % of all recorded cases the daily temperature fluctuations were
higher than 2.4 C.
13
Table 6:
Monthly and annual air temperatures (1989 1994, Dizi)

Monthly
minimum
Monthly
maximum
Monthly
mean
Year
Annual
mean
January
10.1
30.4
20.2
1989
21.0
February
10.9
31.6
21.2
1990
20.6
March
12.7
32.4
22.5
1991
20.8
April
14.0
30.8
22.4
1992
21.0
May
14.6
29.0
21.8
1993
21.1
June
14.6
27.4
21.0
1994
21.1
July
14.6
25.9
20.3
August
14.6
26.0
20.3
September
14.2
27.4
20.8
October
12.9
28.1
20.5
November
11.3
29.1
20.2
December
10.4
29.8
20.1
Soil Surface Temperature

During the period from August 1988 to December 1994 soil surface
temperature was measured on a daily basis at 0.10 m above ground.
Figure 7 shows the average data for a one year timespan (n = 2112).
In more than 96 % of recorded cases mean daily soil surface
temperature was higher than mean daily air temperature. The contrast
between temperatures in the air and on the soil surface was greater
during the dry season than during the rainy season. In about 90 % of
cases, measurements revealed a greater daily temperature range on
the surface of the soil than in the air.
Soil surface temperature is more sensitive to seasonal variations of the
weather than air temperature. Heat insulation and radiation of the soil
body is most intense in the dry season after the rain. At this time of the
year, maximum soil surface temperatures are higher than maximum air
temperatures, but minimum soil surface temperatures are nearly the
same as minimum air temperatures.
14
Climate
Figure 7:
Mean daily soil surface temperatures, and mean daily minimum and maximum
soil temperatures (August 1988 1994, Dizi)
Extreme measurements during the recorded period were:
range of daily minimum soil surface temperature: 4 C (measured

once) to 22 C (measured three times)
range of daily maximum soil surface temperature: 20 C (measured
once), to 45 C (measured five times)
mean daily minimum soil surface temperature: 13.9 C
mean daily maximum soil surface temperature: 31.8 C
Table 7:
Monthly and annual soil surface temperatures (1989 1994, Dizi)

Monthly
minimum
Monthly
maximum
Monthly
mean
Annual
mean
January
10.54
33.95
22.24
1989
22.19
February
11.48
36.18
23.83
1990
22.81
March
13.05
37.28
25.17
1991
22.49
April
14.48
34.55
24.51
1992
22.71
May
15.51
31.57
23.54
1993
23.18
June
15.89
29.18
22.54
1994
23.74
July
15.83
27.52
21.67
August
15.84
27.40
21.62
September
15.88
29.36
22.62
October
14.57
30.35
22.46
November
12.92
31.56
22.24
December
11.69
33.19
22.40
Wind
Wind direction was observed twice a day (8 a.m. and 6 p.m.) during
the period from August 1988 to December 1994 with a thread
attached to a post. Wind strength is only roughly described by the four
classes: none / weak / medium / strong wind. As shown in Figure 8 and
15
Tables 8 and 9, the most frequent wind direction in the morning is

Wind direction
8 a.m.
N
3
0 0
0 0
0 0
NW
NE
SW
SE
Wind direction
6 p.m.
N
300
NW
NE
200
100
SW
SE
from the east, and from the west in the evening.

Figure 8:
16
Wind direction and frequency at 8 a.m. (top) and at 6 p.m. (bottom) (August
1988 1994, Dizi). The frequency of directions is given on the vertical axis.
Climate
Table 8:
Monthly and annual frequency of winds according to wind direction at 8 a.m.

(1989 1994, Dizi)
Table 9:
Monthly and annual frequency of winds according to wind direction at 6 p.m.

(1989 1994, Dizi)
Evaporation
Evaporation in Dizi was measured by a Piche tube evaporimeter from
August 1988 to December 1994, and by a class-A-Pan from 2nd March
1993 until the end of 1994. Class-A-Pan data are not presented
because of the short period of data collection. The two different
measurement systems are not really comparable: it seems that the
class-A-Pan reacts faster to changes in weather conditions than the
tube evaporimeter.
Figure 9 shows the average daily evaporation values for a one-year
timespan with a confidence interval of one standard deviation. The
highest mean monthly evaporation value measured by Piche tube
evaporimeter occurred during the dry season in March, which is also
the warmest month. Table 10 lists the monthly evaporation
measurements for the period from August 1988 to December 1994.
17
Figure 9:
Evaporation measured by Piche tube evaporimeter (August 1988 - 1994,
20
Mean
18
(+Standard deviation)
Evaporation per 24 hours [ml]
16
(-Standard deviation)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
Date line
Dizi). The daily 24-hour period started at 8 a.m.
18
26. 12
16. 11
07. 10
28. 08
19. 07
09. 06
30. 04
21. 03
10. 02
01. 01
Climate
Table 10: Mean daily evaporation [mm] per month (1989 - 1994)
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
January
4.9
3.5
7.9
3.7
4.2
3.9
February
5.5
4.1
9.6
3.8
4.7
5.0
March
5.0
5.3
10.0
4.3
4.7
5.5
April
4.6
5.5
10.0
3.2
3.2
4.2
May
3.6
3.0
6.6
2.3
2.4
2.1
June
2.8
1.9
4.6
1.5
1.5
1.7
July
2.5
1.5
3.8
1.3
1.3
1.2
August
2.0
1.4
3.3
0.9
1.3
1.3
September
2.3
1.6
3.8
2.1
1.4
1.8
October
2.3
2.3
4.3
1.9
1.9
3.3
November
2.6
2.5
5.1
2.8
2.5
2.9
December
2.5
4.3
6.6
3.1
3.2
3.9
Further reading
Research Reports
Krauer, J. 1988
Papers
Hurni, H. 1989b
Thesis
Haileselassie Berhanu. 1989
19
Land Use and Crop Production

The Dizi research unit is a representative station for the Wet Weyna
Dega climatic belt. Table 11 lists the parameters recorded for crop,
crop yield and biomass and indicates the respective data source files.
Table 11: Land use and crop production in Dizi: type of data collected, duration of
collection, and technique of measurement
Parameter
Device /
method
Availability in
database*
Data source file

(primary
database)**
Resolution /
frequency of
data
collection
Crop type and

crop cover in %
Weekly
observation at
different
locations
18.09/1988 31/12/1993
Data missing from
25/10/1991 to
30/04/1993
diyycavc.dbf
Weekly
Yield (grain,
straw, biomass)
Analysis of
different
locations, test
plots and
experimental
plots
26/10/1988 31/12/1994.
Data missing from
10/11/1991 to
16/10/1992
diyycaha.dbf***
Seasonally,
during harvest
Sowing date,
ploughing date,
use of fertiliser,
crops during the
last two periods
Observations and 26/10/1988 31/12/1994.

interviews
Data missing from
10/11/1991 to
16/10/1992
diyycaha.dbf
Weekly /
seasonally
digital format.
**In the file names, the letters di stand for the station name (Dizi), yy for year, and
the other four letters identify the content of the respective file (e.g. filename
di87caha.dbf = Dizi / 1987 / catchment harvest)
***Micro-plot data is available only from 1989 to 1990
Land Use Patterns in the Catchment

The total size of the Dizi catchment is 672.7 ha. The unimodal rainfall
regime in Dizi does not allow two cropping seasons. The predominant
annual crop is maize, partly followed by tef and sorghum in the next
rainy season. Over 90 % of arable land is covered with maize. The
second important crop in Dizi is coffee, mainly cultivated in coffee
forests (coffee trees, planted in a forest). Less important are coffee
plantations. Coffee covers around 40 % of the total catchment area.
20
Other perennial crops are bananas, oranges, mangoes etc. Horticulture

is also established in the catchment, but it covers only a small area.
Results of the land use distribution analysis for the years 1989 and 1995
are given in Figure 10 and Table 12. It is not possible to extrapolate
trends from the results of these two single years. Results shown below
are in percent of the catchment area.
100%
No data
90%
80%
Marshland
70%
Bushes, shrubs and

fallow
Forest and afforestation
60%
50%
40%
Grassland
30%
Perennial crops
20%
Cropland (annual crops)
10%
0%
11989
1995
2
Figure 10: Dizi: land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995
Table 12: Dizi: land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995
1989
1995
Cereals
23.4
27.4
Pulses
0.1
0.2
Potatoes
0.1
0.1
Perennial cultures
1.3
0.0
Horticulture
0.4
0.0
Coffee
42.4
32.1
Grassland
3.8
0.1
Woodland
0.4
1.4
Fallow, bushes and shrubs
21.3
31.0
Marshland
5.6
7.1
No data
1.2
0.5
21
Crop Cover
It is well-known that vegetation cover is most important in reducing
soil erosion. Depending on the type of plant and when it germinates,
optimal soil cover is reached at different times. Figure 11 shows
interpolated soil coverage curves for different crops.
100
90
80
Soil cover in %
70
60
50
40
30
Tef 1991
Maize 1991
20
Maize 1993
10
0
0
50
100
150
200
Days after germination
Figure 11: Soil cover curves for selected crops in Dizi, interpolation
Crop Yield and Biomass Production

Crop yield and biomass production depend on various factors such as
climate, pests, diseases, weeding, fertiliser input, soil quality and depth,
and soil erosion. Conservation techniques and crop yield were
systematically analysed in two different settings:
Experimental plots (EP)

The effect of the following types of soil and water conservation
techniques on crop yield was tested on EPs, i.e. on plots with a surface
of 6 by 30 m:
22
one control plot with no conservation structures,

one plot with graded Fanya Juu
one plot with level Fanya Juu
one plot with graded bunds
one plot with level bunds
one plot with grass strips
For EP research results see the chapter on Soil Erosion and Soil and
Water Conservation. Background information can be found in SCRP:
Concept and Methodology.
On-farm yield samples

Crop yield samples were collected on cultivated land along the existing
conservation structures, i.e. terraces. For each cropping season,
samples were taken at random from various farmers cultivated fields in
the whole catchment. In between conservation structures three
comparable samples were taken on different locations: one
immediately above, one immediately below the conservation structure,
and one inbetween two structures (for further information see SCRP:
Concept and Methodology).
Table 13: Mean annual yield [t/ha] per crop (1988 1991, Dizi)
Sorghum
Maize
Wheat
Tef
Mean
Mean
Mean
1988
2.8
16
3.2
1.0
14
0.7
1989
2.2
16
2.3
27
3.1
39
1.9
15
1990
1991
1.6
1.8
Mean
Horse bean
n
Mean
0.4
1.5
0.4
1.2
Table 13 lists the mean annual net yield per crop. Calculation of yield
took into consideration that conservation structures on experimental
plots use up part of the fields; the size of this unproductive area
depends on slope and resulting spacing of the SWC structures (for
further information see SCRP: Concept and Methodology).
23
Further reading
Research Reports
Erni, T. 1983 / Galizia, M. 1986 / Kappel, R. 1996 / Krger, H.-J. et al.
1997 / Ritler, A. 1997 / Tsehai Berhane-Selassie. 1994
Manuals
Herweg, K. 1996 / Hurni, H. 1986
Thesis
Yohannes G/Michael. 1992
Maps
Hurni, H. 1995
24
25
Soil Erosion and Soil and Water

Conservation
This section gives an overview of soil erosion in the SCRP research
catchment in Dizi, based on an analysis of monthly and annual data. The
present database report does not aim at more detailed results such as
analysis on storm or period basis. The reader should be aware that
extrapolating the information given here may lead to erroneous
conclusions if done without knowledge of scientific models, and with
no background knowledge about the research methodology.
When computing annual values, incomplete years were not considered.
Nonetheless, all plausible monthly values were included to determine
monthly means. Usually the first year of measurement and the period
of war and insecurity (in 1991 and part of 1992) were not included in
the analysis of annual totals.
In this publication, the term runoff is synonymous with overland flow
measured on test plots. At catchment level, the term river discharge
is used for the volume of water passing the gauging station at the outlet
of the catchment. The term soil loss refers to the amount of
sediment moving from the plots into the collection tanks, and the term
sediment yield refers to the suspended sediment passing the gauging
station at the outlet of the catchment.
Surface flow (field runoff, river discharge) and eroded material (soil
loss, suspended sediment yield) are two of the main indicators
continuously monitored in all SCRP research stations. They are
measured at different levels:
micro-plots (MP, 1 x 3 m),

test plots (TP, 2 x 15 m),
experimental plots (EP, 6 x 30 m),
research catchment level (river gauging station) before and after
conservation treatment.
The location of all plots can be studied in Annex 2: Location of Field

Plots. For further information see SCRP: Concept and
Methodology.
26
Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation
Table 14: Soil erosion and conservation in Dizi: type of data collected, duration of
collection, and technique of measurement
Parameter
Device / method
Availability in
database*
Data source
file (mainly
primary
database)**
Resolution /
frequency of data
collection
Soil loss and

runoff
Micro-plot (MP),
measurement in
plot tanks
01/06/1988 31/12/1991
diyyslpl.dbf
Plot emptying
periods
Soil loss and

runoff
Test plot (TP),

measurement in
plot tanks
01/06/1988 31/12/1993
diyyslpl.dbf and Plot emptying

diyy_a03.dbf
periods
Soil loss and

runoff
Experimental plot 01/06/1988 (EP), measurement 31/12/1993

in plot tanks
diyyslpl.dbf and Plot emptying

diyysssr.dbf
periods
Amount and
intensity of
rainfall
Pluviometer/
Pluviograph
(monthly chart
rolls)
01/06/1988 15/12/1994
diyyplre.dbf***
Segments wth similar

intensity of ranfall
Erosivity
Calculation on the
basis of rainfall
intensity and
duration
01/06/1988 31/12/1993
diyy_a03.dbf
Individual storms***
Yield (grain,
straw,
biomass)EP
Experimental plots
26/10/1988 21/11/1994
diyycaha.dbf
Weekly, seasonally
Discharge
River station
01/01/1989 31/12/1993
ilyyrsrd.dbf
Permanent
measurement (chart
rolls)
Sediment yield
River station
01/01/1989 31/12/1993
ilyyrsrd.dbf
10 minute intervals
as long as water is
classified as brown
digital format.
**In the file names the letters di stand for the station name (Dizi), yy for the year,
and the other four letters identify the content of the respective file (e.g. filename
di87plre.dbf = Dizi / 1987 / pluviograph rainfall erosivity).
***This file contains records of the amount of rainfall for each rainfall interval of
constant intensity within the same rainfall event. These amounts are summarised as
storm values for further analysis. Definition of a storm: the minimum amount of rainfall
must be 12.5 mm; one event must be separated from the next or the previous one by
at least 6 hours.
Test Plot Results

Soil erosion measured on test plots in Dizi was generally close to zero,
except during the first year when plots were installed.
27
Because this research station was established at a late stage (mid1988), analysis of data covers only four years. This should be taken into
account when interpreting the results shown in the following Tables
and Figures.
Annual Data
Figure 12: Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots (1989 1993, Dizi)
28
Two of the four plots were covered with annual crops (TP 1, 18 %
slope and TP 4, 42 % slope), while the other two plots had a coffee
plantation (TP 3, 42 % slope) and grass (TP 2, 32 % slope).
The second highest mean annual rainfall and the highest mean annual
erosivity of all SCRP stations were measured in Dizi research station.
During an extended rainy season lasting from March to October, the
peaks of rainfall, erosivity, runoff and soil loss were registered in
August, and values slightly decreased in September. In view of the
tremendous amount of rain and erosivity, however, soil losses were
very slight. Even the highest recorded annual soil loss was below 10
t/ha, and the steepest cultivated plot (TP 4, 42 % slope) did not show
any erosion in four out of five years of measurement. High vegetation
cover is the explanation for this remarkable result. Due to sufficient
moisture, a ground cover of weeds developed quickly after ploughing,
speeding up sedimentation of eroded particles and preventing high soil
loss caused by splash erosion on bare soils. However, the weeds that
protected the soil from erosion were a major problem for crop
production.
Annual results varied considerably. An example may therefore support
further interpretation of the results, keeping in mind that the soil loss
values were so low that erosion cannot be considered a major problem
(see Figure 12 and Table 15).
Table 15: Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots (1988 1993, Dizi)
TP 1, 18 % slope
Erosivity
Crop Runoff Soil loss
[J/mh]
type [mm] [t/ha]
Year
Rainfall
[mm]
1989
1665.3
874.5
mz
91.1
1990
1302.1
488.1
mz
19.1
1991
1593.4
827.6
te
1992
1464.1
522.6
1993
1535.4
517.0
Mean
TP 2, 32 % slope
TP 3, 42 % slope
Crop
type
Runoff
[mm]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
Crop
type
Runoff
[mm]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
4.5
gr
124.1
0.0
co
26.2
0.0
sg
0.2
gr
100.3
0.2
co
13.6
0.0
mz
80.8
3.9
gr
123.1
0.1
co
23.8
0.0
mz
fl
87.4
9.3
gr
77.7
0.0
co
18.6
0.0
mz
fl
90.5
0.0
gr
85.3
0.0
co
28.5
0.0
mz
0.1
22.1
0.0
0.0
1512.1
646.0
73.8
3.6
102.1
SD
124.1
168.5
27.6
3.4
19.0
0.1
5.4
CV
0.1
0.3
0.4
1.0
0.2
1.3
0.2
103.2
164.1
21.9
2.8
17.2
0.1
4.8
Mean Dev
TP
Rel Dev
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.8
0.2
1.2
0.2
Median
1535.4
522.6
87.4
3.9
100.3
0.0
23.8
29
0.0
0.0
Crop
type
Monthly Variation of Test Plot Results

Measurement started in June 1988; during that year monthly soil losses
of up to 90 t/ha were registered. This order of magnitude was never
recorded again, not even closely. The great soil loss in the first year can
therefore be interpreted as resulting from plot construction (see
Figure 13 and Table 16). The relatively high average values shown for
August and September are thus heavily influenced by the results of that
first year.
Figure 13: Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots (June 1988 end of 1993, Dizi)
30
Table 16: Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots (June
1988 1993, Dizi)
TP 1, 18 % slope
TP 2, 32 % slope
TP 3, 42 % slope
TP 4, 42 % slo
Runoff
[mm]
Runoff
[mm]
Runoff
[mm]
Soil l
[t/ha
Month
Rainfall
[mm]
Erosivity Runoff
[J/mh]
[mm]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
Jan
13.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.
Feb
18.5
6.6
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.
Mar
62.2
18.6
0.2
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.2
0.
Apr
108.3
50.9
1.8
0.9
0.8
0.0
0.9
0.0
0.4
0.
May
184.2
82.4
11.5
1.8
4.4
0.0
2.9
0.0
2.7
0.
Jun
196.8
67.0
10.7
0.5
5.0
0.0
3.6
0.0
2.7
0.
Jul
238.7
102.1
12.5
0.2
10.6
0.0
3.2
0.0
2.0
0.
Aug
310.6
165.7
51.6
15.2
54.8
0.1
5.8
0.1
9.4
1.
Sep
249.5
131.8
49.8
5.0
45.8
0.0
5.7
0.1
9.9
1.
Oct
139.2
61.1
21.5
0.8
21.4
0.0
3.3
0.1
11.2
0.
Nov
23.9
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.
Dec
29.1
14.2
0.2
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.1
0.
The erosion pattern on the test plots is similar to the pattern observed
in other stations, in the sense that most losses were caused during a
few rainfall periods; but the order of magnitude was much lower in
Dizi than in all other SCRP research stations. Again, it must be kept in
mind that soil loss values were so low that erosion cannot be
considered a major problem in Dizi.
On TP 1 in 1992 (fallow), of the annual 9.3 t/ha of soil loss, 46 % was
registered in April and 50 % in May. On TP 4 in 1991 (maize), of the
annual 5.3 t/ha of soil loss, 55 % was registered in May and 45 % in
June. During the months discussed above, rainfall and erosivity was
higher than the monthly mean only in May 1991. Single events were
the most influential factors contributing to the erosion process for the
remaining months.
31
Micro-plot Results
Annual Data
In Dizi only two micro-plots were established. The measurement
period lasted only from 1989 to 1991. The following plot pairs (test
plot / micro-plot) can be compared: TP 1 / MP 5 and TP 4 / MP 6 (see
Table 17).
Table 17: Mean annual runoff and soil loss on test plots and comparable micro-plots
(1989 1991, Dizi)
TP 1
MP 5
TP 4
MP 6
Runoff [mm]
63.7
249.1
13.4
81.3
Soil loss [t/ha]
2.9
10.7
1.8
7.0
Annual MP values for both runoff and soil loss are higher than those of
the respective TPs. This indicates that much of the material detached
by rain splash and sheet wash was re-deposited as a result of dense
vegetation cover. Dense rooting systems caused high infiltration and
limited runoff. As a result, transport capacity and entrainment were
also limited and soil loss in t/ha decreased with slope length, at least up
to the length of test plots (15 m). See also Table 18.
Table 18: Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots (1989 1991, Dizi)
MP 5, 18 % slope
Year
Rainfall
[mm]
Erosivity
[J/mh]
1989
1665.3
1990
1302.1
1991
Mean
Crop
type
Runoff
[mm]
874.5
mz
325.3
23.2
488.1
mz
160.5
2.6
1593.4
827.6
te
261.5
6.3
MP 6, 42 % slope
Soil loss Crop

[t/ha]
type
Runoff
[mm]
Soil loss
[t/ha]
sg
104.4
1.6
mz
44.6
0.6
mz
95.0
18.8
7.0
1520.3
730.1
249.1
10.7
81.3
SD
157.0
172.2
67.8
9.0
26.3
8.4
CV
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.8
0.3
1.2
Mean Dev
145.4
161.3
59.1
8.3
24.5
7.9
Rel Dev
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.8
0.3
1.1
Median
1593.4
827.6
261.5
6.3
95.0
1.6
32
Monthly Variation of Micro-plot Results

Table 19 shows the monthly values of rainfall, runoff, erosivity and soil
loss. Only three measurement years are available; this period is too
short for reliable statistical values. Due to variable environmental
conditions, a longer period of measurement would be necessary to
establish a database with a high level of relevance.
The bulk of soil erosion occurred from August to September. More
than 50 % was measured in August. Erosivity in May and October
were comparable, but soil loss in May was higher because soil cover
was lower during that month.
Figure 14: Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots (1989
1991, Dizi)
33
Table 19: Mean monthly rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots (1989
1991, Dizi)
Month
Rainfall
[mm]
Erosivity
[J/mh]
MP 5, 18 % slope
MP 6, 42 % slope
Soil loss
[t/ha]
0.0
Runoff
[mm]
0.0
Soil loss
[t/ha]
0.0
0.2
0.3
0.0
Jan
13.6
0.0
Runoff
[mm]
0.0
Feb
18.5
6.6
1.2
Mar
62.2
18.6
6.0
0.1
3.1
0.5
Apr
108.3
50.9
4.3
0.0
3.5
0.0
May
184.2
82.4
30.9
5.9
14.5
5.4
Jun
196.8
67.0
34.6
2.2
14.5
1.0
Jul
238.7
102.1
39.3
0.7
12.1
0.1
Aug
310.6
165.7
117.0
24.9
45.8
5.5
Sep
249.5
131.8
82.9
7.8
44.0
2.4
Oct
139.2
61.1
23.8
0.7
20.2
0.3
Nov
23.9
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.3
0.0
Dec
29.1
14.2
1.8
0.0
0.8
0.0
Soil Conservation Experiments on Experimental

Plots and Farmers Fields
The size of the experimental plots is 6 x 30 m. Slope and soil type on all
experimental plots are constant: the slope is 18 %, the soil type is
Lixisol. Each plot has a specific conservation structure. In Dizi six
experimental plots (one set) were established in 1989 and featured the
following techniques:
one control plot with no conservation structures,

one plot with graded Fanya Juu,
one plot with graded bunds,
one plot with level Fanya Juu,
one plot with level bunds,
one plot with grass strips.
Interpretation of data from experimental plots must be submitted to

the following restriction: it is problematic to compare graded
structures and level structures on a one-to-one basis. Indeed, under
on-farm conditions, graded terraces have a waterway every 50 to
100 m in order to drain excess water. In contrast, the EPs have a width
34
of 6 m only, which means that the corresponding waterway is only a

small drainage ditch. The relation of the drainage ditch to its catchment
is thus distorted. Furthermore, EPs with level structures cannot exactly
simulate normal on-farm conditions such as overflow because of their
relatively small plot size. Therefore, EP values only hint at the degree
of erosion on terraces.
Runoff and soil loss values on all experimental plots were very low,
even on the control plot (see Figure 15 and Table 20). Higher values
were measured only in 1991, but all conservation measures
considerably reduced runoff and soil loss - the grass strip a little less
than the mechanical structures.
Annual Runoff and Soil Loss on Experimental Plots

Table 20: Absolute and relative annual runoff and soil loss on experimental plots (1989 1993, Dizi)
Year
Crop
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
Mean
SD
CV
Mean
Dev
Rel Dev
Median
mz
mz
mz
te
mz
Year
Crop
1989
mz
1990
mz
1991
mz
1992
te
1993
mz
% of control
plot (mean)
Runoff [mm]
Control Graded Graded Level Level
plot
Fanya bund Fanya bund
Juu
Juu
Grass
strip
Soil loss [t/ha]

plot
Juu
Juu
20.5
14.1
138.6
43.7
9.1
45.2
48.2
1.1
17.2
10.7
44.4
9.4
10.0
18.3
13.3
0.7
43.6
25.1
46.4
12.4
8.4
27.2
15.6
0.6
32.7
26.8
82.9
10.7
8.3
32.3
27.0
0.8
16.4
15.5
27.4
9.9
7.5
15.3
6.9
0.4
12.7
11.4
57.0
12.2
4.6
19.6
18.9
1.0
0.4
0.1
24.8
0.0
0.0
5.1
9.9
2.0
0.5
0.0
1.8
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.7
1.5
0.9
0.3
2.1
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.8
1.2
0.6
0.4
2.8
0.0
0.0
0.8
1.0
1.4
0.1
0.0
0.8
0.0
0.0
0.2
0.3
1.7
37.4
10.4
14.3
20.4
5.3
15.0
7.9
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.2
0.8
20.5
0.6
10.7
0.5
25.1
0.6
26.8
0.3
15.5
0.8
12.2
1.6
0.1
1.2
0.0
1.0
0.3
1.1
0.4
1.4
0.0
Runoff (% of control plot)

plot
Juu
Juu
Grass
strip
Soil loss (% of control plot)

plot
Juu
Juu
100
100
100
100
100
83.9
75.9
32.0
21.5
109.9
212.7
178.0
33.5
28.4
92.3
159.5
190.1
59.8
24.5
91.2
80.0
109.9
19.8
22.7
82.4
62.0
80.9
41.1
27.9
50.5
100
100
100
125.0
0.0
7.3
225.0
300.0
8.5
150.0
400.0
11.3
100
40.6
60.1
71.4
33.9
43.3
100
9.1
13.0
15.0
35
3.6
Figure 15: Absolute and relative annual runoff and soil loss on experimental plots (1989
1993, Dizi)
36
Yield and Biomass on Experimental Plots
Figure 16: Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production on
experimental plots (1988 - 1993, Dizi)
37
Figure 16 and Table 21 show the influence of different soil and water
conservation (SWC) experiments in Dizi. Again the short measurement
period imposes limitations on the interpretation of the results, and
makes it impossible to extrapolate.
On average, production on plots with SWC structures remained lower
than on the control plot. Exceptions were maize and tef in 1990 and
1992, when these crops reached higher yields on most of the plots
compared to the control plot. The high runoff in 1993 resulted in the
lowest maize production on the EPs. Apparently, runoff reduction did
not only lead to reduced erosion but also to waterlogging.
Table 21: Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production on
experimental plots (1988 - 1993, Dizi).
Yield [t/ha]
Crop Control Graded Graded Level
type plot
Fanya
Fanya
bund
Juu
Juu
Level
bund
Grass
strip
Biomass [t/ha]
Control Graded Graded Level
Level
Fanya
Fanya
plot
bund
bund
Juu
Juu
Grass
strip
te
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
2.1
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.9
2.0
mz
1.7
1.4
0.9
1.3
1.1
1.1
7.7
6.4
5.5
5.9
6.1
6.1
mz
1.5
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.5
1.5
4.6
6.5
6.0
5.8
5.3
4.7
mz
1.6
0.9
0.6
1.0
0.6
1.2
6.5
6.5
3.0
5.0
1.8
4.3
te
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
mz
0.6
1.0
0.5
0.8
0.3
0.6
0.5
0.8
0.3
0.6
0.5
0.8
4.3
4.4
3.3
3.8
3.1
3.5
Yield (% of control plot)

Crop Control Graded Graded Level
Level
type plot
Fanya
Fanya
bund
bund
Juu
Juu
Grass
strip
Biomass (% of control plot)

Control Graded Graded Level
Level
Fanya
Fanya
plot
bund
bund
Juu
Juu
Grass
strip
te
100
84.2
84.2
76.3
89.5
86.8
100
91.3
84.5
85.1
94.3
mz
100
81.1
55.6
74.6
63.3
63.3
100
82.9
70.5
76.3
79.0
78.6
mz
100
116.3
88.4
112.9
103.4
100.7
100
142.1
129.2
126.4
115.5
101.4
95.7
mz
100
56.4
37.4
58.9
36.2
74.2
100
99.0
45.8
75.8
27.7
66.1
te
100
66.7
111.1
77.8
100.0
122.2
100
119.9
120.3
120.3
127.9
133.3
100
76.7
55.0
88.3
41.7
80.0
100
82.6
61.4
81.4
65.9
79.9
100
102.1
77.9
88.6
73.5
82.3
mz
ontrol
mean)
Conclusive Remarks on Experimental Plot Results

Comparisons should be made either between graded structures and
control plot and grass strip, or between level structures and control
plot and grass strip. The decision whether level or graded structures
should be implemented must take into account the rainfall regime. For
38
example, areas with high rainfall need graded versions to drain excess
water, whereas low rainfall areas require level structures to retain
moisture. Differences in soil loss and runoff between graded and level
EPs are not adequate criteria for such a decision.
Despite high rainfall and erosivity, extensive ground cover prevents
high runoff rates in the area. This indicates that erosion is not a major
issue in the Dizi area. Instead, at present, the major problems in this
region are:
rapid decrease in soil fertility through leaching,

the problem of weeds,
the damage to crops by wild animals.
Mechanical conservation does not seem necessary for the Dizi area
given the low soil loss values; however one must bear in mind that
measurements were made only during a short period. As long as a
farming system with long fallow periods is maintained, the need for
mechanical conservation will remain low. Under the present
circumstances, mechanical SWC measures may even be redundant and
constitute an obstacle to production, because they can cause waterlogging during those years when they efficiently reduce soil loss.
Emphasis should thus be given to biological SWC, such as improved
weed control. But improved weed control will lead to much higher soil
loss rates. This should be stated for future intensification measures.
Apart from the EP results, the TP results also suggest that under the
current land use system, soil erosion is not a major problem in the Dizi
area. Rill erosion was rarely observed. However, the flatness of the
valley floors indicates that considerable amounts of soil must have been
moved from the slopes, to such an extent that during the dry months,
cultivation is possible there. These accumulations may be a result of soil
movements after every clearing of forest cover or of glacial deposits
from 15000 BP.
39
Results of Hydrometric Measurements on the

Catchment
The total size of the Dizi hydrological catchment is 672.7 ha. Table 22
lists the monthly and annual discharge of the hydrometric station for
the period from 1989 to 1992.
Table 22: Monthly and annual catchment discharge [mm] (1989- 1992, Dizi). Source:
Bosshart, 1997
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
2.2
3.1
1.8
1.8
2.7
3.9
11.5
8.6
5.6
3.1
3.7
51.1
1.6
1.0
3.0
6.3
10.1
13.2
15.6
9.3
5.7
2.5
1.8
72.0
1.4
3.1
4.2
7.4
11.1
11.3
18.6
13.8
8.0
4.9
4.7
89.9
3.0
3.0
2.8
7.3
6.0
6.8
8.5
13.6
13.1
7.3
4.8
80.3
2.1
2.6
3.0
5.7
7.5
8.8
13.6
11.3
8.1
4.4
3.7
73.3
0.7
1.0
1.0
2.6
3.9
4.2
4.5
2.7
3.5
2.2
1.4
16.5
35.4
40.0
32.9
46.4
51.7
47.7
32.8
24.2
43.4
48.7
36.7
22.5
3.0
3.1
4.2
7.4
11.1
13.2
18.6
13.8
13.1
7.3
4.8
89.9
1.4
1.0
1.8
1.8
2.7
3.9
8.5
8.6
5.6
2.5
1.8
51.1
9.40
15.64
Mean monthly discharge (Q, l/sec), mean monthly discharge volume (Qv, m)
and mean monthly discharge yield (q, l/skm) for the period 1989-1992:
7
5.74
6.41
7.77
14.32
19.34
22.12
34.10
29.36
20.34
11.52
339 13892 17172 20145 38349 50119 59259 91327 76097 54467 29857 25181 493204
6
0.85
0.95
1.16
2.13
2.87
3.29
5.07
4.36
3.02
1.71
1.40
2.32
Figure 17 shows the annual rainfall and corresponding, the catchment

discharge and suspended sediment yield:
The annual discharge varied between 51 mm (1989) and 90 mm (1991).

The annual suspended sediment yield ranged between 0.001 t/ha
(1992) and 0.003 t/ha (1989).
The annual sediment concentration varied between 0.002 g/l
(1991/92) and 0.006 g/l (1989).
High rainfall and erosivity in Dizi are only slightly reflected in river
discharge and sediment yield, the latter being the lowest measured in all
SCRP stations. Most of the small amount of material eroded from the
cultivated area immediately re-accumulates on the fields, or is deposited
in the valley bottoms and the swampy area in the catchment outlet. As
Figure 18 and Table 23 show, the peak of river discharge was in August,
while sediment yield increased slightly in August and May.
40
Figure 17: Annual rainfall, catchment discharge, and suspended sediment yield (1989 1992, Dizi). Source: Bosshart, 1997
Figure 18: Mean monthly catchment discharge and suspended sediment yield (1989 1992, Dizi). Source: Bosshart, 1997
41
Table 23: Monthly and annual suspended sediment yield (1989 - 1992, Dizi). Source:
Bosshart, 1997
Jan
Feb
89
0.00010 0.00013 0
0.00054 0.00040 0.00026 0.00061 0.00017 0.00013 0
0.00053 0.00288
90
91
0.00001 0.00144 0.00009 0
0.00158
92
0.00008 0
0.00017 0.00080 0.00039 0
0.00144
an
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
0.00002 0.00055 0.00164 0.00008 0

0
0.00003 0
Nov
Dec
Year
0.00229
0.00002 0.00003 0.00002 0.00050 0.00013 0.00020 0.00061 0.00027 0.00013 0
0.00013 0.00205
0.00005 0.00007 0.00004 0.00068 0.00019 0.00026 0.00074 0.00036 0.00018 0
0.00027 0.00067
[%]
200.0
200.0
162.9
137.1
145.5
129.3
121.7
133.2
140.5
200.0
32.7
0.00010 0.00013 0.00008 0.00144 0.00040 0.00055 0.00164 0.00080 0.00039 0
0.00053 0.00288
0.00003 0
0.00144
Mean monthly suspended sediment rate (Qs, t), mean monthly suspended sediment
concentration (Cs, g/l):
0
0.016
0.022
0.016
0.334
0.086
0.136
0.408
0.180
0.088
0.089
1.377
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.009
0.002
0.002
0.004
0.002
0.002
0.004
0.003
Further reading
Research Reports
Bosshart, U. 1997 / Hagmann, J. 1991 / Herweg, K., Ostrowski, M.W.
1997 / Herweg, K., Stillhardt, B. 1999 / Kefeni Kejela. 1996 / Krger,
H.-J. et al. 1997 / Tsehai Berhane-Selassie. 1994
Solomon Abate. 1994
Manuals
Herweg, K. 1996 / Hurni, H. 1986
Papers
El-Swaify, S.A., Hurni, H. 1996 / Herweg, K. 1993, 1995 / Herweg, K., Ludi,
E. 1999 / Hurni, H. 1988a / Hurni, H., Kebede Tato (eds.). 1992
Theses
Bekele Shiferaw. / Getachew Gurmu. 1991 / Yohannes G/Michael. 1992
Maps
Hurni. 1995 / SCRP. n.d
42
43
Social and Economic

Characteristics
The Dizi catchment is situated in the Metu area of Illubabor Region in
western Ethiopia and covers 672.7 ha. The southwestern region is one
of the most sparsely populated area in the country. Spontaneous
immigration was more frequent in the 20th century. Most settlers, such
as the Oromos from Welega and the Amharas from Shewa, Gonder
and Gojam, came from far away. Enforced and induced immigration by
different government was also important throughout the century.
Traditionally, shifting cultivation has been the predominant farming
system. But numerous land use reforms since the 1930s have had a
significant impact on the conditions of land ownership and land use;
they have also contributed to a considerable degree of ethnic mixing
and cultural transfer. The mixed farming economy increasingly based
on the ox-drawn plough, and more permanent forms of cultivation
were the most significant changes. The growing importance of coffee
attracted immigrants as seasonal labourers, with some of them settling
permanently.
The rural land proclamation of 1975 marked a turning point because
modern rural institutions were set up. Private land was turned into
public property, and the tenant-landlord relationships were abolished.
User rights were given to formerly landless peasants and tenants. Food
crop production for consumption under small-scale farming started to
replace large commercial coffee farms owned by absence landlords.
Immigration into the region practically ceased at this point, since the
proclamation prohibited hiring of labourers by individual farmers.
Additionally, the area had to absorb a high immigration rate due to the
resettlement programme launched by the Government of Ethiopia
between 1984 and 1986. Over half a million people, originally from the
northern parts of the country, which are prone to drought and
subsequent famine, were re-settled to the southwestern part, where
biophysical conditions seemed to be better. The resettlement
programme significantly influenced the demographic situation. Today it
is clear that the impact of this change on the ecosystem is very
44
Social and Economic Characteristics
dramatic because agriculture has been intensified and forest cover has
been dramatically reduced. This trend will continue if the present rate
of population growth is not reduced.
The opportunity to sell wood products such as charcoal, fuelwood or
household items for supplementary income increases the pressure on
the remaining forest areas. The Illubabor region is a major supplier of
coffee, which is the main source of foreign exchange for the nations
economy. Competition between food crops and coffee threatens the
traditional fallow system, which limits the total area available for cultivation.
Thus, land use in the area must be characterised as highly dynamic.
In the short term, the peasants economic situation is favourable.
Farmland is still available in sufficient quantities, and new opportunities
are promising. For the household economy, the main problems are
shortage of oxen and limitations to cattle breeding due to diseases, as
well as shortage of labourers, especially for such tasks as weeding and
guarding crops day and night from wildlife.
If land management is not improved, some dominant factors such as
recent immigration flows, population increase, intensive farming,
market expansion, the growing cash crop economy, and a problematic
perception of what constitutes fertile and open land, endanger
Illubabors natural resources in the long-term.
Collection of Social and Economic Data

Even if Dizi is considered a benchmark site for SCRP, the catchment
was not part of the standard socio-economic programme. However, in
1990, an in-depth socio-economic survey (Solomon Abate, 1994)
compared the Dizi catchment to the neighbouring Gey catchment, a
tributary of the river Sor. With an area of almost 7 sq.km, Dizi
catchment is representative for areas recently settled under the
resettlement programme, whereas the Gey catchment, with its 9.7 sq.km
represents the areas not affected by the resettlement programme. The
environmental conditions in Dizi are less favourable than in the Gey
catchment, which attracted more settlers in earlier times.
45
The socio-economic survey included 18 peasant associations (PA)

located in the study area. Ten households (HH) were selected in each
PA, bringing the total sample of households covered by the survey to
180. This represents 5 % of all households in the study area.
Additionally, to assess the socio-economic differences between the
two catchments, an in-depth survey of 20 farms distributed in two PAs
was conducted. Another in-depth study was conducted in 1990,
investigating the effects of fallow and cultivation periods (Getachew
Gurmu, 1991). Bush fallow is still prevalent in Dizi, while cultivation is
highly intensified in the Gey catchment.
Dizi was also covered by a social survey conducted by a social
anthropologist (Tsehai Berhane-Selassie 1994).
Demographic Features
Size of Families and Population Density
Figure 19: Size of families in the research area in Dizi and Gey (1990)
In 1990, the population density in the study area (150 sq.km) was
estimated to be around 80 persons per sq.km. In the Ethiopian context
this was rated as a medium density at Wereda level. In the sampled
catchments, the population density was calculated to be about 70
46
persons per sq.km. The average size of family was 6.7 persons. Nearly
75 % of the households comprised 4 to 8 persons.
Table 24: Size of families per household in Dizi and Gey (Solomon Abate, 1990)
No. of family members
Frequency
Percentage
per household
1
0
0%
2
3
2%
3
13
7%
4
18
10 %
5
28
16 %
6
27
15 %
7
37
21 %
8
19
11 %
9
5
3%
10
13
7%
11
6
3%
12
4
2%
13
3
2%
14
1
1%
15
0
0%
16
1
1%
17
0
0%
18
1
1%
Recorded Households: 179 (total 1207 persons)
Average: 6.7 persons per household
Age and Gender Structure

All households were headed by men; together with the size of families,
this indicates that impoverishment has not reached the extent it has in
other regions. Incomplete families, which are especially prone to
poverty, are still rare. The slight differences between the number of
males and females in each age category, especially the higher number
of males in the 18 - 60 category and the higher number of females
under 18, must be attributed to the tendency to underestimate the age
of girls and overestimate boys ages.
47
Figure 20: Age and gender structure of the sample population in Dizi and Gey (1990,
Solomon Abate)
Table 25: Age and gender structure of the sample population in Dizi and Gey (1990,
Solomon Abate)
Age group
Frequency
Percentage
male
female
male
female
< 18
314
341
26 %
28 %
18 - 60
255
228
21 %
19 %
> 60
45
24
4%
2%
Total
614
593
51 %
49 %
Recorded households
179 (total 1207 persons)
Linguistic and Religious Structure of the Population
Figure 21: Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area) according to language
and religion (1990)
48
With regard to ethnic and religious identities, the population structure

in each catchment is very different, due to differences in their histories
of immigration. In the Dizi catchment 85 % of the population are
Oromos and 15 % Amharas, whereas in Gey the ratio is 70 to 30. In
Dizi we find 60 % Christians and 40 % Moslems, while Gey has a ratio
of 90 % to 10 %.
Table 26: Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area) according to language
and religion (1990, Solomon Abate)
Linguistic groups
No. of HH
Religious groups
No. of HH
Oromifa
135
75 %
Orthodox Christians
121
68 %
Amarigna
34
19 %
Moslems
49
27 %
Tigrigna
5%
5%
Guragigna
1%
Total
179
Protestants
Total
179
Livestock Holdings
As in all other parts of the Ethiopian highlands, livestock is an integral
part of the cropping system. In the study area, livestock is not limited
by insufficient grazing land, but by the pervasiveness of the livestock
disease Trypanosomiasis, locally known as gendi.
Figure 22: Data on livestock structure for selected households in the research area
(1990, Getachew Gurmu, Dizi)
49
Livestock comprises mainly cattle. Cattle are usually allowed to graze

openly, thus only a small percentage of the manure is collected; but the
system of shifting stock pens within fields is a smart way of efficiently
utilising manure. Livestock also contributes to the cash income of the
community. Farmers obtain nearly 20 % of their annual cash income
from selling livestock. They usually sell farm animals to cover larger
expenses such as land taxes.
Oxen are the main source of draught power, but nearly 22 % of the
families do not possess an ox, and 34 % of the households have only
one ox. 37 % of the households have a pair, and 8 % have more than
two oxen. This means that 56 % of the households depend on other
families oxen for ploughing, causing dependencies and making it
difficult to plough at the right time.
Table 27: Data on livestock structure (1990, Getachew Gurmu, Dizi)
Livestock type
80
cow
84
bull
heifer
11
horse
donkey
31
mule
sheep
61
goat
Total Livestock
50
No. of animals
ox
286
Figure 23: Data on oxen holdings for selected households in the research area (1990,
Solomon Abate, Dizi)
51
Table 28: Data on oxen holdings in the research area (1990, Solomon Abate, Dizi)
Number of oxen per household
Number of households
40
22 %
60
34 %
67
37 %
2%
4%
1%
0%
0%
1%
Total oxen: 243 in 179 households

Average: 1.4 oxen per household
Landholdings
In 1990 the average size of landholdings per household was nearly
2.6 ha, with plots inside and outside the research unit. Nearly 80 % of
the sample households had 2-4 ha of land. The average farm size (area
under crop) increased from 1988 to 1990. In 1988 the average was
around 1.4 ha; 64 % of the households reported an increase, while
19 % reported a decrease of their farm size. Most of the increase in
farm area developed at the expense of the fallow periods. Only few
respondents reported having cleared forest areas to increase
landholdings. Thus the actual size of the holdings did not change much,
but the extra time available after dismantling co-operative work in
1989 gave the families opportunities to cultivate larger surfaces and to
manage them more appropriately. The new government policy also
promoted this by supporting a mixed economy and access to free
markets.
52
Figure 24: Data on landholdings for selected households in the research area (1990,
Solomon Abate, Dizi)
Table 29: Landholdings per household (1990, Dizi)

Sample size: 179 HH (Solomon Abate)
[ha]
frequency
Sample size: 130 HH (Getachew Gurmu)

[ha]
frequency
0%
<1
1-2
11
6%
2-3
58
32 %
<3
45
35 %
3-4
54
30 %
3-6
67
52 %
4-5
31
17 %
5-6
13
7%
6-7
2%
6-8
11
9%
7-8
2%
8-9
2%
>8
5%
>9
1%
The households reporting a decrease in farm size gave the following

reasons:
Shortage of manpower: 29.4 %

Shortage of oxen: 26.5 %
Decline in soil fertility: 17.4 %
Villagisation: 17.4 %
Wildlife: 4.8 %
Grazing: 2.9 %
53
It is obvious that under the circumstances found in the study area, large
families were privileged. Families with no shortage of labour intensified
crop production on their fields by shortening the fallow period.
Newcomers in particular concentrated on new opportunities and were
not aware of, or disregarded long-term impacts. For families with a
shortage of labour (oxen and human) economic development was
impossible; furthermore, tasks such as weeding and guarding fields
from wildlife during the whole growing period constituted a serious
bottleneck, and hindered any attempt to farm larger plots.
Further reading
African Studies
Solomon Abate. 1994
Research Reports
Getachew Gurmu. 1991 / Tsehai Berhane-Selassie. 1994
54
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66
Annex 1
Annex 1
Major Staff 1981 1998
Soil Conservation Research Programme (SCRP)

Senior Research Assistants of Field Research Stations
Maybar
Ali Ahmed, Berhanu Admassu, Mengesha Zewdu, Seid

Belay, Seid Hussein
Gununo
Dereje Mamo, Mata Daka, Simon Meja
Hunde Lafto
Derebe Mekonnen, Jemal Ibrahim, Solomon Tilahun
Andit Tid
Amare Belachew, Haileselassie Berhanu, Ishete Ararsa,

Seyum Berhanu
Anjeni
Alemayehu Berhanu, Dagnew Bizuneh, Habte Lakew,

Mohammed Abdela, Solomon Tilahun, Tasew Ager,
Woreta Aberra
Dizi
Getachew Lemma, Sisay Aklilu, Zelalem Mengistu
Staff at Headquarters in Addis Abeba

Secretarial Staff
Birknesh Negere, Martha Bekele, Meron Bezabeh
Technical Support
Asrat Fisseha, Azeb Geremew, Berhanu Admassu, Derese Gebre
Wold, Elisabeth Dejene, Kebebe Dejene, Mengesha Zewdu, Yodith
Tekle, Zewdu Lisanu
Research and Management
Belay Tegene (1985-1990), Berhe Wolde Aregay (1989-1991), Berhanu
Fentaw (1988-1998), Dawit Kebede (1995-1996), Esayas Dagnew
(1993-1998), Gete Zeleke (1996-1998), Kassaye Goshu (1987-1996),
Kebede Tato (1991-1993), Kefeni Kejela (1983-1996), Million
Alemayehu (1990-1992), Molla Maru (1990-1996), Mulugeta Tesfaye
67
(1985-1989), Solomon Abate (1988-1995), Yohannes Gebre Michael

(1986-1998), Zelalem Desta (1987-1996)
Martin Coendet (1982), Martin Grunder (1984-1990), Karl Herweg
(1988-1993), Hans Hurni (1981-1987), Hans-Joachim Krger (19901995)
Project Initiation, Concept and Methodological

Development
Martin Grunder (1984-1990), Karl Herweg (1988-1998), Hans Hurni
(1981-1998), Kebede Tato (1981-1993)
Backstopping at the Centre for Development and

Environment in Berne
Urs Bosshart, Andreas Heinimann, Karl Herweg, Hans Hurni, Jrg
Krauer, Eva Ludi, Martin Moll, Cordula Ott, Brigitta Stillhardt, Richard
Stuber, Joseph Werder
68
Annex 2
Annex 2
Location of SCRP Field Plots in

Dizi, Illubabor, Ethiopia
69

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Soil Conservation Research Programme (SCRP)

Soil Erosion and Conservation Database

Centre for Development and Environment,

The Soil Conservation Research Programme was funded by the Swiss

View of the Dizi catchment, looking

Soil Conservation Research

of the executing agency

Centre for Development and

Ulla Schpbach, Brigitta Stillhardt

Lang Druck AG, Liebefeld (Switzerland)

and production, soil surveys, and appraisals of land degradation. Furthermore,

Berne, June 2000

Climate diagram for Dizi.........................................................................................8

Mean monthly rainfall and air temperature ............................................................9

Relation between intensity and duration of rainfall...............................................10

Mean monthly erosivity and rainfall .........................................................................10

Direction of rainfall ...............................................................................................11

Mean daily air temperatures .................................................................................13

Mean daily soil surface temperatures ...................................................................15

Wind direction and frequency at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m...........................................16

Evaporation measured by Piche tube evaporimeter.............................................19

Land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995.....................................22

Soil cover curves for selected crops .....................................................................23

Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots...................................29

Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production

Annual rainfall, catchment discharge, and suspended sediment yield ...................42

Mean monthly catchment discharge and suspended sediment yield.....................42

Size of families in the research area in Dizi and Gey.............................................47

Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area) according to

Data on oxen holdings for selected households in the research area...................51

Data on landholdings for selected households in the research area ....................53

Erodibility classes ....................................................................................................4

Erosion status and history of soil development.......................................................5

Soil productivity and soil fertility .............................................................................5

Climate: type of data collected, duration of collection,

Monthly and annual frequency of rainfall events according to the

Monthly and annual air temperatures ...................................................................14

Monthly and annual soil surface temperatures......................................................15

Monthly and annual frequency of winds according to wind direction at 6 p.m.....18

Mean daily evaporation per month .......................................................................20

Land use in % of total catchment area in 1989 and 1995 .....................................22

Mean annual net yield per crop.............................................................................24

Soil erosion and conservation: type of data collected, duration of collection,

Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on test plots...................................30

Annual rainfall, erosivity, runoff, and soil loss on micro-plots ..............................33

Absolute and relative annual crop yield and biomass production

Monthly and annual catchment discharge .............................................................41

Monthly and annual suspended sediment yield .....................................................43

Size of families per household...............................................................................47

Distribution of inhabitants in Dizi and Gey (Metu area)

Data on livestock structure...................................................................................51

Data on oxen holdings ..........................................................................................52

Sediment concentration [g/l]

Number of selected households

Sediment rate [t]

Discharge volume [m3]

Soil Conservation Research Programme

Soil loss [t/ha]

Abbreviation of station name

3536E / 822N. Region: Illubabor;

1565 - 1789 m asl

Hydrological catchment: 672.7 ha;

According to Thornthwaite: humid

Mainly Lixisols, few Fluvisols and