Dynamics of Land Use, Land Cover Change and Its Implications on Soil Carbon Storage: A Case of Diga District of Eastern Wollega, Western Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of land use and land cover change (LULCC) on soil carbon storage in Diga District, Eastern Wollega, Western Ethiopia, over the past few decades. The research focuses on analyzing LULC transitions, including deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization, and their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) levels. Remote sensing data from 1990, 2000, and 2010 were utilized to detect land cover changes, while soil samples were collected across different land use types. The significant reductions in soil carbon storage due to the conversion of forestland to agricultural land. SOC content in forested areas was found to be 6.1±0.4% in the top 20 cm of soil, whereas it decreased to 3.8±0.3% in agricultural lands and 2.4±0.2% in urbanized areas. The total soil carbon stock in forested areas was 110.3±10.7 Mg/ha, while agricultural and urban areas had reduced carbon stocks of 74.5±8.2 Mg/ha and 43.1±5.4 Mg/ha, respectively. It suggests that the increasing anthropogenic pressure on land use has led to a notable loss of soil carbon in Diga District, with implications for regional climate and ecosystem services. The results emphasize the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate carbon loss and promote soil health in the region.