Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands

Rehabilitation of large valley bottom gullies in developing countries is hampered by high cost. Stopping head cuts at the time of initiation will prevent large gullies from forming and is affordable. However, research on practices to control shallow gully heads with local materials is limited. The o...

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Main Authors: Addisie, Meseret B., Langendoen, E.J., Aynalem, D.W., Ayele, Getaneh K., Tilahun, Seifu A., Schmitter, Petra S., Mekuria, Wolde, Moges, M.M., Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: MDPI 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98423
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author Addisie, Meseret B.
Langendoen, E.J.
Aynalem, D.W.
Ayele, Getaneh K.
Tilahun, Seifu A.
Schmitter, Petra S.
Mekuria, Wolde
Moges, M.M.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
author_browse Addisie, Meseret B.
Ayele, Getaneh K.
Aynalem, D.W.
Langendoen, E.J.
Mekuria, Wolde
Moges, M.M.
Schmitter, Petra S.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Tilahun, Seifu A.
author_facet Addisie, Meseret B.
Langendoen, E.J.
Aynalem, D.W.
Ayele, Getaneh K.
Tilahun, Seifu A.
Schmitter, Petra S.
Mekuria, Wolde
Moges, M.M.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
author_sort Addisie, Meseret B.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Rehabilitation of large valley bottom gullies in developing countries is hampered by high cost. Stopping head cuts at the time of initiation will prevent large gullies from forming and is affordable. However, research on practices to control shallow gully heads with local materials is limited. The objective of this research was therefore to identify cost-effective shallow gully head stabilization practices. The four-year study was conducted on 14 shallow gullies (<3 m deep) in the central Ethiopian highlands. Six gullies were used as a control. Heads in the remaining eight gullies were regraded to a 1:1 slope. Additional practices implemented were adding either riprap or vegetation or both on the regraded heads and stabilizing the gully bed downstream. Gully heads were enclosed by fencing to prohibit cattle access to the planted vegetation. The median yearly head retreat of the control gullies was 3.6 m a-1 with a maximum of 23 m a-1. Vegetative treatments without riprap prevented gully incision by trapping sediments but did not stop the upslope retreat. The gully heads protected by riprap did not erode. Regrading the slope and adding riprap was most effective in controlling gully head retreat, and with hay grown on the fenced-in areas around the practice, it was profitable for farmers.
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spelling CGSpace984232025-10-14T15:09:09Z Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands Addisie, Meseret B. Langendoen, E.J. Aynalem, D.W. Ayele, Getaneh K. Tilahun, Seifu A. Schmitter, Petra S. Mekuria, Wolde Moges, M.M. Steenhuis, Tammo S. gully erosion assessment best practices rehabilitation sediment highlands valleys vegetation slope farmers watersheds dams grasses soil conservation water conservation Rehabilitation of large valley bottom gullies in developing countries is hampered by high cost. Stopping head cuts at the time of initiation will prevent large gullies from forming and is affordable. However, research on practices to control shallow gully heads with local materials is limited. The objective of this research was therefore to identify cost-effective shallow gully head stabilization practices. The four-year study was conducted on 14 shallow gullies (<3 m deep) in the central Ethiopian highlands. Six gullies were used as a control. Heads in the remaining eight gullies were regraded to a 1:1 slope. Additional practices implemented were adding either riprap or vegetation or both on the regraded heads and stabilizing the gully bed downstream. Gully heads were enclosed by fencing to prohibit cattle access to the planted vegetation. The median yearly head retreat of the control gullies was 3.6 m a-1 with a maximum of 23 m a-1. Vegetative treatments without riprap prevented gully incision by trapping sediments but did not stop the upslope retreat. The gully heads protected by riprap did not erode. Regrading the slope and adding riprap was most effective in controlling gully head retreat, and with hay grown on the fenced-in areas around the practice, it was profitable for farmers. 2018-03-27 2018-12-04T05:47:43Z 2018-12-04T05:47:43Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98423 en Open Access MDPI Addisie, M. B.; Langendoen, E. J.; Aynalem, D. W.; Ayele, G. K.; Tilahun, S. A.; Schmitter, Petra; Mekuria, Wolde; Moges, M. M.; Steenhuis, T. S. 2018. Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands. Water, 10(4):1-15. doi: 10.3390/w10040389
spellingShingle gully erosion
assessment
best practices
rehabilitation
sediment
highlands
valleys
vegetation
slope
farmers
watersheds
dams
grasses
soil conservation
water conservation
Addisie, Meseret B.
Langendoen, E.J.
Aynalem, D.W.
Ayele, Getaneh K.
Tilahun, Seifu A.
Schmitter, Petra S.
Mekuria, Wolde
Moges, M.M.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title_full Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title_fullStr Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title_short Assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley-bottom gullies in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands
title_sort assessment of practices for controlling shallow valley bottom gullies in the sub humid ethiopian highlands
topic gully erosion
assessment
best practices
rehabilitation
sediment
highlands
valleys
vegetation
slope
farmers
watersheds
dams
grasses
soil conservation
water conservation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98423
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