Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Land capability classification for planning land uses in the Geleda watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was carried out to undertake land capability classification (LCC) for planning land uses in the Geleda watershed of the Blue Nile basin in Ethiopia. Such type of study benefit the environment, increase agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of the people. Slope, soil texture, soil depth, drainage, stoniness and extent of erosion factors were considered in developing LCC. The result indicates that six capability classes (I–VI) are present in the study watershed. Capability classes ranging from I to IV (91.5%) are suitable for agriculture while class V and VI (8.5%) are none arable lands. Though cultivation is highly recommended in classes between I and IV, the extension of cultivated land in class V and VI in some areas of the study watershed was observed. On the other hand, forest, shrub land, grassland and built-up areas are found from Class I to Class IV, which are computing the space for cultivation. In general, use of the land as of its capability is lacking in many areas of the watershed study. Hence, new land use prioritization based on the capability of the land in those areas is very important.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

(Adapted from Temesgen et al. 2017a)

Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AbdelRahman M, Natarajan A, Hegde R (2016) Assessment of land suitability and capability by integrating remote sensing and GIS for agriculture in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, India. Egypt J Remote Sensing Space Sci 19:125–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abineh T, Bogale T (2015) Accuracy assessment of land use land cover classification using Google Earth. AJEP 4(4):193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali R, Ageeb G, Wahab M (2007) Assessment of soil capability for agricultural use in some areas West of the Nile Delta, Egypt: an application study using spatial analyses. J Appl Sci Res 3(11):1622–1629

    Google Scholar 

  • Amir S, Fassil K, Mitiku H (2010) Land capability classification and growing period for Guila Abena watershed in Sassie Tseda Emba District in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. Nature Sci 8(9):237–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Arai K (2013) Multi spectral image classification method with selection of independent spectral features through correlation analysis. IJARAI 2(8):21–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Atalay I (2016) A new approach to the land capability classification: Case study of Turkey. Procedia Environ Sci 32:264–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagherzadeh A, Paymard P (2015) Assessment of land capability for different irrigation systems by parametric and fuzzy approaches in the Mashhad Plain, northeast Iran. Soil Water Res 10:90–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagherzadeh A, Ghadiri E, Darban A, Gholizadeh A (2016) Land suitability modeling by parametric-based neural networks and fuzzy methods for soybean production in a semi-arid region. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belay T (2002) Land-cover/land-use changes in the Derekolli catchment of the South Welo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. East Afr Soc. Sci Res Rev 18(1):1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Belay T (2003) Combining land capability evaluation, Geographic Information Systems, and indigenous technologies for soil conservation in northern Ethiopia. East Afr Soc Sci Res Rev 19(2):23–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berhanu S (2016) Assessment of soil fertility status of Vertisols under selected three land uses in Girar Jarso district of North Shoa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Environ Syst Res 5(8):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Bibby J, Douglas H, Thomasson A, Robertson J (1991) Land capability classification for agriculture. Macaulay Land Use Research Institute

  • Birhan A, Assefa A (2017) Land use/land cover changes and their environmental implications in the Gelana sub-watershed of northern highlands of Ethiopia. Environ Syst Res 6(7):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Biswas S, Pani P (2015) Estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE and GIS techniques: a case study of Barakar River basin, Jharkhand, India. Model Earth Syst Environ 1:42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boakye E, Odai N, Adjei A, Annor O (2008) Landsat images for assessment of the impact of land use and land cover changes on the Barekese Catchment in Ghana. Eur J Sci Res 22(2):269–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Congalton R (1991) A review of assessing the accuracy of classifications of remotely sensed data. Remote Sens Environ 37:35–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Congalton R, Green K (1999) Assessing the accuracy of remotely sensed data: Principles and practices. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Diress T, Moe S, Vedeld P, Ermias A (2010) Land-use/cover dynamics in northern Afar rangelands, Ethiopia. Agr Ecosyst Environ 139:174–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutta S (2016) Soil erosion, sediment yield and sedimentation of reservoir: a review. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahim E, Mohamed A (2017) Land use/cover dynamics and its drivers in Gelda catchment, Lake Tana watershed, Ethiopia. Environ Syst Res 6(4):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonji S, Taff G (2014) Using satellite data to monitor land-use land-cover change in North-eastern Latvia. Springer Plus 3(61):1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Gad A (2015) Land capability classification of some western desert Oases, Egypt, using remote sensing and GIS. Egypt J Remote Sensing Space Sci 18:S9-S18

    Google Scholar 

  • Gessesse D, Kleman J (2007) Pattern and magnitude of deforestation in the South Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. Mt Res Dev 27:162–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gete Z, Hurni H (2001) Implications of land use and land cover dynamics for mountain resource degradation in the northwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Mt Res Dev 21(2):184–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gizachew A (2015) Land capability classification using Geographical Information System in Guang Watershed, Highlands of Ethiopia. IJRSAS 1(3):17–20

  • Grose C (ed) (1999) Land capability handbook. Guidelines for the classification of agricultural land in Tasmania, 2nd edn. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania, Australia

  • Hellden U (1987) An assessment of woody biomass, community forests, land use and soil erosion in Ethiopia: A feasibility study on the use of remote sensing and GIS analysis for planning purposes in developing countries. Lund University Press, Lund

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurni H (1985) Erosion-productivity-conservation systems in Ethiopia. In: Proceedings 4th International conference on soil conservation, Maracay, Venezuela. pp 654–674

  • Hurni H, Kebede T, Gete Z (2005) The implications of changes in population, land use, and land management for surface runoff in the Upper Nile Basin area of Ethiopia. Mt Res Dev 25(2):147–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kebrom T, Hedlund L (2000) Land cover changes between 1958 and 1986 in Kalu District, Southern Wello, Ethiopia. Mt Res Dev 20(1):42–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshtkar H, Voigt W (2016) A spatiotemporal analysis of landscape change using an integrated Markov chain and cellular automata models. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kusumandari A, Nugroho P (2015) Land capability analysis based on hydrology and soil characteristics for watershed rehabilitation. Procedia Environ Sci 28:142–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2001) Soil degradation by erosion. Land Degrad Dev 12:519–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Q, Nkonya E, Mirzabaev A (2016) Biomass productivity-based mapping of global land degradation hotspots. In: Nkonya E, Mirzabaev A, von Braun J (eds) Economics of land degradation and improvement-A global assessment for sustainable development. Springer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillesand T, Kiefer R (2000) Remote sensing and image interpretation, 4th edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynn I, Manderson A, Page M, Harmsworth G, Eyles G, Douglas G, Mackay A, Newsome P (2009) Land use capability survey handbook—a New Zealand handbook for the classification of land (3rd edn). Hamilton, AgResearch; Lincoln, p 163

  • Mary Silpa T, Nowshaja P (2016) Land capability classification of Ollukara Block Panchayat using GIS. Proced Technol 24:303–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maryati S (2013) Land capability evaluation of reclamation area in Indonesia coal mining using LCLP Software. Proced Earth Planet Sci 6:465–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MoARD (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) (2010) Ethiopia’s agricultural sector Policy and Investment Framework (PIF) 2010–2020. Draft final report, pp 1–15

  • Monserud R (1990) Methods for comparing global vegetation maps, Report WP-90-40. IIASA, Laxenburg

  • Murphy B, Murphy C, Wilson B, Emery K, Lawrie J, Bowman G, Lawrie R, Erskine W (2004) A revised land and soil capability classification for New South Wales. In: 13th International Soil Conservation Organisation Conference-Brisbane, July 2004

  • Neitsch C, Golden M, Hossner L (1997) Land capability classification. In: Paper presented at the 1997 National Meetings of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Austin, Texas, May 10–16, 1997

  • Oldeman L, Van Lynden G, Van Engelen V (1995) An international methodology for soil degradation assessment and for a soils and terrain digital database (SOTER). In: Paper presented at the regional workshop on assessment and monitoring of land degradation, Cairo, May 13–15, 1995

  • Oluwatosin G, Adeyolanu O, Ogunkunle A, Idowu O (2006) From land capability classification to soil quality: an assessment. Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst 6(2):45–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Panhalkar S (2011) Land capability classification for integrated watershed development by applying remote sensing and GIS techniques. ARPN J Agric Biol Sci 6(4):46–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Panhalkar S, Mali S, Pawar C (2014) Land capability classification in Hiranyakeshi basin of Maharashtra (India): A Geo-informatics approach. IJETR 2(6):18–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Pramanik M (2016) Site suitability analysis for agricultural land use of Darjeeling district using AHP and GIS techniques. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rees D (1995) A land capability study of the Cassilis Valley, Swifts Creek. Centre for land protection research. Technical Report No. 27

  • Renard K, Foster G, Weesies G, McCool D, Yoder D (1996) Predicting soil erosion by water: a guide to conservation planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). United States Department of Agriculture, Handbook No.703, p 384

  • Rientjes T, Haile A, Kebede E, Mannaerts C, Habib E, Steenhuis T (2011) Changes in land cover, rainfall and stream flow in Upper Gilgel Abbay catchment, Blue Nile basin- Ethiopia. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 15:1979–1989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarma P, Lahkar B, Ghosh S, Rabha A, Das J, Nath N, Dey S, Brahma N (2008) Land-use and land-cover change and future implication analysis in Manas National Park, India using multi-temporal satellite data. Curr Sci 95(2):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherr S, Yadav S (1996) Land degradation in the developing world: implications for food, agriculture, and the environment to 2020. Food, Agriculture and the Environment Discussion Paper 14. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC

  • SCRP (Soil Conservation Research Project) (1996) Soil erosion hazard assessment for land evaluation. Research Report

  • Seleshi G, van Griensven A, Mul M, van der Zaag P (2016) Land suitability analysis for agriculture in the Abbay basin using remote sensing, GIS and AHP techniques. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seyedmohammadi J, Esmaeelnejad L, Ramezanpour H (2016) Land suitability assessment for optimum management of water consumption in precise agriculture. Model Earth Syst Environ 2:162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shit P, Nandi A, Bhunia G (2015) Soil erosion risk mapping using RUSLE model on Jhargram sub-division at West Bengal in India. Model Earth Syst Environ 1:28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon G, Ayele T, Bishop K (2010) Forest cover and stream flow in a headwater of the Blue Nile: Complementing observational data analysis with community perception. Ambio 39(4):284–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonneveld B, Keyzer M (2003) Land under pressure: soil conservation concerns and opportunities for Ethiopia. Land Degrad Dev 14:5–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taffa T (2002) Soil and water conservation for sustainable agriculture. Mega Publishing Enterprise, Addis Ababa, p 150

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen G, Amare B, Abraham M (2014) Evaluation of land use/land cover changes and land degradation in Dera District, Ethiopia: GIS and remote sensing based analysis. Int J Sci Res Environ Sci 2(6):199–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen G, Taffa T, Mekuria A (2017a) Erosion risk assessment for prioritization of conservation measures in Geleda watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Environ Syst Res 6(1):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen G, Taffa T, Mekuria A, Abeyou W (2017b) Evaluation and prediction of land use/land cover changes in the Andassa watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Environ Syst Res 6(17):1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen G, Taffa T, Mekuria A, Abeyou W (2018) Modeling the hydrological impacts of land use/land cover changes in the Andassa watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Sci Total Environ 619–620:1394–1408

    Google Scholar 

  • USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) (1961) Soil conservation service, land capability classification, agriculture Hand book No. p 210

  • USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) (1973) Soil conservation service, land capability classification, agriculture Hand book No. p 210

  • Wells M (2001) An Assessment of soil capability for on-site effluent disposal East Carnarvon, Western Australia. Resource Management Technical Report No. 79

  • Wilson J, Gallant J (2000) Terrain analysis: principles and applications. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Woldeamlak B (2002) Land cover dynamics since the 1950s in Chemoga watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Mt Res Dev 22(3):263–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The Authors acknowledge the Center for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University for financial support; Amhara National Regional State Bureau of Finance and Economic Development (ANRS BoFED) for providing soil, drainage, and stoniness data and Dera Woreda agricultural office for transport facility during field work. The authors are also delighted to acknowledge the constructive comments of the reviewers and the editor.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Temesgen Gashaw, Taffa Tulu & Mekuria Argaw

  2. Blackland Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M Agrilife Research, College Station, TX, USA

    Abeyou W. Worqlul

  3. Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia

    Temesgen Gashaw

Authors
  1. Temesgen Gashaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Taffa Tulu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mekuria Argaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abeyou W. Worqlul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Temesgen Gashaw.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gashaw, T., Tulu, T., Argaw, M. et al. Land capability classification for planning land uses in the Geleda watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 4, 489–499 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0448-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0448-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation