The role of trees in soil erosion control in rural areas. case study: Metu sub county Moyo district

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Date
2007-07
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Publisher
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the role of trees in controlling soil erosion resulting from people’s activities in Metu sub- county Moyo district. The objectives of the study were meant to indicate causes of soil erosion and to find out the consequences of soil erosion. They also included the need to establish how trees have been used to control the problems arising from the consequences of soil erosion. The research employed several methods of obtaining data such as observations, questionnaires, oral interviews, conducted and literature reviews. Findings of what activities cause erosion in Metu Sub County. From the findings it was revealed that people’s activities causing erosion can be improved by using practices like inter cropping, mulching, contour ploughing and terracing, a forestation, re-a forestation plus zero grazing. It was also found out that consequences of soil erosion such as poor water quality, poor air quality, habitat loss, poverty, conflict and migration can be reduced by using agro forestry technologies to ensure maximum utilization of the land and at the same time prevent degradative Land effects that result. Trees species such as sesbania Sesban, Leucaene Leucocephalla, Albizia Albida, Ficusses Azadirachta indica, Glerucidia, Caj anus Cal an, Tephrosia and Desmodium are growth for maintaining the soil fertility. The study also revealed some hindrances to the use of agro forestry practices. These included revelations that seeds and seedlings are expensive and not easy to obtain. The land tenure system in the study area is also an obstacle. Most of the land is communal and landownership is not clear. People’s cultures also hinder tree planting, where people believe that trees are God given and God will continue providing trees for them. Sometimes pests and diseases affect the trees leading to loss of vegetation cover. Extension workers are few and often not well trained. The study suggested the following recommendations:-, Land tenure systems must be clear such that private ownership is encouraged. Seeds and seedlings should be cheap and availed to the people at all times when needed to encourage development of private wood lots. Extension workers should be adequately trained. There should also be intensive creation of awareness about how their own activities are causing soil erosion, resultant consequences and ways of curbing it by use of agro forestry technologies, and preferred species, and any other relevant methods.
Description
A report submitted to the faculty of social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of bachelor of science in environment management of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Soil erosion, Trees, Rural areas
Citation