Hydraulic properties of andosols following deforestation in the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya
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Date
1999Author
G, Kironchi
J.P, Mbuvi
FN, Gichuki
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Deterioration in soil hydraulic properties due to deforestation adversely affects the
hydrology of catchments, especially those on mountain slopes. The effects of clearing
natural forest (NF) for potato cultivation (PC) and livestock grazing (GL) on the
l-rydraulic properties of an andosol (after 5 to 8 years) were investigated in the northern
slopes of Mount Kenya. The two farming activities have resulted in deleterious
changes in soil water flow and storage. Results obtained showed that steady
infiltration rates were 65.7 in NF, 9.7 in PC and 13.4 cm h{ in GL. Sorptivity decreased
by 15% in PC and 22% in GL, while topsoil-saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased
by 62% in PC and 76% in GL compared to NF. Both PC and GL topsoil had higher
volurnetric water content at soil rnatric potentials (. - 25 cm) than NF. Cultivation and
grazing in the area have Ied to compacted topsoil with lower (11%) total porosity and
decreased plant available water holding capacity by 16 for PC and 79% for GL.
Citation
E.Afr.agric. For.J (1999) 65(2),175 -724Publisher
Department of Soil Science, University of Nairobi