Soil and water conservation and forestry
interventions at the Kabe Watershed Pilot
Project in Ethiopia, 2011-2013
Asmare Wubet (Sirinka Agricultural Research Center,
ARARI)
Workshop on the lessons and success stories from a
pilot project on climate change adaptation
interventions in Kabe watershed, south Wollo,
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 11-12 February 2013

1. Introduction
 Due to climate change recurrent droughts, erosion and flooding and
drying of streams, springs and lakes appear to be increasing in
Ethiopia.
 To alleviate the problem, the government have given greater
emphasis for watershed based soil and water conservation
(Biological and physical).
 Millions of tree seedlings have been planted by different
afforestation programs in order to improve the environmental
conditions of different areas. However, survival of the seedlings is
not as expected in many of the areas.
 Water stress is one of the major limiting factors, which reduces the
survival rate and productivity of tree seedlings.
 So, there is a need to test different mechanisms to increase
seedling survival such as in-situ moisture conservation and adaptive
species.

2. Methods
Using community mass mobilization and safety net program a
huge soil and water conservation structures were constructed in
the watershed.
Different grass species and multipurpose tree species were
planted on constructed physical structures and on the top of the
watershed (afforestation area).
As a demonstration, 250 seedlings of five tree species were
planted on different in-situ moisture conservation structures.

3. Results
Physical conservation structures
Participants
Description Unit Plan Achievement Contribution
Male Female Total
in Birr
Stone terrace ha 78.25 83.4 12178 9247 21425 214,250.00
Cut off drain
ha 0.53 0.65 120 65 185
1,850.00
Stone faced soil
ha 89.6 93.2 16150 7868 24018 240,180.00
bund
Hill side terrace ha 42.5 42.5 7314 3558 10872 108,720.00
Trench
ha 0.93 0.89 86 98 184
1,840.00
Water percolation
ha 4.5 4.46 2256 1964 4220
trench 42,200.00
Stone check dam
ha 9 9 2149 715 2864
28,640.00
Planting pits
ha 16 12.93 967 650 1617
16,170.00
Total 241.31 247.03 41220 24165 65385 653,850.00

Effect of in-situ moisture conservation measures on seedling
survival rate

Biological measures and afforestation at the top of the
watershed
Description Planted in Survived in
%
Type of tree seedlings Number ha Number ha
Sesbania sesban 10001 84.01 2483 0.25 24.83
Chamaecytisus palmensis 106386 103.42 986 0.10 0.93
Acacia decurrens 38025 3.80 3145 0.31 8.27
Acacia saligna 30508 3.05 16779 1.67 55.00
Juniperus procera 3665 0.36 896 0.08 24.45
Erica arborea 600 0.06 594 0.06 99.00
Arundinaria alpine 1058 0.11 841 0.08 79.49
Guassa (grass) splits 7000 0.70 6965 0.70 99.50
Densho grass splits 354500 17.50 230425 23.04 55.00
Phalaris grass splits 14290 1.42 6488 0.65 45.40
Fistuka grass splits 5000 0.50 2645 0.26 52.90
Acacia abyssinica 2800 0.28 663 0.67 23.68
Total 573833 215.2058 272910 27.8636 47.56

4. Recommendation
 Greater emphasis should be given to stabilize physical soil and
water conservation structures using biological measures.
 Plantation of seedling integrated with in-situ water harvesting
structures should be strictly followed in the next plantation
season.
 Gully treatment and stabilization should be the first task that we
have to do in the coming season.