Not AvailablePurpose Soil erosion and loss threatens vast tracts of agricultural and non-agricultural land, worldwide. High soil erosion
severely affects establishment of vegetation via effects on plant growth and productivity on already degraded lands. However,
information on soil loss impact on tree plantation and their relationships is scarce in the ravine lands. Therefore, we assessed soil
loss effects on tree growth and soil characteristics, and role of conservation measures in degraded ravine land.
Methods The study consisted of comparing three systems, i.e., terracing, trenching, and sole slope to observe the effects on soil
erosion and the resultant losses. In first system, a terraced land was designed from ravine top to bottom by dividing the slope into
the four plots. In second system, ninety-seven trenches sized 2.0m× 0.5m× 0.5mwere designed on slope,while in third system,
a continuous slope was maintained. Twenty-seven trees were planted at 8 m× 8 m spacing in each system. In all the systems,
annual runoff, soil loss, tree growth, biomass and carbon stock, and soil properties were observed for the 7 years.
Results Annual soil loss was recorded highest (5.1 t ha−1 year−1) in slope followed by trench (4.4 t ha−1 year−1) and terrace
(3.8 t ha−1 year−1) systems, during the 7 years. In the slope system, increased soil loss resulted in the decreased tree height and collar
diameter growth by 3–12% and 12–21%, respectively. Total biomass, carbon stock, and CO2 sequestration declined by 44–86% with
the increased soil loss on the slope during the same period. Tree canopy area was also recorded lower in the slope, compared to terrace
and trench measures. The soil loss relationship with tree characteristics revealed that growth, biomass, carbon stock, and canopy
area consistently declined with the increased soil loss. In soil, proportional loss of organic carbon (11–21%), nitrogen (10–13%),
phosphorus (25–32%), and potassium (4–13%) was also observed with increased soil erosion on the slope, compared to conservation
measures. In contrast, soil loss reduction in the terrace and trench based measures improved the tree growth, biomass, carbon stock, and
soil properties during the same period.
Conclusion The soil loss negatively affected the tree growth, productivity and their restoration potential, while soil conservation
measures showed strong potential to ameliorate the highly eroded ravine slopes. Therefore, tree plantations should be augmented
with the appropriate soil and water conservation measures for achieving greater ecological and economic benefits in degraded
ravine lands.Not Availabl
