Review Article
An Overview of the Soil Acidity Causes in Ethiopia, Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies
Amanuel Tadesse Warke*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
66-78
Received:
30 January 2024
Accepted:
10 April 2024
Published:
20 September 2024
Abstract: Soil acidity is a serious land degradation problem and worldwide danger, impacting approximately 50% of the world's arable soils and limiting agricultural yield. Soil acidification is a complicated series of events that lead to the production of acidic soil. In its widest sense, it can be defined as the total of natural and human processes that reduce the pH of soil solutions. Soil acidity affects around 43% of agricultural land in Ethiopia's humid and sub humid highlands. The main objective of this seminar is to highlight different literatures on the concepts of soil acidity and to give a wealth of knowledge on the causes of soil acidity, the effects it has on agricultural production, and management strategies for reducing soil acidity and raising crop yield. Acid soils in western Ethiopia are mostly caused by topsoil erosion caused by heavy rains and high temperatures. This results in the loss of organic matter and the leaching of exchangeable basic cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+). Because ammonium-based fertilizers are easily converted to nitrate and hydrogen ions in the soil, they play a significant role in acidification. One of the reasons of soil acidity is inefficient nitrogen usage, which is followed by alkalinity exports in crops. Soil acidity in Ethiopian highlands is mostly caused by the clearance of crop residues, continuous crop harvest without sufficient fertilization, cation removal, and usage of acid-forming inorganic fertilizers. Acid soil reduces nutrient availability and produces Al and Mn toxicity. In addition to these effects, soil acidity may rapidly degrade soil physicochemical qualities such as organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil structure, porosity, and texture. Liming, the use of organic materials as ISFM, and the adoption of crop types that are resistant to Al toxicity are all alternatives for correcting acid soils. Liming can minimize toxicity by lowering concentrations, improving the availability of plant nutrients like P, Ca, Mg, and K in the soil, and reducing heavy metal solubility and leaching. Application of organic matter has a liming impact because of its abundance in alkaline cations (such Ca, Mg, and K) that were released from OM during mineralization. The pH of the soil is raised by soil organic matter, which helps with soil acidity supplements.
Abstract: Soil acidity is a serious land degradation problem and worldwide danger, impacting approximately 50% of the world's arable soils and limiting agricultural yield. Soil acidification is a complicated series of events that lead to the production of acidic soil. In its widest sense, it can be defined as the total of natural and human processes that red...
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Research Article
Coupling the Power of Artificial Intelligence on Human and Climate Change Impacts Mitigation in Oban Biodiversity Hotspot Loss, Nigeria
Ezinne Okoroafor,
Ikpong Sunday Umo*,
Ifeanyi Gerry Ukwe
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
79-85
Received:
31 July 2024
Accepted:
2 September 2024
Published:
20 September 2024
Abstract: The current human efforts to grapples with the pressing challenges of human and climate change impacts on biodiversity loss hotspots have not yield the expected outcome, thereby creating an urgent need for a more sustainable and innovative approach to mitigate the threats from local to global level. This paper explores the various applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in monitoring endangered animal species and forest degradation within the Oban Division of the Cross River National Park with a view to boosting sustainable species conservation and averting biodiversity hotspot loss. It evaluates the key potentials and real benefits of AI-driven technologies in optimizing species protection and conservation efforts in the hotspot. It also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of AI in biodiversity hotspot monitoring and conservation; and propose recommendations for future research and policy interventions. The paper adopts a qualitative method in reviewing existing studies of AI applications in species conservation and narrows it down to the Oban biodiversity hotspot. The results show that species in the study area are under serious human and nature-induced threats. Also, though AI possesses one of the most intuitive and environmental-friendly options for species monitoring and protection, its application in the protected hotspot is still at zero level due to limited capacity and awareness. We recommend AI driven capacity building via staff training, as well as provision of place-centered AI-technologies to aid accurate monitoring and avert species extinction in the Oban hotspot. Also, local content development and promotion of indigenous technologies, ideas, policies and programmes should be urgently prioritized.
Abstract: The current human efforts to grapples with the pressing challenges of human and climate change impacts on biodiversity loss hotspots have not yield the expected outcome, thereby creating an urgent need for a more sustainable and innovative approach to mitigate the threats from local to global level. This paper explores the various applications of A...
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