The soils of the Kilte Awula’ilo woreda (district) in Tigray, Ethiopia reflect its longstanding agricultural history, highly seasonal rainfall regime, relatively low temperatures, the presence of a wide depression at the foot of the Atsbi horst and steep slopes.
Outstanding features in the soilscape are the wide ancient fluvial deposits, the soils of the granite batholith, cuestas and fertile lands behind tufa dams.
[5] The following geological formations are present:[5] As part of the Ethiopian highlands the land has undergone a rapid tectonic uplift, leading the occurrence of mountain peaks, plateaus, valleys and gorges.
Hence, soil erosion is an important problem, which results in low crop yields and biomass production.
[19] On the other hand, it remains difficult to convince farmers to carry out measures within the farmland (in situ soil management), such as bed and furrows or zero grazing, as there is a fear for loss of income from the land.
Mollic Calcaric Cambisol on an ancient river terrace in Birki
Cuesta landscape in Mesozoic sedimentary rock
Typical catena in the Wuqro fluvial landscape
View on the incised Giba plateau, near Tsigereda
Typical catena on the incised Giba plateau
Typical catena in the steep incised mountainous area
Mollic Calcaric Fluvisol along Agula'e River
Surroundings of the Birki profile on a lower river terrace
Typical catena on ancient river terraces
Typical catena on Tufa dam backfill
Typical catena on the incised Agula shale plateau with dolerite
Landscape on the Antalo limestone plateau with a large gully incising Vertisols (between
Wuqro
and
Agula
)
Typical catena in the gently rolling Antalo limestone plateau
Cuesta landscape between Wuqro and Hawzien
Typical catena in the cuesta landscape
Lithic Leptosols around Abreha and Atsbeha church at the edge of Menda'i plain
