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Table 5 Effect of slope position on SOC concentration, SOC stock, and soil bulk density (Mean ± SEM)

From: Exclosures backed up with community-based soil and water conservation practices increased soil organic carbon stock and microbial biomass carbon distribution, in the northern highlands of Ethiopia

SWC measures

Soil parameter

Slope positions

Foot slope

Middle slope

Upper slope

Non-conserved grazing lands

SOC (%)

1.9 ± 0.1c

2.1 ± 0.1ce

1.7 ± 0.1c

Bulk density (kg m−3)

1199 ± 40bcd

1310 ± 40ad

1315 ± 40a

SOC stock (Mg ha−1)

18 ± 2ac

15 ± 2c

15 ± 2c

Terraces

SOC (%)

2.6 ± 0.1abd

2.4 ± 0.1bd

2.4 ± 0.1de

Bulk density(kg m−3)

1262.9 ± 40abcd

1276.6 ± 40acd

1240.8 ± 40abcd

SOC stock (Mg ha−1)

22 ± 2ab

20 ± 2ac

22 ± 2ab

Exclosures + terraces

SOC (%)

2.9 ± 0.1a

2.8 ± 0.1a

2.9 ± 0.1a

Bulk density(kg m−3)

1218 ± 40abcd

1233 ± 40abcd

1231 ± 40abcd

SOC stock (Mg ha−1)

31 ± 2de

26 ± 2bde

30 ± 2e

Exclosures alone

SOC (%)

2.7 ± 0.1a

2.7 ± 0.1ab

2.8 ± 0.1ab

Bulk density (kg m−3)

1315 ± 40a

1162 ± 40b

1184 ± 40bc

SOC stock (Mg ha−1)

25 ± 2bd

22 ± 2ab

23 ± 2ab

  1. Means of each soil parameter followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P ≤ 0.05