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The study concerns with the application of detail (1:12500) soil survey information for land evaluation at a microcatchment level. It basically deals with the study of pedogenetic factors, characteristics and classification of soils and land suitability evaluation. Twenty-two land mapping units had been recognized. A micro-computer based model, ALES (develop to apply FAO method land evaluation) integrated with ArcView GIS, named as land evaluation for Chercher highlands (LE-CHET) has been developed and applied. The results identified nutrient availability, erosion hazard, moisture availability, topographic and climatic factors as major limiting land qualities in the growing of local major food crops. Thus, this study serves as an example on the contribution and significance of soil survey information to the development of land use plan.

Autorentext

Mohammed Assen obtained BA and MA degrees from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia and PhD in soil science from the University of the Free State, South Africa. He has devoted his life to teaching and researching in pedology, land evaluation and watershed management; supervised MSC and PhD students and authored several articles.