Browsing by Author "Gabiri, Geofrey"

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    Effect of mulching and permanent planting basin dimensions on Maize (Zea mays L.) production in a Sub-Humid Climate
    (Water : MDPI, 2022-01-03) Zizinga, Alex; Mwanjalolo, Jackson-Gilbert Majaliwa; Tietjen, Britta; Bedadi, Bobe; Gabiri, Geofrey; Luswata, Kizza Charles
    In sub-humid regions, declining maize (Zea mays L.) yield is majorly attributed to unreliable rainfall and high evapotranspiration demand during critical growth stages. However, there are limited farm technologies for conserving soil water and increasing water use efficiency (WUE) in rainfed production systems amidst a changing climate. This study aimed at assessing the performance of different climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices, such as mulching and permanent planting basins (PPB), on maize growth, yield, water use efficiency and soil moisture storage. Field experiments involving mulches of 2 cm (M_2 cm), 4 cm (M_4 cm) and 6 cm (M_6 cm) thickness, permanent planting basins of 20 cm (PPB_20 cm) and 30 cm (PPB_30 cm) depths and the control/or conventional treatments were conducted for three maize growing seasons in the sub-humid climate of Western Uganda. Results indicate that maize biomass significantly increased under the tested CSA practices in the study area. Use of permanent planting basins relatively increased maize grain yield (11–66%) and water use efficiency (33–94%) compared to the conventional practice. Additionally, plots treated with mulch achieved an increase in grain yield (18–65%) and WUE (28–85%) relative to the control. Soil amendment with M_4 cm and M_6 cm significantly increased soil moisture storage compared to permanent planting basins and the conventional practice. Overall, the results highlight the positive impact of CSA practices on improving maize yield and water use efficiency in rainfed agriculture production systems which dominate the sub-humid regions
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    Investigating land use and land cover dynamics : past trends and future implications for ecosystem functioning in the upper awash Subbasin, Ethiopia
    (Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2026-07-23) Bedada, Abebe Bezu; Feyisa, Gudina Legese; Kebede, Asfaw; Mwanjalolo, Jackson Gilbert Majaliwa; Gabiri, Geofrey
    Land use/land cover (LULC) changes have substantial impacts on humans and the environment globally. In Ethiopia, these dynamics have led to significant socio-ecological consequences. However, most existing studies focus on historical patterns and provide limited spatially explicit future projections. This study quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics and future projections of LULC in the Upper Awash Subbasin (UASB), Ethiopia. Landsat satellite imagery was classified using the Random Forest algorithm in Google Earth Engine. While future LULC for 2040 and 2060 were simulated using the MOLUSCE with a Cellular Automata – Artificial Neural Network. Results indicate that cropland dominated the landscape, accounting for approximately 57% during 1980 and projected to reach 77.5% by 2060. Settlement areas expanded by 132% between 1980 and 2020 and are projected to expand by 205% by 2060. The forest declined by 79.5% from 1980 to 2000, followed by an increase of 121% between 2000 and 2020, although it remained below the extent recorded in 1980. On the contrary, grasslands declined by 86.4% between 1980 and 2060. Overall, settlement and croplands have expanded at the expense of forests, grasslands, and shrublands. With current trajectories, grasslands may become ecologically insignificant, suggesting the urgent need for ecosystem restoration and land-use planning strategies.