Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering 2020; 1(5): 1-9 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/jeece doi: 10.11648/j.jeece.20200501.11 ISSN: 2637-4331 (Print); ISSN: 2637-434X (Online) Effects of Area Closure on Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Endale Bedada 1, * , Feto Esimo 2 , Alemayehu Muluneh 3 1 Fitche Agricultural Research Center, Fitche, Ethiopia 2 Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Finfinne, Ethiopia 3 Biosystem and Environmental Engineering Department, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Endale Bedada, Feto Esimo, Alemayehu Muluneh. Effects of Area Closure on Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia. Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering. Vol. 5, No. 1, 2020, pp. 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.jeece.20200501.11 Received: March 23, 2020; Accepted: April 9, 2020; Published: April 29, 2020 Abstract: This study was conducted at sire moresse area closure, Hidabu abote district, North shewa zone, Oromia Regional State to evaluate the effects of area closure on selected physic-chemical properties of soils. In this study area closure sites were compared with adjacent open grazing land in similar landscape positions for soil fertility buildup. Soil samples were collected from the experimental fields using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement to evaluate selected soil physico- chemical properties. Data analyses were carried out using analysis of variance appropriate to general linear model (GLM). A total of 36 undisturbed and 36 disturbed soil samples were collected from both closed and open grazing land at 10 and 20 cm sampling depths along each slope position with three replication. The result of the study indicated that the mean value of most of soil physical and chemical properties were higher at area closure than adjacent open grazing land and also higher at bottom slope position than middle and upper slope position. The mean of Air filled porosity and Bulk density were lower at both area closure management practices and bottom slope position. Bulk density, Total Porosity, volumetric soil moisture content and saturated hydraulic conductivity at 20 cm sampling depth were shows significantly different with respect to management practices. Similarly, soil chemical properties such as EC, OC, AvP and CEC were shows significantly different with respect to management practices. Soil structure quality, Texture, BD, TP, SMC, EC and TN were shows significantly different under the three slope position. The overall output from the research showed that physical and chemical properties of soil in area closure areas are improving. Area closures act as important sinks of water and reduce soil erosion. From this study it was possible to conclude that area closure improves soil physical and chemical properties. Keywords: Area Closures, Open Grazing Land, Soil Physical Properties, Soil Chemical Properties 1. Introduction Land degradation is a serious global environmental problem. However, wide disparity exists on the extent, depth, type and drivers of the problem [20]. Improper land use, drought, vegetation loss, soil erosion are the principal agents [29, 58] and soils play a central role in protection and regulation of land resources. The problem of soil degradation in Ethiopia is a well- established fact and the apparent soil degradation in the country today can be regarded as a direct result of the past agricultural practices in the high lands. [41] Have also confirmed that anthropogenic effects continue to be the causes and driving factors for soil degradation in Ethiopia. Land use changes, mainly conversion of natural forest to agricultural and grazing lands are known to result in changes in soil chemical, physical and biological properties [25], yet the sign and magnitude of these changes vary with land cover