摘要
Removal of trees and shrubs from hillsides exposes a site to erosion that threatens soil aggregation and stability. The present study aimed at evaluating the performance of five indigenous tree species in rehabilitation of degraded hillsides of Kuriftu Lake Catchment and the role of water harvesting structures. Adaptability varied by tree species and water harvesting structures significantly augmented seedling es-tablishment for some tree species. Height ofAcacia abyssinicaplanted on steeper slopes （18%-27%） without infiltration pits was lower than for conspecifics planted with infiltration pits.Dodonaea angustifolia wasproved to be best adapted to the siteand showed no need for water harvesting regardless of planting position across the degraded hillside. Planting ofAcacia seyalshould be restricted to gentler slopes （0-17%） with infiltration pits： tree height declined significantly on steep slopes without infiltration pits.Olea africanaperformed better on gentle slopes with pits but also grew well on steeper slopes with pits.Euclea schim-periwasproved to be least effective of the species evaluated in this study.
Removal of trees and shrubs from hillsides exposes a site to erosion that threatens soil aggregation and stability. The present study aimed at evaluating the performance of five indigenous tree species in rehabilitation of degraded hillsides of Kuriftu Lake Catchment and the role of water harvesting structures. Adaptability varied by tree species and water harvesting structures significantly augmented seedling es-tablishment for some tree species. Height ofAcacia abyssinicaplanted on steeper slopes （18%-27%） without infiltration pits was lower than for conspecifics planted with infiltration pits.Dodonaea angustifolia wasproved to be best adapted to the siteand showed no need for water harvesting regardless of planting position across the degraded hillside. Planting ofAcacia seyalshould be restricted to gentler slopes （0-17%） with infiltration pits： tree height declined significantly on steep slopes without infiltration pits.Olea africanaperformed better on gentle slopes with pits but also grew well on steeper slopes with pits.Euclea schim-periwasproved to be least effective of the species evaluated in this study.
