Soil in Dogu'a Tembien
The soils of the Dogu’a Tembien woreda (district) in Tigray (Ethiopia) reflect its longstanding agricultural history, highly seasonal rainfall regime, relatively low temperatures, an extremely great variety in lithology (with dominance of basalts and limestone) and steep slopes. Outstanding features in the soilscape are the fertile highland Vertisols and Phaeozems in forests. Factors contributing to soil diversity Climate Annual rainfall depth is very variable with an average of around 800 mm. Most rains fall during the main rainy season, which typically extends from June to September. Mean temperature in woreda town Hagere Selam is 16.8 °C, oscillating between average daily minimum of 9.3 °C and maximum of 24.1 °C. The contrasts between day and night air temperatures are much larger than seasonal contrasts. Geology From the higher to the lower locations, the following geological formations are present: Phonolite plugs Upper basalt Interbedded lacustrine deposits Lower basalt Amba Aradam Formation Agula Shale Mekelle Dolerite Antalo Limestone Adigrat Sandstone Enticho Sandstone Edaga Arbi Glacials Quaternary alluvium and freshwater tufa Topography As part of the Ethiopian highlands the land has undergone a rapid tectonic uplift, leading the occurrence of mountain peaks, plateaus, valleys and gorges. Land use Generally speaking the level lands and