Your search found 17 records
1 Falkenmark, M. 2017. Water and human livelihood resilience: a regional-to-global outlook. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 33(2):181-197. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2016.1190320]
Water resources ; Living standards ; Freshwater ; Groundwater ; Resilience ; Water governance ; Precipitation ; Rain ; Flow discharge ; Environmental effects ; Ecosystems ; Savannas ; Landscape conservation ; Food production ; Land use ; Hydrological cycle ; Ecological factors / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048016)
(1.67 MB)
This article addresses the need to profoundly expand the way we think about freshwater. Stressing water’s role as the bloodstream of the biosphere, the article highlights water’s functions in sustaining life on the planet (control, state and moisture feedback functions), the role of water partitioning changes in inducing non-linear change at multiple scales, and humanity’s influence on a social-ecological system’s capacity to adapt and continue to function. It reviews water’s roles during its journey through the upper layers of the land mass, different types of water–ecosystem interactions, and water’s roles in landscape-scale resilience building.
2 Tamene, L.; Adimassu, Zenebe; Aynekulu, E.; Yaekob, T. 2017. Estimating landscape susceptibility to soil erosion using a GIS-based approach in northern Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 5(3):221-230. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.05.002]
Soil profiles ; Soil conservation ; Erosion ; Geographical information systems ; Landscape conservation ; Land degradation ; Sediment transport ; Sedimentation ; Watersheds ; Catchment areas ; Rain ; Reservoir storage / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048139)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209563391630137X/pdfft?md5=f2cd5081ebf0f23056b3f7a851d98187&pid=1-s2.0-S209563391630137X-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048139.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048139.pdf
(1.29 MB)
Soil erosion is a very critical form of land degradation resulting in the loss of soil nutrients and downstream sedimentation of water storages in the highlands of Ethiopia. As it is technically and financially impossible to conserve all landscapes affected by erosion, identification of priority areas of intervention is necessary. Spatially distributed erosion models can help map landscape susceptibility to erosion and identify high erosion risk areas. Integration of erosion models with geographic information systems (GIS) enables assessing evaluate the spatial variability of soil erosion and plan implementing conservation measures at landscape levels. In this study, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation adjusted for sediment delivery ratio was used in a GIS system to assess landscape sensitivity to erosion and identify hotspots. The approach was applied in three catchments with size being 10–20 km2 and results were compared against quantitative and semi-quantitative data. The model estimated mean soil loss rates of about 45 t ha-1 y-1 with an average variability of 30% between catchments. The estimated soil loss rate is above the tolerable limit of 10 t ha-1 y-1. The model predicted high soil loss rates at steep slopes and shoulder positions as well as along gullies. The results of the study demonstrate that knowledge of spatial patterns of high soil loss risk areas can help deploy site-specific conservation measures.
3 FAO. 2017. Watershed management in action: lessons learned from FAO field projects. Rome, Italy: FAO. 170p.
Watershed management ; Development projects ; Landscape conservation ; Environmental effects ; Stakeholders ; Capacity building ; Problem analysis ; Planning ; Monitoring ; Indicators ; Assessment ; Strategies ; Policy ; Investment ; Regulations ; Corporate culture / Democratic People's Republic of Korea / Ecuador / Gambia / Guatemala / Mauritania / Morocco / Pakistan / Tajikistan / Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan / Azerbaijan / Turkey / Tanzania / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048713)
(4.55 MB) (4.55 MB)
4 Mekuria, Wolde. 2019. Restoring degraded landscapes for improved ecosystem services. In Hadgu, K. M.; Bishaw, B.; Iiyama, M.; Birhane, E.; Negussie, A.; Davis, C. M.; Bernart, B. (Eds.). Climate-smart agriculture: enhancing resilient agricultural systems, landscapes, and livelihoods in Ethiopia and beyond. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry (ICRAF). pp.75-80.
Landscape conservation ; Degraded land ; Ecosystem services ; Sustainability ; Resilience ; Soil properties ; Erosion ; Vegetation ; Carbon ; Living standards ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049272)
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/B19055.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049272.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049272.pdf
(0.24 MB) (13.1 MB)
5 Tamene, L.; Yaekob, T.; Mekonnen, K.; Woldearegay, K.; Adimassu, Zenebe; Ellison, J.; Gurmessa, B.; Alene, T.; Dubale, W.; Kassie, G.; Thorne, P. 2019. Landscape management: Africa RISING [Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation] project R4D experiences in the Ethiopian highlands. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.55-59.
Landscape conservation ; Agricultural research for development ; Projects ; Highlands ; Land management ; Water management ; Technology ; Stakeholders / Africa / Ethiopia / Debre Birhan / Hosanna
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049336)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/102356/AR_proceedings_2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049336.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049336.pdf
(1.14 MB) (6.23 MB)
6 Ariyathunga, K.; Ruberu, J.; Dayananda, P. G.; Wehella, V. (Eds.) 2019. Mahaweliya: sanhidiyawe gangawa. [Mahaweli: the river of reconciliation]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka. 641p.
Water resources ; Water management ; River basin development ; Tanks ; Development projects ; Irrigation programs ; Social aspects ; Economic aspects ; Environmental effects ; Landscape conservation ; Land use ; Rehabilitation / Sri Lanka / Moragahakanda Project / Mahaweli River / Amban Ganga / Kalu Ganga / Laggala / Minipe
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 631.7 G744 ARI Record No: H049386)
(2.45 MB)
7 Abera, W.; Tamene, L.; Tibebe, D.; Adimassu, Zenebe; Kassa, H.; Hailu, H.; Mekonnen, K.; Desta, G.; Sommer, R.; Verchot, L. 2020. Characterizing and evaluating the impacts of national land restoration initiatives on ecosystem services in Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 31(1):37-52. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3424]
Land restoration ; Ecosystem services ; Land degradation ; Landscape conservation ; Impact assessment ; Sustainable land management ; Projects ; Agroecological zones ; Soil erosion ; Highlands ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Tigray / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049428)
(9.02 MB)
Land restoration is considered to be the remedy for 21st century global challenges of land degradation. As a result, various land restoration and conservation efforts are underway at different scales. Ethiopia is one of the countries with huge investments in land restoration. Tremendous land management practices have been implemented across the country since the 1970s. However, the spatial distribution of the interventions has not been documented, and there is no systematic, quantitative evidence on whether land restoration efforts have achieved the restoration of desired ecosystem services. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature related to land restoration efforts and their impacts in Ethiopia. Results show that most of the large-scale projects have been implemented in the highlands, specifically in Tigray and Amhara regions covering about 24 agroecological zones, and land restoration impact studies are mostly focused in the highlands but restricted in about 11 agroecological zones. The highest mean effect on agricultural productivity is obtained from the combination of bunds and biological interventions followed by conservation agriculture practices with 170% and 18% increases, respectively. However, bunds alone, biological intervention alone, and terracing (fanya juu) reveal negative effects on productivity. The mean effect of all land restoration interventions on soil organic carbon is positive, the highest effect being from “bunds + biological” (139%) followed by exclosure (90%). Reduced soil erosion and runoff are the dominant impacts of all interventions. The results can be used to improve existing guidelines to better match land restoration options with specific desired ecosystem functions and services. Although the focus of this study was on the evaluation of the impacts of land restoration efforts on selected ecosystem services, impacts on livelihood and national socioeconomy have not been examined. Thus, strengthening socioeconomic studies at national scale to assess the sustainability of land restoration initiatives is an essential next step.
8 Mekuria, Wolde; Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Lefore, Nicole. 2020. Exclosures for landscape restoration in Ethiopia: business model scenarios and suitability. Agricultural Water Management – Making a Business Case for Smallholders. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 62p. (IWMI Research Report 175) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2020.201]
Landscape conservation ; Exclosures ; Business models ; Land degradation ; Sustainable land management ; Natural resources management ; Ecosystem services ; Crop production ; Fruits ; Trees ; Apiculture ; Honey production ; Livestock production ; Fattening ; Feed production ; Forage yield ; Grazing lands ; Land use ; Land cover ; Horticulture ; Environmental sustainability ; Integrated systems ; Markets ; Supply chain ; Financing ; Income ; Incentives ; Cash flow ; Cost benefit analysis ; Economic viability ; Investment ; Institutions ; Strategies ; Regulations ; Policies ; Multi-stakeholder processes ; Private sector ; Government agencies ; Nongovernmental organizations ; Feasibility studies ; Rural areas ; Local communities ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Gender ; Women ; Living standards / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H049614)
(2.88 MB)
Land degradation is a critical problem around the world. Intensive rain-fed and irrigated crop and livestock systems have contributed to the degradation of land and natural resources. Numerous institutional and socioeconomic challenges complicate attempts to reverse land degradation, including the lack of short-term incentives for investment; low investment by communities in natural resources management that offers little immediate financial reward; failure of public sector institutions to invest sufficiently in natural resources management because of low, immediate political rewards; and sectoral fragmentation, among others. In poor communities, the incentive to extract short-term economic returns from land and natural resources often outweighs perceived benefits from investing in long-term environmental restoration, and related economic and ecosystem returns.
Restoring degraded ecosystems through the establishment of exclosures – areas that are excluded from woodcutting, grazing and agricultural activities – is an increasingly common practice in the Ethiopian Highlands, and regional states are also following this practice. This report proposes and applies an adapted business model to explore the feasibility of exclosures for land restoration. It aims to identify short-term revenue streams from activities that can be carried out within exclosures, such as beekeeping, harvesting fodder for livestock fattening, and cultivating high-value plant species, including fruits and herbs. These are feasible, sustainable economic activities that could allow for the restoration of ecosystem services over the long term. Mobilization of financial resources, engagement of local communities, provision of training and continuous follow-up, as well as facilitation of market opportunities in the value chain for local communities and enterprises (e.g., creating market linkages and establishing innovation platform to engage with market actors) could support the sustainable implementation of the revenue streams.
Restoring degraded ecosystems through the establishment of exclosures – areas that are excluded from woodcutting, grazing and agricultural activities – is an increasingly common practice in the Ethiopian Highlands, and regional states are also following this practice. This report proposes and applies an adapted business model to explore the feasibility of exclosures for land restoration. It aims to identify short-term revenue streams from activities that can be carried out within exclosures, such as beekeeping, harvesting fodder for livestock fattening, and cultivating high-value plant species, including fruits and herbs. These are feasible, sustainable economic activities that could allow for the restoration of ecosystem services over the long term. Mobilization of financial resources, engagement of local communities, provision of training and continuous follow-up, as well as facilitation of market opportunities in the value chain for local communities and enterprises (e.g., creating market linkages and establishing innovation platform to engage with market actors) could support the sustainable implementation of the revenue streams.
9 McCartney, Matthew; Dickens, Chris. 2021. Landscape regeneration and the role of water. In Filho, W. L.; Azul, A. M.; Brandli, L.; Salvia, A. L.; Wall, T. (Eds.). Clean water and sanitation. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 10p. (Online first). (Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70061-8_139-2]
Landscape conservation ; Environmental restoration ; Water resources ; Freshwater ecosystems ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Forests ; Grasslands ; Wetlands ; Rivers ; Runoff ; Flooding ; Water quality ; Land degradation
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050016)
(0.20 MB)
10 Webber, J. L.; Balbi, M.; Lallemant, D.; Gibson, M. J.; Fu, G.; Butler, D.; Hamel, P. 2021. Towards regional scale stormwater flood management strategies through rapid preliminary intervention screening. Water, 13(15):2027. (Special issue: The Scale Effects of Green Infrastructures on Urban Stormwater Runoff) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13152027]
Flooding ; Stormwater management ; Runoff ; Modelling ; Strategies ; Climate change ; Risk management ; Regional planning ; Infrastructure ; Land use ; Rainwater ; Landscape conservation ; Ecosystem services ; Stakeholders ; Case studies / USA / San Francisco Bay
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050561)
(1.50 MB) (1.50 MB)
This paper presents the advantages and opportunities for rapid preliminary intervention screening to enhance inclusion of green infrastructures in regional scale stormwater management. Stormwater flooding is widely recognised as a significant and worsening natural hazard across the globe; however, current management approaches aimed at the site scale do not adequately explore opportunities for integrated management at the regional scale at which decisions are made. This research addresses this gap through supporting the development of stormwater management strategies, including green infrastructure, at a regional scale. This is achieved through upscaling a modelling approach using a spatially explicit inundation model (CADDIES) coupled with an economic model of inundation loss (OpenProFIA) to support widescale evaluation of green infrastructure during the informative early-stage development of stormwater management strategies. This novel regional scale approach is demonstrated across a case study of the San Francisco Bay Area, spanning 8300 sq km. The main opportunity from this regional approach is to identify spatial and temporal trends which are used to inform regional planning and direct future detailed modelling efforts. The study highlights several limitations of the new method, suggesting it should be applied as part of a suite of landscape management approaches; however, highlights that it has the potential to complement existing stormwater management toolkits.
11 Mekuria, Wolde; Haileslassie, Amare; Tengberg, A.; Zazu, C. 2021. Stakeholders interest and influence and their interactions in managing natural resources in Lake Hawassa Catchment, Ethiopia. Ecosystems and People, 17(1):87-107. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2021.1894238]
Natural resources management ; Catchment areas ; Stakeholder analysis ; Land degradation ; Landscape conservation ; Participatory approaches ; Decision making ; Conflicts ; Non-governmental organizations ; Livelihoods ; Local communities ; Empowerment ; Planning / Ethiopia / Lake Hawassa Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050964)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/26395916.2021.1894238
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050964.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050964.pdf
(5.09 MB) (5.09 MB)
This study was conducted in Lake Hawassa catchment, Ethiopia where policy programs are aiming to restore degraded lands with participation of local stakeholders. We assessed the system in relation to natural resource management and degradation using the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework and conducted a stakeholder analysis to understand stakeholder interest, influence and interactions amongst the different categories of stakeholders. Data were collected using key informant interviews, field observation and a literature review. Results indicate that the degradation of natural resources in the catchment is attributed to several interlinked socio-economic and biophysical factors. Identified stakeholders include government and non-governmental organizations, local administrative bodies, civil society, the private sector and farmers. Most of the stakeholders have a role in landscape restoration, have similar interests and strategic options, and are flexible and innovative. Moderate to pronounced trust exists among identified stakeholders and could provide an opportunity to achieve better coordination and collective action amongst the different stakeholders. However, considerable differences between stakeholders in power, power resources and influence were detected due to differences in access to information, communication and negotiation skills, practical relevance, and social relations. The costs for empowerment measures could be low, as many of the stakeholders have access to and control of resources and high level of basic competencies. Our findings could guide practitioners and policy makers on whom and how to engage when planning and implementing natural resources management and landscape restoration interventions at catchment level.
12 Re, V.; Manzione, R. L.; Abiye, T. A.; Mukherji, Aditi; MacDonald, A. (Eds.) 2022. Groundwater for sustainable livelihoods and equitable growth. Leiden, Netherlands: CRC Press - Balkema. 367p. (IAH - International Contributions to Hydrogeology 30) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003024101]
Groundwater management ; Sustainable livelihoods ; Equity ; Water resources ; Water security ; Groundwater recharge ; Groundwater extraction ; Groundwater irrigation ; Small scale systems ; Water use ; Conjunctive use ; Surface water ; Water scarcity ; Water governance ; Water policies ; Legal frameworks ; Water supply ; Water harvesting ; River basins ; Watersheds ; Water springs ; Wells ; Alluvial aquifers ; Hydrogeology ; Climate change ; Resilience ; Adaptation ; Strategies ; Urban development ; Landscape conservation ; Periurban areas ; Rural areas ; Villages ; Coastal areas ; Stubble burning ; Rice ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Households ; Socioeconomic development ; Case studies / Africa / South America / Asia / Sahel / Niger / Ghana / Togo / Ethiopia / Zimbabwe / Chad / Malawi / United Republic of Tanzania / Libya / India / Indonesia / Myanmar / Lao People's Democratic Republic / Brazil / West Bengal / Haryana / Gunungsewu Karst Area / Vientiane Plain / Shan State / Techiman Municipality / Rio de Janeiro / Lome / Harare / Tigray / Al Jabal Al Akhdar / Kachchh / Mato Grosso do Sul / Taunggyi / Ekxang / Sume Alluvial Aquifer / Tekeze River Basin / Lake Chad Basin / Great Ruaha River Catchment / Guandu River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H051156)
(0.76 MB)
Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth explores how groundwater, often invisibly, improves peoples’ lives and livelihoods. This unique collection of 19 studies captures experiences of groundwater making a difference in 16 countries in Africa, South America and Asia. Such studies are rarely documented and this book provides a rich new collection of interdisciplinary analysis. The book is published in colour and includes many original diagrams and photographs.
Spring water, wells or boreholes have provided safe drinking water and reliable water for irrigation or industry for millennia. However, the hidden nature of groundwater often means that it’s important role both historically and in the present is overlooked. This collection helps fill this knowledge gap, providing a diverse set of new studies encompassing different perspectives and geographies. Different interdisciplinary methodologies are described that can help understand linkages between groundwater, livelihoods and growth, and how these links can be threatened by over-use, contamination, and ignorance.
Written for a worldwide audience of practitioners, academics and students with backgrounds in geology, engineering or environmental sciences; Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth is essential reading for those involved in groundwater and international development.
Spring water, wells or boreholes have provided safe drinking water and reliable water for irrigation or industry for millennia. However, the hidden nature of groundwater often means that it’s important role both historically and in the present is overlooked. This collection helps fill this knowledge gap, providing a diverse set of new studies encompassing different perspectives and geographies. Different interdisciplinary methodologies are described that can help understand linkages between groundwater, livelihoods and growth, and how these links can be threatened by over-use, contamination, and ignorance.
Written for a worldwide audience of practitioners, academics and students with backgrounds in geology, engineering or environmental sciences; Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth is essential reading for those involved in groundwater and international development.
13 Sobratee-Fajurally, N.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Inclusive sustainable landscape management in West and Central Africa: enabling co-designing contexts for systemic sensibility. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation. 33p.
Landscape conservation ; Sustainability ; Inclusion ; Resilience ; Planning ; Livelihoods ; Water resources ; Energy ; Food systems ; Nexus approaches ; Participatory approaches ; Natural resources ; Governance ; Youth ; Women ; Decision support systems / West Africa / Central Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051652)
(4.53 MB)
The report creates contexts for a systemic understanding of the CGIAR Transforming agric-food system (TAFS-WCA) initiative starting with work package (WP) 3 and expanding the causality effects across the other WPs of the Initiative. The main focus of WP3 is inclusive landscape management, whereby access to and proper use of land and water resources is a prerequisite to building a healthy, productive environment for resilient agri-food systems and livelihoods. Mapping synergies with other Work Packages ensure that respective contributions are integrated and impactful. The process intends to provide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners with a strategic framework to activate solutions temporarily with a stakeholder-defined suite of scenarios.
14 Mekuria, Wolde; Gedle, A.; Tesfaye, Y.; Phimister, E. 2023. Implications of changes in land use for ecosystem service values of two highly eroded watersheds in Lake Abaya Chamo Sub-basin, Ethiopia. Ecosystem Services, 64:101564. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2023.101564]
Land use ; Land cover ; Ecosystem services ; Watershed management ; Farmland ; Grazing lands ; Gully erosion ; Livelihoods ; Land degradation ; Exclosures ; Shrublands ; Landscape conservation / Ethiopia / Lake Abaya Chamo Sub-Basin / Aba-Bora Watershed / Guder Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052329)
(11.60 MB)
Ecosystems provide a variety of ecosystem services and functions for mankind, and their sustainable use plays an important role in livelihoods. However, the resulting land degradation due to land use and land cover changes leads to loss of valuable ecosystems and associated ecosystem functions and services. This study takes two highly degraded watersheds, Aba-Bora and Guder, in Ethiopia and uses the value transfer valuation method to estimate changes in ecosystem service values. The study shows how loss of cropland and grazing lands can significantly affect ecosystem services even when plantations and shrubland increase. The results suggest that over a period of 41 years, the ecosystem service value of exclosures/shrublands and plantations increased, whereas that of crop and grazing lands decreased. The loss of ecosystem service values due to the decrease in cropland and grazing lands outweigh the gains due to the expansion of plantations and exclosures and resulted in a total loss of ecosystem service values of US$ 1.6 million in Aba-Bora watershed and US$ 24.4 million in Guder. In both watersheds, the greatest contributor to ecosystem service loss was a decline in supporting services, while the increase in plantation and shrublands (mainly through establishment of exclosures) meant that regulating ecosystem services suffered the smallest loss. Given their importance to livelihoods in these areas, the loss in crop and grazing lands significantly increase the vulnerability to shocks and narrow future livelihood options for many households. Given that severe gully erosion is the major contributor to the reduction in crop and grazing lands, catchment management that integrates the conservation of upstream areas using diverse sustainable land management practices, and gully rehabilitation measures in downstream areas could be an important option to reducing the expansion of big gullies, and conserving crop and grazing lands and ecosystem service values. However, the results suggest that the risks to livelihoods may be underestimated while the effectiveness of current actions to address land degradation over-estimated by communities.
15 Moges, A.; Yakob, G.; Girma, R.; Teshale, T.; Mekuria, Wolde; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru. 2023. Forest and landscape restoration opportunities in the western catchment of Lake Ziway, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia: technical report. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 64p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2023.219]
Forests ; Landscape conservation ; Land use ; Land cover ; Land degradation ; Land productivity ; Landforms ; Watersheds ; Agroforestry ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Farmland ; Carbon sequestration ; Cost benefit analysis ; Economic viability ; Ecosystem services ; Restoration ; Remote sensing ; Communities ; Freshwater ecosystems ; Biodiversity ; Water conservation ; Vegetation ; Rainfall / Ethiopia / Lake Ziway / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052314)
(1.41 MB)
Forest and landscape restoration measures could address landscape degradation, increase ecosystem services, and improve livelihoods. However, mapping potential areas for forest and landscape restoration measures and identifying enabling and constraining factors is crucial for effective implementation. This study was conducted in the western catchment of Lake Ziway, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia, to identify potential forest and landscape restoration options, map potential areas, assess the benefits and cost of options, and investigate success and failure factors for implementing interventions. The study adopted the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), which enables selecting and mapping forest and landscape restoration options. Data were collected using field surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussion and literature reviews. We also employed GIS and remote sensing methods to characterize the long-term land use and land-cover dynamics and changes in the status of land degradation. Cost–benefit analysis was conducted to assess the economic viability of identified restoration options. The results suggested that over the last 20 years (2002 to 2022), the western catchment of Lake Ziway experienced severe forest and landscape degradation due to anthropogenic and climatic factors, resulting in multiple environmental and socioeconomic consequences. This study identified seven context-specific forest and landscape restoration measures to address the problem. They vary in cost, trajectory and specific economic and social outcomes. Most options were economically viable with additional environmental and social benefits. For example, the benefit of carbon sequestration for home garden agroforestry was estimated at USD 27,032.5 ha-1 over 20 years. It was also found that a considerable portion of the catchment area was potentially suitable for agroforestry practices (40%), particularly for scattered trees on farmlands. However, the potential areas suitable for full afforestation or reforestation and tree buffers are smaller (6%). Integrating multiple forest and landscape restoration measures in the catchment could maximize the environmental and socioeconomic outcomes. Opportunities to effectively implement and scale up the identified forest and landscape restoration options include the availability of adequate active labor, the diverse benefits of measures, and the existence of supporting policies and strategies, multiple potential financing mechanisms and active development of governmental and non-governmental organizations. However, the absence of guidelines for implementing legal issues, weak coordination among responsible institutions, and inadequate finance and incentives have been identified as major constraints to scale up forest and landscape restoration measures. The findings of this study may serve as a guide for the planning, design and implementation of restoration measures in the study catchment and similar future projects in other catchments.
16 Birhanu, Birhanu Zemadim; Desta, G.; Cofie, Olufunke; Tilahun, Seifu Admassu; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2024. Restoring degraded landscapes and sustaining livelihoods: sustainability assessment (cum-review) of integrated landscape management in Sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Climate, 6:1338259. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1338259]
Landscape conservation ; Land degradation ; Sustainable intensification ; Sustainability ; Livelihoods ; Indicators ; Participatory research ; Climate change / Africa South of Sahara / Ethiopia / Mali
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052590)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2024.1338259/pdf?isPublishedV2=False
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052590.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052590.pdf
(5.98 MB) (5.98 MB)
Introduction: Land degradation is a significant environmental challenge across sub-Saharan Africa. In recent decades, efforts have been undertaken, with varying successes, to rehabilitate degraded rural landscapes. However, there needs to be more evidence on the outcomes regarding enhanced productivity, environmental management, and socio-economic benefits.
Methods: This study uses a case study approach, using contrasting sites from Ethiopia and Mali to appraise restoration innovations implemented through various programs. Two distinct sites were chosen from each of the study cases, and an extensive literature search was conducted to document the evidence, focusing on the sustainability gains derived from integrated landscape management (ILM). For this, the sustainable intensification assessment framework (SIAF) was used, encompassing five domains, namely productivity, economic, environmental, social, and human condition, and featuring scales from plot to landscape, all facilitated by simplified yet robust indicators such as yield, soil loss, net income, land access, and food availability.
Results: Results highlighted a higher productivity gain (35% to 55%) and an improved socio-economic benefit (>20%). The ILM in the Ethiopian highlands enabled a significant improvement in wheat and barley yield (p < 0.01). Introducing new crop varieties integrated with the in-situ and ex-situ practices enabled diversifying crops across the landscape and significantly reduced runoff and soil loss (p < 0.05). By increasing the cultivable land by 44%, household income was increased by selling potatoes and agroforestry products. In Mali, ILM practices reduced soil loss to 4.97t/ha from 12.1t/ha. In addition to the improvements in the yield of sorghum and maize (33% and 63%, respectively), rehabilitating the once marginal and abandoned landscape in Mali enabled landless and female-headed households to work together, improving the social cohesion among the groups. The introduction of irrigation facilities enabled widowed women to increase household vegetable consumption by 55% and increase their income by 24%.
Discussion: The study showed positive evidence from ILM practices in the two contrasting landscapes. However, there is a need to address challenges related to the absence of timely data monitoring and documentation of successful practices. For this, the generation of evidence-based data and the use of advanced geo-spatial tools such as Remote Sensing and GPS-installed drones are recommended.
Methods: This study uses a case study approach, using contrasting sites from Ethiopia and Mali to appraise restoration innovations implemented through various programs. Two distinct sites were chosen from each of the study cases, and an extensive literature search was conducted to document the evidence, focusing on the sustainability gains derived from integrated landscape management (ILM). For this, the sustainable intensification assessment framework (SIAF) was used, encompassing five domains, namely productivity, economic, environmental, social, and human condition, and featuring scales from plot to landscape, all facilitated by simplified yet robust indicators such as yield, soil loss, net income, land access, and food availability.
Results: Results highlighted a higher productivity gain (35% to 55%) and an improved socio-economic benefit (>20%). The ILM in the Ethiopian highlands enabled a significant improvement in wheat and barley yield (p < 0.01). Introducing new crop varieties integrated with the in-situ and ex-situ practices enabled diversifying crops across the landscape and significantly reduced runoff and soil loss (p < 0.05). By increasing the cultivable land by 44%, household income was increased by selling potatoes and agroforestry products. In Mali, ILM practices reduced soil loss to 4.97t/ha from 12.1t/ha. In addition to the improvements in the yield of sorghum and maize (33% and 63%, respectively), rehabilitating the once marginal and abandoned landscape in Mali enabled landless and female-headed households to work together, improving the social cohesion among the groups. The introduction of irrigation facilities enabled widowed women to increase household vegetable consumption by 55% and increase their income by 24%.
Discussion: The study showed positive evidence from ILM practices in the two contrasting landscapes. However, there is a need to address challenges related to the absence of timely data monitoring and documentation of successful practices. For this, the generation of evidence-based data and the use of advanced geo-spatial tools such as Remote Sensing and GPS-installed drones are recommended.
17 Mekuria, Wolde; Hagos, Fitsum; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Admasu, W.; Bitew, A. 2024. Impacts of landscape and household climate-smart water management practices in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Synthesis report prepared by the Prioritization of Climate-smart Water Management Practices project. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 32p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2024.214]
Landscape conservation ; Water management ; Climate change adaptation ; Households ; River basins ; Watersheds ; Small-scale irrigation ; Vulnerability ; Natural resources ; Forest landscape restoration ; Livelihoods ; Gender ; Women ; Marginalization ; Social groups ; Communities ; Socioeconomic impact ; Food security ; Geographical information systems ; Remote sensing ; Flooding ; Drought / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Maybar-Felana Watershed / Gelana Watershed / Ewa Watershed / Afambo Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052701)
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There is growing evidence that climate-related risk is increasing, and this will affect the livelihoods of small-scale producers (SSPs), with the effects being more severe in agropastoral and pastoral farming systems. In the Awash River Basin, the vulnerability of SSPs is mounting because of anthropogenic and climatic factors. Investigating the impact of landscape management practices and the interaction of SSPs with natural resources would inform sustainable planning, implementing and managing interventions. This study was conducted in four watersheds in the Awash River Basin: Maybar-Felana, Gelana, Ewa and Afambo. The overarching objective was to assess the biophysical and socioeconomic impacts and gender dimensions of landscape management practices. The researchers also investigated the links between natural resource degradation and the vulnerability of natural resource-dependent people, and the contributions of landscape management practices to address these issues. The study analyzed data gathered through 500 household surveys, 51 key informant interviews, 96 in-depth household interviews, 36 focus group discussions, and Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. The results indicated that diverse household-, farm- and watershed-level landscape management practices were adopted in the four watersheds. The findings indicated that implementing these practices could improve natural resources and the services they provide. The adopted practices contributed to reducing livelihood vulnerability by minimizing the effects of weather extremes (floods and droughts), improving food and water security, enhancing resource availability and building livelihood assets. Practicing small-scale irrigation (SSI) has a positive and significant effect on the household Food Consumption Score (FCS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Stone bunds and SSI have a significant impact on lowering the score on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The findings suggest that women and other marginalized groups (children, the elderly and resource-poor households) are the most affected by climate change and natural resource degradation. Government and non-government organizations recognize the needs of women and marginalized social groups in designing and implementing landscape management initiatives by prioritizing their participation in initiatives to empower them economically (e.g., involving them in income-generating activities) and socially (e.g., building social capital). Despite efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment in landscape management initiatives, women and marginalized social groups remain vulnerable and benefit less due to various factors, including social norms and limited institutional capacities. Gender norms, values and practices embedded within individuals, households, communities and institutions hinder progress. Limited institutional capacities, such as financial and human capacities remain challenges. This study offers recommendations to maximize and sustain the contributions of landscape management practices to reduce the vulnerability of SSPs.
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