This study was conducted to explore bird species diversity and conservation challenges in Lake Arekit located in the Guraghe Zone of Ethiopia. Point counts along the shoreline of the lake were employed to identify and record birds. Potential threats to the lake were identified through field observation and via key informant interviews. A total number of 56 bird species belonging to 23 families, and 11 orders were observed. One species, the Blue winged Goose (Cyanochen cyanoptera) was endemic, three species were near-endemic, and five species were vulnerable in their conservation status. A significantly higher number of species (i.e., 47) was recorded in the dry season than in the wet season (i.e., 24). The relative abundance of birds was also significantly higher during the dry season (t = 2.23, P > 0.05). The study also showed that Lake Arekit is under severe threats including urbanization with unwise waste disposals, siltation, and intensive agricultural expansion. Therefore, urgent stakeholder actions are required to save this lake and thereby the vast array of its biodiversity particularly the birds.

This study was conducted in the Sheyebench and South Bench districts of the Bench-Sheko zone and Masha district of the Sheka zone in southwest Ethiopia. Chega-Gawussi wetland from Sheyebench, Chonkie-Shinkie wetland from South Bench, and Lake Dembi from Masha districts were selected for the study. Respondents in the vicinity of studied wetlands were interviewed to assess the benefits of wetlands and attitudes of local communities towards the benefits and conservation practices of wetlands. This study revealed that wetlands provide a wide range of uses for local communities, such as livestock grazing, irrigation, recreation, grass and forage harvesting, water sources for livestock and domestic uses, fish harvesting, and firewood collection. The total livestock holdings of the respondents as measured and the family size are significantly and positively associated with the frequency of wetland resource harvest/utilization. The result of the study revealed that the majority of respondents agreed with the benefits offered and the importance of conservation practices of wetlands. Despite the studied wetlands offering numerous benefits to the local communities, they were under threat due to the factors of land expansion deforestation, eucalyptus plantation, silting from adjacent farmlands, and overgrazing. The results of the study show that the local community has a positive attitude towards wetland conservation, and therefore the Office for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Forestry and Environmental Protection, and Biodiversity Conservation Organizations should work collaboratively to initiate and mobilize local communities to reduce the burden on wetland over-exploitation.

Accurate information on ecotourism site suitability is crucial for effective planning, aiding in ecological conservation and local economic uplift. This study addresses the lack of documented ecotourism site suitability in the Lake Tana watershed of Ethiopia by evaluating factors such as elevation, slope, vegetation density, and proximity to water and infrastructure using Geographical Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation methods. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) combined with GIS was used to create a resource inventory and establish sustainable tourism criteria. A suitability map was developed based on weights from pair-wise comparisons of the selected criteria. Results show that 20% of the area, particularly near Lake Tana and water bodies, is highly suitable for ecotourism. Additionally, 50% is moderately suitable, 3.1% is marginally suitable, and 26% is unsuitable for development. These findings can guide resilient policies for ecotourism initiatives and help assess sustainable tourism in other regions. Regional tourism offices, Non-governmental Organizations, and policymakers can use this data to evaluate natural resource suitability for ecotourism, providing a foundation for further research in the field.

Accurate assessment of ecotourism site suitability is essential for sustainability planning, ecological conservation, and local economic development. This study evaluates ecotourism suitability in the Lake Tana watershed, Ethiopia, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrated with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and multi-criteria evaluation techniques. The methodological novelty of this study lies in the integration of spatial environmental and infrastructural factors, supplemented with local expert and community perceptions, within a GIS-based AHP framework. This provides a more comprehensive and context-specific suitability assessment for sustainable ecotourism development in the Lake Tana watershed compared to previous broader regional studies, including detailed validation using ROC-AUC and consideration of multiple accessibility metrics. Key factors considered include elevation, slope, vegetation density, and proximity to water bodies and infrastructure. A suitability map was developed based on weighted criteria derived from pairwise comparisons. The results showed that 20% of the watershed, mainly around Lake Tana and nearby water bodies, is highly suitable for ecotourism development, while 50% is moderately suitable, 3.5% is marginally suitable, and 26% is unsuitable. The findings provide important guidance for sustainable ecotourism planning, policy development, and evidence-based decision making, and demonstrate the applicability of GIS–AHP approaches for assessing ecotourism potential in other regions.