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Currently, circa 30% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa resides in cities, and this figure is expected to double in 2040. The recent literature describes the urban expansion processes of African cities in much detail. However, the urbanization wave in Africa also leads to important intra-urban land use dynamics, which have important consequences on the quality of life within existing cities, which has received less attention. This study aims to contribute to these information gaps by (1) analyzing the extent of the urban land use conversion in contrasting urban locations using satellite images for physical criteria-based classifications and (2) assessing the potential consequences of these intra-urban conversions on the quality of life. Intra-urban land use changes were documented based on satellite imagery for the period 2002–2020. Based on some representative attributes, Addis Ababa city was selected for the case study. Urban land use dynamics and population density changes were examined based on the selected case study neighborhoods and randomly identified land parcels in the city, respectively. Urban development strategies and programs that emerged over recent decades had caused intra-urban land use dynamics, which brought significant population density changes. Moreover, these changes have caused an unbalanced distribution of socio-economic amenities across the city.
Amanuel Weldegebriel; Engdawork Assefa; Katarzyna Janusz; Meron Tekalign; Anton Van Rompaey. Spatial Analysis of Intra-Urban Land Use Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Urban Science 2021, 5, 57 .
AMA StyleAmanuel Weldegebriel, Engdawork Assefa, Katarzyna Janusz, Meron Tekalign, Anton Van Rompaey. Spatial Analysis of Intra-Urban Land Use Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Urban Science. 2021; 5 (3):57.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmanuel Weldegebriel; Engdawork Assefa; Katarzyna Janusz; Meron Tekalign; Anton Van Rompaey. 2021. "Spatial Analysis of Intra-Urban Land Use Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)." Urban Science 5, no. 3: 57.
Local perception of watershed degradation is a key social factor that plays a great role for sustainable watershed management strategies. However, there are little efforts in systematically documenting farmers’ perception of watershed degradation in Ethiopia. This study intended to explore farmers’ perception of severity, causes and indicators of watershed degradation across topographic positions—upper, middle and lower, and analyze factors affecting farmers’ perception of watershed degradation in Rebu watershed, southwest Ethiopia. Data were obtained from field observations, group discussions, key informant interviews and household survey. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis. The results of the investigation showed that the majority of the households (96.6%) were aware of or perceived watershed degradation as a problem constraining agricultural production in their farmlands and surrounding landscapes. Farmers perceived exposed stone and tree roots, gullies and rills as the major indicators of soil erosion, while decline in crop yields, loss of cultivable land and changes in crop color were for diminishing soil quality. Cultivation of steeper slopes by clearing vegetation induced by population pressure, overgrazing and land management practices were perceived as the major causes of watershed degradation. Problems of watershed degradation were better perceived in the upper and middle topographic settings and by respective watershed program participants implying the need for site-specific appropriate watershed management. The majority of respondents (over 75%) also confirmed that they observed a decreasing trend in watershed degradation following the introduction of the watershed management program. Binary logistic regression results indicated that farm land size, topographic settings, extension services, group membership, credit services and the number of livestock owned were significant factors influencing farmers’ perception. Hence, decision makers and planners need to consider location and/or socio economic context-specific conditions to understand watershed degradation and towards restoration activities in a given landscape.
Fekadu Mengistu; Engdawork Assefa. Local perception of watershed degradation in the upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia: implications to sustainable watershed management strategies. International Journal of River Basin Management 2021, 1 -20.
AMA StyleFekadu Mengistu, Engdawork Assefa. Local perception of watershed degradation in the upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia: implications to sustainable watershed management strategies. International Journal of River Basin Management. 2021; ():1-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFekadu Mengistu; Engdawork Assefa. 2021. "Local perception of watershed degradation in the upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia: implications to sustainable watershed management strategies." International Journal of River Basin Management , no. : 1-20.
The sustainability of the environmental management programs such as watershed intervention program relies on the understanding of the nexus of the community’s perception, participation, and livelihoods. However, there are little studies on the interactions of these very important parameters. This study examined the nexus of farmers’ perception, participation, livelihoods and their implication for sustaining watershed management program in Ethiopia, case of upper Gibe basin. To this end, household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were employed to collect and analyze the data. Likert-scale was used to rate the indicators or items of perception, participation, socio-ecological indicators; Coefficient of Crobach alpha to test the reliability of items; Independent t-test to compare the mean value of livelihood assets between program participant and non- participant households and Rader diagram to depict the overall livelihood assets value. Descriptive (mean, percentage) analysis was use summarize the results of local perception, community participation, socio-ecological benefits of watershed management while, chi-square statistics were applied to analyze the association between important components of watershed management such as local perception, community participation, intensity of adoption and livelihoods. The results of the study indicated that local communities were well aware of the degradation of watershed as a problem constraining agricultural production in their farm lands and surrounding landscapes. Problems of watershed degradation were better perceived in the upper and middle topographic settings and for watershed program participant households implying the need for site-specific appropriate watershed management alternatives. While the ecological benefits of watershed management were perceived better in the upper topographic areas, the socio economic benefits were in the middle and lower areas suggesting an integrated approach to address the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions. The overall community participation index value showed moderate levels of participation indicating that only some decisions were taken in consultation with local people. Specific adoption rates for many of the practices and the intensity of adoption were low. There were gaps in the progress of the five dimensions of livelihood assets-human, natural, financial, social, physical. The interaction of perception, participation and livelihoods in watershed management practices suggested more participatory and integrated approach need to be encouraged to upscale and sustaining of watershed management practices. Less awareness and extension services, lack of finance, interest in short-term agricultural production are the major challenges constraining the sustainability of watershed management. Hence, local administrators and planners need to recognize heterogeneity in households’ socio economic and topographic specific characteristics as well as the aforementioned constraints so as to involve community fully in various activities of watershed management. The nexus between watershed management and ecosystem services, climate change and variability are areas for future research.
Fekadu Mengistu; Engdawork Assefa. Towards sustaining watershed management practices in Ethiopia: A synthesis of local perception, community participation, adoption and livelihoods. Environmental Science & Policy 2020, 112, 414 -430.
AMA StyleFekadu Mengistu, Engdawork Assefa. Towards sustaining watershed management practices in Ethiopia: A synthesis of local perception, community participation, adoption and livelihoods. Environmental Science & Policy. 2020; 112 ():414-430.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFekadu Mengistu; Engdawork Assefa. 2020. "Towards sustaining watershed management practices in Ethiopia: A synthesis of local perception, community participation, adoption and livelihoods." Environmental Science & Policy 112, no. : 414-430.
Land degradation is the major economic and environmental threat in Ethiopia. Since the 1960s, the various traditional land management systems have undergone unprecedented changes. Within the context of farmers’ awareness of land degradation and local responses to the problems, the objective of this study is to examine the resilience and stability of traditional land management knowledge in Southern Ethiopia. Data was collected using interviews, group discussions and field observations. Results of the study demonstrate that farmers have a wealth of experience in identifying the severity, dynamics and causes of soil erosion and soil fertility decline and grazing land deterioration. In response to these problems, farmers have developed a wide range of traditional land management practices, supported across the generations by the traditional law (benee woga) and norms. However, recent changes include reduction and abandonment of fallowing, modification of crop rotation and large‐scale reduction of manuring. The current practices used to fulfil livelihood requirements are the main driving forces which affect the resilience of the system. Thus, environmental and land‐use management planning should not only consider rehabilitating land based on traditional land management knowledge but also with regards to raising its agricultural productivity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Engdawork Assefa; Bork Hans-Rudolf; Hans-Rudolf Bork. Farmers' Perception of Land Degradation and Traditional Knowledge in Southern Ethiopia-Resilience and Stability. Land Degradation & Development 2015, 27, 1552 -1561.
AMA StyleEngdawork Assefa, Bork Hans-Rudolf, Hans-Rudolf Bork. Farmers' Perception of Land Degradation and Traditional Knowledge in Southern Ethiopia-Resilience and Stability. Land Degradation & Development. 2015; 27 (6):1552-1561.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEngdawork Assefa; Bork Hans-Rudolf; Hans-Rudolf Bork. 2015. "Farmers' Perception of Land Degradation and Traditional Knowledge in Southern Ethiopia-Resilience and Stability." Land Degradation & Development 27, no. 6: 1552-1561.
Agricultural landscapes in Ethiopia have undergone unprecedented changes. The direction of change, however, is unsustainable as manifested in land degradation, biodiversity loss, and low agricultural productivity. The objective of this study is to examine the patterns and trends of agricultural landscape development and responses of the local people within the framework of the dynamics of demography, socioeconomic conditions, politics, and natural resources in the Chencha and Arbaminch areas, Southern Ethiopia, during the last century. Information on cultivated and grazing land areas was acquired by satellite image interpretation. Interviews and group discussions provided important information on agricultural land use systems. A review and an analysis of secondary sources and documents of past studies were also used for trend analysis as a baseline and a supplement to oral history. The results show that cultivated land was expanded by 39% from 1973 until 2006, but per capita farming land holdings decreased enormously. In the same period of time, grassland shrank by 69% thus causing a significant decrease in livestock. Cultivated land scarcity can mostly be related to demographic pressure, which was exacerbated by government policy, land tenure, and the nature of subsistence agriculture. The farmers, however, were resourceful and developed skills over millennia to cope with the problems associated with population density and scarce resources. However, these traditional land use activities and land management practices have been deteriorating recently. Land use planners and environmental managers should take local knowledge and innovation into account in order to make sound decisions for the future.
Engdawork Assefa; Hans-Rudolf Bork. Dynamics and driving forces of agricultural landscapes in Southern Ethiopia – a case study of the Chencha and Arbaminch areas. Journal of Land Use Science 2014, 1 -16.
AMA StyleEngdawork Assefa, Hans-Rudolf Bork. Dynamics and driving forces of agricultural landscapes in Southern Ethiopia – a case study of the Chencha and Arbaminch areas. Journal of Land Use Science. 2014; ():1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEngdawork Assefa; Hans-Rudolf Bork. 2014. "Dynamics and driving forces of agricultural landscapes in Southern Ethiopia – a case study of the Chencha and Arbaminch areas." Journal of Land Use Science , no. : 1-16.
The purpose of this study is to examine the origin, development, and characteristics of terraces (kella), plus their potentials and determinants for sustainable use in the Chencha-Dorze Belle area of southern Ethiopia. Field surveys were conducted to determine the various parameters of the indigenous terraces and in order to collect samples for radiocarbon dating. To identify farmers' views of the terrace systems, semi-structured interviews and group discussions were also carried out. Terraces were built and used-as radiocarbon dating proves-at least over the last 800 years. The long-term continued usage of the indigenous terraces is the result of social commitments, the structural features of the terraces, and the farmers' responses to the dynamics of social and cultural circumstances. We dubbed that the terraces are a success story of fruitful environmental management over generations. Thus, a strong need is to preserve and develop this important cultural heritage and example of sustainable land use.
Assefa Engdawork; Hans-Rudolf Bork. Long-Term Indigenous Soil Conservation Technology in the Chencha Area, Southern Ethiopia: Origin, Characteristics, and Sustainability. Ambio 2014, 43, 932 -942.
AMA StyleAssefa Engdawork, Hans-Rudolf Bork. Long-Term Indigenous Soil Conservation Technology in the Chencha Area, Southern Ethiopia: Origin, Characteristics, and Sustainability. Ambio. 2014; 43 (7):932-942.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAssefa Engdawork; Hans-Rudolf Bork. 2014. "Long-Term Indigenous Soil Conservation Technology in the Chencha Area, Southern Ethiopia: Origin, Characteristics, and Sustainability." Ambio 43, no. 7: 932-942.