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Copyright of International Forestry Review is the property of Commonwealth Forestry Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents analysis of the epistemological, pedagogical and methodological processes and dilemmas that unfolded during our efforts to transform the conceptions and understandings of our participants' thinking about ways of managing land-related conflicts. The paper reports our evaluation of the thinking and perspectives that guided our interventions and how we dealt with the situational challenges we encountered. It reports what we did to emerge out of the dilemmas we encountered in our efforts to help others think over and learn from their situations. The educative value of our efforts and encounters for other similarly situated practitioners and change agents will be stated at the end. We emphasise the educative potential of establishing links between contexts and thinking processes toward transformative and critical learning.

This study was conducted with an aim to analyze the spatial variability of soil properties with depth under four prominent land use patterns viz., forestland, grazing land, cultivated land and bush land of Northeast Wollega. Soil samples were collected from the land uses at two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) in replicates and totally 40 composite soil samples were collected. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation in properties with along the selected land uses. Topsoil layer had significantly greater OM, TN, AP, sand, silt, Mg2+, K+ and Mg2+ concentrations than the subsoil layers. However, clay under all land uses and CEC under bush land and grazing land revealed reverse trends. Organic matter and CEC have stronger correlations with most of soil properties in the topsoil than in the subsoil while clay has no significant correlation with selected soil properties except with sand fraction in the sampled depths. Hence, the correlation among the selected soil properties also varies with soil depth. In general, the spatial variability of soil properties indicates that they were strongly affected by external factors (agricultural treatments and soil management practices) and internal factors (soil type and depth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning for continuing natural resource management requires current information on the dynamics of land use and land cover. The aim of this paper was to analyze the impacts of the villagization program on land use land cover dynamics in Benishangul-Gumuz region, western Ethiopia. The study has employed a mixed-method research design using both primary and secondary sources. Multispectral LANDSAT satellite images with a 30 m resolution were acquired for land use land cover change detection between the years 1999, 2009, and 2022. Arc GIS 10.8, QGIS 3.28, ERDAS Imagine 2014, and Microsoft Excel software were used for image classification, accuracy assessment, and change detection. Six different land use land cover types: forest land, shrub and grassland, cultivated land, residential, bare land, and water bodies were identified between 1999 and 2022. The trends indicated a dramatic decrease at the rate of 27.2 ha of forestland, 17.1 ha of shrub and grassland, and 4.6 ha of water bodies per year, while the share of cultivated land, residential, and bare land has expanded at an average rate of 34.3 ha, 11.7 ha, and 2.9 ha per year respectively between 1999 and 2022. The phenomenon was caused by added population pressure due to villagization program, which in turn triggered farmland expansion and deforestation. It is recommended that raising local community awareness, reforestation, practicing land use plans, and promoting successful livelihood diversification could help to alleviate the issue and reroute the course of events in order to achieve sustainable natural resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia has undergone a substantial shift in land use and land cover (LULC), which is home to the majority of the human and animal population. Land degradation has occurred in the Ethiopian highlands as a result of modifications in LULC caused by poor farming methods, high livestock population, and human pressures. Most researchers identified the many LULC drivers and their impact on floristic composition. All of these manifestations have the potential to have major consequences for land users and individuals whose livelihoods rely on the products of a healthy environment. This change in LULC type, combined with poor land management practices in Ethiopia, puts land in jeopardy of erosion, resulting in accelerated soil degradation. All LULC variables, such as the spread of various agricultural activities, the production of fuelwood and charcoal, cutting trees for construction resources, settlements, and revenue growth, are associated with population increase and resettlement. In Ethiopia, the lack of a relevant forest policy implementation on the ground is recognized as a cause pushing deforestation and other landscape changes. This review paper aimed to compile the effects of land use land cover changes on Ethiopian vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of changes in land tenure on female potters in the southern highlands of Ethiopia. Communal land has historically played an important role in the livelihoods of potterymaking women, who rely on the non-agricultural use of this land. Data was gathered through interviews and observations, and the resulting evidence was organized and analyzed to address the research objectives and contextualize the findings within a broader empirical framework. Recent changes to Ethiopia’s communal land tenure system have disproportionally affected the socio-economy of the pottery-making women in comparison to their non-pottery-making counterparts by constraining their access to clay mining sites. Meanwhile, globalization and the freemarket economy have facilitated the unrestricted import and distribution of plastic and metal objects, significantly reducing the need for pottery objects, and further impacting the potters’ livelihoods and social status. The fact that globalization and government changes to the communal land tenure system have disproportionally affected artisan women in Ethiopia resonates with the need for academia to pay more attention to intersectionality when studying gender bias, given that the situation has created an additional level of discrimination for socially marginalized women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia, marked by diverse geography and rapid land use/land cover (LULC) changes, grapples with formidable water resource management challenges. Understanding the hydrological response to these changes is paramount for sustainability. This review paper provides an overview of studies that investigated the hydrological impacts of LULC changes in Ethiopian basins. The review discusses methodologies, key findings, implications for sustainable land and water resource management, research gaps, and future directions. Emphasizing results from diverse studies that utilized hydrological and geospatial modelling, LULC significantly affects surface runoff, streamflow patterns, and groundwater recharge. The observed consequences are increased surface runoff, modified streamflow timing, and reduced groundwater recharge. The review underscores the urgency for integrated land and water management strategies to alleviate adverse effects. Future research priorities include basin-specific studies, long-term monitoring, integrated modelling, consideration of socio-economic factors, and incorporating climate change scenarios to enhance understanding and guide sustainable water resource management in Ethiopian basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the recent LULC changes and associated impacts on pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihood systems is important since the effects of LULC changes on environmental resources and human livelihood are not fully understood in our study area. This paper analysed the trend of land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics and its implications on natural resources and human livelihood in the Middle Awash Valley, Central Ethiopian Rift Valley. For the purpose, Landsat imageries of thematic mapper (1987), enhanced thematic mapper (2002) and operational land imager and thermal infrared sensor (2016) were employed and analysed using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) software and techniques, and qualitative data analysis had been performed as well. The results showed that cultivated land expanded at a rate of 2.6% year−1, whereas forestland and grassland shrunk at a rate of 1.2% year−1 and 2.4% year−1, respectively. The invasive Prosopis juliflora has been expanded from 3.7% in 1987 to 37.9% in 2016 at a rate of 1.2% year−1. The introduction of both small- and large-scale commercial irrigation farming and the implementation of villagization programme focused on transforming pastoralists into sedentary lifestyles. Consequently, irrigation farming, launching of villagization, climate variability as in series of droughts, construction of water dam and the rapid expansion of Prosopis juliflora were the major drivers of LULC changes in the study area. Although we found some positive developments such as improvement on infrastructural and social services (e.g. school and domestic water supply), income diversification and ecological benefits from Prosopis juliflora (e.g. saline soil treatment, carbon sequestration and soil erosion control), there were a range of negative impacts resulting from LULC changes in the study area. LULC changes reduced quality of rangeland resources as the ecologically and economically valuable indigenous tree and grass varieties were significantly degraded. As a result, the traditional pastoral livelihood system has been much vulnerable with the LULC dynamism of the study area. Furthermore, the implementation of the villagization programme has brought socioeconomic impacts on the community and challenges on the ecology, e.g. changing productive rangeland to irrigation crop farms. Our research results, thus, suggest the urgent need for relevant policy interventions in support of the pastoral livelihoods and landscapes with the modification in the implementation of villagization as well as irrigation farming programmes and its better management and controlling Prosopis juliflora expansion in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper attempts to investigate the urban heat islands (UHIs) effect driven by land use land cover (LULC) change over Jimma city in southwestern parts of Ethiopia. Land surface temperature (LST) estimation at city level is essential for examining UHI effect on residents. In the present study, LULC, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) were extracted from Landsat 7 ETM + (2000) and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS (2020) using geospatial technologies. This research evaluates the trends of UHI in response to LULC dynamics. Results show that the spatiotemporal coverage of vegetation has slightly declined from 12.3% in 2000 to 10.8% in 2020. Results confirmed that there is a negative relationship between vegetation coverage and mean LST. The mean LST in the city ranges between 24.5 and 26.3 °C in 2000 and 2020, respectively. Maximum UHI increased from 32.5 °C in 2000 to 34.7 °C in the year 2020. Maximum LST in the city is observed around built-up areas and bare land, whereas minimum temperature was recorded around vegetative and open space areas. The results of this research will be helpful for urban managers to consider the importance of urban green areas and open space in minimizing the potential impacts of UHI on city residents in the study area and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the primary goal of this paper is exploration, weighted index overlay analysis is used to assess the quality of land for surface irrigation in Ethiopia's Bedessa watershed using a geographic information system (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study took into account five critical factors: slope, soil, precipitation, land use/land cover (LULC), proximity to a watercourse, and proximity to a road. The weight of each parameter according to percent of influence on land suitability potential was determined by Analytical Hierarchy Process according to the relative influence of each. The generated land suitability potential for surface irrigation map has four ranks, S1, S2, S3 and N, in which its classes are most suitable, more suitable, less suitable, and individually not suitable, respectively, based on its land suitability potential availability rank and class. The area coverage is 1.81%, 5.64% and 86.83%, 72% of the study area, respectively. The irrigation requirements of the chosen crops were calculated using Crop Wat 8.0 models, and the results indicate that irrigation water requirements were higher during the driest months of the year. Finally, the potential irrigable area was determined by calculating the gross irrigation demand of the known irrigable area in relation to the monthly accessible watercourse. As a result, the map generated by this platform can be used to locate suitable irrigation locations within the space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines changing patterns of land rights and use in Borana and Guji zones, southern Ethiopia. It seeks to understand how heterogeneous groups of pastoralists and agropastoralists gain access to land under varied institutional configurations. We find different means of exclusion are pursued, including private enclosures that rely on customary institutions, government administration, and/or hybrid combinations to enforce claims. We also find that some herders may be making claims to farm plots with the goal of securing access to land rather than planting crops. By assessing how different situations and socio-economic factors affect land claims, the paper deepens understanding of motivations for plot acquisition by pastoralists and challenges the common dichotomy between customary and formal administrative rules and institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing that community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approaches have had mixed success in pastoral rangelands, this paper compares five case studies—two from Kenya, two from Ethiopia and one from Tunisia—to identify aspects of social-ecological context that affect the implementation and success of CBNRM in pastoral settings. Data for each case was collected following a common protocol. Among the characteristics that emerged from our study as important were socio-political and biophysical characteristics of the wider landscape within which the community's rangeland territory is located and the extent to which that territory is circumscribed by some combination of other land uses and land tenure types, major political boundaries, and physical landscape features. The analysis of these cases suggests that where pastoralist communities coexist in large, open rangeland landscapes, rather than a narrowly community-based approach, natural resource management interventions need to be explicitly multi-level and horizontally flexible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics, in general, and the conversion of the natural vegetation cover into cultivated land, in particular, are major human-induced problems in Ethiopia, which have played a significant role in increasing the rate of soil erosion and altering the hydrological balance in the country. The main aim of this review was to view previous studies in Ethiopia that quantify the change in the rate of soil erosion and hydrological responses as a result of the change in land use and land cover in the country. From the past researches reviewed in this paper, the expansion of cultivated land at the expense of forest land, shrubland, and grassland in Ethiopia has increased the mean rate of soil erosion, sediment yield, surface runoff, mean wet monthly flow, and mean annual stream flow in the last four decades. On the other hand, the change has reduced the dry average monthly flow, groundwater recharge and groundwater flow, and evapotranspiration (ET) in the country. Future research works should pay more attention to the investigation of the impacts of land use and land cover change on groundwater hydrology and the prediction of future soil loss and hydrological imbalance under the changing land use and land cover in the country since little information is available from past researches on these issues. Research works are also required in lowland arid and semiarid areas in Ethiopia to effectively manage soil and water resources in all parts of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forests of south-west Ethiopia are declining and degrading largely because of the demand for agricultural land. This loss has significant global, national and local implications. This paper presents data on the economic revenues from various land uses and endeavours in the Cloud Forest and Coffee Forest, which facilitates understanding of the rationale behind the livelihood and land use choices made by individuals and communities. These choices are driven by the need to maximise economic benefits from the options available. In the Cloud Forest, the focus is on forest clearance so that smallholder agriculture production can expand. In the Coffee Forest, the increasing economic returns from small-scale coffee harvesting have meant that forest clearance has been halted, but the remaining forest is altered as a result of coffee cultivation. This paper identifies interventions that could increase the value of forest-based activities and products so that livelihood choices are more supportive of forest maintenance. It concludes that there is a need to maximise non-timber forest product revenue, alongside the development of other forest products, including wood and carbon, to make the forests competitive compared to agricultural land use. This exploitation of forest resources will not preserve these forests in pristine condition, but is a pragmatic response which could ensure that they continue to provide the majority of the economic, social and environmental services currently provided. However, to achieve this, major institutional and policy changes are required, as well as a significant investment in forest enterprise development and training and carbon funding through REDD+. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the domestic political economy of so-called ‘land-grabbing’ in Ethiopia, assessing the motivations of the Ethiopian government, which has strongly promoted foreign agricultural investment. The paper draws on a unique set of federal and regional databases detailing foreign and domestic investments in Ethiopia to analyse the likely role investment will play in the Ethiopian economy and the areas which have been targeted for investment. The analysis identifies increased foreign exchange earnings as the main likely contribution of investment but in doing so highlights concerns for food security in Ethiopia, as the goal of national self-sufficiency has given way to a risky trade-based food security strategy. The paper also argues that the federal government's attempts to direct investment to sparsely-populated lowlands have important implications for the ethnic self-determination that is a key tenet of Ethiopia's federal system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper evaluates the past land use land cover (LULC) change and simulates the future change using Landsat images in northern Ethiopia. A supervised classification method with a maximum likelihood algorithm was employed to detect the past changes using ENVI 5.3 software. Moreover, a Cellular Automata (CA)-Makrov model was used to simulate from 2015 to 2030. In the period 1985–2015, the statistical result shows an increase of agricultural land (AL) by 32.3 km2 (19.2%) and settlement (ST) by 51.6 km2 (345.2%). Most of the increases were gained from shrub-bush land (SBL) which showed a decline of 61.8 km2 (49.4%). However, in the simulation model of 2030, an increase of SBL (47.08 km2) and grass land by 12.38 km2 was predicted. The consideration of socioeconomic and biophysical factors in the simulation model results different trend compare to the historical LULC change that support to landuse managers and planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is globally recognized for the restoration of diverse forest ecosystem services across extensive landscapes. Many studies have emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral policy alignment. However, current initiatives aimed at restoration face obstacles due to fragmented management structures across different sectors. This study argues that bridging this gap necessitates a deeper understanding of policy mix elements and their characteristics. This involves scrutinizing policy instruments in various domains to gain insight into complex policy design problems. Using Ethiopia as a case, we identified four sectoral policies due to their relevance to FLR. Within these policy domains, a total of 11 major goals and 46 instruments were identified. We employed a methodological approach known as the Cross-Impact Matrix (CIM) to analyze the interaction between goals and instruments as a specific characterization of the policy mix in FLR-related policies. The results reveal varying levels of coherence based on 121 interactions among eleven goals in the CIM. Additionally, the consistency of instruments was analyzed through 2116 interactions among 46 instruments. As a result of these interactions, specific regulatory instruments, like the acquisition and use of agricultural land, negatively impact FLR efforts by introducing the risk of overlapping and insecure land use rights, including those related to the 2018 Forest Development, Conservation, and Utilization Proclamation and others. This overlap potentially creates challenges when implementing other policy instruments that support FLR. On the other hand, the REDD+ policy creates a positive and conducive environment for implementing other instruments. In conclusion, this paper underscores the importance of considering the complex nature and dynamics of real-world challenges in shaping the policy mix for FLR. • The factors that shape policy mix for Forest landscape restoration (FLR) are complex and dynamic, hence requiring attention. • The interaction among regulatory, procedural, economic, and informational policy tools influence the outcomes of FLR. • Key policy instruments trigger ripple effects in the policy mix, needing attention to address trade-offs and align synergies. • A methodological approach like cross-impact matrix is important for assessing the coherence and consistency of policy mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, Addis Ababa has witnessed a relentless transformation in its land use and land cover. Primarily driven by the conversion of agricultural land through extensive expropriation in the city's expansion areas. The study explores the dynamic land use land cover changes and associated land expropriations from peri-urban farmers in the rapidly growing Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study utilized a time series of global land cover and land-use change datasets (GLAD) covering the years 2000-2020. Moreover, empirical data is gathered through a household survey conducted among 349 systematically selected expropriated farmers across four sub-cities of Addis Ababa. The findings underscore a profound shift in the city's land use and land cover over the past two decades. The built-up area emerges as the predominant land cover, witnessing a substantial increase of 25.28% (13,150.30 ha) over the past two decades. Concurrently, agricultural land and vegetation cover decreased by 15.92% and 9.35%, respectively, indicating a significant outward expansion of the city. This expansive growth, driven by the city's rapid development, has resulted in extensive land expropriations primarily affecting peri-urban farmers. The expropriations were mainly for housing, investment, industrial parks, and infrastructure development. Thus, we urge the city administration to carefully manage the horizontal expansion of builtup areas at the expense of the agricultural land and vegetation cover. Finally, we recommend holistic and sustainable development strategies, developed collaboratively with local communities and planners, to safeguard the longterm wellbeing of city residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and variability have been one of the challenges to socioeconomic and environmental sustainability in the twenty-first century. Meteorological analyses of historical drought occurrences are common in East Africa, but studies devoted to its effect on land use change are yet limited. This paper aimed to assess the long-term rainfall and temperature variability and its effects on farmers’ land use change in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia over the past 30-36 years using a combination of meteorological and socioeconomic data. Results show that the overall coefficient of variation for rainfall was more than 35% for rainy seasons. Out of the 36 years, total rainfall of the rainy season showed negative anomalies for about half of these years. Summer season rainfall started after the average time of onset for about 42% of the database years, and it ceased ahead of the average time of the stop for about 56% of these years. As a result of such rainfall shortage and variability, about 82% of the drought-vulnerable farmers had already changed their land use from pastoralist/agropastoralist to mixed farming while 10% have a wish to shift to other land use options in the future. Hence, future policies need to consider strategies that strengthen the adaptation capacity of farmers to climate change in East Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mixed crop–livestock systems are acknowledged as sustainable due to its complementarity and synergy, contribution to welfare, food security, income, and poverty alleviation. The lack of efforts in the long-term impact for increased and more efficient food production, however, threatens the livelihoods and food security of smallholder producers. This paper provides a description on smallholder crop–livestock systems in the dominant system unit of crop and livestock production discretely subdividing in different agroecological zones (AEZs) into land-use land-cover class for considering factors influencing socioeconomic and agricultural intensification. A linear mixed-effects model was carried out to fit the relationship between the land-cover measurement and the corresponding farm enterprise in land use. The repeated measurements of linear predictors that fit in full and reduced model analysis were conducted in the system framework. The landscape slope (%), elevation (m) and market distance (minute) analysis were used in spatial adjustment in the specific system. The overall area of land-use system of the peasant holdings was 599.86 ha. The area covered by annual crops was 56%, which was higher (p < 0.01) compared to the area covered by natural pasturelands (17%), perennial crops (15%), vegetable (1%) and the tree or grass cover (2%). Distinct six farming systems were characterized, each being significantly different from other. The difference within a similar AEZ could probably be a result of a minor level of farm systems manipulation. The major difference associated could essentially be with a difference in agroecology and spatial variability of the farm households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Review of African Political Economy is the property of Review of Political Economy (ROAPE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ethiopia has an urban land lease policy in place to facilitate the transfer of land for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Because of the lease policy, many cities have experienced significant expansion through massive conversion of agricultural land. Although the lease policy has been in place for nearly three decades, little is known about its effectiveness in promoting sustainable urban land use. This paper examines the effects of the lease policies on urban land use efficiency (ULUE). Building on the institutional credibility thesis, this paper investigated the performance of land institutions using the urban land use efficiency approach. Remote sensing data was used to investigate urban land use efficiency through spatiotemporal analysis of land use change. Analysis of satellite imagery was performed using ArcGIS. Moreover, quantitative and qualitative data from secondary sources were studied. The study findings show that in almost all study areas, urban land use efficiency is low, which is mainly reflected in the forms of land hoarding, land banking, illegal land grabbing, informal settlement, land use fragmentation and urban sprawl. A significant portion of the land transferred for various urban uses has remained vacant or underutilised for years, in direct violation of the provisions of the lease policy. This means that the lease policy has hardly been enforced to ensure efficient urban land utilization. This demonstrates the ineffectiveness (dysfunctionality) of the existing land institutions. It is concluded that some elements of the lease policy have evolved into an empty institution, i.e., a symbolic institutional arrangement that is largely ignored by socioeconomic and political actors. • The effect of urban lease policy formulation and implementation on urban land use efficiency was analyzed. • The analysis was conducted using remote sensing data and the institutional credibility thesis. • The results show urban land use inefficiency in Ethiopia due to gaps in land policies formulation and implementation. • The lease policy lacks relevant provisions to ensure sustainable urban land utilization. • Empty institutions exist primarily because the enforcement of policies leaves much to be desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflict over land is a serious social problem in rural Ethiopia. This paper analyses diverse challenges to managing land-related social conflicts in East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was based on descriptive case analysis. The data required for the study were generated from a group of practitioners, government officers, elders, and community representatives through one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. In addition, cases were selected and assessed. Inductive approach was used to generate meanings from the diverse data collected from the respondents and analysis of dynamic conflict cases. The study revealed that multiple social, cultural, economic, and institutional factors interact and affect smooth management of landrelated social conflicts. The implication is that the effort to minimize the frequency as well as intensity of land-related conflicts in the study area should take into consideration the broader context within which conflicts occur and the processes that sustain their recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a land use and land cover (LULC) classification approach that accounts landscape heterogeneity. We addressed this challenge by subdividing the study area into more homogeneous segments using several biophysical and socio-economic factors as well as spectral information. This was followed by unsupervised clustering within each homogeneous segment and supervised class assignment. Two classification schemes differing in their level of detail were successfully applied to four landscape types of distinct LULC composition. The resulting LULC map fulfills two major requirements: (1) differentiation and identification of several LULC classes that are of interest at the local, regional, and national scales, and (2) high accuracy of classification. The approach overcomes commonly encountered difficulties of classifying second-level classes in large and heterogeneous landscapes. The output of the study responds to the need for comprehensive LULC data to support ecosystem assessment, policy formulation, and decision-making towards sustainable land resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper firstly analyzes the land use - land cover (LULC) in Lake Ziway watershed (Ethiopia) and quantifies the changing patterns from 1973 to 2014 using Landsat images. Secondly, the paper estimates sediment yields using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT model). It also assesses and estimates water abstraction from Lake Ziway using survey data. The study shows that the conversions from woodlands into agricultural lands and settlement areas are the major detected LULC changes. Of the total area of the watershed, agricultural lands and settlement areas together increased from 57% in 1973 to 75% in 2014 at the expense of woodlands whose areas decreased from 26.16% to 6.63% in the study periods. The study also shows that water abstraction and sediment loads are increasing at Lake Ziway watershed. The major driving forces behind these LULC changes and the impacts on the lake natural condition are anthropogenic factors such as population growth, land policy changes and deforestation. Increasing demands for more land and water resources, i.e., land for settlements and cultivation, wood for fuel and charcoals, and water for irrigation and municipal water supply, are the underlying causes for the observed changes on the watershed resources. Thus, if the existing scenarios of human pressures are left neglected without management interventions, severe watershed degradations will continue to further affect the watershed's resources including the hydrology. Therefore, responsible government institutions should start mobilizing the local communities along with providing financial and material supports for watershed rehabilitation through afforestation and soil and water conservation activities. Additionally, the free-access practices for water use should be replaced by user-charge policy to regulate water abstractions in order to adequately sustain the water level of Lake Ziway and its feeder rivers. In this respect, this study provides firsthand information to policy makers and planners to put in place a comprehensive land and water use plan and regulations against the unruly human actions in the watershed before irreversible losses might happen to Lake Ziway and its watershed resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth-induced urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, settlement expansion and habitat destruction are significant drivers of LU/LC change at global scale. The uncontrolled LU/LC change, specifically in developing countries like Ethiopia, poses significant environmental threats to water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This study, therefore, examined LU/LC trends in the Lake Tana catchment, Ethiopia from 1993 to 2022, analyzed the impact of changes on water quality and identified major driving factors for policy input. ArcGIS software and Landsat imagery were employed toproduce maps for 10 years. Water quality data were obtained from primary and secondary sources from 2002 to 2022. The relationship between LU/LC changes and water quality was examined using Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) spatio-temporal variations in water quality parameters, with almost all parameters showing a substantial increase from 2002 to 2012 and some declined in 2022. LU/LC changes were categorized into six classes with an overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 92.2% and 0.86%, respectively. Various LU/LC classes were highly correlated with a particular water quality parameter. Settlement and crop land expansion were positively correlated with nutrients such as (NH3 - + NH4 +-N), NO3-N, SRP, and TP. Forestation was positively correlated with good water quality such as DO and pH, while they were negatively correlated with temperature, EC, SRP, and NO3-N demonstrating a strong linkage between LU/LC and water quality. These findings therefore, validate the significance of prioritizing LU/LC changes for sustainable water quality and ecosystem service improvement in the Lake Tana catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bale Ecoregion (BER) is known for its global importance in biodiversity and as a water tower for East African drylands. Land use and land covers (LULC) have been changing for decades, affecting forest ecosystem service values (ESVs), but available information is limited. The present study addresses these gaps by using contrasting watersheds representing the highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies in the BER. LULC classifications were performed using GIS and remote sensing tools. Multisite imagery data (using Landsat image resolution 30 m × 30 m) were generated for four observation periods: 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022. A recently updated global ESV coefficient and the value transfer valuation method were applied to estimate the changes in ESVs related to LULC changes. The result demonstrates that between 1992 and 2022, forest land has decreased by 3%, 63%, and 22% in the highland, midland, and lowland areas, respectively. Different degrees of loss of ESVs were observed across the study periods and LULC. Of the 21 specific ESVs investigated, the highest annual losses were recorded for water ecosystem services both in the midland and lowland landscape positions. Increased ESVs for cultivated land could not offset losses in food ESVs at the scale of agroecology. Significant impacts of LULC changes on specific ecosystem services, such as water, and changes in natural connectivity between the highland and lowland areas were observed. The result suggests that stakeholders need to co-plan and manage the BER. This evidence provides a scientific underpinning for understanding the connection between LULC change and ESVs and supports informed policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined soil fertility status under different land use types and its management practices in Bure district of Illubabor zone, southwest Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire survey of 546 randomly selected smallholder farmers was employed to collect data, along with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and personal observations. In addition, thirty-two composite soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-30 cm from forest, grazing, and cultivated lands to determine soil fertility status. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and descriptive statistics. The findings of the soil analysis showed that the distribution of soil particle sizes, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity varied significantly (p<0.05) between forest, grazing, and cultivated lands. The findings also showed that when land use and cover shifted from forests to cultivated and grazing lands, soil fertility decreased. The pH of the soil under cultivated land was found to be highly acidic, while the soil under forest and grazing lands was found to be strongly acidic. The most widely used soil fertility management practices were the application of miner fertilizer, building of bunds, planting of vetiver grass, contour plowing, crop rotation, straw and mulching, and agroforestry practices. The findings of this study suggest that in highly acidic soils found in cultivated lands, applying an adequate amount of lime can help to enhance soil fertility and boost land productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined land use land cover change and its determinants in Tigray, Ethiopia and its livelihood zones. We used socioeconomic panel, and satellite data, and applied a mixed-effects model to analyse the factors influencing land allocation among different uses, and transition matrix to analyse land cover dynamics. The results revealed that; land use choices were influenced by plot level factors (such as plot elevation, distance, soil type and quality, and land tenure), household characteristics (such as education, dependency ratio, plot size and number owned, income, livestock and asset, perception of climate change, and access to market and main road), and community level factors (precipitation, product price, population density and livelihood zone variations). Transition matrix analysis showed that between 1986 and 2016, 12.8% of forest was converted to bare land, 6.26% bare land was converted to pasture, and 5.84% of cropland was converted to forest. However, net deforestation occurred in most of the livelihood zones. Therefore, local communities faced environmental and socio-economic challenges from capital constraints induced land fallowing, land fragmentation, and unmanaged land cover change. The study recommended sustainable land use planning and management, market linkages, improved access to roads, forestry subsidies, land tenure security, and land consolidation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities, including agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrial advancement, have led to land use/cover change (LULCC). These changes have had negative consequences, such as the loss of species and the degradation of forest areas. The Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (YCFBR) is undergoing changes due to forest fires and encroachment from coffee plantations, which are predicted to increase in the future. The objective of this study was to simulate the dynamics of LULCC and its impact on habitat quality in the area over the next three decades. The study used classified land cover (LC) maps of 1992, 2022, and 2052 (predicted), as well as factor and constraint maps of the area. In addition, household surveys, key informant interviews (KII), and focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to understand the factors influencing changes in habitat quality. Habitat quality was simulated under three different future scenarios (Business as Usual; S1), conservation scenario (S2), and development scenario (S3) using CA-Markov, Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS), and Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services Tradeoffs (InVEST) models. The result showed a 28% increase in open forest and a 35% increase in agricultural area under S1, with a minimal increase in built-up area. The mediumlevel habitat quality increased from 11.3% in 1992 to 27.8% in 2052 S3. The highest average haitat quality value was 0.62 in S2, while the lowest was 0.51 in S3. If S3 is the case, this value is expected to fall below 40%, indicating the lowest possible level of habitat quality in the future. The model also predicts a 7% increase in high forest areas in S2, indicating the possibility of an alternative path to save high forest loss in the area. The main causes of habitat quality deterioration include population growth, agricultural land expansion, a lack of diverse incomes, land tenure issues, and settlement expansion. Based on the findings, S2 appears to be the best future scenario for maintaining habitat quality. This study provides useful information that will help planners and decision-makers effectively prepare future conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the expropriation, valuation and compensation practice. This paper tries to investigate how the expropriation and compensation laws are implemented when privately held land and attached real properties are taken for public purpose development in Bahir Dar city and surrounding. However, further research should be undertaken nation-wide to explore the problems throughout the country. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the findings of a survey of expropriatees from main practices throughout Bahir Dar city and its surroundings. Findings – There is a big gap between the actual practice of expropriation, valuation and compensation and the Laws. Lack of application of standardized methods and procedures created situations of unfair valuation and compensation. Practical implications – The practical implication is that the living status of affected people before and after expropriation could be useful. Originality/value – The value of the paper for government officials, real property valuers and investors is that transparency, consistency and fair compensation are useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land is an essential factor of production. Institutions that govern its efficient use determine the sustainability of this essential resource. In Ethiopia all land is publicly owned. Such an institutional setting is said to have resulted in the major degradation of Ethiopia's land resources and dissipation of the resource rent. An alternative to this is assigning a private property institution. In this paper, we examine the consumer welfare effects of a change in the institutional setting on communal forest and grazing lands, using a cross-section data set of 200 households in Northern Ethiopia. Findings suggest that changing the current institutional setting could indeed be welfare reducing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the land use/cover dynamics of land degradation through the interpretation of aerial photographs (1958 and 1980) and 2006 SPOT-5 satellite image of the Gerado catchment. Other, non-visual data were gathered from personal interview and focus group discussions conducted in 2010 and 2011 with local elders, farmers and development (agricultural extension) agents. The results identified the presence of cultivated and rural settlement land, shrubland, woodland, bare land, grassland, urban built up area and forest. Throughout the period 1958–2006, urban built-up area, forest and cultivated and rural settlement land expanded at an average rate of 6.85%, 1.85% and 0.14% per year at the expense of shrub, wood and grasslands, which declined by 0.77%, 0.21%, 0.65% per year, respectively. The land use/cover dynamics of 1958–2006 resulted in the reduction/loss of biodiversity, occurrence of high soil erosion and ramification of gullies. The triggers for these changes were population growth, land cultivation, expansion of farmland, inappropriate land management, civil war and fuel wood demand. These led to further land degradation and more food insecurity among many farming households. Land resources have to be used according to their suitability. Thus, the exposed and steep mountains of the area have to be protected from cultivation and should be re-afforested. The paper discusses other implications for management and policy formulation also. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Borana rangelands occur in a semi-arid area in southern Ethiopia, characterized by extensive livestock production. The area is a valuable source of livestock that generates income and livelihoods for large numbers of rural dwellers, and export earnings for Ethiopia's fragile economy. Despite the region's high ecological potential vis-à-vis livestock production, the area is still in a crisis today with limited success of development interventions, due to increasing pressure on the rangelands-appropriation of land by private individuals, with aggravated impacts of droughts, emerging conflicts and destitution. These trends are hypothetically attributed to various factors, including climatic, demographic and market forces. The paper utilizes data from forty pastoral communities in the area to identify the causes of these trends and potential consequences on rural livelihoods. The study infers that the Borana pastoral system is in transition, with evidence of departure from traditional pastoralism to a semi-sedentary system with increasing reliance on crops and private grazing. The semi-arid nature of the area-aggregate mean rainfall between 300 mm and 900 mm per annum-creates a concern about the capacity of the area to support a fully privatized system on a sustainable basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil erosion in the Ethiopian highlands is considered to be one of the major problems threatening agricultural development and food security in the country. However, knowledge about the forces driving the long-term dynamics in land use is limited. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to analyse the spatial and temporal land use/land cover (LULC) changes and their environmental implications over the period 1964-2014 in the Gelana sub watershed, Northern highlands of Ethiopia. Two aerial photographs (1964, 1986) and a Landsat 8 image (2014) were the source of objective landscape data. The subjective supporting data was collected by group discussion, interview and field visits that include the collection of photographic evidence. Seven LULC types, namely forest, shrub land, cultivated and rural settlement, grass land, bare land, urban built up area, and wet land were identified. Results: The result revealed that during the analysis period shrub land, cultivated and rural settlement, grass land, bare land, and urban built up area expanded at a rate of 0.48, 0.14, 0.62, 4.95, and 28.45% per year respectively. On the other hand, during the same period forest and wet land decreased by 1.28 and 1.09% per year respectively. The observed LULC changes were driven by population growth, growing demand for cultivated and rural settlement and forest for extraction of fuel and construction materials. Conclusions: These aggravate soil erosion and biodiversity loss. This information on LULC changes and possibilities for their optimal use is essential for the selection, planning and implementation of land use schemes to meet the increasing demands for basic human needs and welfare. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design and implement appropriate land management options, coupled with population control and designation of protected areas to preserve natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of soil physical and chemical properties have been increasing due to inappropriate land use and unsustainable land management practices in Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the dynamics of selected soil physical and chemical properties under different current land use types and altitudinal gradients in the Sala watershed of Ari Zone in South Ethiopia. In the study area, analyzing and understanding the dynamics of soil physicochemical properties under different land use types play a vital role in sustainable soil productivity. Before collecting a soil sample, land use types and altitudinal variations were surveyed in the study watershed. Three random strata were selected from the watershed, and the major adjacent land use types in each stratum were identified across elevation gradients. A total of 30 composite soil samples were collected from different land uses and elevations using a zigzag sampling technique at 0–20 cm soil depth from upland (12), midland (9), and lowland (9). Laboratory results showed that most soil physical and chemical properties had poor ratings in the watershed area. All soil properties were significantly affected by land use types and elevation factors (P < 0.05), except for soil texture, TN, and CEC. Soil texture is highest in the upper and lower elevations of grazing land (61.3%) and shrubland (55.4%), while lowest in cultivated land (11.3%) and barren land (11.6%) at higher altitudes. The highest mean of soil texture was dominated by clay soil (55%) in shrubland followed by sand soil (50.30%) in the barren land and silt soil (20.06%) in cultivated land. Chemical soil properties (pH, SOM, TN, Av. P, Av. K, and CEC) were significantly varied under each land use type across altitudes. The results of this study showed that inappropriate land use and unsustainable agricultural practices had more significantly influenced the soil fertility status. Therefore, appropriate soil and water conservation measures should be implemented in the studied watershed to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

8Background: Agroforestry is a kind of land use system that has been practiced since long in many parts of the world. Even if agroforestry is contributing a lot for the farmers, no study has been conducted which acknowledges the socio-economic importance of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. Therefore, this may create a problem to expand and adapt the practices to another area for the cope and mitigate climate changes and achieve food security. Methods: The study used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. It ascertained the role of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. A sample of 350 farmers was interviewed and selected using two-stage random sampling techniques. Result: The results showed that 100% of the sample respondents practiced agroforestry as a land use for income source, shade, soil improvement, fodder, firewood, construction material, medicinal purposes etc. The components of the agroforestry system adopted by the local community were pulse, root, cereal crops and vegetables. Khat, Eritia, Acacia, Cordial, Zeziphus were the fodder species used. 78.57% of the respondents used a stallfeeding technique to feed their animals. The respondents obtained annual income of 32,199.16 Ethiopian birrs on average. In general, the agroforestry system helps the local communities to diversify their income, fulfill animal feed and cope with and mitigate climate change. To sustain the local people with the climate change, decision-makers and researchers should give more attention to the preferred agroforestry species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil seed bank present in forests serves as a crucial indicator of soil resilience following disturbances. The objective of this study was to investigate the composition, density, and vertical distribution of the soil seed bank in the Diga District of Western Ethiopia across four land use types: forestland, grassland, bare land, and shrubland. Soil samples were collected from plots measuring 225 square centimeters with a depth of 9 cm. A total of 108 soil samples were collected, representing the four land use types. Each plot was sampled at three different soil layers: 0–3 cm, 3–6 cm, and 6–9 cm depths. From the soil seed bank, 51 plant species were identified, with 46 (90.2%) being herbs, 3 (5.88%) trees, and 2 (3.92%) shrubs. The Asteraceae (13.30%), Poaceae (11.53%), and Fabaceae (9.61%) families exhibited the highest species composition, accounting for 38.44% of the total. Species richness varied significantly across all land use types and soil layers (p < 0.05), with shrubland having the highest species richness and bare land having the lowest count. The total seed bank density in the soil across all plots was 92153 seeds/m2, with the highest density observed in the top 3 cm of the soil layer. The first and second soil layers exhibited a high Jaccard similarity coefficient of 0.76. Forestland and shrubland displayed the highest Jaccard coefficient of similarity (0.72), while the lowest was observed between bare land and shrubland (0.43). There was greater species similarity between the first and second soil layers (0.76) and lower similarity between the middle and bottom layers (0.32). The study found limited similarity between aboveground vegetation and the soil seed bank due to the low regeneration of woody species. Forestland and shrubland exhibited a high Jaccard similarity coefficient to aboveground vegetation, while grassland had the lowest similarity coefficient. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the shrubland land use types had high soil seed bank composition and density. Therefore, the conservation of shrubs in the Arjo-Diga Forest should be considered for the restoration of degraded areas, taking into account the soil seed bank in the shrubland ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the trend of LULCC and driving forces over the last 30 years (1989 to 2019) in Farta District, Ethiopia. The study revealed that the extent of forest, shrubland, water body, and settlement increased by 5508.09ha, 3375.9ha, 770.58ha, and 666.81ha respectively. However, grassland and agricultural land decreased by 5228.55ha and 5148.63ha respectively. Expansion of settlement, eucalyptus plantation, and agriculture are the major identified proximate drivers for LULC change, while population growth and technological factors are the major underlying factors for LULC changes in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of fast-growing plant species has been a strategy worldwide to combat problems arising from land degradation. Prosopis juliflora is an ecosystem engineer that was introduced to Ethiopia in the 1970s to address erosion problems but has subsequently become an important invader. This paper analyzes the spread of P. juliflora in Baadu, located in the middle Awash Basin of Ethiopia, qualitatively assesses its impacts on ecosystem services and identifies research needs and challenges for sustainable land management. The plant was introduced in 1983 around cotton farms in the case study region to provide erosion regulation. By the year 2013, P. juliflora had invaded 20,000 ha (40 % of wetlands). It partly invaded also the riverbanks and agricultural lands and is expanding into adjacent dryland areas. The negative impacts of this invasion are partially offset by provisioning of firewood and charcoal. However, the difficulties to control its rapid spread indicate that the threats it poses to ecosystem services, people's livelihoods and lifestyles may exceed its benefits. We argue for an integrated research approach that considers both the services and disservices, as well as the social discourse among different groups of actors to appropriately address this issue and identify options for sustainable action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion is a major issue due to the global availability of land cover change and inadequate land use throughout the world. The topmost fertile soil is predominantly removed via erosion, which lowers both the productivity of the land and the storage capacity of reservoirs. This consequence has a large influence on the global economy; as a result, soil conservation practice is currently being used as a crucial solution to this issue. It is challenging, particularly for developing nations, to carry out soil conservation in a large basin without a significant investment. Therefore, it is essential to determine the most susceptible regions to erosion and implement the necessary remedial measures for those areas in order to lower the investment cost and enhance the efficiency of the work. In this study, erosion-prone areas are identified using the SWAT model. This model has a high level of acceptance globally for managing, allocating, and predicting water resources. However, there is some uncertainty with the model, and this uncertainty may come from the measured data, model structure, or input data. Therefore, extensive sensitivity analysis, uncertainty prediction, and model calibration are required to achieve good simulation results. Model calibration, sensitivity analysis, and prediction of uncertainty are conducted with SUFI-2, ParaSol, GLUE, and PSO, which are integrated with SWAT-CUP software. For this study, SUFI-2 algorithm gives the best simulation results out of the four algorithms, with R2 values of 0.76 and 0.85 under streamflow and R2 values of 0.8 and 0.66 under sediment for calibration and validation, respectively. From the final simulation of 34 subbasins, five subbasins were identified as the most sensitive areas for erosion; these subbasins are 1, 3, 5, 14, and 17, and they have a mean annual sediment yield of 23 tons/ha/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the combined impact of watershed attributes on streamflow is crucial in water resources planning and management, particularly due to the strong link between landscape modification and watershed attributes. However, identifying critical watershed attributes remains a challenge. This study focuses on investigating the impact of watershed attributes on streamflow in the Hare catchment of Ethiopia's rift valley lakes basin. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) rainfall–runoff model was used, calibrated, and validated against observed discharge data to identify remedial measures for streamflow generation. The model's performance was evaluated using criteria such as R2, NSE, PBIAS, and RSR, which yielded satisfactory values. The study found significant changes in land cover, with forest and shrub land declining and agricultural land expanding. Comparing mean annual streamflow between 1998, 2009, and 2021, streamflow at 2021 land use and land cover increased by 13.03% compared to 2009, which had already increased by 16.05% compared to 1998. The study also examined the impact of climate variations by manipulating meteorological data length and average slope. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between watershed attributes and streamflow, emphasizing the importance of considering land cover changes and climate variations for effective water resource management in the Hare catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting land use/land cover change (LULCC) and assessing the risk of slope failure and debris flow has been a worldwide concern. This study is the first in Adama District, Ethiopia, to use deep learning (DL)-based remote sensing to assess LULCC and predict the risk of slope failures and debris flows using numerical simulation methods. This study uses DL and remote sensing to analyse the spatiotemporal changes in LULC and landslide sites. The enhanced detection of debris flow susceptibility areas enabled the precise prediction of these areas' location and sphere of influence and the precise evaluation of debris flow risk. This led to a reduction in the losses caused by such disasters. Changes in the six classes of LULC were assessed with an overall accuracy of above 87% and an overall kappa statistic of 85%. The results revealed a decreased trend in grassland, shrubland, and bareland over 30 years (1991–2021) of − 31.03 km2, − 38.15 km2, and − 114.19 km2, respectively. Also, a recent analysis of land-use maps from the past three decades reveals that the built-up area has increased significantly, from 0.95% to 5.64%. In contrast, shrubland has decreased notably, from 12.01 to 7.78% since 2021. These changes suggest that human activity significantly impacts the landscape, and that more needs to be done to protect our natural resources. The depth-integrated particle method flow simulation technique reveals high landslide risk in Adama City and Wonji sugar cane fields, aiding decision-makers in reducing damage and limiting over-cultivation in high-risk areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land Use and Land Cover Changes (LULC) are some of the worldwide factors that have the most impact on city growth. The aim of this study could be a quantification of the land use/land cover dynamic over three decades in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. This study used multi-spectral satellite images of the years 1990 and 2020. The six category classifications within the study area were agriculture, bare land, built-up, bushland, forest, and water body. The data for the study was acquired from a satellite image of Landsat 5TM 1990, 2000, and 2010 and Landsat 8 OLI and SWIR 2020. Packages like QGIS version 3.2, ArcGIS 10.3, ENVI 4.2, and ERDAS Imagine 2013 were accustomed to performing image classification. From this finding, it is clear that the study space is underneath serious land use conversion of bare land to built-up space and bush land to agricultural. The general LULCC between the years 1990 and 2020, satellite results show that between 1990 and 2020, the quantify of built-up land increased from 12.76% to 16.85% of the study area as bare land and bush decreased from 4.77% to 2.48% and 14.29% to 10.16%, respectively, from the entire study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global community recognizes land use and land cover change (LULC) as a primary cause of ecological modification that has a considerable impact on natural resources, particularly soil and water resources. The aim of this research was to investigate land use change's influences on soil erosion in the Matenchose watershed of Ethiopia in 1991, 2003, and 2020. The maximum likelihood classification (MLC) method was used in the study for supervised image analysis. Soil erosion was estimated using the geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. According to the LULC data from 1991, the watershed was mostly covered by grassland (35%), while in 2003 and 2020, it was typically enclosed by cultivated land (36%) and (52%), respectively. The watershed's mean annual soil erosion rate grew significantly from 13 t/ha in 1991 to 18 t/ha in 2003 to 21 t/ha in 2020. Based on the current soil loss rate result, the Matenchose watershed was divided into five priority groups for soil management practices. In contrast, the watershed is made up of 2052 ha (21%) of areas with high to very high erosion risk, 3304 ha (33%) of areas with moderate erosion risk, and 2866 ha (29%) of areas with severe erosion risk. Based on the average annual rate of soil erosion, several vital subwatersheds were identified for potential future land management‐related actions. Over the 29 years, the area of grassland and forest decreased while agricultural and settlement areas expanded, and they contributed to the enhanced hazards of soil erosion. Particularly vulnerable to erosion are the watershed's hilly and steeper areas. The identified subwatersheds that are most at risk of erosion should be given priority for upcoming LULC initiatives, proper participatory watershed planning and management, and measures to conserve soil and water to preserve the Matenchose watershed's soil resources. Recommendations for Resource Managers: Land use land cover (LULC) dynamics were primarily influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, particularly in the Matenchose watershed. Therefore, developing sustainable land management systems in the watershed necessitates an understanding of the landscape‐level spatial distribution of erosion. Soil erosion rates are estimated using remote sensing and geographic information systems in conjunction with a Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. Depending on the interpretations, the following repercussions were discovered: Field‐level erosion measurement evidence should confirm the estimation of soil loss.The watershed's quick and significant LULC alterations could have significant effects on the environment.Nearly 49% of watershed high to severe erosion severity classes need urgent intervention with the application of natural resource management initiates.The studied watershed's various land management techniques should be quantified, and their ability to prevent erosion should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a case study of land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes from 1975 to 2014 in the central highlands of Ethiopia and traces out its impact on socioeconomic conditions of the local community in the study area. We used four time series Landsat satellite images, that is, Landsat MSS (1975), Landsat Thematic Mapper (1986), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (2000), and Landsat 8 OLI scenes (2014), to investigate the changes in LULC. In addition, individual interviews with 51 randomly selected households, discussions with focus group and key informants, and field observations were also incorporated for the study. The image classification indicated four categories of LULC classes: Natural forest, eucalyptus plantations, cropland/settlements, and grasslands. Between 1975 and 2014, cropland/settlements and eucalyptus plantations considerably increased, whereas grassland cover drastically decreased. According to the results, the area under cropland/settlements and eucalyptus plantations increased by 62 and 335%, respectively, with 74% concomitant decrease in the area of grasslands in the same period. Survey results showed that deterioration of soil fertility (41.2%) followed by shortage of land (35.3%) is the major constraint for crop production for poor farmers in the study area. However, better-off farmers ranked deterioration of soil fertility (64.7%) followed by lack of credit (17.6%) as priority constraints for crop production. Interviews mainly focused on selected women group revealed that the expansion of eucalyptus in the area greatly curbed the burdens of collecting fuel woods from long distances in the past. The availability of too many religious holidays (on average 16 days/month) directly or indirectly contributes to the current seasonal food shortages of the community. Generally, our results show that the community in the study area is beset with a host of social, economic, and institutional challenges. As a result, majority of the farming households are destitute, unable to make a livelihood from their small plot of land and live in absolute poverty. Therefore, in light of these finding, it is imperative that timely interventions by government and other development stakeholders are needed to come to grips with problems of soil fertility, land-use change, and food insecurity in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land is a contentious resource in the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Traditional pastoralism, which is both a mode of production and a cultural way of life, dictates communal ownership of grazing land on which individually owned livestock graze. Pastoral land in Afar has traditionally been administered by the local communities themselves. However, with a gradual incorporation of the pastoralists into the Ethiopian modern polity, there have been competitive interests over issues of land administration between local communities and the state which often led to conflict and instability. Government land administration policies often contravene the age-old pastoral customary institutions; and stakeholder relations have taken a bitter course following the expansion of commercial agriculture, land investments and development projects. Using data obtained through Qualitative Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) this paper analyses land administration trajectories and dynamics in Afar region. It assesses how contradictions between statutory and customary tenure systems shape relations between multiple resource users including the state, investors, local communities, and neighbouring cultural groups. It also examines the impact of multi-stakeholder land disputes on land resource management, thereby identifying appropriate policy options for effective land administration practices in the pastoral areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]