Land Use Land Cover Changes and Their Impact on the Lake Ecosystem of the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

LULC changes are major environmental challenges in many parts of the world which are adversely affecting ecosystem services. This study was aimed to analyze LULC changes in the ecological landscape of Ethiopia CRV areas from 1985 to 2015. Satellite images were accessed and pre-processing and classification is done. Major LULC types were detected and change analysis was executed. Nine LULC changes were successfully evaluated. The classification result revealed that in 1985, 44.34% of the land was covered with small scale farming followed by mixed cultivated/acacia (21.89%), open woodland (11.96%), and water bodies (9.77%). Whereas for the same study year open grazing land, forest, degraded savannah and settlements accounted the smallest proportion. Though the area varied among land use classes, the trend of share occupied by the LULC types in the study area remained the same in 1995 and 2015. Increase in small and large scale farming, settlements and mixed cultivation/acacia while a decrease in water bodies, forest, and open woodlands is noted. About 86.11% of the land showed major changes in land use/cover. Lastly, DPSIR framework analysis was done and integrated land use and development planning and policy reform are suggested for sustainable land use planning and management.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Drought Characteristics in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

“…The frequencies of moderate, severe and extreme drought conditions of the historical and projected periods under the RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios for both SPI3 and SPI6 are presented in the Table 2. Note; -Arsi Negele(1), Bulbul(2), Koshe(3), Langano(4), Tora(5) Ziway(6), Assela (7), Degaga(8), Kulmsa (9) Based on standardized precipitation index value calculated for 9 meteorological stations results showed that (1991-1992), (2015-2016) and (2017-2018) were drought year and extremely, severely, and moderately drought condition were observed in this year for historical rainfall data Fig. For projected climatic data in near future (2022, 2029 and 2046) in mid future (2058, 2065 and 2061,2068) and in far future (2099, 2085 and 2099,2083) which were among the drought years for both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively.…”

“…According to (Elias et al,2019) water bodies especially lakes and associated wetlands of the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia (CRV) have decreased by 11.57% between the years 1985-2015; the highest turn down, which is 8.89%, was recorded in the years 1995-2015. Therefore, understanding possible future changes in the climate and their impacts on droughts is essential for adaptation and mitigation planning.…”

Impact of Land-Use Changes on Sediment Load and Capacity Reduction of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

“…In contrast, Land cover refers to the biophysical characteristics of earth's surface, including the distribution of vegetation, water, soil, and other physical features of the land [6]. Expansion and intensification of agriculture, the growth of urban areas and extraction of timber, and others are likely accelerated the changes in the land-use over the last decades to satisfy the demands of an increasing population [7]. Lake sedimentation is one of the factors reducing life in the lake with the sediments being transferred from the surrounding catchment by rivers and streams draining from different land-uses.…”