Browsing by Author "Tensay Teshome"
Item Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Relation to Ecosystem Services in Lake Koka Catchment(Addis Ababa University, 2024-06) Tensay Teshome; Tadesse FetahiLake Koka, a rift valley lake in Ethiopia, provides critical ecosystem services (ESs), such as hydroelectric power generation, domestic water supply, irrigation, recreation, and fisheries. However, the lake is severely threatened by anthropogenic activities, particularly land use and land cover change (LULCC) in the catchment area. This study aimed to map and quantify the dynamics of ESs, specifically the trophic status index, nutrient delivery ratio, and socioeconomic impact associated with LULCC in the Lake Koka catchment from 1991 to 2021. Landsat images were analyzed using ARC GIS 10.7.1, ENVI v5.3, and ERDAS IMAGINE 15 software to assess LULCC. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model was employed to estimate nutrient delivery ratios. Five major land use types were identified, with increased settlements and forestland over the study period. The trophic status index indicated a hypertrophic state in the lake. These results suggest that LULCC and anthropogenic activities have drastically impacted the ESs provided by the watershed, particularly provisioning services. Deforestation and the expansion of agricultural land, coupled with using fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, have led to increased nutrient and chemical transport to lakes through runoff, resulting in eutrophication and frequent algal blooms. In general, the catchment's ecosystem services are greatly affected by changes in LULC.