Quantification and Mapping of Ecosystem Services for the Conservation and Management of Dire and Legedadi Watersheds, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Mekuria Argaw (Professor) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Simeneh Admasu Namaga | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-06-21T07:16:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-06-21T07:16:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-12-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Quantification and mapping of ecosystem service is a critical endevours for the management of the ecosystems and integrating ecosystem service in land use management and planning. The study assessed the impact of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) dynamics on Ecosystem Service in the Dire and Legedadi watersheds. First, the benefits transfer method was applied to evaluate the ecosystem service value (ESV) changes in response to LULC. Second, the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model was used to determine habitat quality and assess the watersheds' annual water yield capacity. Thirdly, the previously developed recreational indicators in the ArcGIS tool were also applied to assess recreational potential. Fourth, land suitability for apple farming was assessed using the FAO land evaluation methodology and finally, the premises of compensation for ecosystem services was assessed as a watershed management and planning tool.The findings revealed that both watersheds experienced considerable LULC changes between 1985 and 2022. Natural vegetation, grassland, and eucalyptus plantations declined dramatically as settlement and cultivation increased. As a result, both watersheds experienced a substantial decrease in ESV and habitat quality. Total ESV in the Legedadi watershed has decreased from approximately US$ 65.8 million in 1985 to approximately US$ 11.9 million in 2022, and from approximately US$ 42.7 million in 1985 to approximately US$ 9.66 million in 2022, respectively. Total ESV in the Dire watershed decreased from approximately US$ 437 thousand in 1985 to approximately US$ 59 thousand in 2022, and from xviapproximately US$ 225 thousand in 1985 to approximately US$ 36 thousand in 2022, according to global and local ESV estimates.The area of high habitat quality habitat in the Legadadi watershed has shrunk from 206 km2 in 1985 to 50.26 km2 in 2022. Similarly, high habitat quality habitat has gradually declined in the Dire watershed, from 87.29 km2 in 1985 to 35.44 km2 in 2022. In terms of water-yielding capacity, the watershed’s total water yield increased between 1995 and 2021. The increase in water yield was greatly associated with increased rainfall and in the Legedadi watershed total water yield increased by 15.32%, while in the Dire watershed total water yield increased by 32.5%. Climate variability has had a greater impact on annual water yield than land use changes. The watersheds possess considerable potential for outdoor recreation, with approximately 19% and 23% of the Legedadi and Dire landscapes, respectively, exhibiting supreme recreational potential. Further, considerable land is highly suitable for apple farming, about 6.7%, and 13.1% in the Legedadi and Dire watersheds respectively.The conversion of land into other economic land uses could potentially affect the sustainable ecosystem production capacity of the watersheds. Landscape restoration integrated with a sustainable agricultural development approach would ensure the sustainability of both agricultural production and ecosystem service synergies without negatively affecting biodiversity. Therefore, the study recommends that designing market-based innovative mechanisms is critical to ensure the active participation of relevant stakeholders, particularly smallholder farmers. Keywords: LULC, Ecosystem, Watershed, ESV, Habitat quality, Water yield, Recreation, Apple, Ecosystem market | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3185 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.title | Quantification and Mapping of Ecosystem Services for the Conservation and Management of Dire and Legedadi Watersheds, Central Highlands of Ethiopia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |