Social, Institutional and Ecological Dimensions of Adaptive Rangeland Governance in the Middle Awash Afar Social-Ecological System, Eastern Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Rangeland ecosystems generally encompass diverse land resources. Rangelands used
for grazing are often complex coupled human and natural systems from which society
demands both goods (Livestock) and services (pasture and water). In Ethiopia,
rangelands cover approximately 65% of the total surface area of the country, and are
often at the nexus of mining ground, wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, and urban
landscapes. Based on the field survey conducted from July, 2017 to December,
2018,employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods;
the social, institutional and ecological dimensions of the governance system were
explored and analyzed. Particularly, the governance structures and institutional
arrangements, participation of pastoralists in decision-making spaces, the capacity of
pastoralists to influence social-ecological resilience and the impacts of rangeland
dynamics on the governance of the Middle Awash Afar social-ecological systems were
analyzed. Hence, the findings of the research suggest that the overall governance
systems of the Middle Awash Afar social-ecological systems are generally weak and
uncoordinated, and hardly fit with the social and ecological conditions. Likewise, the
level of pastoralists’ participation has been found inadequate to lure pastoral
communities towards genuine participation and meaningful deliberation. Besides, the
collective capacity of pastoralists and the prevailing external sources of strength that
help them to influence resilience have been weakened. Hence, the research suggests
that there is a need to envision a third alternative of installing “hybrid institutions” that
combines scientific approaches and traditional mechanisms of rangeland governance.