The Effect of Anthropogenic Factors on Wetland Ecosystem: The Case of Sululta Oromiya Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services such as water and water quality storage and regulation,
providing unique habitats for flora and fauna, and regulating micro-climate conditions. Wetland
conversion to settlement, agricultural use and industrial development are anon stopping practice in
periurban area and becomes a treats of wetland. This research examined the effects of anthropogenic
factors on a wetland ecosystem in Suluta Oromia region Ethiopia. Mixed approaches such as key
informant interviews, focus group discussion and household survey (396 respondents) were employed to
collect relevant data. A three year’s satellite image (1986, 2000, and 2020) analysis was also made to
understand the trend of land use land cover change in the area. The LULC imagery data were checked
accuracy assessment and kappa statics, which is 85.71 and 0.878 percent, respectively. The LULC rate of
change of sululta from an initial year to final (1986 to 2020) that is, both wetland land and vegetated
land were decreased by 843 ha (18 percent), and 1704 ha (37 percent) respectively. While Settlement,
bare land and cultivated lands increased by 1935 ha 42 percent, 488 ha 11 percent and 124 ha 3 percent
respectively. This indicates that the LULC of settlement, bare land and cultivated lands were increased at
the cost of wetland and forest class. The past 34 years satellite image analysis reveals that the current
situation of sululta wetland is characterized by highly degraded and depleted because of population
dynamics and settlement expansions. The researcher suggests the administrations should consider these
anthropogenic activities.
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Keywords
Anthropogenic activities, GIS, Sululta, LULC, Wetland.