Social-Ecolgical Dynamics of Seasonal Movements and Settlements of Agro-Pastoralists in the Afro-Alpine Ecosystem of Bale Mountains National Park, South East Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Afro-alpine ecosystem of Bale Mountain National Park (BMNP) is the largest ecosystem in the
African continent. Anthropogenic activities have been uncommon element in the Afro-alpine
ecosystem until recently. This study examines the social-ecological dynamics of seasonal movements
and settlements of agro-pastoralists in the Afro-alpine ecosystem of BMNP. Household survey (321),
key informant interviews, focus group discussions and analysis of land use land cover changes
(LULCC) were employed to generate relevant data. Descriptive statistics mainly used to analysis the
data. The results from LULC changes revealed the decrease and degradation of Afro-alpine
vegetation between 1991 and 2018. Human-livestock influxes including domestic dogs have increased
in the recent past in the study area. The findings further demonstrated that 71% and 58% of the
permanent and seasonal settlers respectively constructed their first hut in the Afro-alpine in the last
twenty seven years. The degradation of the Afro-alpine ecosystem and expansion of cultivated land in
the Afro-alpine are some of the major social-ecological changes witnessed in the area. Therefore,
integrated efforts among the relevant stakeholders including the local community are critical required
to work on education, family planning, and management of the ecosystem to minimize the problems.
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Keywords
Afro-alpine, Social-ecological, dynamics, Pastoralist, Ecosystem, Seasonal, Permanent, Settlement