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Eshetu SB, Kipkulei HK, Koepke J, Kächele H, Sieber S, Löhr K. Impact of forest landscape restoration in combating soil erosion in the Lake Abaya catchment, Southern Ethiopia. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:228. [PMID: 38305922 PMCID: PMC10837221 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12378-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
As an effect of forest degradation, soil erosion is among Ethiopia's most pressing environmental challenges and a major threat to food security where it could potentially compromise the ecosystem functions and services. As the effects of soil erosion intensify, the landscape's capacity to support ecosystem functions and services is compromised. Exploring the ecological implications of soil erosion is crucial. This study investigated the soil loss and land degradation in the Lake Abaya catchment to explore forest landscape restoration (FLR) implementation as a possible countermeasure to the effects. The study used a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to determine the potential annual soil loss and develop an erosion risk map. Results show that 13% of the catchment, which accounts for approximately 110,000 ha, is under high erosion risk of exceeding the average annual tolerable soil loss of 10 t/ha/year. Allocation of land on steep slopes to crop production is the major reason for the calculated high erosion risk in the catchment. A scenario-based analysis was implemented following the slope-based land-use allocation proposal indicated in the Rural Land Use Proclamation 456/2005 of Ethiopia. The scenario analysis resulted in a reversal erosion effect whereby an estimated 3000 t/ha/year of soil loss in the catchment. Thus, FLR activities hold great potential for minimizing soil loss and contributing to supporting functioning and providing ecosystem services. Tree-based agroforestry systems are among the key FLR measures championed in highly degraded landscapes in Ethiopia. This study helps policymakers and FLR implementors identify erosion risk areas for future FLR activities. Thereby, it contributes to achieving the country's restoration commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibire Bekele Eshetu
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany.
- Thaer-Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Agricultural Economics, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr, 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Harison Kiplagat Kipkulei
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Thaer-Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Agricultural Economics, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr, 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Julian Koepke
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstraße 5, 16225, Eberswalde, Germany
| | - Harald Kächele
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstraße 5, 16225, Eberswalde, Germany
| | - Stefan Sieber
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Thaer-Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Agricultural Economics, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr, 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Löhr
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Urban Plant Ecophysiology, Thaer-Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Lentzeallee 55/57, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Matavel CE, Hoffmann H, Rybak C, Hafner JM, Salavessa J, Eshetu SB, Sieber S. Experimental evaluation of a passive indirect solar dryer for agricultural products in Central Mozambique. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.15975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Custodio E. Matavel
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Life Sciences Thaer‐Institute Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Harry Hoffmann
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
| | - Constance Rybak
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
| | - Johannes M. Hafner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Life Sciences Thaer‐Institute Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - João Salavessa
- Faculty of Heath Sciences Universidade Lúrio Nampula Mozambique
| | | | - Stefan Sieber
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Life Sciences Thaer‐Institute Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
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