Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Awash National Park, Ethiopia: Impact of Decentralization on the Use and Management of Resources — Oak Academic Publishing
Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Awash National Park, Ethiopia: Impact of Decentralization on the Use and Management of Resources
Department of Geography, Jigjiga University, Jijiga, Ethiopia
,
Department of Geography, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
,
Department of Natural Science, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, USA
1 Department of Geography, Jigjiga University, Jijiga, Ethiopia
2 Department of Geography, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3 Department of Natural Science, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, USA
We analyzed the magnitude of land use land cover changes and identified drivers of those changes at Awash National Park, Ethiopia, using aerial photographs, satellite images and field observation. Scattered bushland—the most important habitat for the wild animals, declined drastically. Areas under grassland, farmland or open land increased over the study period. Policy and park border demarcation issues were identified as drivers of change before 1995 (before decentralization), whereas livestock grazing was indicated to be the leading driver of change after 1995. Major events and causes that largely explained these changes include immigration of the Ittu community, land tenure system, drought, poaching, use policy issues and regional economic and infrastructural development. Our study reveals that the sustainability of the park calls for an immediate action to reduce the ever increasing human and livestock pressure on park resources.
KeywordsLand UseLand CoverDecentralizationGeographic Information System (GIS)Awash National ParkEthiopia
McCusker, B. and Weiner, D. (2003) GIS Representations of Nature, Political Ecology, and the Study of Land Use and Land Cover Change in South Africa. In: Zimmerer, K. and Bassett, T., Eds., Political Ecology: An Integrative Approach to Geography and Environment-Development Studies, Guilford, New York, 200-221.
Moore, D. (1993) Contesting Terrain in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands. Economic Geography, 69, 380-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/143596
Levin, R. and Weiner, D. (1997) Towards the Development of a Popular and Participatory Land Reform Program in a Democratic South Africa. In: Levin, R. and Weiner, D., Eds., No More Tears: Struggles for Land in Mpumalanga, South Africa, Africa World Press, Trenton.
Geist, H.J. (2002) The IGBP-IHDP Joint Core Project on Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC). In: Badran, A., et al., Eds., Land Use and Land Cover Vol. 1, the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems.
Tekle, K. and Hedlund, L. (2000) Land Cover Changes between 1958 and 1986 in Kalu District, Southern Wello, Ethiopia. Mountain Research and Development, 20, 42-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2000)020[0042:LCCBAI]2.0.CO;2
Sherbinin, A. (2002) Thematic Guide to Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) Columbia University Palisades, New York. http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/tg/guide_main.jsp.
Lambin, E.F., Geist, H.J. and Lepers, E. (2003) Dynamics of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change Tropical Regions. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 28, 205-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105459
Wood, A., Stedman-Edwards, P. and Mang, J. (2000) Ten Case Studies—An Overview. In: Wood, A., Stedman-Edwards, P. and Mang, J., Eds., The Root Cause of Biodiversity Loss, Earthscane Publication Ltd., London, 36-57.
Galicia, L. and Garcia-Romer, A. (2007) Land Use/Cover Change in Highland Temperate Forests in the Izatapopo National Park, Central Mexico. Mountain Research and Development, 22, 48-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2007)27[48:LUALCC]2.0.CO;2
Pomeroy, D., Tukahirwa, J., Mugisha, S., Nanyunja, R., Namaganda, M. and Chelimo N (2003) Linkages between Change in Land Use, Land Degradation and Biodiversity in SW Uganda. www.lucideastafrica.org
Maitima, J.M., Mugatha, S.M., Reid, R.S., Gachimbi, L.N., Majule, A., Lyaruu, H., Pomery, D., Mathai, S. and Mugisha, S. (2009) The Linkages between Land Use Change, Land Degradation and Biodiversity across East Africa. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 3, 310-325.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (2007) State of the World’s Forests 2007. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0773e/a0773e00.HTM
Gardew, F., Sandewall, M., Soderberg, U. and Campbell, B. (2009) Land-Use and Land-Cover Dynamics in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Environmental Management, 44, 683-694. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9355-z
Hurni, H., Kebede, T. and Gete, T. (2005) The Implication of Changes in Population, Land Use and Land Management for Surface Runoff for Upper Nile Basin Area of Ethiopia. Mountain Research and Development, 25, 147-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2005)025[0147:TIOCIP]2.0.CO;2
Tsegaye, D., Moea, R.S., Vedeldc, P. and Ermias, A. (2010) Land-Use/Cover Dynamics in Northern Afar Rangelands, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 139, 174-180. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2010.07.017
Megersa, O.D. (2012) Analyzing Decadal Land Use/Cover Dynamics of the Lake Basaka Catchment (Main Ethiopian Rift) Using LANDSAT Imagery and GIS. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management, 17, 11-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2010.07.017
Jacobs, M.J. and Schroeder, A. (1997) Awash National Park Management Plan: 1993-1997. EWCO, Addis Ababa.
Duckworth, F.W. (2002) An Assessment of Ethiopia’s Wildlife Situation. Ethiopian Reporter, Ethiopia.
Institute of Biological Convention, IBC (2009) Ethiopia’s 4th Country Report. Institute of Biodiversity Conservation, Addis Ababa, 4-8 May 2009.
Larson, A.M. (2002) Natural Resources and Decentralization in Nicaragua: Are Local Governments up to the Job? World Development, 30, 17-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(01)00098-5
Zou, H.F. and Davoodi, H. (1997) Fiscal Decentralization and Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Study. Journal of Urban Economics, 43, 244-257.
Agrawal, A. and Gupta, A. (2005) Decentralization and Participation: The Governance of Common Pool Resources in Nepal’s Terai. World Development, 33, 1101-1114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.04.009
Ashenafi, Z.T. and Leader-Williams, N. (2005) Indigenous Common Property Resource Management in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Human Ecology, 33, 539-563. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10745-005-5159-9
Council of Ministers (2008) Wildlife Development, Conservation and Utilization. Council of Ministers Regulation No 163/2008, 4567-4600.
Hurni, H. (2003) The Simen Mountains National Park World Heritage Site. An Interview with Leykun Abune, Program Coordinator, Simen Mountains Integrated Development Program. Mountain Research and Development, 23, 238-239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0238:TSMNPW]2.0.CO;2
Belay, S., Amsalu, A. and Abebe, E. (2012) Awash National Park, Ethiopia: Use Policy Ethnic Conflict and Sustainable Resource Conservation in the Context of Decentralization. Africa Journal of Ecology, 51, 122-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aje.12015
Demeke, D. and Afework, B. (2011) Population Status and Human Impact on the Endangered Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus Buselaphus Swaynei) in Nechsar Plains, Nechsar National Park, Ethiopia. African Journal of Ecology, 49, 311-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01266.x
Hurni, H., Ludi, E., Leykun, A. and Mulugeta, A. (2008) Simen Mountains National Park, Ethiopia: Evolution of Institutional Approaches to Its Management since 1969. In: Galvin, M. and Haller, T., Eds., People, Protected Areas and Global Change: Participatory Conservation in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Perspectives of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), NCCR North-South, c/o Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Institute of Geography, Bern, 287-324.
Girma, M. and Afework, B. (2008) Diversity, Distribution and Habitat Association of Large Mammals of Altash, North Gonder, Ethiopia. Acta Zoological Sinca, 54, 20-29.
Chekol, T., Bekele, A. and Balakrishnan, M. (2012) Population Density, Biomass and Habitat Association of Rodents and Insectivores in Pawe Area, Northwestern Ethiopia. Tropical Ecology, 53, 15-24.
Eyasu, E. (2008) Pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia: Dispossession, Access to Resources and Dialogue with Policy Makers. Dry Land Coordination Group (DCG) Report No. 53.
EWCA (2011) Conference Report on Rescuing Awash National Park. Adama/Nazreth, 24-25 August 2011.
SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Science (1993-2007) SPSS for Windows Standard Version. SPSS Inc., Chicago.
Robinson, C. (2002) Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. 2nd Edition, Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford.
Reid, R.S., Kruska, R.L., Muthui, N., Taye, A., Wotton, S., Wilson, C.J. and Mulatu, W. (2000) Land-Use and Land-Cover Dynamics in Response to Changes in Climatic, Biological and Socio-Political Forces: The Case of Southwestern Ethiopia. Landscape Ecology, 15, 339-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008177712995
Gete, Z. and Hurni, H. (2001) Implication of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics for Mountain Resource Degradation in the Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Mountain Research and Development, 21, 184-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2001)021[0184:IOLUAL]2.0.CO;2
Emiru, T.S. and Taye, A. (2012) Land Use/Cover Dynamics in Lowland Ethiopia since 1957: The Case of Mandura District, Benshangul-Gumuz Regional State. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 8, 36-49.
Fesseha, G., Gebrekidan, H., Kibret, K., Yitaferu, B. and Bedadi, B. (2011) Analysis of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in the Debre-Mewi Watershed at the Upper Catchment of the Blue Nile Basin, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 6, 184-198.
Olson, J.M., Misan, S., Campbell, D.J., Mbonile, M. and Mugisha, S. (2004) Land Use Change Impact and Dynamics (LUCID) Project Working Paper. International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi.
Azofeifaa, G.S., Daily, G.C., Pfaffc, A.S.P. and Busch, C. (2003) Integrity and Isolation of Costa Rica’s National Parks and Biological Reserves: Examining the Dynamics of Land-Cover Change. Biological Conservation, 109, 123-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00145-3
Menale, W., Schneider, W., Assefa, M.M. and Demel, T. (2011) Spatial and Temporal Land Cover Changes in the Simen Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site in Northwestern Ethiopia. Remote Sensing, 3, 752-766. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs3040752
Kibrom, T. and Hedlund, L. (2000) Land Cover Changes between 1958 and 1986 in Kalu District, Southern Wello, Ethiopia. Mountain Research and Development, 20, 42-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2000)020[0042:LCCBAI]2.0.CO;2
Woldeamlak, B. (2003) Towards Integrated Watershed Management in Highland Ethiopia: The Chemoga Watershed Case Study. Ph.D. Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen.
Berhan, G., Hill, S., Tadesse, T. and Atnafu, S. (2011) Using Satellite Images for Drought Monitoring: A Knowledge Discovery Approach. Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, 7, 135-153.
Abate, S. (2011) Evaluating the Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics in Borenaworeda of South Wollo Highlands, Ethiopia. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 13, 87-107.
Majaliwa, J.G.M., Twongyirwe, R., Nyenje, R., Oluka, M., Ongom, B., Sirike, J. and Mfitumukiza, D. (2010) The Effect of Land Cover Change on Soil Properties around Kibale National Park in South Western Uganda. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2010, Article ID: 185689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/185689
Reid, R.S., Gachimbi, L.N., Worden, J., Wangui, E.E., Mathai, S., Mugatha, S.M., Campbell, D.J., Maitima, J.M., Butt, B., Gichohoi, H. and Ogol, E. (2004) Linkages between Changes in Land Use, Biodiversity and Land Degradation in the Loitokitok Area of Kenya. LUCID Working Paper 49, International Livestock Research Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme/Division of Global Environment Facility Coordination, Nairobi.
Central Statistics Agency (CSA) (1994) National Population Statistics. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Central Statistical Authority, Addis Ababa.
Central Statistics Agency (CSA) (2007) National Population Statistics. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Central Statistical Authority, Addis Ababa.
Central Statistics Agency (CSA) (2004) Annual Report. Addis Ababa.
Amsalu, A. (2006) Best Practices in Soil and Water Conservation in Beressa Watershed, Highlands of Ethiopia. Ph.D. Thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen.
Shibru, T. and Kifle, L. (1998) Environmental Management in Ethiopia: Have the National Conservation Plans Worked? Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSRIA) Environmental Forum Publications Series No. 1, Addis Ababa.
Ayalew, G. (2001) Conflict Management, Resolution and Institutions among the Karrayu and Their Neighbors. In: Mohammed Salih, M.A., Dietz, T. and Ahmad, A.G.M., Eds., African Pastoralism: Conflicts, Institutions and Government, Organization of Social Science Research in Eastern Africa (OSSREA), Nairobi.
Getachew, G., Nigatu, A., Abule, I., Gezahegne, A. and Shimelis, B. (2007) Pastoral Livelihoods in Afar and Kereyu the Case of Pastoral Communities in and around Awash National Park. Pastoral Livestock Systems: Opportunities and Challenges as a Livelihood Strategy. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production, Addis Ababa, 4-6 October 2007.
Ethiopian Mapping Authority (EMA) (1987) 1:50,000 Topographic Map Series of Awash Areba, Addis Ababa.