The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems
Abstract Climate change has significantly impacted smallholder farmers in developing countries, where most livelihoods rely on rain-fed agricultural systems. The Northwestern Escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley (NEERV) is among Ethiopia's most drought-vulnerable areas and is highly affected...
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| Format: | Article |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Discover Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00193-y |
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| author | Jemal Nasir Tesfaye Zeleke Eskinder Gidey Engdawork Assefa Shishay Kahsay Emiru Birhane Paidamwoyo Mhangara |
| author_facet | Jemal Nasir Tesfaye Zeleke Eskinder Gidey Engdawork Assefa Shishay Kahsay Emiru Birhane Paidamwoyo Mhangara |
| author_sort | Jemal Nasir |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Climate change has significantly impacted smallholder farmers in developing countries, where most livelihoods rely on rain-fed agricultural systems. The Northwestern Escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley (NEERV) is among Ethiopia's most drought-vulnerable areas and is highly affected by land use and land cover change (LULCC). This study aimed to analyze the synergistic impacts of drought and LULCC in the three major livelihood zones (LZs) of NEERV between 1983 and 2019. The study used socioeconomic, climatic, and earth observation datasets. Utilizing a mix of socioeconomic, climatic, and earth observation datasets, this paper investigated the combined effects of these factors on three major livelihood zones: Alagie-Ofla (ALOFLZ), Tsirare catchment (TCLZ), and Raya Valley (RVLZ). The analysis revealed significant rainfall variability, with annual fluctuations between 31 and 50% and seasonal variations ranging from 39 to 99%. This variability has contributed to frequent drought occurrences, with intervals of approximately 2.13 years in ALOFLZ, 2.2 years in TCLZ, and 2.13 years in RVLZ. There has been a notable increase in cultivated and built-up areas across all zones. The study found that drought and LULCC have severely impacted agricultural productivity and local ecosystems, with the most pronounced effects observed in RVLZ, TCLZ, and ALOFLZ. The findings highlight a critical need for integrated approaches to manage and monitor the synergistic impacts of drought and LULCC. The study underscores the importance of enhancing drought and LULCC monitoring systems to improve resilience and adaptability in vulnerable regions. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of how these intertwined factors exacerbate environmental and socioeconomic challenges, offering valuable insights into policy and management strategies for mitigating their effects. Recommendations include enhancing the current drought and LULCC monitoring systems to improve predictions and mitigation efforts, thus bolstering resilience and adaptability among affected communities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-31e3415073a741219c859dd42c9a770d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-9431 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-31e3415073a741219c859dd42c9a770d2025-08-20T03:13:11ZengSpringerDiscover Environment2731-94312025-02-013112210.1007/s44274-025-00193-yThe synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systemsJemal Nasir0Tesfaye Zeleke1Eskinder Gidey2Engdawork Assefa3Shishay Kahsay4Emiru Birhane5Paidamwoyo Mhangara6Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture, Wollo UniversityCenter for Environmental and Development Studies, College of Development Study, Addis Ababa UniversitySchool of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, University of the WitwatersrandCenter for Environmental and Development Studies, College of Development Study, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Aksum UniversityDepartment of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection (LaRMEP), College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle UniversitySchool of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, University of the WitwatersrandAbstract Climate change has significantly impacted smallholder farmers in developing countries, where most livelihoods rely on rain-fed agricultural systems. The Northwestern Escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley (NEERV) is among Ethiopia's most drought-vulnerable areas and is highly affected by land use and land cover change (LULCC). This study aimed to analyze the synergistic impacts of drought and LULCC in the three major livelihood zones (LZs) of NEERV between 1983 and 2019. The study used socioeconomic, climatic, and earth observation datasets. Utilizing a mix of socioeconomic, climatic, and earth observation datasets, this paper investigated the combined effects of these factors on three major livelihood zones: Alagie-Ofla (ALOFLZ), Tsirare catchment (TCLZ), and Raya Valley (RVLZ). The analysis revealed significant rainfall variability, with annual fluctuations between 31 and 50% and seasonal variations ranging from 39 to 99%. This variability has contributed to frequent drought occurrences, with intervals of approximately 2.13 years in ALOFLZ, 2.2 years in TCLZ, and 2.13 years in RVLZ. There has been a notable increase in cultivated and built-up areas across all zones. The study found that drought and LULCC have severely impacted agricultural productivity and local ecosystems, with the most pronounced effects observed in RVLZ, TCLZ, and ALOFLZ. The findings highlight a critical need for integrated approaches to manage and monitor the synergistic impacts of drought and LULCC. The study underscores the importance of enhancing drought and LULCC monitoring systems to improve resilience and adaptability in vulnerable regions. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of how these intertwined factors exacerbate environmental and socioeconomic challenges, offering valuable insights into policy and management strategies for mitigating their effects. Recommendations include enhancing the current drought and LULCC monitoring systems to improve predictions and mitigation efforts, thus bolstering resilience and adaptability among affected communities.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00193-yClimate variabilityDroughtLULCCCombined effectsLivelihood system |
| spellingShingle | Jemal Nasir Tesfaye Zeleke Eskinder Gidey Engdawork Assefa Shishay Kahsay Emiru Birhane Paidamwoyo Mhangara The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems Discover Environment Climate variability Drought LULCC Combined effects Livelihood system |
| title | The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems |
| title_full | The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems |
| title_fullStr | The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems |
| title_short | The synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on Ethiopian Rift Valley Northwestern Escarpment livelihood systems |
| title_sort | synergetic effect of drought and land use changes on ethiopian rift valley northwestern escarpment livelihood systems |
| topic | Climate variability Drought LULCC Combined effects Livelihood system |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00193-y |
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