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Natural Regeneration Practice in Degraded High Lands of Ethiopia Through Area Enclosure
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
120-123
Received:
17 July 2015
Accepted:
28 July 2015
Published:
6 August 2015
Abstract: Forest provides livelihoods for millions of people worldwide through provision of different products. However, their diversity and area coverage are highly declined through time due to deforestation, invasive species, expansion of agricultural practice and land degradation. In line of these several interventions have been tried to undertake environmental degradation in Ethiopia. One of these intervention mechanisms is area enclosure, a method by which an area is protected from human and livestock interference. This method of environmental improvement appears to be successful, through applying artificial and natural regeneration methods. This method has indispensible role for rehabilitation of degraded lands, animal conservation, soil development and conservation. This paper is therefore helpful to know the success of conservation activities through enclosure and to design management plans for the future.
Abstract: Forest provides livelihoods for millions of people worldwide through provision of different products. However, their diversity and area coverage are highly declined through time due to deforestation, invasive species, expansion of agricultural practice and land degradation. In line of these several interventions have been tried to undertake environ...
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Study on Sustainable Development of Agriculture in Dabieshan Pilot Site Based on the Model of Ecological Footprint
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
124-128
Received:
21 July 2015
Accepted:
5 August 2015
Published:
24 August 2015
Abstract: Quantitative evaluation and monitor the status and the degree of sustainable development is a hot and difficult problem. Among the existed evaluation methods and models, ecological footprint is a comprehensive and practical method. Since it was introduced into China in 1999, it has been widely used in the study of regional ecological sustainable development. The authors take Dabieshan Pilot Site as the research object, based on the introduction of basic principle and method of ecological footprint, calculate the ecological footprint of Dabieshan Pilot Site in 2008.The results show that, the ago-ecological footprint of Dabieshan Pilot Site is 1.379042hm2/person, while the available ecological capacity is 1.094089hm2/person, per capita ecological deficit is 0.284953hm2/person. The agriculture development in Dabieshan Pilot Site is in the state of unsustainable. We analyze the reasons and put forward the issues which we would focus on in the next stage
Abstract: Quantitative evaluation and monitor the status and the degree of sustainable development is a hot and difficult problem. Among the existed evaluation methods and models, ecological footprint is a comprehensive and practical method. Since it was introduced into China in 1999, it has been widely used in the study of regional ecological sustainable de...
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Soil Erosion Is Influenced by Grain for Green Policy in Loess Plateau Area of Northern Shaanxi, China
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
129-136
Received:
14 August 2015
Accepted:
25 August 2015
Published:
5 September 2015
Abstract: Grain for Green Policy (GGP), one of China’s important ecological construction and protection policies, have been made remarkable achievements since implementation in 1999. The purpose of this work is to assessment of soil erosion influenced by GGP, which implementation is lead to great change of land use and vegetation cover, using RUSLE model on the basis of land use, MODIS NDVI, DEM and precipitation data in Loess Plateau area of northern Shaanxi, northwest of China. Result showed: (1) GGP implementation in northern Shaanxi was mainly during 1999-2003 and the area of returning farmland in the period accounted for 81.28% of the total area from1999 to 2008. (2) Farmland in northern Shaanxi and slope >25º was decrease 4.94% and 4.84%, respective ly, while grassland was increase 4.04% and 4.05%, respectively. The change of decreasing farmland and increasing grassland was mainly from 2000 to 2005 in northern Shaanxi and slope >25º. (3) Farmland was convert into woodland and grassland, which leaded to increasing of vegetation NDVI. Especially, the vegetation NDVI value of farmland in slope >25º was increase larger than whole area of northern Shaanxi from 2000 to 2010. (4) The change area of soil erosion in northern Shaanxi and slope >25º was decrease in 1 degree, while was increase in other degrees from 2000 to 2010. But when recalculated by rainfall erosivity in 2000, the change area of soil erosion in northern Shaanxi and >25º was increase in 1 degree, while was decrease in other degrees from 2000 to 2010. Vegetation cover change induced by GGP was reduce soil erosion, but due to rainfall erosivity increased, soil erosion was show increase trend in northern Shaanxi and slope >25º.
Abstract: Grain for Green Policy (GGP), one of China’s important ecological construction and protection policies, have been made remarkable achievements since implementation in 1999. The purpose of this work is to assessment of soil erosion influenced by GGP, which implementation is lead to great change of land use and vegetation cover, using RUSLE model on ...
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Soil Fertility Status and Productivity Trends Along a Toposequence: A Case of Gilgel Gibe Catchment in Nadda Assendabo Watershed, Southwest Ethiopia
Siraj Beshir,
Mulugeta Lemeneh,
Endalkachew Kissi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
137-144
Received:
6 August 2015
Accepted:
19 August 2015
Published:
7 September 2015
Abstract: The Impact of landscape positions and land use type on properties as well as land productivity are commonly observed in Ethiopia. The study was therefore conducted to quantify soil fertility and productivity trends under three land uses along the gradient (lower, middle and upper slope positions) of Nadda Assendabo watershed, Southwest Ethiopia. Thus field survey was covered a total of 54 composite soil samples using split plots (for soil physical properties) and split-split factorial arrangements with randomized complete block design from woodlot, grazing and crop land following topographic positions then different parameters were analyzed. The highest mean soil moisture content (56.68%) and porosity (71.09%) were observed for woodlot at the lower slope while the highest soil bulk density (1.74 g/cm3) was observed for soil crop land at the upper slope where as the lowest (0.94 g/cm3) was for woodlot at the lower slope. Sand, silt and clay fractions were significantly affected by interaction effects of slope and land uses (P≤0.01). Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, base saturation percentage and exchangeable basic cations for all land uses were increased down slope while they were affected significantly by slope steepness, land use and soil depth (P≤0.01). Therefore, electrical conductivity at middle and upper slope in grazing land and woodlot; total nitrogen, available phosphorus in crop land at lower slope was significantly different (P≤0.05) due to interaction effect. Furthermore, above ground biomass and grain yields of sorghum, maize and teff were also calculated on farm fields using split plots arrangements. Thus both yields were significantly affected by interaction effect of slope and crop type. Finally, based on the results woodlot, grazing and crop land were recommended for upper, middle and lower slopes respectively.
Abstract: The Impact of landscape positions and land use type on properties as well as land productivity are commonly observed in Ethiopia. The study was therefore conducted to quantify soil fertility and productivity trends under three land uses along the gradient (lower, middle and upper slope positions) of Nadda Assendabo watershed, Southwest Ethiopia. Th...
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Assessment of Tanzanian and Regional Climate Change Related Policies Addressing Climate Change
Josephat A. Saria,
Noorali T. Jiwaji,
Nangware K. Msofe,
Kassim R. Mussa,
Sixbert S. Mwanga,
Ayoub J. Tegeje,
Innocent Messo,
Brown Gwambene,
Noah M. Pauline,
Stella M. Shija,
Godfrey Bwana
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
145-152
Received:
24 September 2015
Accepted:
13 October 2015
Published:
24 October 2015
Abstract: The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that climate change is real and is already happening at an unprecedented rate. This paper assessed how climate change and adaptation is mainstreamed into all relevant areas of public policies. This paper has been developed through a systematic review and analysis of Tanzanian and regional climate change related policies and strategies in order to understand the current status of climate change policies and strategies and how they influence adaptability and resilience by small scale farmers in the country. We found that even though most of the policies have touches to environmental related matters, only few policies have clear provisions on issues pertaining to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Despite all these potentials, there are however a number of constraints to the implementation of activities stipulated in the policy and development programmes to attain sustainability. In Tanzania, climate change has emerged as one of the critical environmental challenges likely to undermine country-level efforts to achieve sustainable development. Occurrences of severe droughts which have hit most parts of the country, prevalence of crop pests and diseases, which have been reported to be increasing and posing more challenge to agriculture, are evidently leading to food insecurity and water scarcity. Thus, integrating climate change risks into government policies requires more flexible, preventive and forward-looking approaches and will involve legal, institutional and policy changes. For example, climate change adaptation could be facilitated through greater use of market-based instruments such as efficient water pricing and water markets, and risk-based insurance for properties, floods and droughts.
Abstract: The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that climate change is real and is already happening at an unprecedented rate. This paper assessed how climate change and adaptation is mainstreamed into all relevant areas of public policies. This paper has been developed through a systematic review...
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Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices and the Role of Public Participation in Jigjiga Town, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
Yohanis Birhanu,
Genemo Berisa
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
153-168
Received:
1 September 2015
Accepted:
26 September 2015
Published:
28 October 2015
Abstract: Solid waste, which is a consequence of day-to-day activity of human kind, needs to be managed properly. Jigjiga City, like other cities in developing countries, faces problems associated with poorly managed solid waste operation. This study concerns about analysis of the city’s current municipal solid waste management problems, opportunities and existing solid waste management practices and role of community participation. The survey was conducted in 03 and 05 kebeles. Different sampling methods were employed to select the study units including: stratified sampling, systematic random sampling, and purposive sampling. Though the bulk of the data collected were qualitative in nature, it was also supported by quantitative information collected through survey and secondary sources. The study discovered that there is low performance of SWM in the city mainly due to: lack of properly designed collection system and time schedule, inadequate and malfunctioning operation equipment, open burning of refuse, poor condition of the final dumpsite and less awareness creation among community which encouraged illegal dumping are the technical problem identified. Insufficient funds as well as lack of promotion on-waste reduction, recycling, absence of waste recovery, practice of energy option, waste separation and composting are among the management challenges facing the city. Social problems encountered include: lack of public awareness, unwillingness to pay, ill dumping manner (often around residence and any open spaces) and improper outlook for waste workers. Incompetence of organizations in terms of equipment required for operation and man power /staff qualifications, training and human resource developments and/or unreliable service are the institutional challenge that the city encountered in the sector. Finally, the study forwarded some important recommendations towards improving the waste management practices.
Abstract: Solid waste, which is a consequence of day-to-day activity of human kind, needs to be managed properly. Jigjiga City, like other cities in developing countries, faces problems associated with poorly managed solid waste operation. This study concerns about analysis of the city’s current municipal solid waste management problems, opportunities and ex...
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Patterns for Arsenate and Trace Element Relationships in Surface Water and Groundwater of Obuasi Municipality of Ghana
Alexander Kwaku Banson,
Richard Kwasi Amankwah,
Samuel Agyarko Ndur
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, September 2015
Pages:
169-180
Received:
1 October 2015
Accepted:
15 October 2015
Published:
31 October 2015
Abstract: Obuasi Municipality is a historic gold mining tropical community that has a massive cocktail of old and active anthropogenic arsenic and trace metal storage structures and activities. Given the potential health impact of elevated arsenic and trace metals in surface and ground water of Obuasi Municipality, it is necessary to assess the distribution and possible link between arsenic and trace metals found in surface water and ground water of the study area. Arsenic is predominant as arsenate in the Obuasi Municipality. In response to this need, the study used statistical and geochemical analytical tools to identify patterns of relationships between arsenate distributions and trace metals in surface water and groundwater of the study area.
Abstract: Obuasi Municipality is a historic gold mining tropical community that has a massive cocktail of old and active anthropogenic arsenic and trace metal storage structures and activities. Given the potential health impact of elevated arsenic and trace metals in surface and ground water of Obuasi Municipality, it is necessary to assess the distribution ...
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