Research Article
Socio-economic and Bio-physical Characterization of Wadego Watershed, Oda-Bultum Woreda, West Hararghe zone, Ethiopia
Wasihun Gizaw,
Shimelis Dekeba*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
114-124
Received:
12 June 2024
Accepted:
25 July 2024
Published:
20 August 2024
Abstract: Baseline characterization is important component of watershed development of rural development and natural resource management strategies in many countries. Hence, the study was designed to; assess and document major biophysical and socio-economic constraints and potentials of Wadego watershed. Firstly, Wadego watershed boundary was delineated and its map was developed based on the preliminary outlet identified with the help of GPS reading. The households for interview were selected randomly from the small householders in the watershed based on proportional to population size. Accordingly, data was collected from 120 sample respondents using various instruments such as: key informant interview using semi-structured checklist, focused group discussion, expert interview, unstructured questionnaire and field observation on bio-physical resources and different concerns of watershed management. Collected data was summarized using descriptive statistics. The result indicated, out of the total 120 sample respondents socio-economic status were; 87.5% of them were male while the rest 12.5% were female, 93% were married, 51% were un educated. The major crops grown in the watershed were Maize, Sorghum, Khat, Teff and others while, Barley and Field Pea were the least grown ones. The result of the survey has indicated 37% uses improved variety, while 64% uses local variety. According to respondents, the slop class of the watershed was 56, 29, and 15% flat, medium and steeply slops respectively. Moreover, soil fertility class was 25%, 54% and 21% low, medium and high respectively in the watershed. Generally, the survey result have characterized and documented bio-physical and socio-economic status as: average land owned half hectare, densely populated, different slope class in the watershed, land shortage, feed problems, presence of soil fertility and erosion problems, climatic problems etc. in the watershed. Accordingly, researchable issues on different prioritized problems concerning to; soil fertility management, soil and water conservation, Agroforestry practice, forage development and forestry practices in the watershed have given prioritization and therefore, adapted and generated technologies nearby research center i.e. Mechara Agricultural Research Center and any concerned research institutions and also development work oriented NGO’S has to intervened the watershed by research development work. Accordingly, intervention areas forwarded are: Creating awareness on climate variability and change and SWC techniques, introducing different biophysical soil and water harvesting technologies, demonstration and awareness creation, Participatory demonstration on different Agroforestry and plantation forestry practices, introducing multipurpose plant species like Bamboo variety in the watershed.
Abstract: Baseline characterization is important component of watershed development of rural development and natural resource management strategies in many countries. Hence, the study was designed to; assess and document major biophysical and socio-economic constraints and potentials of Wadego watershed. Firstly, Wadego watershed boundary was delineated and ...
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Research Article
Assessment of Morphometric Characteristics and Gully Development Susceptibility in Itu Local Government Area Using Geographic Information System
Ehiremen Lucky,
Abraham Comfort,
Saturday Unyime*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
125-137
Received:
17 July 2024
Accepted:
9 August 2024
Published:
27 August 2024
Abstract: The intensification in urbanization and wrong termination of drains into ravine has resulted in gully development which has rendered people homeless and reduced agricultural and economic development. Consequently, this study assessed morphometric characteristics and gully development susceptibility in Itu Local Government Area using Geographic Information System. In conducting this study, measurement of the morphometric parameters of the identified gullies were carried out while the susceptibility extent of gully development was done using multi-criteria technique in GIS. In assessing the characteristics features of the gullies, Field surveys measurements of gully morphology and hydraulic variables were carried out by the researcher using Global Positioning System (GPS), measuring tape, ranging pole, etc. This help in determining gullied land volume and cross-sectional area. Result of the study shows that the measured gully depth varies from 6.4m at Obong Itam to 25.8m at Enen Atai, while the gully width ranges from 4.1m in Ikot Ekang to 9.3m in Ntiat Itam. The cross-sectional profiles ranges from 45.43m2 to 165.12m2. Also, the cross-sectional profile of the area indicative of V-shape to U- shape, all with very narrow gully width and steeply sloping gully sides, which are features of gullies developed on very loose and incoherent soils that slump/collapse on exposure. On the other hand, the mean sand composition of the soil was 62.2% ranging between 55.3-70.1 while silt ranges from 17.7-25.2 with a mean of 20.2% and clay ranging between 10.0-21.9 with mean of 17.7%. The correlation matrix between the gully depth and cross- sectional area (0.84) and is significant at 99% confidence level, meaning that the retreat of gully sides take place at rates proportional to the rate of gully deepening. In assessing the susceptibility extent of gully development in Itu Local Government Area using multi-criteria Analysis technique, the summary of the map shows that 52.94% of the total study area are highly susceptible to gully development, 28.19% are moderately susceptible while 9.31% and 9.56% marginally and not susceptible respectively to gully development in Itu local government area. The study concludes that the poor soil quality attributes, soil conservation and management practices contribute to gully development in the area, hence, the need for government to enact laws against such activities that favour gully growth and initialization.
Abstract: The intensification in urbanization and wrong termination of drains into ravine has resulted in gully development which has rendered people homeless and reduced agricultural and economic development. Consequently, this study assessed morphometric characteristics and gully development susceptibility in Itu Local Government Area using Geographic Info...
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