Local perception of watershed degradation in the upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia: implications to sustainable watershed management strategies

Abstract

Local perception of watershed degradation is a key social factor that plays a great role for sustainable watershed management strategies. However, there are little efforts in systematically documenting farmers’ perception of watershed degradation in Ethiopia. This study intended to explore farmers’ perception of severity, causes and indicators of watershed degradation across topographic positions – upper, middle and lower, and analyse factors affecting farmers’ perception of watershed degradation in Rebu watershed, southwest Ethiopia. Data were obtained from field observations, group discussions, key informant interviews and household survey. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis. The results of the investigation showed that the majority of the households (96.6%) were aware of or perceived watershed degradation as a problem constraining agricultural production in their farmlands and surrounding landscapes. Farmers perceived exposed stone and tree roots, gullies and rills as the major indicators of soil erosion, while decline in crop yields, loss of cultivable land and changes in crop colour were for diminishing soil quality. Cultivation of steeper slopes by clearing vegetation induced by population pressure, overgrazing and land management practices were perceived as the major causes of watershed degradation. Problems of watershed degradation were better perceived in the upper and middle topographic settings and by respective watershed programme participants implying the need for site-specific appropriate watershed management. The majority of respondents (over 75%) also confirmed that they observed a decreasing trend in watershed degradation following the introduction of the watershed management program. Binary logistic regression results indicated that farm land size, topographic settings, extension services, group membership, credit services and the number of livestock owned were significant factors influencing farmers’ perception. Hence, decision makers and planners need to consider location and/or socio economic context-specific conditions to understand watershed degradation and towards restoration activities in a given landscape.