Watershed-based landscape restoration impacts, constraints and opportunities: systematic review and synthesis

Abstract

Landscape based natural resources restoration is an irreplaceable approach to recover ecological functionality and to sustain human well-being in degraded landscapes. The Ethiopian Government has put in place some high-level initiatives, and programs to restore degraded lands and its ecosystem services. On the other hand, landscape restoration activities suffered from success and sustainability. The objective of this study was to systematically review the lessons learned and challenges from restoration efforts to identify pathways for scaling up. The study involved reviewing and synthesizing 92 studies focusing on physical soil and water conservation, afforestation/reforestation, and area exclosures. The institutionalized and watershed-based landscape restorations of about half a century have improved forest, soil, water, and crop production. The widespread restoration activities of the country have also provided valuable lessons on approaches, technologies, and impacts for government, non-government, community and the world. The opportunities associated with existing government policies, strategies, and initiatives; availability of testified technologies and experiences; growing community interests; and availability of bilateral donors and development partners that could improve implementation and sustainability of natural resources restoration are reviewed and summarized. Since major landscape restorations are implemented through project and programs, their success and sustainability challenged due to donor dependency, poor community-ownership, and lack of adaptive management. Agro-ecology and socio-economic-based implementation of testified technologies and practices using approaches that empower local communities, and implementing adaptive management are recommended to make landscape restoration effective and sustainable. Policy, regulations and functioning institutions are critical to ensure community involvement and ownership on landscape restoration.